UPSC Mains 2023 GS Paper 3 with Answers | UPSC Previous Year Question Papers and Video Analysis PDF Download

Q1: Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard.(Economic Development)
Ans: Many developed nations, in their history, served as major manufacturing hubs, creating substantial value at scale for their economies. Manufacturing holds significant importance for nations, and small industries, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), play a crucial role, contributing around 50% to our imports and approximately 30% to the GDP.

Government Policies to Boost Manufacturing:

• Make in India Initiative: A program aimed at encouraging investment, fostering innovation, and developing infrastructure to position India as a global manufacturing hub.
• Industrial Corridor Development Programme: Implemented in collaboration with state governments to create greenfield industrial regions.
• Ease of Doing Business: Focused on simplifying procedures, rationalizing legal provisions, and digitizing government processes to enhance the business environment.
• National Single Window System: A one-stop shop providing support to investors, offering pre-investment advisory, information on land banks, and facilitating clearances at both the Centre and State levels.
• PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP): Aims to enable data-driven decisions for integrated planning of multimodal infrastructure, reducing logistics costs.

Policies Particularly for MSMEs:

• Udyami Mitra Portal: Enhances credit accessibility and provides handholding services for MSMEs.
• MSME Sambandh: Monitors the implementation of public procurement from MSMEs by Central Public Sector Enterprises.
• MSME Samadhan: Resolves cases related to delayed payments by Government organizations.
• Digital MSME Scheme: Offers cloud-based infrastructure support for MSMEs.

MSMEs contribute significantly to India's economic landscape, constituting around 8% of the GDP, employing over 60 million people, and holding a substantial share in exports and manufacturing. Their growth in recent years is noteworthy and is expected to continue, supported by emerging trends and favorable policies.

Q2: What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements. (Economic Development)
Ans:
Digitalization is the process of transitioning to an internet-based infrastructure to enhance economic and managerial efficiency in business operations.
The Indian economy presents significant opportunities for digitalization, with approximately 77% of the population having active cellular connections and one-third using social media. India boasts around 700 million internet users, constituting a penetration rate of 48.7%.

Challenges in Digitalization:

• Cost: While digitalization reduces operational costs, establishing the necessary infrastructure involves high initial expenses.
• Infrastructure: Limited internet availability in areas with insufficient infrastructural development poses a challenge.
• Privacy: Concerns about vulnerability to security breaches and data compromise are significant issues.
• Digital Literacy: Digital literacy, particularly in rural areas, is low, with women facing even greater challenges.

Possible Improvements:

• Comprehensive Policy: Policies addressing privacy, security, digital literacy, and infrastructure development are crucial.
• Investments: Substantial investments are needed to enhance digital infrastructure and literacy.

While digitalization in India has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, with the digital economy's contribution to Gross Value Added (GVA) rising from 5.4% in 2014 to 8.5% in 2019, there is still much work to be done.

Q3: How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (Economic Development)
Ans: 
e-Technologies encompass digital information-based systems that have experienced exponential growth, permeating all aspects of our lives. Agriculture, too, has reaped benefits from its integration.

Benefits in Agriculture:

• Irrigation: AI-enabled methods have streamlined and improved crop watering, enhancing efficiency and reducing water usage.
• Climate Prediction: Processing data from sensors allows farmers to make informed decisions on crop cycles and patterns based on climate predictions.
• Crop Safety: Integrated systems and sensors contribute to ensuring crop safety by monitoring and preventing damage from pests and vermin.
• Easy Financing: The internet and databases have facilitated faster loan approvals, thanks to the expanded banking networks.
• Alternative Methods: E-technology integration allows for the automation and control of methods like aquaponics and hydroponics, reducing manual labor.

Benefits in Marketing:

• Online Marketplace: Selling agricultural produce has become more accessible through online platforms, offering real-time product availability.
• Shorter Supply Chain: Increased information dispersal leads to an optimized transportation and warehousing process, resulting in a shorter supply chain.
• Real-Time Price Updation: Both farmers and consumers benefit from real-time price updates, enhancing transparency in the market.

e-Technology has brought transparency to agriculture, providing farmers with efficient tools for crop production, thereby reducing stress.

