Current Affairs SSC

Make In India   What it is

• Increase manufacturing
• Manufacturing hub by 2022

  Problems faced by manufacturing sector

• Entry and exit problems
• Red tapism
• Corrupt bureaucracy

  Way ahead

• Quality education
• Employability
• GST
• Land acquisition and labour laws
• Intellectual property law

  THE ESSAY BEGINS… Launched in 2015, this program aims at increasing manufacturing in India, by encouraging domestic production and international investment, so as to make India a manufacturing hub by 2022. Designed to cure the ills Indian manufacturing sector had been suffering, with a stagnant share of 15% of GDP, it lays emphasis on 25 sectors. Entry and exit problems, with red tapism and corrupt bureaucracy were often cited as the major obstacles standing in the way of investment, and a one-stop solution was found for these in the form of digitalization, thus ensuring the ease-of-doing business standards. The removal of caps in FDI in all major sectors has opened Indian economy to a new era which has been responded to by international investors. A robust intellectual property law is also the need of the hour to protect the interests of the innovators, which will lead to more start-up firms, thus increasing employment. For the scheme to work, quality education should be ensured to Indian youth, thus ensuring their employability, which needs more than the present education expenditure of 2.1 % of the GDP. The long-awaited GST should also be passed in order to simplify the tax system, along with the simplification of land acquisition and labor laws. Being an export-led growth strategy, we shouldn't let this weaken the domestic market and quality and competition should be maintained. India becoming a global manufacturing hub is a matter of pride, but true development can happen only when the benefits of this reaches the impoverished Indians.

Jan Dhan Yojna   Key Points:   What it is

• Mission detail
• Financial inclusion

  Position  

• Banking for the unbanked
• Mobilize saving
• Success of DBT
• Curbed subsidy challenges

  Challenges

• Still many excluded
• Last mile connectivity
• Poor suffering
• Focus on quantity only

  Way ahead

• Financial literacy
• Awareness

  THE ESSAY BEGINS... Launched in 2014, Jan Dhan yojana is a flagship scheme of the government of India to promote financial inclusion. The scheme ensures financial services to '-he unbanked by providing zero-balance bank accounts, thus mobilizing savings in the society Providing banking to the unbanked, this scheme, when coupled with Aadhar and mobile connectivity, creates JAM trinity, which the government mentions as a panacea for all problems ranging from subsidy to connectivity. The direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme has already proved successful in curbing leakages, and improving transparency and accountability. The major challenge faced by Jan Dhan yojana is that of exclusion, Many people still stay outside the banking net, mainly due to unavailability of last" mile connectivity. Banking Correspondent model that was experimented in many other countries is not showing much success in India. Poor awareness and literacy levels of the country is creating obstacle in converting quantity of accounts to quality of service. The immense pressure on public sector banks created by the sheer magnitude of accounts being opened is yet another problem, Jan Dhan yojana or any other financial inclusion schemes wont succeed unless financial literacy is provided, and this should be provided through NGOs and inclusion of local governments. The political will shown by the government to take such a decisive step needs to be appreciated, and with the demonetization scheme announced in. November 2016, these accounts have gone from dormant to active. The promotion of internet banking and mobile payment is sure to take Jan Dhan to its ultimate goal of a cashless economy.

India And Saarc   Key Points:   Introduction

• Origin
• Energy security
• Disaster management centre
• Visa exemption
• SAFTA

  Indian’s relationship

• Positives
• Founder member
• Biggest in population and size
• Challengers
• Fear in other countries
• China issue
• Indo-pak issue
• SAARC minus Pakistan policy

  Way ahead

• Peace not hostility
• Neighborhood first policy
• Gujral doctrine
• Development

