OFFICERS'

Pulse
March 2023 - IN DEPTH

Current Affairs Monthly

The PULSE of UPSC at your fingertips.
 1

Contents
1) Post-Pandemic Health ......................... 2 10) On reservation for women in
2) MSME Sector on Growth Trajectory 3 politics...................................................... 13

3) India’s fight against Tuberculosis 11) A shared G20 vision for the ocean
(TB) ............................................................. 5 commons ................................................. 15

4) A study on Microplastics ..................... 6 12) How to become a green hydrogen

superpower ............................................ 17
5) Preventive Health Care ....................... 7
13) Women Rising .................................... 18
6) SMART PDS scheme .............................. 8
14) Western Disturbances & their
7) Under representation of Women in Impacts .................................................... 20
Politics and bureaucracy ..................... 9
15) India’s solar push augurs a
8) The ideal track to run India’s looming waste management
logistics system ..................................... 11 challenge ................................................. 21
9) The wide disparities in human 16) Next generation technology- 6G .. 23
development .......................................... 12
Model Questions ....................................... 24

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 2

1) Post-Pandemic Health  Third, Covid-19 has emphasised the

(GS2: Issues Relating to Development importance of stronger health
and Management of Social services and well-functioning
Sector/Services relating to Health, primary health care services
Education, Human Resources) (PHC). The PHC services should be
Context built around the people, where it is
 Health is an integral part of a not just the treatment of disease
prosperous society. India aims to but attention is on preventive and
become a US$ 5 trillion economy; promotive services as well.
therefore, it needs to take care of  Fourth, India has 11 diseases that
the health of every citizen. are considered 'neglected tropical
 Therefore, it is logical to reflect on diseases’, such as filariasis, kala-
the priorities of the health sector azar, snake bites, etc. which need
for India at 100 in 2047. higher policy and programmatic
Priorities of the Health Sector attention. It is time, sufficient
 First, effective, timely and investment is made in
science-based communication is programmatic interventions,
integral to health services. The vaccines and medicine research
Covid-19 pandemic has reminded and focus on public health
us that misinformation is a major interventions to tackle these
challenge for the health sector. diseases.
o Vaccine hesitancy and  Fifth, improve the health data
refusal and resulting quality and availability. Such data
lower vaccine coverage in is useful for health decision making
some sections of the and for dispelling the myths and
population has been some of rumors.
the outcomes of  Sixth, India has assumed the
misinformation. Presidency of the G20 for the year
Mechanisms must be 2023. The country needs to play
established to dispel any leadership in bringing and
health misinformation in sustaining attention to the
real time. challenge of Antimicrobial
 Second, Covid-19 has reminded us Resistance, the coordinated
that vaccination is not just for global response to epidemics and
children but also for adolescents pandemics, neglected tropical
and adults. Apart from Covid, a few diseases and focus on 'one
other vaccines such as hepatitis-B, health' (health of humans, animals
meningococcal and and the environment is related to
pneumococcal vaccines can each other).
reduce diseases in adults.  Seventh, it is time to move towards
o India now has an stronger health systems, building
indigenously developed upon the Ayushman Bharat
and low cost HPV (Human Programme, and health and
Papilloma Virus) vaccine wellness centers initiatives.
which can protect  Eighth, it is the time for a re-
adolescent age groups from examination of the role of
cervical cancer and other federalism in health policy.
conditions. Health is a State subject in India,
but there are many central policies

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 3

and schemes that deal with various assume responsibility and the
aspects of public health. It is time to government has to step-up
deliberate in what ways investment in research and
cooperative federalism can be development on vaccines and
strengthened in the matter of therapeutics.
public health. o This has become especially
 Ninth, in the post-pandemic period important for emerging and
health workforce availability and re-emerging diseases and
equitable distribution has to be many neglected tropical
the priority. 90% of the doctors diseases, which affect low-
are in the private sector and only and middle-income
one in ten doctors in the countries and are not a
government sector. These have research priority for high
implications on the capacity of the income countries.
government sector to deliver health
services. 2) MSME Sector on Growth
 Tenth, the disease surveillance Trajectory
systems and public health (GS3: Indian Economy and issues
measures need to be sustained. relating to Planning, Mobilization of
 Eleventh, malnutrition and Resources, Growth, Development and
anemia in women and children Employment)
continue to be challenges. The Context
National Family Health Survey-5  India's manufacturing sector is
(NFHS-5) shows that despite largely dominated by micro and
decades of implementation of a small enterprises which play a
range of schemes for women and critical role in achieving the
children, malnutrition and objectives of faster and more
anemia rates remain high, and inclusive growth in India due to its
the rate of improvement is very vast employment potential and its
low. contribution to total industrial
 Twelfth, the Mental Health and output and exports.
post and long Covid are two Contribution of the MSME Sector
urgent post-pandemic health issues  According to the Economic Survey
to be catered to. The National 2022-23, the contribution of the
Mental Health Survey 2015-16 MSME sector to overall Gross
reported that one in every eight Value Added (GVA) increased
persons in India needed one or from 29.3 per cent in 2018-19 to
other form of mental health 30.5 per cent in 2019-20. But, due
services. to the economic impact of the
o However, the issue was not pandemic, the sector's share fell to
recognized because of the 26.8 per cent in 2020-21.
stigma associated. Health  The MSME sector accounts for over
services also need attention 90 per cent of industrial units, 40
from the government for the per cent of the total
post and long-covid manufacturing output and nearly
especially through primary 35 per cent of India's exports.
healthcare systems.  Moreover, a significantly large
 Thirteenth, India being a proportion of the MSME sector
pharmacy to the world needs to operates in rural areas and after