Q4: State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how land ceiling policy on landholding can be considered as an effective reform under economic criteria.(Economic Development)
Ans: Land holding, introduced based on the recommendations of the Kumarappa committee, has brought about significant transformations in India across various social, political, and economic dimensions.

Objectives of Land Reform:

• Restore Rights of Cultivators: These reforms aimed to restore the rights of small farmers who traditionally owned their lands.
• Records: Record updation was implemented to reduce disputes among citizens.
• Empowerment: The reforms empowered marginalized communities, particularly those with low land holdings contributing to a reduced socioeconomic status.
• Social Equality: Equitable distribution of resources resulted in reduced social marginalization.

Measures Taken:

• Land Ceilings: The government imposed a cap on the amount of land an individual or family could own.
• Abolition of Zamindari: Achieved through the passage of various legislations by states, such as the Zamindari Abolition Act, 1950 (Uttar Pradesh).
• Cooperative Farming: Farmers were encouraged to pool resources and engage in community-based farming.

The land ceiling policy sets limits on the maximum land an individual or family can own, aiming to reduce the concentration of land in the hands of a few wealthy landowners.

Land Ceiling as an Effective Reform:

• Increased equitable land distribution contributes to a broader population, fostering economic growth for the country.
• With a larger population experiencing economic growth, there is an improvement in health and a preference for better education, elevating the standard of living.
• A wider tax base is provided with an increased number of farmers earning from their lands, leading to improved tax collection.

Land reforms in India have not only provided resources to the landless but also addressed historical injustices, envisioning a more inclusive future.

Q5: Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (Al). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (Science and Technology)
Ans: 
Artificial intelligence (AI) stands as the pinnacle of information technology excellence globally. It represents the closest achievement to developing human-like intelligence in computers, relying on the processing of extensive data.

AI in Clinical Diagnosis:

• Comprehensive Analysis: AI can efficiently process vast amounts of data and, based on a patient's previous medical history, offer a comprehensive health analysis.
• Early Detection: AI excels at detecting patterns in data. Through datasets of thousands, it can predict potential diseases for individuals with specific symptoms.
• For instance, AI has demonstrated the ability to identify patterns in individuals with a family history of heart disease, indicating those at risk.
• Helping Hand: Rather than replacing doctors, AI can assist by supplementing their efforts and facilitating decision-making.
• Monitoring: AI-based wearable devices can monitor various health parameters, such as smartwatches tracking blood pressure.

Threats of Privacy:

• Big Data: AI's intelligence stems from processing extensive data, necessitating people's consent, which is often not followed.
• Data Breach: As AI processes large databases containing individual medical records, the value of security becomes crucial, given the severe repercussions of a data breach.

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence continues to bring about significant transformations worldwide across various sectors. While technology has revolutionized healthcare, its optimal utility relies on addressing these concerns adequately.

Q6: Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage.(Science and Technology)
Ans: Microorganisms, such as algae and bacteria, have the potential to generate various fuels, including ethanol, hydrogen, methane, lipids, and butanol, from raw organic materials. This process converts the chemical energy present in biomass into chemical energy in the form of fuels.
Contribution of Microorganisms to Address Fuel Shortages:

• Biofuel Production: Algae and bacteria can be harnessed to produce biofuels like biodiesel and bioethanol. For instance, algae can convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into lipids, which can be processed into biodiesel.
• Biogas Production: Microbes play a role in anaerobic digestion, breaking down organic waste such as agricultural residues and sewage to produce biogas.
• Hydrogen Production: Certain microorganisms can generate hydrogen gas through fermentation processes, offering a clean fuel for various applications, including fuel cells powering vehicles.
• Bioremediation: Microorganisms contribute to cleaning oil spills and contaminated sites by breaking down hydrocarbons, enabling the recovery of useful hydrocarbons from polluted areas.
• Carbon Capture and Utilization: Microorganisms can capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial processes into biofuels.

The establishment of pilot plants for microbial energy fuel production is essential to alleviate fuel shortages. This approach not only has the potential to reduce elevated crude prices but also contributes to environmental sustainability.

Q7: Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.(Disaster Management)
Ans:
A dam failure refers to the uncontrolled release of water from a reservoir through a dam, resulting from structural failures or deficiencies in the dam. India, ranked third in building large dams, faces the potential risk of releasing substantial water, posing dangers to people and property downstream.