  THE ESSAY BEGINS Formed with an objective to promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia, SAARC has grown beyond the geopolitical and economic organization it was meant to be. Sharing resources to tackle common issues ranging from disaster to energy security, the grouping has more than justified its cause of existence. Diplomatic and trade relations between the eight countries have grown to a new level with the visa exemption treaty and the free trade agreement, commonly known as SAFTA. India's relationship with SAARC started as a founder member and has gone through stages of ups and downs, mostly colored by its relationship with Pakistan. Being the country holding 70% of the population and land area of SAARC, it has been like a big brother to the other nations in the grouping. This sheer size and economic strength of India has created fear in the minds of the other countries, leading them to search for a balancing power, which they find in China. The issue of China's promotion from observer nation has been always opposed by India. The recent Indian strategy of SAARC minus Pakistan is also not going to make much progress, considering the geopolitical position of Pakistan, Rather, India should proceed with the Neighborhood first policy, in lines of Gujral doctrine. Peace and not hostility is the base of India's soft power, and so India should resolve its bilateral issues through talks. Development is the keyword of the day, and political disillusions shouldn't hamper it, and India should lead the south Asia in this by example.

RIT- THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF INFORMATION   Key Points: Introduction

• Origin
• Watershed moment

  Positives

• Transparency and accountability
• Check corruption
• Trust building
• Empower citizen
• Participatory development
• Social audit

  Criticism

• Poor record keeping practices
• Lack of infrastructures
• Delay in appointing offices
• Dilution of power
• Frivolous applications

  Way ahead

• Strong whistleblowers act
• Culture of transparency

  THE ESSAY BEGINS., The enactment of the Right to information act in 2005 came as a watershed moment in Indian governance. The act made the democracy to work for people in real sense, by empowering them to access information about the functioning and forthcoming policies of the government. The trademarks of a working democratic setup are transparency and accountability, and the enactment of RTI strengthened these pillars, thereby fighting against corruption. It gives real power in the hands of people by letting them take informed decisions, improving citizen-government partnership, thereby promoting participatory development. People conducting social audits and public hearings have created a new epoch in Indian democracy making them also feel the part of government, thus helping in trust-building. Attempts had been made to dilute the provisions of the act, to render it toothless. The non- compliance of the political parties to the commission's orders has reduced its power before the public, and also tainted its independent status. Poor record-keeping by bureaucrats, lack of infrastructure, coupled by the delay in appointing officers has led to the weakening of the legislation. There are also complaints of frivolous applications and using the legislation as a means to blackmail officers or stall developmental works. Right to information is an integral part of the Constitution under articles 19 and 21. Also, it is necessary for the government to be inclusive and participatory- in nature. A strong whistleblowers act is essential for the proper functioning of the legislation. The right to information act has brought in a culture of transparency that has increased people trust in the government, and this culture has to be strengthened so that India can continue to be a democracy in the true sense of the word.

Swachch Bharat Key Points:   What?

• Mission detail
• Clean India by 2019
• Open-defeaction free
• Leads to diseases
• Previous mission
• TSC and Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan

  Action plan

• Eradicate manual scavenging
• 80% subsidy for individual toilets
• Village sanitary complexes
• Finance
• Private sector
• Swachch bharat cess

            Loopholes

• Just increasing number of toilet
• Safe disposal of waste

  Way forward

• Attitudinal change
• Awareness
• Include NGOs

  THE ESSAY BEGINS.. Swachch Bharat is an umbrella mission launched by the government of India to create a clean India by 2019. Covering both rural and urban areas, the mission aims to eliminate open defecation, which results in the spreading of infectious diseases and kill thousands of children every year, and stunt many more. Previous attempts at ensuring sanitation include 'Total sanitation campaign (1999) and Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (2014). Apart from eliminating open defecation, the mission also aims to eradicate manual scavenging, a practice that degrades human dignity, by giving upto 80% subsidy for the construction of individual toilets for BPL households and constructing exclusive village sanitary complexes exclusively for women. It also aims at management of urban solid waste and creating awareness among citizens about sanitation. The government is trying to promote private-sector participation in financing this and has also announced a Swachch Bharat cess, considering the enormity of the project. The major loophole of the mission is that it just aims at increasing the number of toilets, and doesn't ensure that people use it. Safe disposal of waste is not ensured, be it urban sewage or toilet waste. Cleanliness is an attitude, and it has to become part of one's daily life. This attitudinal change can be brought about only by extensive awareness drives and participation of people, for which help of NGOs can be sought. An attempt to bring a social change this big requires decisive steps, and with the inclusion of people, the dream of a clean India is not so far away.