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 4

agriculture, this sector is the  To ease the access to government

biggest employment provider in data on registration of MSMEs,
rural areas and hence crucial for unorganised workers,
socio-economic wellbeing of rural availability of skilled workforce,
populace. etc. four portals viz., Udyam (an
Challenges online system for registering
 However, the MSME sector MSMEs), e-Shram (creating
continues to grapple with various national database of unorganised
challenges such as workers), National Career Service
o low level of technology-in- (catering to employment-related
use, services like job search, job
o limited access to inputs and matching, career counselling, etc),
credits, and Atmanirbhar Skilled
o unfavourable market Employee-Employer Mapping
environment, (ASEEM - matching supply of
o falling outside the ambit of skilled workforce with the market
formal business and demand) will be interlinked.
o labour regulations.  A special package for traditional
Key Provisions under the Union Budget artisans and craftsmen under the
2023-24 PM Vishwa Karma Kaushal
 One of the key highlights of this Samman was announced to
budget is the revamping of the integrate them with the MSME
MSME credit guarantee scheme. value chain and enable them to
The budget made a provision of improve quality, scale and reach of
infusing Rs. 9,000 crore in the their products.
corpus of the Credit Guarantee  The setting up of Entity
Fund Trust for Micro and Small DigiLocker for MSMEs will allow
Enterprises (CGTMSE), which will storing and sharing documents
enable additional collateral free online securely, whenever needed,
credit of Rs. 2 lakh crore to with various authorities,
MSMEs. regulators, banks, and business
 A National Financial Information entities.
Registry has been announced Way Forward
which will serve as the central  Due to inadequate and poor
repository of financial and ancillary extension machinery, especially in
information and enable an efficient the rural areas, a majority of MSME
flow of credit. entrepreneurs are not aware of
 The five-year rollout of the Rs. various announcements and
6,000 crore World Bank-assisted provisions made in the budget.
Raising and Accelerating MSME  A robust mechanism should be
Performance (RAMP) designed to aggressively sensitise
programme was announced in the these entrepreneurs about
budget to help the MSME sector budgetary provisions which are
become more resilient, competitive meant for them and how they can
and efficient. About 6.35 lakh access these provisions.
MSMEs are likely to benefit from  Special Gram Sabhas may be
better access to market, finance conducted at panchayat level to
and credit under the scheme. sensitise both existing and aspiring

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 5

entrepreneurs about budgetary  The largest number of TB cases

provisions and announcements. are diagnosed and treated in
India’s unmonitored private
3) India’s fight against sector where the quality of care
Tuberculosis (TB) is unreliable, and diagnosis and
(GS2: Issues Relating to Development treatment are expensive and
and Management of Social often inaccurate.
Sector/Services relating to Health, Way Forward
Education, Human Resources)  Normalizing and destigmatising
Context TB testing: By organizing large-
 World TB Day was observed on scale socially relevant campaigns
24th March with the theme of targeted both the population and
‘Yes! We can end TB’. India’s healthcare providers.
 TB is caused by bacterium o TB survivors can play a
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It critical role in helping
spreads in the air via droplets design such
and is highly contagious. It communication and
mostly affects the lungs and also community support
other parts of the body. strategies that actually
Issues associated with TB management work.
 Most Indians believe that TB is  Ensuring accessible and
unlikely to happen to them as a affordable diagnostics: India
result of critical failure in needs to urgently invest in
addressing information gaps diagnostics, focusing on the scale-
that exist around TB. up of new diagnostic tests and
 Most Indians still do not know the offering universal drug-
symptoms of TB, most doctors susceptibility testing (DST) to all
rarely order enough TB tests, and TB patients and also ensure every
a staggering one million cases Indian seeking care can easily
remain unreported in India. access accurate TB tests for free.
 Reliable and affordable  Implementing best available
diagnostics for both drug- treatment: The universal
sensitive and drug-resistant TB implementation of the shortest
remain inaccessible to most. and best available TB regimens
 Gaps in implementation and for TB prevention, drug-sensitive
inadequate financial support of TB and drug-resistant TB is
the Nikshay Poshan Yojana needed. If cost is an obstacle,
(NPY). options such as compulsory
o NPY aims to support every licensing have to be considered.
TB Patient by providing a  Addressing implementation
Direct Benefit Transfer gaps in NPY: The amount for NPY
(DBT) of Rs 500 per month needs to be increased to at least
for nutritional needs. Rs 2,500 for the TB-affected.
 TB is highly stigmatized within  Adequate provision for
communities, families, and treatment: Providing both
patients routinely face patient and family counseling,
discrimination within the health information and support to help
system. mitigate mental health impact and
reduce stigma is needed.

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 6

 Stigma reduction measures: International conventions like

India needs to launch a national MARPOL that enforced laws
campaign for stigma reduction against dumping trash at sea.
and provide counseling and  Since 2005 more than 5,000,000
mental health support to TB- tons of new plastic have been
affected individuals particularly produced into the world.
women, trans individuals and the  If the world fails to take any
LGBTQIA++ community. drastic action about the issue,
 Public private partnerships: An there will be a 2.6-fold increase
innovative and well-thought-out in plastic flowing into aquatic
people-centred private sector environments by 2040.
engagement strategy is needed for About Microplastics
which successful examples of  Microplastics are tiny plastic
public-private partnerships can particles that measure less than
be considered and incorporated 5mm in diameter.
into our national plans.  Adverse effects of
 Invest in research: India needs microplastics:
to rapidly invest in TB-related o Microplastics are
research. particularly harmful to
Conclusion the oceans as they don’t
 Innovation, rethinking current readily break down into
strategies and putting people at harmless molecules.
the center of our efforts can help o They adversely affect the
achieve India’s target of health of marine
eradicating TB by 2025. organisms, which mistake
plastic for food.
4) A study on Microplastics  Ingestion of
(GS3: Conservation, Environmental microplastics by
Pollution and Degradation, marine organisms,
Environmental Impact Assessment) from phytoplankton
Context to whales and
 According to a study published dolphins, can cause
recently in the journal PLoS ONE, problems, such as
an estimated 170 trillion plastic lacerations and
particles weighing about 2 blockages to
million metric tons are internal systems.
currently afloat in the oceans  Microplastics
across the world. absorb many
 The study cautions that if no hydrophobic
urgent action is taken then this compounds, like
number could nearly triple by DDT and other
2040. industrial
Findings of the Study chemicals, and
 A vast majority of these plastic evidence shows
particles found on the ocean’s they can be
surface are microplastics. released when
 Between 1990 and 2005, the ingested.
number of plastic particles more
or less fluctuated due to