Causes of Dam Failures:

• Overtopping: Poor spillway design can cause overtopping, especially during heavy rainfall, leading to the reservoir filling too high.
• Foundational Defects: Slope instability can result in water seepage beneath the dam.
• Operational Failures: Valve and conduit failures can cause improper functioning, leading to inadequate water discharge.
• Geological Instability: Tectonic-induced events like landslides and earthquakes can pose a threat to dam structures.
• Ageing Dams: Increasing flooding frequency and environmental changes can accelerate the ageing process of dams.
• Structural Failure: Inadequate design, construction materials, or maintenance can lead to dam collapse.

Examples of Large Dam Failures:

• Machchu II Dam Failure (1979): Due to heavy rainfall and improper design, the Machchu II Dam in Gujarat burst, causing a catastrophic flood and claiming over 2,000 lives.
• Tiware Dam Failure (2019): Located in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, the Tiware dam breached due to excessive rainfall, flooding seven villages and resulting in several casualties.

Initiatives like the Dam Safety Act 2021 and the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) represent positive steps toward preventing catastrophic dam failures in India.

Q8: What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India? (Environment and Ecology)
Ans:
Oil pollution, also referred to as oil contamination or oil spills, occurs when crude oil or refined petroleum products are released into water bodies due to accidents involving oil tankers, pipelines, offshore drilling rigs, or other industrial processes.

Impacts on the Marine Ecosystem:

• Harm to Marine Life: Coating feathers of seabirds and fur with oil spills makes it difficult for marine animals to regulate body temperatures, leading to hypothermia.
• Toxicity: Crude oil components are toxic to marine organisms, causing damage to their organs and impairing reproduction.
• Habitat Destruction: Oil spills can damage critical marine habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and marshes.
• Disruption of Food Chain: Loss of biodiversity has a cascading effect on interdependent species, with primary producers like phytoplankton being killed due to oil contamination.

Oil pollution poses significant challenges for a country like India:

• Economic Impact: India, being the world's second-largest aquaculture nation and the third-largest fish producer after China, faces disruptions in fishing and tourism industries due to oil pollution.
• Environmental Consequences: With diverse marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and mangroves, India experiences a loss of biodiversity from oil pollution.
• Health Implications: With a coastline of over 7500 km, oil spills can pose a significant health threat to coastal communities and those reliant on seafood.

Oil pollution is a critical concern for India, and concerted efforts to prevent and mitigate the impacts of oil spills are essential to safeguard the coastal environment, economy, and the well-being of coastal communities.

Q9: Winning ‘Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. (Internal Security)
Ans: 'Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ refers to the government-backed people-centric approach aimed at gaining the support of local residents to restore their trust in the system, particularly in conflict-ridden regions like Kashmir, where the goal is to counteract the influence of terrorism.

Measures adopted by the government with respect to Kashmir:

• Abrogation of Article 370: The special status of Jammu & Kashmir was abrogated to promote greater integration with the rest of India and bring the youth into the mainstream.
• Youth participation: Initiatives like project Sadhbhavana, Army Goodwill Schools (AGS), hostels, vocational courses, 'Bharat Darshan' tours, and cricket tournaments were organized to engage teenagers and the elderly in the Valley. Projects such as Himayat and Umeed were launched for capacity building and empowering women in J&K.
• Infrastructure Developments: Emphasis has been placed on creating infrastructure in transportation, health, etc. This includes initiatives like the PM’s development package for J&K and establishing Khelo India centers in J&K.
• Development of Tourism, Arts, and Crafts Sectors: The adoption of the new Wool Processing, Handicrafts, and Handloom Policy, 2020 aims at promoting and developing the handicrafts and handloom sector.
• Anti-Radicalisation Drives: Initiatives have been launched to reduce alienation and promote a sense of incorporation among the people of Kashmir towards the Indian cause.
• Political Engagements: Encouraging political dialogues and fostering regional youth participation in local politics by engaging with the younger generation of political leaders.

While the government's approach aims to restore peace, stability, and development in the region, the situation in Kashmir remains complex. It is crucial for the government to implement more policies for the complete integration of the state's people with the rest of India.

