MPPSC SSE Mains Answer Writing

Introduction

The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognises individual, community and habitat rights of forest dwellers. By 31 August 2026, 25.42 lakh titles were issued, yet habitat rights reached only 11 of 75 PVTGs.

Reasons for the skew

• Individual titles (up to 4 ha) are quick to verify; community claims need mapping of customary boundaries.
• Forest departments resist losing control over timber and protected areas.
• Gram Sabhas lack technical support; SDLCs and DLCs focus on targets.
• 18.13 lakh rejections, often without reasons.

Democratising forest governance

• Gram Sabha-led CFR management plans, following Mendha-Lekha.
• Madhya Pradesh, with India's largest tribal population, should prioritise habitat rights of PVTGs such as the Baiga, Bharia and Sahariya.
• Converge FRA with PESA and PM-JANMAN; train forest staff.

Conclusion

Niyamgiri (2013) showed that empowered Gram Sabhas can balance livelihoods and conservation.

• MoTA (31 Aug 2026): ~54 lakh claims, 80.64% disposed, 10.45 lakh pending
• MP has the largest ST population (Census 2011); PVTGs: Baiga, Bharia, Sahariya
• Niyamgiri judgment (2013); PESA 1996

Introduction

Agrivoltaics grows crops beneath elevated solar panels; solarisation converts farmland wholly into solar plants.

Why preferable

• Protects scarce farmland and food security.
• Shade reduces evaporation and heat stress.
• Dual income for farmers.

Conclusion

Clear standards and PM-KUSUM support can scale it.

• 36 operational projects (37.54 MW) + 10 pilots; NISE–ICAR-IARI Centre of Excellence
• PM-KUSUM (Feb 2019)

Introduction

UNEP's 17th Emissions Gap Report, "The Point of Return", finds 2025 emissions at 58.4 Gt CO2e, down only 0.1 Gt from 2024. Peak warming of 1.7–1.8°C is likely, with a 50% chance of returning to 1.5°C by 2100.

Implications for India

• Adaptation first: heatwaves, erratic rainfall and water stress threaten farming, health and urban systems.
• Mitigation pressure: new NDCs cut only 5–8% by 2030, so G20 members including India face calls for higher ambition.
• Equity: India's low per-capita emissions justify demands for finance and technology under CBDR.
• Opportunity: renewables, storage and green hydrogen can exceed the 2030 targets of 45% emission-intensity cut and 50% non-fossil capacity.

Way forward

• An ambitious, equitable 2035 NDC and state climate action plans.
• Scale projects like the Rewa solar park and Omkareshwar floating solar in Madhya Pradesh.

• EGR 2026: required cuts vs 2025 of 18%/45%/69% by 2030/2035/2040
• G20 ≈76% of global emissions; UNEP est. 1972, HQ Nairobi
• India's updated NDC (2022); net zero 2070

Introduction

From January 2027, NSO will redesign the PLFS to capture platform workers and unpaid care work.

Policy benefits

• Reliable gig-worker data for social security under the Code on Social Security, 2020 and e-Shram.
• Makes women's unpaid work visible, guiding crèches and care services.
• Strengthens gender budgeting.

Conclusion

Better data, better welfare.

• PLFS launched April 2017; NSO (MoSPI)
• Code on Social Security, 2020; e-Shram portal (2021)

Introduction

On 23 October 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Indian Army's Land Warfare Doctrine at the Army Commanders' Conference, urging a flexible 20–30-year strategic vision and crediting the forces for Operation Sindoor (May 2025).

Long-term vision

• Weapon development and force restructuring take decades; a 20–30-year horizon gives continuity.
• Flexibility is needed as threats on the LAC and LoC keep evolving.

Jointness

• Integrated theatre commands under the CDS and Department of Military Affairs.
• Shared intelligence, logistics and communication networks with the Navy and Air Force.

Technology

• Drones, counter-drone systems, AI-enabled surveillance, cyber and space capabilities.
• Indigenous production through iDEX, positive indigenisation lists and private industry.