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 7

o Microplastics can also  The economic burden on India

disrupt the carbon cycle due to NCDs is expected to be
of the oceans. about ₹511 lakh crores by 2030.
o They can trigger loss of Overweight conditions and
biodiversity and threaten obesity alone plague nearly 17%
ecosystem balance. of our population, annually
Way Forward costing the country ₹2.8 lakh
 There is an urgent need to crore, over 1% of its GDP.
implement a global resolution  If steps are not taken to curb the
to limit the production of single- spread of just this condition,
use, throwaway plastic. India will suffer a loss of nearly
 We must ensure that cities are 2.5% of its GDP, in 2060.
responsible for waste Role of Preventive Health Care
management and reduce the  Preventive healthcare consists of
amount of chemical additives in measures taken for the purposes
new plastic products. of disease prevention.
 Industries have to legally be  Advantages of preventive health
required to put at least 75% care are
recycled plastic in any new o Reduces the incidence of
product. diseases
o Lowers the burden on the
5) Preventive Health Care healthcare system
(GS2: Issues Relating to Development o Improves the quality of
and Management of Social life.
Sector/Services relating to Health, Measures Required
Education, Human Resources)  Mortality from NCDs is
Context preventable through various
 This article discusses the right interventions like adult
steps towards prevention to vaccinations, regular health
beat Non Communicable analysis, healthy lifestyle choices
Diseases and propel India to its and early screening for diseases.
full potential.  Need of the hour is to understand
NCDs and the Economic Burden and adopt the right 'prevention-
 Over the past three decades, NCDs first' behaviour.
have become the leading cause o Our everyday habits need
of death and suffering, to be designed to put us on
contributing 71% of global a healing path, to live long
deaths. and truly prosper.
 In India, NCDs have contributed  Investing in preventive
to 66% of all deaths in 2019 (up healthcare measures will
from 25% in 1990). significantly minimize expense in
 Heart diseases, cancer, chronic fighting diseases in the long run.
respiratory diseases and  Better Healthcare
diabetes account for more than infrastructure and medical
half of these deaths. professionals have to create
 WHO predicts 1 in 4 Indians has systems, products and the
a risk of dying from an NCD motivation that enables more and
before reaching 70. more individuals to adopt
preventive solutions.

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 8

o By making routine health Context

monitoring or  This article discusses the benefits
inspections more of the recently launched SMART
personalized. PDS scheme which is beyond just
o By leveraging ration distribution.
technological About SMART PDS
advancements to  The SMART-PDS is an initiative of
integrate more predictive the Department of Food and
analysis into diagnosis. Public Distribution (DFPD)
 The healthcare industry must under the Ministry of Consumer
shift its focus from curative to Affairs, Food and Public
preventive care and encourage Distribution.
every individual to adopt this.  This scheme aims to strengthen
Government Measures in this Regard the PDS technology components
 The National Programme for by standardization of its
Prevention and Control of operation and implementing data-
Cancer, Diabetes, driven decision-making through
Cardiovascular Disease and data analytics.
Stroke (NPCDCS) is helping  It is a system where smart ration
increase awareness, setting up cards are issued to beneficiaries
infrastructure (like community of the public distribution system,
health centers, NCD clinics, and ration is given through fair
cardiac care units), and already price shops on the production of
carrying out opportunistic the smart ration card by any
screening at primary health member of the beneficiary family.
levels.  SMART PDS stands for Scheme
 There are also initiatives in place for Modernisation and Reforms
to reduce household use of solid through Technology in Public
fuel as well as tobacco use by Distribution System (SMART-
2025. PDS) and it aims to
Conclusion o Prevent leakage of
 While the present efforts of the foodgrains;
government will contribute o Increase the efficiency of
significantly to fight against NCDs, the distribution chain;
preventive care solutions are o Ensures the availability
needed to build a truly resilient of such provisions for
and formidable India. migrants.
 A national movement on How will SMART PDS benefit us?
prevention can inculcate healthier  Convergence and integration with
habits, create a safer environment the use of Artificial Intelligence
and better medical decision- can really be a game changer for
making. people as well as governments in
bringing accountability across all
6) SMART PDS scheme programmes.
(GS3: Public Distribution System-  Data Analytics on the TPDS
Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, ecosystem is allowing us to
Revamping; Issues of Buffer Stocks and generate critical information
Food Security) about the beneficiaries, their food

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 9

security needs and patterns of PDS). Its main objectives

migration. are:
 Usage of data analytics and other  Implementation of
ICT tools and technologies brings One Nation One
standardization of the PDS Ration Card
operation. (nation-wide
 Data can be leveraged for the portability),
delivery of many other central  Creation of a
schemes and welfare national-level data
programmes. repository for de-
 Technology-led reforms are duplication of
expected to overcome the state- beneficiary/ration
level technological limitations cards data;
of PDS operations.  Creation of
 This will also institutionalize an integrated data
integrated central system for all infrastructure/sys
PDS-related operations across all tems across ration
states/UTs. card management;
Other Digital Initiatives allocation, supply
 Aadhar authentication and chain of foodgrains
ePOS devices: and FPS automation
o Nearly 93 per cent of the among Centre and
total monthly allocated all states.
foodgrains are distributed Outcome of these Initiatives
through the Aadhaar  The One Nation One Ration Card
authentication mode plan is seamlessly functional in
using electronic Point of all 36 States/UTs and is
Sale (ePoS) devices. consistently recording over 3.5
o This dividend is directly crore monthly portable
attributed to the 100 per transactions.
cent digitisation of ration  The data generated during this
cards, online process has now become a tool
management of for many other central
beneficiaries’ data, ministries and state
computerisation of governments.
foodgrains’ allocation and o For instance, it serves as a
supply chain management tool for transfer of benefits
systems in all states/UTs, for the e-Shram Portal,
and the installation of Ayushman Bharat, and PM-
ePoS devices in almost the Street Vendors
entire country. AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-
 Integrated Management of SVANidhi) Yojana.
Public Distribution System (IM-
PDS). 7) Under representation of
o The government has
Women in Politics and
launched a Central Sector
Scheme – Integrated bureaucracy
Management of Public (GS1: Role of Women and Women’s
Distribution System (IM- Organization, Population and

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 10

Associated Issues, Poverty and o Balancing family

Developmental issues, Urbanization, commitments;
their problems and their remedies) o Women candidates are
Context more likely than men to
 India is predicted to be the third- seek voluntary
largest economy in the world by retirement from service;
2030. Despite its economic o General perception that
growth, women’s participation in women should be
the country’s economy, polity and preferred for “soft”
society has not kept pace. ministries like Social
Status of Women in Bureaucracy Welfare, Culture, Women
 As per Indian Administrative and Child Development.
Services (IAS) data and the central Status of Women in Politics
government’s employment census  The female voter turnout has
of 2011, less than 11 per cent of increased in the country.
its total employees were However, the increasing
women. In 2020, this reached 13 proportion of women voters seen
per cent. in local, state and general
 Out of a total of 11,569 IAS elections has not translated into
officers entering service between more women contesting
1951 and 2020, only 1,527 were elections.
women. Only 14 percent of  As per data compiled by the Inter-
Secretaries in the IAS were Parliamentary Union (IPU), in
women in 2022. There are only India, women make up 14.44 per
three women chief secretaries cent of the Lok Sabha.
across Indian states and union  According to a report of the
territories. Election Commission of India
 India has never had a woman (ECI), women represent 10.5
cabinet secretary and also there per cent of all Members of
have been no women Secretaries Parliament as of October 2021.
of Home, Finance, Defence and  Female MLAs’ representation
Personnel, either. stands at an average of 9 percent
 As per the latest official data of for all the state assemblies.
the Union Public Services  India’s ranking in this regard is
Commission (UPSC), in 2019, the behind Pakistan (20 percent),
number of women candidates Bangladesh (21 percent) and
who applied and qualified was Nepal (34 percent).
far less than the number of Status of Women in Other Sectors
male candidates.  Only 20.37 per cent of MSME
Reasons for Underrepresentation owners are women, 10 percent
 The factors that lead women to of start-ups are founded by
opt out of the civil services females, and 23.3 percent of
include: women are in the labour force.
o Service conditions  Most of the available statistics on
involving postings in India’s female labor rate do not
distant cadres; incorporate the unpaid work
o Patriarchal that females do.
conditioning;