Q10: The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat. (Internal Security)
Ans: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a remotely piloted or self-piloted aircraft capable of carrying various payloads, including cameras, sensors, communications equipment, or arms/ammunitions. This technology poses a significant threat to internal security and can be utilized by adversaries across the border.
Cause of concern:

• Ability to fly at high altitudes and low speeds, making detection and interception challenging for border security forces.
• Remote control capability allows operation from a safe distance, minimizing risks to human operatives during infiltration attempts.
• Potential use for espionage, enabling unauthorized individuals to gather sensitive information about military installations, critical infrastructure, and other key targets.

Measures taken by the Indian government to tackle threats:

• Technological Upgradation: Deployment of anti-drone weapons and detection systems, including radars and jammers. Examples include anti-drone systems like the SkyWall 100 and the DroneGun Tactical CHIMERA anti-drone system, developed using French technology.
• Military Intelligence: Continuous surveillance by the BSF through patrolling, checkpoints, observation posts, border fencing, and floodlights.
• Institutional: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established the Anti Rogue Drone Technology Committee (ARDTC) to evaluate technology for countering rogue drones.
• Governmental Collaboration: Actively collaborating with countries like Israel for advanced drone technology.
• DRDO Nishant: Primarily designed for intelligence-gathering, it is also utilized for reconnaissance, training, surveillance, target designation, artillery fire correction, and damage assessment.
• Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) strategy: Involves blocking communication lines and neutralizing unwanted drones.

With the advancement of technology, the threat to internal security increases. Therefore, a comprehensive drone strategy, including private participation in developing high-end drones, is the need of the hour.

Q11: Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. (Economic Development)
Ans: 
Structural unemployment is essentially involuntary unemployment resulting from a structural shift in the economy, such as the emergence of new technologies or industries, or a mismatch in skills between the population and available jobs in the market.

Major causes of structural unemployment in India encompass labor market rigidities, geographic mismatch, dependence on agriculture, infrastructure bottlenecks, and regulatory challenges.

Methodology for computing unemployment in the country:

Computation by NSSO using:

• Current Weekly Status (CWS): Involves a shorter reference period of a week. Individuals are considered employed if they have worked for at least one hour on at least one day in the preceding seven days. For example, the Labor Force Participation Rate in CWS in urban areas for persons aged 15 years and above increased to 48.2 percent in the October-December quarter of 2022.
• Usual Principal and Subsidiary Status (UPSS): Determined based on the activity one spent the most time on in the previous year.
• Current Daily Status: Indicates the number of people who did not find work for one or more days in a week.
• Labor Bureau Surveys: The Labor Bureau conducts surveys to obtain data on unemployment and employment in India, such as the All-India Quarterly Establishment-based Employment Survey (AQEES).

Way forward:

• Increase in Frequency of Surveys: Ensuring timely and updated surveys for a better understanding of changing employment trends.
• Modernizing Agriculture: Increased investment in agriculture could have a multiplier effect through backward and forward linkages, e.g., promoting cold storages.
• Incorporation of Informal Sector: Considering that more than 80 percent of the labor force is employed in the informal sector, there is a need to incorporate it into the formal sector.
• Seasonal Adjustments: Improving seasonal adjustment techniques to account for the impact of agriculture and other seasonal employment trends.

In conclusion, it is crucial to enhance certain computational methodologies to envision making India one of the largest economies and nurturing the rich demographic dividends while addressing unemployment challenges and bottlenecks.

Q12: Distinguish between ‘care economy’ and ‘monetized economy’. How can care economy be brought into monetized economy through women empowerment? (Economic Development)
Ans: The 'care economy' and 'monetized economy' pertain to the nature and value of work and represent two distinct aspects of economic activities.
Care economy encompasses unpaid or underpaid work related to caregiving and social support, typically carried out within households. This includes tasks like childcare, eldercare, domestic work, and involves paid labor from roles like nurses and caregivers, often filled by females. Compensation for such activities is generally absent or meager, despite their significant contribution to human development and social cohesion.
Monetized economy covers all economic activities valued in terms of monetary value, including the production of goods, finance, trade, etc. Its primary objective is profit generation, and compensation is received in monetary terms, such as wages and salaries. Its assessment is based on contributions to GDP and is commonly used as a measure of economic growth.