Indian Online   Key Points:   Introduction 

• Growing internet penetration
• Wooed by companies

                Positive aspects

• Simplicity and ease of access
• Connectivity
• Education and health care
• E-wallet services

  Negative aspects

• Lack of infrastructure
• NOFN project
• Cyber securities and cyber laws
• Threat to privacy

  Way ahead

• Closing digital divide
• Right infrastructure
• Efficient utilization

  THE ESSAY BEGINS.., Every second three more Indians experience the internet for the first time. With the crown of the fastest growing economy in the world, no wonder it is wooed by the likes of Facebook and Google. Digitalization has changed the world for better. Reduction in red tapism and corruption has resulted in greater transparency and accountability. Educational opportunities in rural areas have increased with e-schooling initiatives, and medical support is also being given through the same infrastructure. E-wallet services have given a boost to the economy, and this will only increase with the present policy of demonetization. Ease of access, connectivity, and simplicity can be said to be the overall result. The delay in creating public infrastructure is slowing down the process. Even though the NOFN (National Optical Fiber Network) project has been approved in 2011, it's progressing at a snail's pace, thus hampering the prospects of an internet-tethered India .The internet penetration of India stands at 30%, which raises questions about the preparedness. With the country lacking effective cyber security and strong cyber laws, information collected by the government also stands at peril, with the privacy of people put at risk. With developing countries adopting the digital model as a way of life, the government has put more focus on closing the digital divide and creating a conducive environment. Digitalization is here to stay. Right infrastructure and efficient utilization can lead to true democratization of the world's largest democracy.

PULSE PRICE VOLATILITY- WAY AHEAD   Key Points: Why

• Low yield
• Food policy
• Low irrigated areas
• Import dependency
• Hoarding and black marketing
• Changing dietary needs

  Measures by government 

• Export ban
• Buffer stock
• Stocking limits
• MSP increased
• Price stabilization

  Way ahead

• Remove export ban
• Remove stoking limit
• Procurement by government
• Technology improvement

  THE ESSAY BEGINS… Pulse price rise is a phenomenon that has been recurring in the past many years. The fact that this has been getting worse in the recent years indicate that there is something really wrong with the way we are dealing it. Pulse price rise can be said to be one of the by-products of green revolution, of the cereal- centric food policy adopted by India. Being grown in low-irrigated fields, it is subjected to monsoon risks and less-preferred by farmers. The high demand due to changing dietary needs and inadequate supply has made us dependent on imports, and thus de- pendent on price fluctuations. Hoarding and black marketing also contribute to it. The decision to ban export and limit stocking is only going to hurt in the long run since it goes against farmer interests. Usage of price stabilization fund and increase in MSP were great steps, but still it's favoring cereals. Like cereals, pulses should also be procured by the government and kept in buffer stocks, which should be supplemented by technology. As long as the country doesn't attain self-sufficiency, it's going to face price fluctuations, and thus all necessary steps should be taken to ensure self-sufficiency.

UNIFORM CIVIL CODE   Key Points:   What

• Definition
• History
• Compromise- dpsp-art-44

            Why?

• Clear of contradictions
• Gender justice
• At odds with fundamental rights
• Create wide disparity in society

  Why not?        