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 11

Conclusion road transport, with 65% of

 Gender equality is, first and freight movement by road.
foremost, a human right. A woman  The effect is an increased burden
is entitled to live in dignity and on roads, and, therefore, significant
freedom. congestion, increased pollution,
 Empowering women is an and resultant logistics cost
indispensable tool for advancing escalations.
development and reducing poverty.  The increased adoption of the
railways as a mode for cargo
8) The ideal track to run India’s movement is crucial to improve
India’s logistics competitiveness.
logistics system  A look at the comparable costs of
(GS3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports,
different forms of transportation
Roads, Airports, Railways etc)
suggests that freight movement
Context
cost is the highest in the road
 The Union Budget 2023 has
sector — nearly twice the rail
doubled the PM Gati Shakti National
cost.
Master Plan to States from ₹5,000
 However, the convenience of road
crore to ₹10,000 crore, and has
transport has taken precedence
announced an outlay of ₹2.4 lakh
over cost, and the railways in India
crore for the Indian Railways.
have been losing freight share to
 The plan is a transformative
other more flexible modes.
approach for economic growth
Challenges
and sustainable development
 The national transporter faces
dependent on the engines of roads,
several infrastructural,
railways, airports, ports, mass
operational and connectivity
transport, waterways and logistics
challenges, in turn leading to a
infrastructure.
shift of freight traffic to roads.
 The Railways offer an efficient and
 The increased transit time by rail
economic mode of logistics
and pre-movement and post-
movement given their pan-India
movement procedural delays such
network, and can play an
as wagon placement, loading and
important role in enabling a
unloading operations, multi-modal
coordinated and integrated logistics
handling, etc., hamper freight
system.
movement by rail.
 With a target of increasing the
 The lack of necessary terminal
share of the railways in freight
infrastructure, maintenance of
movement from 27% to 45% and
good sheds and warehouses, and
increasing freight movement
uncertain supply of wagons are
from 1.2 billion tonnes to 3.3
some of the infrastructural
billion tonnes, by 2030, PM Gati
challenges that customers face.
Shakti provides the right platform
 This results in high network
to address the infrastructural
congestion, lower service levels,
challenges that have hampered the
and increased transit time.
movement of freight by rail.
 The absence of integrated first
Convenience over Cost
and last-mile connectivity by rail
 Currently, the modal mix in terms
increases the chances of damage
of freight movement is skewed by
due to multiple handling and also
a considerable extent towards

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 12

increases the inventory holding About HDI

cost.  The HDI is a composite statistical
Way Forward measure created by the United
 The upcoming Dedicated Freight Nations Development
Corridors along India’s eastern Programme to evaluate and
and western corridors and compare the level of human
multimodal logistics parks will development in different regions
ease the oversaturated line around the world.
capacity constraints and improve  It was introduced in 1990 as an
the timing of trains. alternative to conventional
 The Indian Railways need to economic measures such as Gross
improve infrastructure that is Domestic Product (GDP), which
backed by adequate policy tools do not consider the broader aspects
and also encourage private of human development.
participation in the operation and  The HDI is calculated using four
management of terminals, indicators: life expectancy at birth,
containers, and warehouses to mean years of schooling,
efficiently utilise resources. expected years of schooling, and
 Establishing a special entity Gross National Income (GNI) per
under the railways to handle capita.
intermodal logistics in partnership  According to the Human
with the private sector will help in Development Report of 2021-22,
addressing the first and last-mile India ranks 132 out of 191
issue faced by the railways. The countries, behind Bangladesh (129)
entity could function as a single and Sri Lanka (73).
window for customers for cargo  Given India’s size and large
movement and payment population, it is critical to address
transactions. the subnational or State-wise
 An integrated logistics disparities in human development
infrastructure with first and last- which will help India realise its
mile connectivity is essential to demographic dividend.
make rail movement competitive HDI at State level
with roads, and facilitate exports by  HDI scores range from 0 to 1, with
rail to neighbouring countries such higher values indicating higher
as Nepal and Bangladesh. levels of human development.
 The subnational HDI shows that
9) The wide disparities in human while some States have made
considerable progress, others
development
continue to struggle. Delhi
(GS2: Issues Relating to Development
occupies the top spot and Bihar
and Management of Social
occupies the bottom spot.
Sector/Services relating to Health,
 The five States with the highest
Education, Human Resources)
HDI scores are Delhi, Goa, Kerala,
Context
Sikkim, and Chandigarh. Delhi
 India is now one of the fastest-
and Goa have HDI scores above
growing economies globally.
0.799, which makes them
However, this growth has not
equivalent to countries in Eastern
resulted in a corresponding
Europe with a very high level of
increase in its Human Development
human development.
Index (HDI).