Ways to integrate care economy into monetized economy through women empowerment:

• Social protection measures are needed to ensure income security for women in caregiving roles, such as pension insurance.
• Emphasizing the development of skills for better transformation and the inclusion of women in the formal sector.
• Implementing supportive government policies that promote gender-neutral reforms and collaboration between the government and civil society organizations in the caregiving economy. Examples include the National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers and the enhancement of maternity benefits.
• Considering technological solutions in the care sector that reduce time demands and free up women for formal sector employment.

Integrating the care economy into the monetized economy will not only enhance economic opportunities for women but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Q13: Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption pattern and marketing conditions. (Economic Development)
Ans: Changes in cropping patterns mirror the shifting demands of consumers, market dynamics, and economic factors, closely intertwined with evolving consumption patterns and marketing dynamics.

Factors influencing cropping patterns due to changing market conditions:

• Enhanced market access facilitated by improved road and rail connectivity has expanded opportunities for farmers, leading to increased cultivation of specific crops.
• The availability of international markets for certain crops, such as Alphonso mangoes and basmati rice, has driven their cultivation.
• Government initiatives, like the Minimum Support Price (MSP) mechanism, serve as incentives for farmers to cultivate crops covered under it.
• The launch of the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) aims to facilitate better price discovery and improved market accessibility for crop growers.

Influence of changing consumption patterns on cropping patterns:

• As income and urbanization rise, there is an increased demand for protein-rich foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and poultry.
• Heightened health consciousness has driven a surge in demand for organic and nutrient-rich foods.
• The growing preference for chemical-free food has spurred the demand for exotic foods, leading to the growth of hydroponics and aeroponics crops.

Cropping patterns evolve due to a combination of factors, including consumer preferences, market conditions, government policies, technological advancements, among others.

Q14: What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to the farm sector in India? Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies. (Economic Development)
Ans: Subsidies represent a form of financial aid or backing provided by the government to individuals or specific sectors of the economy. The main objective of subsidies is to lower the cost of goods and services, thereby stimulating economic activity.

Direct and indirect subsidies for the farm sector in India:

• To ensure affordability of fertilizers for farmers, the government extends subsidies for NPK fertilizers.
• Subsidies are granted on certified seeds, promoting the use of High Yielding Varieties (HYV) and genetically improved seed varieties.
• The central government implements direct cash transfers of Rs. 6,000 per farmer annually under the PM-Kisan yojana.
• Subsidies are provided for the acquisition of agricultural machinery and equipment, exemplified by the Sub-mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) Scheme.
• The government establishes Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for key crops in India, ensuring farmers receive a guaranteed price.

Concerns raised by WTO regarding agricultural subsidies:

• WTO deems the MSP mechanism as trade-distorting, especially in the case of rice, where subsidies have surpassed prescribed limits.
• India's agricultural practices are considered environmentally degrading by the WTO due to over-exploitation of groundwater and excessive use of fertilizers.
• Government support for domestic agricultural exporters to boost the export quantity of agricultural goods has also raised concerns.

Agriculture, employing half of India's population, relies significantly on subsidies to address food insecurity and unemployment. It is crucial to shape global trade practices in a way that allows developing countries to uplift a substantial portion of their population from poverty.

Q15: The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles.(Environment and Ecology)
Ans: The surge in global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is driven by heightened environmental consciousness and increasing governmental incentives to promote sustainable transportation, combating escalating temperatures.

Role of electric vehicles in curtailing carbon emissions:

• EVs exhibit greater energy efficiency, consuming less energy compared to traditional vehicles and emitting fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• They diminish reliance on fossil fuels, especially gasoline products, thereby diversifying energy sources.
• Running on electricity, EVs can be powered by cleaner sources like renewables, resulting in reduced direct emissions of GHGs such as carbon monoxide and CO₂.
• The shift from internal combustion engines to electric motors contributes to lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and decreased pollutants, fostering enhanced air quality and a more environmentally friendly future.

Key advantages of EVs over traditional combustion engine vehicles:

• With lower fueling and maintenance costs, EVs offer a more economical alternative than gasoline products.
• They can significantly decrease greenhouse gas emissions, especially when charged using renewable sources.
• EVs provide instant torque, ensuring rapid acceleration and a responsive driving experience.
• They operate more quietly than traditional vehicles, contributing to reduced noise pollution and a more enjoyable environment.
• EVs typically have a lower center of gravity, resulting in improved handling and comfort.