• Communal politics
• Fear among minorities
• Hamper secular fabric

  Way forward

• Social change
• Have to came from people
• Gradual to be brought in steps

  THE ESSAY BEGINS... Uniform civil code, a common law for all citizens concerning marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance and maintenance, has been a matter of debate right from the time of the making of the Constitution. Its inclusion in the directive principles of state policy, as Art 44, was a compromise between the supporters and opponents. The matter has come back to discussions again with the Union government asking the Law commission to examine all matter related to it. As a secular republic, India needs a common civil code, which is clear of contradictions. Religious laws as of now don't ensure gender justice, and are at odds with fundamental rights like art 14 and 19. The practices like triple talaq and polygamy and the divorce norms among Christians create wide disparity in society, creating the need for a common law. The topic of uniform civil code is always raised in the context of communal politics, and creates fear in the minorities about their right to follow religious practices. It might hamper the secular fabric of the country since an ardent religious follower considers religious injunction to be superior to legal ones. There will always be opposition when some sort of change is proposed, and the government shouldn't compromise with them. Still, this being a social change, this has to come from people, and shouldn't be forced by government. Instead of bringing it as a single law, it can be brought in steps. It is high time a decisive step was taken towards the implementation of Uniform civil code.

INDO-PAK RELATIONS   Key Points:   Introduction 

• Near in location far in interested

  Relation timeline

• Hot and cold war
• Nuclear weapons
• Transport connection
• Most favored nation
• Bilateral trade
• Inter people communication

  Present scenario

• Uri attack
• Retaliate on diplomatic level
• Diplomatic alienation
• Kashmir question

  Way ahead

• Development
• Bilateral talks
• Develop trust

  THE ESSAY BEGINS... The relations between India and Pakistan, two nations near in location yet far in their interests and world view, has been undergoing much changes in the recent past. Originating from the same undivided India, the two countries have been engaged in a relationship of hot and cold war, on and off, ever since their creation. Having fought three wars in 1947, 1962 and 1971, the countries have escalated international tension by developing nuclear weapons. India being a responsible country with a strong democratic setup is held to be much stable than Pakistan, which lacks a steady history of democracy. The relations which had made much progress in 1999 with the establishment of transportation between the two countries, was set to strengthen with India granting 'most favored nation9 status to Pakistan. Bilateral trade and inter-people communication were taking the relations to a new level, till the Indian Parliament got attacked in 2001, which initiated yet another military standoff. Bilateral relations have been going though phases of ups and downs, which reached its lowest point with the attacks on Pathankot air base and Uri army base. The distrust caused has led India to retaliate on a diplomatic scale with a retrained foreign policy to alienate Pakistan on international platforms. The whole Pakistan-India puzzle revolves around Kashmir question, but both nations should realize that rhey are lagging behind in development while focusing on war. Bilateral talks should be increased so as to develop trust, so that both the nations progress on the path of peace and prosperity.

DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDIND-BOON OR BANE   Key Points: Introduction

• Definition
• Potential that can be tapped

  Government initiatives

• Skill India
• Startup India
• Make in India
• Digital India

  Challenges

• Education
• SER report
• 1% GDP spent on educate
• Employment
• Employability
• 5% population with any vocational training
• Dependence on public sector
• Geriatric care

  Way ahead

• 4% growth rate
• World fastest growing economy
• Right initiatives on part of government

  THE ESSAY BEGINS... UNFPA defines demographic dividend as the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in a population's age structure, mainly when the share of the working-age population is larger than the non-working age population. This implies a potential that can be tapped if we know how to tap it, a transformation which can occur only when certain conditions are fulfilled which can be discussed under two broad headings of education and employment. Education in India is in a bleak state when seen in the background of the recent ASER report. The mere 3.1 % of GDP which the government spends on education is nowhere near what's necessary. A country won't be able to progress without a robust public education system. Employability, rather than employment opportunity, should be more discussed, with only 2.5% population having any sort of vocational training. Due to the lack of enough private sector jobs, the youth fall back on the public sector which is itself shrinking. The boom in the youth population now indicates another thing- the large number of senior citizens we will have to manage in the future. Geriatric care in India hasn't developed much and with a majority of the population uninsured, the senior citizens have to depend on their children. The progressive schemes launched by the present government have been focused on solving these problems. While schemes like Skill India mission. Startup India and Digital India focuses on skilling the youth to boost their employ ability, Make in India and the increased FDI limit are sure to create new employment opportunities. Though the pace is slow, the growth is steady with our country marching ahead at 7.4% as the world's fastest growing economy, and with the right initiatives on the part of the government, we will be able to grow even faster and the sun of youth will definitely shine on India.