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 13

 Nineteen States, including Kerala, the benefits of growth are more

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, evenly distributed.
Punjab, Telangana, Gujarat, and  This requires a multi-faceted
Andhra Pradesh, have scores approach that addresses income
ranging between 0.7 and 0.799 inequality and gender inequality;
and are classified as high human improves access to quality social
development States. services; addresses environmental
 The bottom five States are Bihar, challenges; and provides for greater
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, investment in social infrastructure
Jharkhand, and Assam, with such as healthcare, education, and
medium levels of human basic household amenities
development. The scores of these including access to clean water,
low-performing States resemble improved sanitation facility, clean
those of African countries such as fuel, electricity and Internet in
Congo, Kenya, Ghana, and Namibia. underdeveloped States.
 Despite having the highest SGDP  The country must prioritise
per capita among larger States, investments in human
Gujarat and Haryana have failed development and job creation,
to translate this advantage into particularly for its youth.
human development and rank 21
and 10, respectively. 10) On reservation for women in
 It is worth noting that the impact
politics
of COVID-19 on subnational HDI is
(GS1: Role of Women and Women’s
not captured here. The full impact
Organization, Population and Associated
of COVID-19 on human
Issues, Poverty and Developmental
development will be known when
issues, Urbanization, their problems and
post-pandemic estimates are
their remedies)
available.
Context
Reasons for Discrepancies
 Leaders of popular political parties
 One of the main reasons for this
in the country recently launched
discrepancy is that economic
hunger strikes seeking early
growth has been unevenly
passage of the long-pending
distributed. The top 10% of the
Women’s Reservation Bill.
Indian population holds over 77%
History of Political Reservation for
of the wealth.
Women
 This has resulted in significant
 The issue of women’s reservation
disparities in access to basic
came up in Constituent Assembly
amenities, healthcare and
debates, but it was rejected as
education.
being unnecessary. It was assumed
 Another reason is that while India
that a democracy would accord
has made significant progress in
representation to all groups.
reducing poverty and increasing
 However, in the following decades,
access to healthcare and
it became clear that this was not to
education, the quality of such
be the case. As a consequence,
services remains a concern.
women’s reservation became a
Way Forward
recurrent theme in policy debates.
 Governments must prioritise
For instance, the Committee of the
human development alongside
Status of Women in India, set up in
economic growth to ensure that
1971, commented on the declining

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 14

political representation of and was referred to a joint

women in India. parliamentary committee which
 Though a majority within the submitted its report to the Lok
Committee continued to be against Sabha in December 1996. But the
reservation for women in Bill lapsed with the dissolution of
legislative bodies, all of them the Lok Sabha.
supported reservation for  The Bill was reintroduced in
women in local bodies. Slowly, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2003. Even
many State governments began though there was support for it
announcing reservations for within multiple parties, the Bill
women in local bodies. failed to receive majority votes.
 The National Perspective Plan for  In 2008, the Union Government
Women recommended in 1988 tabled the Bill in the Rajya Sabha
that reservation be provided to and it was passed with 186-1
women right from the level of the votes. However, the Bill was never
panchayat to that of Parliament. taken up for consideration in the
73rd & 74th Constitutional Lok Sabha and lapsed with the
Amendment dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.
 These recommendations paved the What are the arguments for the Bill?
way for the historic enactment of  Proponents of the Bill argue that
the 73rd and 74th amendments affirmative action is imperative
to the Constitution which to better the condition of women
mandates all State governments since political parties are
to reserve one-third of the seats inherently patriarchal.
for women in Panchayati Raj  Despite the hopes of the leaders of
Institutions and one-third of the the national movement, women
offices of the chairperson at all are still under-represented in
levels of the Panchayati Raj Parliament.
Institutions, and in urban local  Reservations will ensure that
bodies, respectively. women form a strong lobby in
 Within these seats, one-third is Parliament to fight for issues that
reserved for Scheduled are often ignored.
Caste/Scheduled Tribe women.  There is now evidence that women
Many States such as Maharashtra, as panchayat leaders have
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, shattered social myths, been
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Kerala more accessible than men,
have made legal provisions to controlled the stranglehold of
ensure 50% reservation for liquor, invested substantially in
women in local bodies. public goods such as drinking
What is the Women’s Reservation Bill? water, helped other women
 The Women’s Reservation Bill express themselves better, reduced
proposes to reserve 33% of seats corruption, prioritised nutrition
in the Lok Sabha and State outcomes, and changed the
Legislative Assemblies for development agenda at the
women. grassroots level.
 It was first introduced in the Lok  Studies have shown that in States
Sabha as the 81st Amendment Bill such as West Bengal and Rajasthan,
in September 1996. The Bill failed while women leaders were often
to get the approval of the House rubber stamps of their husbands

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 15

or fathers, they were more likely but not get voted to power, or
to invest in goods that were they may get relegated to a
important to the interests of secondary role.
women. How many women are in Parliament?
 Today, India has a high percentage  Only about 14% of the members in
of crimes against women, low Indian Parliament are women, the
participation of women in the highest so far.
workforce, low nutrition levels  According to the Inter-
and a skewed sex ratio. To Parliamentary Union, India has a
address all these challenges, it is fewer percentage of women in the
argued, we need more women in lower House than its neighbours
decision-making. such as Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
 The discussion is not about a Bill and Bangladesh — a dismal record.
alone, but about changing Conclusion
powerful, entrenched interests in  Women's political participation is a
India’s polity. fundamental prerequisite for
What are arguments against the Bill? gender equality and genuine
 The idea runs counter to the democracy. It facilitates women's
principle of equality enshrined in direct engagement in public
the Constitution. Opponents of the decision-making and is a means of
bill say that women will not be ensuring better accountability to
competing on merit if there is women.
reservation, which could lower
their status in society. 11) A shared G20 vision for the
 Women are unlike, say, a caste
ocean commons
group, which means that they are
(GS3: Conservation, Environmental
not a homogenous community.
Pollution and Degradation,
Therefore, the same arguments
Environmental Impact Assessment)
made for caste-based reservation
Context
cannot be made for women.
 The oceans are reservoirs of
 Women’s interests cannot be
global biodiversity, critical
isolated from other social,
regulators of the global weather
economic and political strata.
and climate, and support the
 Some argue that reservation of
economic well-being of billions of
seats in Parliament would restrict
people in coastal areas.
the choice of voters to women
 India’s G20 presidency is expected
candidates.
to play an important role in
 This has led to suggestions of
promoting individual and collective
alternate methods including
actions to facilitate the transition
reservation for women in
towards a sustainable blue
political parties and dual
economy.
member constituencies (where
Blue Economy
constituencies will have two MPs,
 The term ‘blue economy’ includes
one of them being a woman).
not only ocean-dependent
 But some parties have pointed out
economic development, but also
that even these may not work as
inclusive social development and
parties may field women
environmental and ecological
candidates in unwinnable seats, or
security.
women may contest the elections

