MPPSC SSE Mains Answer Writing

Introduction

Agnipath (2022) recruits soldiers for four years; the 2026 extension lets those not retained serve two more years.

Gains from the extension

• Retains trained manpower in technical and combat roles for longer.
• Six years of service improve skills and unit cohesion.
• Higher pay and Seva Nidhi improve morale and recruitment appeal.

Concerns

• Average age rises slightly, diluting the youth-profile objective.
• Uncertainty after exit persists without assured second careers.
• Pension and salary bill may rise over time.

Way forward

• Link the extension to skill certification and lateral entry into CAPFs and State police.
• Review the scheme periodically using feedback from units.

• Agnipath launched 14 June 2022; up to 25% retained originally.
• 2026 extension: optional two years, higher Seva Nidhi.
• Kargil Review Committee (1999) stressed a younger armed-forces profile.

Introduction

Notified under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, the new rules replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937 from 1 January 2027.

Key features

• Consolidated rules on registration, airworthiness, maintenance and operations.

Significance

• Aligns Indian rules with ICAO standards and global practice.

Way forward

• Build DGCA capacity and digitise approvals.
• Issue clear transition guidance before 1 January 2027.

• Aircraft Act, 1934 replaced by Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
• New rules effective 1 January 2027.
• India is among the largest domestic aviation markets.

Introduction

India hosted the first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram (30 Oct–3 Nov 2026) with all seven members.

Significance

• Builds interoperability and maritime domain awareness among littoral states.
• Tackles piracy, trafficking, IUU fishing and disaster response jointly.
• Gives BIMSTEC a security pillar alongside trade and connectivity.
• Strengthens India's Act East and MAHASAGAR outreach.

Limitations

• Political instability in Myanmar and uneven naval capacities.
• Extra-regional naval presence complicates trust.
• BIMSTEC has a small secretariat and slow follow-up.

Way forward

• Make the exercise annual and add information-sharing through IFC-IOR.
• Fund capacity building for smaller members.

• BIMSTEC: Bangkok Declaration 1997; Secretariat Dhaka.
• Theme: 'Shared Seas, Shared Security and Shared Prosperity'.
• Andaman & Nicobar Command (2001) hosted it.

Introduction

The MoD contracted GRSE (five) and Goa Shipyard (three) to build eight Navy-designed Next Generation Corvettes.

Signs of maturity

• In-house design by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau.

Gaps

• Dependence on imported engines, sensors and some weapons.
• History of delays in shipbuilding projects.

Way forward

• Push indigenous propulsion and sensors through iDEX and DRDO.
• Use milestone-based contracts to curb delays.

• GRSE HQ Kolkata; GSL at Vasco da Gama, Goa.
• Positive indigenisation lists of MoD.
• First project with Navy design and competitive DPSU selection.

Introduction

The MoPR–CESL MoU allows EV charging and battery swapping on Panchayat land to raise Panchayats' own income.

How it strengthens PRIs

• Lease rent and revenue share add to own source revenue.
• Reduces dependence on tied central and State grants.
• Promotes clean rural mobility and local jobs.

Constraints

• Low EV density in villages limits early income.
• Weak technical capacity and unclear land records.
• Limited devolution of funds, functions and functionaries.

Way forward

• Pair such MoUs with property-tax reforms under Article 243H.
• Train Panchayat staff and use the eGramSwaraj platform for transparency.

• Article 243H: taxation powers; Article 243-I: State Finance Commission.
• CESL is a subsidiary of EESL (Ministry of Power).
• Eleventh Schedule: 29 subjects.

Introduction

Soreng district has been notified as India's first Organic Fisheries Cluster under PMMSY, building on Sikkim's organic status.

Potential

• Premium prices for chemical- and antibiotic-free fish.

Challenges

• Lower yields and costly organic feed.
• Certification and traceability systems are weak.

Way forward

• Create organic fish certification standards and branding.
• Use FPOs and cooperatives for aggregation and credit through KCC.

• PMMSY launched 2020 with ₹20,050 crore.
• Sikkim: first fully organic State (2016).
• Soreng: cold-water trout, Amur carp, Indian major carps.

Introduction

Biosphere reserves under UNESCO's MAB Programme combine a protected core with buffer and transition zones where people live and work.

Achievements

• India has 18 reserves, 13 in UNESCO's world network.
• Landscape-level protection of forests, coasts and deserts.
• Community participation through eco-development.

Shortcomings

• No specific statutory backing; protection relies on other laws.
• Pressure from tourism, mining and infrastructure in transition zones.
• Weak monitoring and funding.

Way forward

• Give biosphere reserves a clear legal framework.
• Link them to KMGBF targets and benefit-sharing under the Biological Diversity Act.

• MAB Programme: 1971; first Indian BR: Nilgiri (1986).
• International Day for Biosphere Reserves: 3 November.
• KMGBF '30x30' target.

Introduction

India's new extradition treaty with Kazakhstan adds to its network of treaties against fugitives, terrorists and economic offenders.

Why vital

• Gives a legal route to bring back accused and convicts.

Way forward

• Combine extradition with MLATs, Interpol notices and the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
• Improve prison conditions and evidence quality to meet foreign courts' standards.

• Extradition Act, 1962.
• Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
• Cabinet approved the Kazakhstan treaty on 26 Aug 2026.

Introduction

The Himalaya, formed by the Indian–Eurasian plate collision, is among the world's most earthquake-prone belts.

Vulnerability

• Ongoing plate convergence builds strain along major thrusts.
• Steep slopes cause landslides and glacial lake hazards after quakes.
• Fast, unregulated construction raises risk.

Role of monitoring

• Real-time data from 183 observatories helps rapid response.
• Denser networks detect smaller tremors and map faults.
• Data supports microzonation and building codes.

Way forward

• Enforce BIS seismic codes and retrofit schools and hospitals.
• Develop an earthquake early-warning system and community drills.

• 183rd observatory at Kishtwar; NCS under MoES.
• Plan for 100 more observatories (detection to M2.5).
• NDMA earthquake guidelines; DM Act, 2005.

Introduction

Dr Mahapatra built AIIMS Bhubaneswar and led the 2017 separation of conjoined twins Jaga and Balia, showing service beyond duty.

Values involved

• Professional excellence: mastering complex skills for patients' good.

Relevance today

• Commercialisation of healthcare tests integrity.
• Teamwork and humility matter in high-risk decisions.

Way forward

• Teach medical ethics and empathy in curricula.
• Recognise and reward public-sector excellence.

• Padma Shri 2025; founding Director, AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
• 2017 craniopagus separation at AIIMS Delhi.
• Hippocratic ideal: 'first, do no harm'.