Although sustainable electricity generation remains a concern, ongoing technological advancements and governmental incentives position EVs as a promising solution for a future with minimal emissions.

Q16: What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (Science and Technology)
Ans: Chandrayaan-3 has made history for both India and the world by achieving the first soft landing on the moon's south pole. This accomplishment positions India as the fourth nation, after the United States, Russia, and China, to successfully land on the moon.

The Chandrayaan-3 mission includes the Vikram Lander and Pragyaan Rover. The rover's objective is to explore the landing site, conduct experiments, and transmit data to the lander, which, in turn, relays the information to the orbiter for communication back to Earth. Chandrayaan-3 is of significant importance as the 'permanently shadowed regions' near the moon's South Pole may contain valuable resources like water-ice. Various onboard subsystems of Chandrayaan-3 are designed to conduct several experiments for this purpose.

Lander payloads:

• Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE): Measures thermal conductivity and temperature.
• Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA): Measures seismic frequencies around the landing site.
• Langmuir Probe (LP): Estimates plasma density and its changes over time.

Rover payloads:

• Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS): Determines the elemental composition of lunar soil and rocks.
• Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS): Derives chemical composition and infers the mineralogical composition of the lunar surface.

Propulsion module payload:

• Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE): Aims to study exo-planets for habitability.

Role of Virtual Launch Control Centre:

• Nerve centre of the operation: Controls all procedures and operations of the launch and the mission.
• Master control: In case of abnormalities, safety protocols or the final abortion of the mission can be initiated from this center.

With the success of Chandrayaan-3, India can now anticipate sample retrieval from the moon surface in the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission, which will further enhance our understanding of the lunar surface. The successful landing has also provided a morale boost, motivating the pursuit of future missions.

Q17: Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few of India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (Environment and Ecology)
Ans: The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, designating those listed under the Convention as wetlands of international importance. Noteworthy Ramsar sites in India include:

• Karikili Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): Home to cormorants, grey heron, and open-billed stork.
• Pichavaram Mangrove (Tamil Nadu): An extensive mangrove forest island.
• Chandra Taal: One of the two high-altitude Ramsar wetlands.

The National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) was launched to safeguard wetlands, recognizing their crucial benefits such as freshwater supply, biodiversity, flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation. NWCP aims to conserve wetlands, prevent degradation, and grant local communities access to these benefits.

Significance of NWCP:

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) has identified 115 wetlands in urgent need of conservation and management.
• It aligns wetland definitions with the Ramsar Convention.
• While state governments administer wetlands, the central government handles funds, technical assistance, and overall coordination.

Objectives of NWCP:

• Establishing policy guidelines for wetland conservation and management.
• Creating and maintaining a wetland inventory.
• Allocating financial assistance to states.
• Monitoring program implementation.
• Sponsoring multidisciplinary research by institutions.

The National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) and National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) were amalgamated under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) to streamline efforts and prevent administrative overlap, reflecting India's substantial achievements in safeguarding its wetlands.

Q18: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (Environment and Ecology)
Ans: Global warming, once a theoretical concern, has now materialized into actual problems, prominently discussed since the IPCC report release. The elevation of global sea levels and its repercussions have raised serious alarms.

Impact on India and the Region
Environmental Impact:

• Threat to Coastline: India's extensive coastline, a source of substantial economic benefits, faces jeopardy if coastal areas start submerging.
• Coastal Wetland Degradation: Wetlands near coastal zones are at risk of degradation and potential extinction.
• Coral Bleaching: Increased sea surface levels resulting in fresh water dilution can lead to coral bleaching.
• Fauna Displacement: Biodiversity and animals face displacement, causing distress to ecosystems.
• Groundwater Salination: The water table gets contaminated by incoming saltwater, reducing the availability of usable groundwater.

Economic Impact:

• Property and Resource Damage: Increased coastal disasters lead to substantial damage to property and resources.
• Loss of Livelihood: Coastal-based professions face a decline, necessitating relocation due to reduced livelihood options and altering employment patterns.