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 16

 Recognising the contribution of the  The ambitious efforts by countries

ocean economy for sustainable to expand their blue economies are
development, Prime Minister being threatened by intensifying
Narendra Modi said, “To me, the extreme weather events, ocean
blue chakra in India’s flag acidification, and sea level rise.
represents the potential of the  Growing marine pollution, over-
ocean economy.” extraction of resources, and
A Host of Initiatives unplanned urbanisation also pose
 The Government of India has significant threats to the ocean,
launched bold initiatives to coastal and marine ecosystems, and
promote the development of a blue biodiversity.
economy.  The inherent inter-connectedness
 The Sagarmala initiative promotes of oceans implies that activities
port-led development. occurring in one part of the world
 The Pradhan Mantri Matsya could have ripple effects across
Sampada Yojana is actively the globe.
engendering a ‘blue revolution’  Therefore, the responsibility of
through sustainable and their protection, conservation and
responsible development of the sustainable utilisation lies with all
fisheries sector. nations.
 The Sagar Manthan dashboard of An Important Role
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping,  In this context, India’s G20
and Waterways tracks vessels in presidency would play an
real-time. important role in promoting
 The Deep Ocean Mission explores individual and collective actions to
deep-sea resources in the exclusive facilitate the transition towards a
economic zones (EEZs) and sustainable blue economy.
continental shelf as well as  The G20 countries together
development of technology for account for around 45% of the
harnessing them. world’s coastlines and over 21%
 In 2022, India introduced an of the exclusive economic zones
amendment to the Plastic Waste (EEZs).
Management Rules banning  This forum presents an excellent
select single-use plastic items opportunity to build effective
and introduced policies for communication with all
extended producer stakeholders to share best
responsibility in waste practices, foster collaborations
management in order to combat for advancements in science and
plastic pollution, including in the technology, promote public-
marine environment. private partnerships, and create
Related Issues novel blue finance mechanisms.
 Over the last decade, the G20 forum  The outcomes of this forum must
has discussed some specific ocean- further inform other
related issues. These include the international negotiations under
G20 Action Plan on Marine Litter, the United Nations Framework
the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision, and Convention on Climate Change, the
the Coral Research and Convention on Biological Diversity,
Development Accelerator the Intergovernmental Negotiating
Platform. Committee on Plastic Pollution, the

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 17

United Nations Convention on the  With abundant sunshine and

Law of the Sea, etc., that are closely significant wind energy
interlinked. resources, India is geographically
Conclusion blessed to become one of the
 The stewardship of oceans is an lowest-cost producers of green
investment that will sustain future hydrogen.
generations. The spirit of ‘One Five Priorities
Earth, One Family, One Future’  For the vision to convert into
must unite the global community reality, government and industry
for the well-being of our ocean must act in sync along five
commons. priorities.
First Priority - Domestic Demand:
12) How to become a green  The Green Hydrogen Mission
introduces a Strategic
hydrogen superpower
Interventions for Green
(GS3: Conservation, Environmental
Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT)
Pollution and Degradation,
fund for five years, with ₹13,000
Environmental Impact Assessment)
crore as direct support to consume
Context
green hydrogen.
 The 2023 Union Budget has
 This will encourage heavy
allocated ₹19,700 crore for the
industries to increase demand,
National Green Hydrogen Mission.
offering economies of scale by
 This will set in motion a
which suppliers can reduce prices.
programme that can position India
 Blending mandates for refineries
as a green hydrogen (super)power.
can be another demand trigger.
Why is this important and what will it
 Another approach is to leverage
take?
government procurement which
 India has committed to 50%
would push the demand further.
electricity capacity from non-
Second Priority - Investment
fossil sources by 2030. But an
Destination:
energy transition in industry is
 India can be an attractive
needed at the same time.
destination for domestic and
 Most industrial greenhouse gas
foreign investment.
emissions in India come from
 Green hydrogen production
steel, cement, fertilizers and
projects announced/underway in
petrochemicals.
India are far fewer compared to
 Green hydrogen holds the promise
others.
of fuelling industrial growth
 The mission envisions green
while simultaneously reducing
hydrogen hubs to consolidate
industrial emissions.
production, end use and exports. A
 Splitting water into hydrogen
mission secretariat can ensure
and oxygen is energy-intensive.
project clearance is streamlined
When this energy comes from
and reduce financial risks.
renewable/non-fossil sources, we
Third Priority - Electrolyser
get green hydrogen. It can serve as
Technology:
an energy source (heavy industry,
 The SIGHT fund offers ₹4,500
long-distance mobility, aviation,
crore to support electrolyser
and power storage) and an energy
manufacturing under the
carrier (as green ammonia or
blended with natural gas).

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 18

performance-linked incentive structured intergovernmental

scheme. processes.
 Currently, manufacturers are  There are already signs of
importing stacks and assembling conflicting regulations and
them. We must become more protectionist measures in major
competitive — with targeted markets. These put India’s
public funding — in ambitions at risk.
manufacturing the most critical Conclusion
and high-value components of  India’s G20 presidency is an
electrolysers in India. opportunity to craft rules for a
 Not targeting value addition would global green hydrogen economy.
result in electrolyser technologies  These rules must address
and production again getting operational threats, industrial
concentrated. China could end up competitiveness and strategic
controlling 38% of electrolyser threats.
capacity by 2030.  India should promote a global
 Electrolyser technology must be network on green hydrogen via
improved to achieve higher which companies could
efficiency goals, be able to use collaborate.
non-freshwater, and substitute
critical minerals. 13) Women Rising
Fourth Priority - Supply Chains: (GS1: Role of Women and Women’s
 Establishing bilateral Organization, Population and Associated
partnerships to develop resilient Issues, Poverty and Developmental
supply chains is crucial. issues, Urbanization, their problems and
 Using yen- or euro-denominated their remedies)
loans for sales to Japan or to the Context
EU, respectively, could reduce the  Self-help groups bring about socio-
cost of capital and help us become economic empowerment of women
export competitive. by providing access to income-
 India must cooperate with like- generating opportunities.
minded countries on trade, value Potential of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in
chains, research and development, India
and standards.  An SHG is a community led and
 The Green Hydrogen Mission run initiative, whose basic tenet is
allocates ₹400 crore for R&D, to ensure economic
which can be leveraged to crowd in opportunities for its members,
private capital into technology co- which in turn can lead to their
development. social and political upliftment.
Fifth Priority - Global Framework:  India has around 12 million SHGs,
 India must coordinate with major 88 percent of which have only
economies to develop rules for a women members.
global green hydrogen economy.  The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana
 In the absence of common global National Rural Livelihoods
frameworks, attempts for rules and Mission (DAY-NRLM) was
standards are being driven by launched by the Union Ministry of
collectives of private Rural Development in 2011 with
corporations rather than through the mandate that at least one
woman from each poor rural