Conclusion

Assured budgets, skilled personnel and periodic review can turn the doctrine into a credible deterrent for short, intense, multi-domain wars.

• Doctrine released 23 Oct 2026, Army Commanders' Conference, New Delhi
• CDS and Department of Military Affairs (2019); iDEX (2018)
• Operation Sindoor (May 2025); COAS Gen. Upendra Dwivedi

Introduction

EAM Jaishankar's Baku visit, first in eight years, reset ties after Azerbaijan criticised Operation Sindoor.

Importance

• INSTC western route to Russia and Europe.
• Caspian energy security; ONGC Videsh stakes.
• Dilutes the Türkiye–Pakistan–Azerbaijan axis.
• India backs Azerbaijan–Armenia peace.

Conclusion

Balanced, interest-based ties serve India's Eurasian goals.

• First Indian EAM bilateral visit in eight years
• Azerbaijan on INSTC route; hosted COP29 (2024)

Introduction

Criminalisation of politics erodes public trust and rule of law. The judiciary has repeatedly stepped in where legislative reform has lagged.

Judicial milestones

• ADR (2002) and PUCL (2003): mandatory disclosure of criminal antecedents and assets.
• Lily Thomas (2013): struck down Section 8(4), ending protection for sitting legislators upon conviction.
• Public Interest Foundation (2018) and Rambabu Singh Thakur (2020): wide publicity of criminal cases; parties to explain choice of such candidates.
• Section 125A ruling (Justices Datta and Nagu): voters may prosecute false affidavits.

Limits

• Courts cannot legislate disqualification at the charge stage.
• Penalty under 125A is mild; slow trials persist.

Way forward

• Parliament should act on Law Commission's 244th Report.
• Special courts for MPs/MLAs; inner-party democracy and ECI powers to deregister parties.

• Lily Thomas (2013); Public Interest Foundation (2018); Rambabu Singh Thakur (2020)
• Section 125A: up to 6 months' imprisonment, or fine, or both
• Law Commission 244th Report (2014)

Introduction

Launched on 22 Oct 2026, the campaign targets about one crore farmers through ~4,150 KVK–ATMA teams.

Significance

• Counters urea-heavy, imbalanced nutrient use.
• Promotes Soil Health Card advice and crop diversification.
• Grassroots outreach via Gram Panchayats.

Conclusion

Sustained follow-up, not a one-season drive, will restore soil health.

• ~1 crore farmers; ~4,150 KVK–ATMA teams
• Soil Health Card scheme (2015)

Introduction

The UN Charter entered into force on 24 October 1945 with 51 original members; today the UN has 193. The Security Council, however, has been enlarged only once (1965).

Why the statement holds

• The five permanent members reflect Second World War victors.
• Africa, the subject of most Council agendas, has no permanent seat.
• Rising powers such as India, Brazil, Germany and Japan (G4) are excluded.
• Veto use has paralysed responses to Ukraine and Gaza.

Counterpoint

• The Council still authorises peacekeeping and sanctions; reform must not paralyse it further.

Way forward

• Text-based Intergovernmental Negotiations, as committed in the Pact for the Future (2024).
• Expansion in both categories with a review clause; veto deferred.
• G4–African Union convergence and outreach to P5.
• India's peacekeeping and Global South leadership strengthen its case.

• 51 original members (1945) vs 193 today; UNSC enlarged only in 1965
• Pact for the Future (2024); IGN since 2009
• G4 and Ezulwini Consensus (2005)

Introduction

Mission Karmayogi (2020) builds role-based competencies; the UNNATI Capability Index now tracks progress.

Ethical dimensions

• Empathy and citizen-centricity as core competencies.
• Competence reduces harm from negligence.
• Continuous learning promotes accountability.

Conclusion

Training must be backed by organisational culture to turn skills into integrity.

• Mission Karmayogi (NPCSCB), Sept 2020; iGOT Karmayogi
• UNNATI Capability Index (Oct 2026)