Social Impact:

• Displacement of People: Climate refugees, individuals displaced by climate change, are increasing annually due to the impact of rising sea levels.
• Stress on Inland Locations: Displaced individuals from coastal areas are likely to move inland, placing additional pressure on already stressed resources.

Measures

• Mangrove Plantation: Activities like mangrove plantation can help alleviate issues related to rising sea levels.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules and Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan: These regulations aim to manage and regulate resource utilization in coastal areas.

Various research studies predict an earlier onset of these effects with potentially more devastating consequences. Recognizing the impacts of rising sea levels, the government must formulate a policy addressing issues specifically related to this concern.

Q19: What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (Internal Security)
Ans: A sovereign nation's primary duty is safeguarding its citizens from both internal and external threats. Since gaining independence, India has confronted various internal security challenges, including insurgency, militancy, and externally influenced rebellions.

Internal Security Challenges for India:

• Separatist Movements: Feelings of separatism persist since the nation's inception, causing unrest in law and order. Examples include Nagaland separatism and Kashmiri separatism.
• Communalism: Strife between major religious groups often breeds hatred and conflicts, fueling separatist tendencies and making citizens vulnerable to terrorist activities.
• Illegal Migration: Over the years, illegal migration has led to associated problems like demographic changes and increased unemployment, straining the nation's resources.
• Left-Wing Extremism: Noted in central and eastern India, marked by Marxism or Maoism as its political ideology. Socio-economic disparities and land alienation contribute to its emergence.

Various Intelligence and Investigative Agencies Operate in India with Different Mandates:

• National Investigation Agency (NIA): Premier counter-terrorism law enforcement agency investigating offenses affecting India's sovereignty, security, and integrity.
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): Apex body coordinating between narcotics and drug law enforcement agencies, working to prevent drug trafficking across India.
• Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): Deals with intelligence on smuggling contrabands, investigating related cases, and aims to prevent black money proliferation and money laundering.
• Intelligence Bureau (IB): Apex intelligence body responsible for collecting information within the country, executing counter-terrorism operations, and handling matters of domestic intelligence and internal security.
• Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW): Handles foreign intelligence operations, conducts counter-terrorism operations, and provides advice to Indian policymakers.
• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): Premier investigating police agency established on the recommendation of the Santhanam Committee, conducting investigations and acting as the point of access for Interpol.

Internal security is crucial for a nation's growth. Indian Intelligence and Investigative Agencies, often unsung heroes, have played a significant role in securing our lives.

Q20: Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022. (Internal Security)
Ans: Since its establishment in 1947, India has witnessed various forms of terrorist and insurgent activities. Over the years, the country has learned from its mistakes and developed numerous strategies to address terror funding and related activities.

Major Sources of Terror Funding:

• State Sponsorship: The use of terrorism to advance diplomatic interests is a known practice, with states supporting terrorists for their purposes.
• Counterfeit Currency: Involves the direct printing and circulation of fake currency in the market, often used by neighboring states to destabilize the Indian economy.
• Organized Crime: Criminal organizations collaborate and are frequently connected to larger terrorist groups, creating a two-way flow of resources.
• Extortion: Remains a significant source of terrorism funding in India, particularly in the North-East.
• Hawala System: An illegal method of money transfer, usually across international borders, utilized by criminal networks.

Efforts to Curtail Sources:

• National Investigation Agency (NIA): The premier agency in India for combating terrorism across states without requiring special permission.
• Unlawful Activities Prevention Act: Anti-terror legislation aimed at designating individuals as "terrorists."
• National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): A centralized data library of terror and crime-related information.
• SAMADHAN Doctrine: Developed to address Left-Wing Extremism problems, it also aims to restrict the access of terrorist organizations to funds.

Recently, the third No Money for Terror (NMFT) Ministerial Conference on Counter-Terrorism Financing was held in New Delhi, India, with objectives to:

• Collaborate with countries worldwide to reduce terror and extremist funding.
• Establish a secretariat in the country, not as an investigative body but based on collaboration and cooperation principles.
• Investigate new and emerging threats and methods of propagating terrorism.

Being surrounded by two hostile neighbors leaves India no room for complacency regarding internal security. Through various measures, India continues to combat the battle against terrorism.