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 19

household is associated with an transform them into community

SHG. resource persons such as bank
 The potential of SHGs was evident sakhis, pashu sakhis, poshan
during the Covid-19 when SHG sakhis and take up other such
members were making Covid roles.
protective equipment, masks and o Bank sakhis are women in-
sanitisers, educating people charge of an SHG’s
about the importance of banking and bookkeeping
vaccination, etc. activities.
SHGs in Various Sectors o SHG members are trained on
 From making unique handicrafts best practices for livestock
and handlooms to pickles, papads, rearing and advising other
and other products, women farmers on the same. They
members of SHGs have been are then appointed as pashu
silently contributing to rural sakhis.
economic growth, despite facing o Similarly, to facilitate food
challenges in market access, and nutrition security and
marketing and quality checks. seed sovereignty, rural
 At the same time, SHGs have areas have poshan sakhis
empowered them by providing that are critical in
access to property or by implementing the Union
mobilising finance. Ministry of Women and
 These groups are emerging as Child Development’s
small microfinance institutions Saksham Anganwadi and
where women can bank on each Poshan 2.0 Mission, which
other for lending and saving. SHGs aims to address problems of
are also providing women with malnutrition among girls
opportunities to diversify their and women.
livelihoods for improved Conclusion
incomes and socio-economic  Over and above their economic
growth. empowerment, SHG members also
 The rani mistris (women contribute to strong social
masons) of Jharkhand, who built networks and stronger local
toilets to help the state become institutions, thus contributing to
open defecation free under the social capital.
Swachh Bharat mission, are a case  SHG workspaces provide
study of how occupational important community spaces for
stereotypes have been broken women to interact, work together
through SHGs. and provide each other support,
 Recognising this, in 2021, the Union thus building a spirit of trust, a
rural development ministry stronger sense of identity, organic
envisaged a target of creating solidarity, reciprocity and mutual
“lakhpati SHGs” to enable rural learning.
women members of the SHGs  Overall socio-economic
earn at least Rs 1 lakh per year. empowerment also facilitates SHGs
 Economic Survey 2022-23 points to to help meet national targets,
the empowerment of nearly 0.4 such as those under the UN’s 17
million SHG members through Sustainable Development Goals
training programmes to (SDGs).

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 20

o SDG 5 (gender equality),  The low-pressure storm systems

SDG 16 (peace, justice and help farmers in India grow their
strong institutions) and SDG rabi crop, bring snow to the
17 (partnerships for the Himalayas and maintain the flow
goals) are some of the goals of the northern rivers.
to which the women-led  They reach the country riding on a
SHGs contribute. wind system called the subtropical
westerly jet stream that circles
14) Western Disturbances & their the Earth throughout the year.
Impacts During its journey, a Western
(GS1: Important Geophysical Disturbance collects moisture
Phenomena such as earthquakes, from the Mediterranean Sea,
Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., Black Sea and Caspian Sea and
geographical features and their traverses over Iran and
location-changes in critical Afghanistan before hitting the
geographical features and in flora and western Himalayas.
fauna and the effects of such changes) Impacts
Context  Strong Western Disturbances reach
 India has not experienced a normal the central and eastern
winter in three years. It has Himalayas and cause rain and
remained unusually dry and hot. snow in Nepal and northeast
 In this winter, for instance, the India.
country experienced its hottest  Since 2019, the arrival of the storm
ever December, as per the India systems has either been delayed
Meteorological Department (IMD). or weakened.
The northwest region, which  On an average, India receives four
receives almost 30 per cent of its to six intense Western
annual rainfall in the season, saw Disturbances a month between
an 83 per cent rainfall deficit. December and March, or 16 to 24
 Then, after a near-normal January, such events in the entire period.
February broke all records to This winter season, the country has
become the hottest since 1901. received only three intense
 The reason for the abnormal winter Western Disturbances: two in
seasons since 2020-21 lies in the January and one in March.
changing character of the December and February passed
Western Disturbances. without a single intense Western
Western Disturbances Disturbance.
 They are a series of cyclonic  A migrating Western Disturbance is
storms that originate in the preceded by warm, moist air, and
Mediterranean region, and travel is followed by cold, dry air. This
over 9,000 km to bring winter keeps the temperatures warm in
rains to northwest India. the peak winter months of
 A Western Disturbance is in the December and January and stops
shape of a spiral with a narrow the temperature from rising in
mouth at the bottom (formed at a February and March.
height of about 5,500 metres above  One of the reasons for the
sea level) and a wide mouth at the abnormally hot February was the
top (formed at a height of more formation of a high pressure
than 9,000 metres above sea level). area near the land surface, which

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 21

caused the air to descend, Disturbances 20 per cent less

compress and heat up. A strong frequent and 7 per cent less
Western Disturbance would have intense than a positive phase.
dissipated the high pressure.
Other Impacts 15) India’s solar push augurs a
 Western Disturbances are also the
looming waste management
primary source of snowfall that
replenishes the Himalayan glaciers challenge
during winter. These glaciers feed (GS3: Conservation, Environmental
major Himalayan rivers like the Pollution and Degradation,
Ganga, Indus and Yamuna as well Environmental Impact Assessment)
as myriad mountain springs and Context
rivulets.  There has in the last few years been
 However, not everything that the a concerted push from
Western Disturbances bring is policymakers in India to transition
good. They are responsible for to a circular economy to enable
hailstorms that damage standing effective waste management.
crops, fog events that interrupt air, However, waste management in
rail and road services and cloud the solar photovoltaic sector still
bursts that result in flash floods. lacks clear directives.
Reasons for weakening of Western What is the issue?
Disturbances  Globally, India stands fourth in
 For the past three years, the world solar photovoltaic deployment.
has been in a La Niña phase, which India’s solar power installed
refers to the cooling of ocean capacity had reached nearly 62
surface temperature in the GW by 2022.
Pacific Ocean. It weakens the  While this is certainly encouraging,
temperature gradient for the it also augurs a colossal amount of
formation of Western Disturbances solar photovoltaic waste in
as it reduces the temperature of the future. According to a report by the
hot tropical air. International Renewable Energy
 They are generally weaker during Agency, India is expected to
the La Niña phase of the El Niño- become one of the top five
Southern Oscillation, which leading photovoltaic waste
produces a drier winter. During El producers globally by 2045-2050.
Niño, they are more intense.  India’s solar photovoltaic
 Western Disturbances are also installations are dominated by
influenced by the North Atlantic crystalline silicon (c-Si)
Oscillation, a random fluctuation technology. A typical photovoltaic
of air pressure over the North panel is made up of 93% of c-Si
Atlantic Ocean due to a high modules and 7% of cadmium
pressure region above the Azores telluride (CdTe) thin film
Islands in the central North Atlantic modules. The metals used to
and a low pressure region over manufacture c-Si modules are
Iceland. silver, tin, and lead. The CdTe thin
 The weather system is currently in film module is made of glass,
a negative phase, as both low and encapsulant, and compound
high pressure systems are weak, semiconductor.
and it makes Western

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 22

 Manufacturers in Japan are

Challenges in Recycling responsible for developing
 India’s challenge is the growing environment-friendly recycling
informal handling of technologies through public-
photovoltaic waste. Only about private partnerships and launching
20% of the waste is recovered in awareness campaigns about their
general; the rest is treated benefits.
informally. Measures Required
 As a result, the waste often  India should formulate and
accumulates at landfills. Landfill implement provisions specific to
disposal in turn causes photovoltaic waste treatment
acidification, leaching of toxic within the ambit of the e-waste
metals (such as lead and cadmium) guidelines.
into the soil, and contaminates the  The government should also build a
local water. legislative framework to enforce
 Gradual incineration of the panel the Extended Producer
encapsulant also releases sulphur Responsibility Rules.
dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, and  And a Central insurance or a
hydrogen cyanide into the regulatory body should be set up
atmosphere. to protect against financial losses
 Further, the market to repurpose incurred in waste collection and
or reuse recycled photovoltaic treatment.
waste is minuscule in India  The waste generated from
because of a lack of suitable photovoltaic modules and their
incentives and schemes in which components is classified as
businesses can invest. ‘hazardous waste’ in India. To
 The absence of a body to measure, further drive home the necessity of
monitor, and report solar this label, pan-India sensitisation
photovoltaic waste isn’t helping drives and awareness
either. programmes on photovoltaic
How have other countries responded? waste management will be
 Many Western and Asian beneficial.
economies have well-established  Clear recycling targets and
regulatory guidelines for recycling rates in the photovoltaic
photovoltaic waste management waste management policy directive
and are actively investing in will be good as well.
building awareness on effective  The domestic development of
waste management practices. photovoltaic waste recycling
 For example, the European technologies must be promoted
Union’s ‘Waste Electrical and through suitable regulatory
Electronic Equipment Directive’ incentives, recycling programmes,
makes producers responsible for appropriate infrastructure
safely and responsibly disposing of facilities, and adequate funding.
end-of-life photovoltaic panels. Conclusion
 In the U.S., states have the  Now is the right time for India to
freedom to establish their own install clear policy directives, well-
solar photovoltaic regulatory established recycling strategies,
standards. and greater collaboration, so that it

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 23

doesn’t find itself neck-deep in a network performance, 6G

new problem in future. promises that it will be 100 times
faster than 5G and that would
16) Next generation technology- make barely imaginable
applications possible. For
6G
example,
(GS3: Science and Technology-
o A 6G network could
Developments and their Applications
enable a host of
and Effects in Everyday Life)
autonomous cars to talk
Context
to one another in real time
 Recently, the Government of India
as they navigate crowded
unveiled the "Bharat 6G Vision
urban landscapes.
Statement".
o Virtual reality without
 India is set to commit resources
lags could become a
to the development of 6G
reality.
technologies with the release of
 6G aims to be more energy-
the vision document and the
efficient and better at using
inauguration of a 6G test-bed for
whatever spectrum is available
research & development (R&D).
for the network.
Why should India act early to roll out
India’s plan in this regard
6G?
 India will set up six technology-
 India will be the largest cellular
innovation groups to explore the
market in the world in terms of
possibilities and drive R&D into
both users and data consumption
possible directions that 6G could
by 2030 and taking early steps
go.
could give India the leverage to
 The groups will identify priority
mold 6G standards in
areas for research involving
advantageous ways.
industry, academia, and service
 This would also help India to
providers in this process.
generate intellectual property
 The R&D would encompass all
(IP) that could make it a world
areas from mmWave and
leader as 6G evolves.
Terahertz communications, to
 The early birds in the process of
fibre-broadband, remote
developing and involved in
operations, multi-sensor man-
research and development
machine interfaces and devices
of every ‘G’ from ‘2G’ have
leveraging edge cloud computing.
received patents worth trillions.
 The policy will encompass ways
 India has been late in terms of
to find the necessary resources
network roll-outs including 5G
to fund these ambitious R&D
due to complex telecom policy
plans.
and the resulting litigation and it
Conclusion
has to ensure that doesn't happen
 Getting early into the 6G must be
again with 6G.
followed through with robust
 India possesses both an
policy implementation. By
enormous domestic market and
creating IP and by contribution to
a large base of engineers who
global standards forums, India
could contribute materially to
could become a world leader at
R&D and setting standards.
6G.
 Like every “G” iteration has led to
enormous improvements in

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com

 24

Model Questions

1. Discuss the areas that India should prioritize to fulfil the commitment of "Health for All”.

2. Discuss the recent measures initiated by the Government of India to unleash the true
potential of MSMEs.

3. What are the challenges associated with the management of communicable diseases like
tuberculosis. Suggest measures to overcome these challenges.

4. What are microplastics? Discuss the adverse effects of microplastics on marine

ecosystems.

5. Highlight the importance of shifting from curative to preventive healthcare in the

backdrop of increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases in India.

6. How do you think that the SMART-PDS scheme will be a game changer for people as well
as governments in bringing accountability across various programmes?

7. Explain the various reasons for under-representation of women in politics and

bureaucracy with relevant facts.

8. Railways are seeing dynamic change with respect to logistics. In this context discuss the
challenges it faces and initiatives taken by Government to address the challenges.

9. Human Development Index (HDI) is an indicator for the development of a country and is
used universally. Analyse the reasons for huge disparities between states of India with
respect to HDI.

10. Women reservation in parliament is a long dream for many. Analyse the arguments in
favour of and against of it.

11. India’s ascendency to G20 presidency has a lot of scope for improvement in the global
world order. In the light of above statement analyse the initiatives and challenges posed to
India in the area of Blue economy.

12. Green hydrogen is the fuel of the future and the Government of India is acting according
to it. Critically analyse the priority areas that the government should focus to make India a
global leader of green hydrogen.

13. SHGs in India have the potential of becoming “National help groups”. Discuss.

14. What are the impacts of weakening of western disturbances on the Indian subcontinent?

15. Suggest measures to deal with the looming challenge of waste management in the solar
photovoltaic sector in India.

16. Instead of playing catch up in 6G, India seeks to be actively involved from the early stages
of roll out. Discuss.

For free learning, visit www.officerspulse.com