UPSC CSE Mains Answer Writing

Introduction

The CCEA approved selling 60.72% of IDBI Bank (Government 30.48%, LIC 30.24%) to a Fairfax unit for about ₹52,878 crore — the first strategic sale of a large state-linked bank.

Case for privatisation

• Frees fiscal space now used for recapitalisation
• Brings capital, technology and professional management
• Reduces political interference in lending

Concerns

• Financial inclusion and priority-sector lending may weaken
• Job security and depositor confidence
• Risk of concentration and 'too big to fail' private lenders

Conclusion

Privatisation should be gradual, backed by strict RBI fit-and-proper tests and safeguards for inclusion.

Introduction

INS Samarthak, commissioned at Karwar, was built by L&T at Kattupalli with over 75% indigenous content — the first major warship from an Indian private yard.

Why the private sector matters

• Capacity: public shipyards and DPSUs have long order backlogs.
• Speed and cost: competition shortens delivery times.
• Technology: private firms bring design, digital and supply-chain skills.
• Exports: defence exports crossed ₹23,000 crore in 2024-25, with a large private share.

Enablers

• Positive indigenisation lists; 75% of the capital procurement budget reserved for domestic industry.
• Strategic Partnership model under DAP 2020; FDI up to 74% (automatic route).
• Defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu; iDEX for start-ups.

Constraints

• Uncertain, lumpy orders and long trials.
• Dependence on imported engines, sensors and steel grades.
• Limited R&D spending and testing infrastructure.

Way forward

Assured long-term orders, shared test facilities, faster trials and joint DRDO–industry R&D can turn projects like Samarthak into a sustainable ecosystem.

Introduction

CPI inflation (base 2024=100) rose to 5.54% in September 2026, with food inflation at 7.74%, above the 4% ± 2% target set under Section 45ZA of the RBI Act.

Achievements

• Inflation averaged lower and expectations became more anchored after 2016
• The MPC brought transparency and accountability

Limitations

• Food and fuel shocks are supply-side and less responsive to rates
• Weak transmission to lending rates
• Growth costs of tight policy

Conclusion

The framework works best when paired with supply-side steps: storage, trade policy and fuel tax calibration.

Introduction

NSAP, started in 1995 under Article 41 (Directive Principles), has been extended to 2030-31 with ₹53,428 crore and renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. The disability threshold falls from 80% to 40%, matching the RPwD Act, 2016.

Strengths

• Covers about 3.2 crore elderly, widows and persons with disabilities.
• Direct benefit transfer reduces leakages.
• Lower disability threshold widens inclusion.
• States top up central amounts (some pay ₹1,000–3,000 a month).

Gaps

• Low central share: ₹200–500 a month has barely changed since 2012.
• BPL-based targeting excludes many poor; the old BPL lists are dated.
• Exclusion errors from Aadhaar seeding and digital verification.
• No indexation to inflation.
• Fragmentation across Centre and State schemes.

Way forward

• Raise and index the central pension; move towards a universal old-age pension with simple exclusion criteria.
• Use SECC/other updated databases; allow self-declaration with verification.
• Grievance redress and doorstep verification for the disabled and elderly.
• Integrate with health cover (Ayushman Bharat for 70+).

Introduction

FSSAI's draft amendment to the Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations, 2020 would bar added sucrose and fructose in food for infants up to six months.

Why regulation matters

• Early sugar exposure shapes taste and raises obesity and diabetes risk
• WHO advises exclusive breastfeeding for six months
• Labels often mislead parents

Limits

• Enforcement across small brands and online sales
• Malnutrition is driven also by poverty, sanitation and maternal health

Conclusion

Strict rules on infant food should go with front-of-pack labelling, breastfeeding support and POSHAN Abhiyaan outreach.

Introduction

MoS Dr Jitendra Singh said India's space economy, about US$9 billion now, could reach US$40–45 billion in seven to eight years, driven by private participation after the 2020 reforms.

Reforms driving growth

• IN-SPACe (2020): single window to authorise and support private players.
• NSIL: ISRO's commercial arm, moving to demand-driven missions.
• Indian Space Policy 2023: defines roles of ISRO, IN-SPACe, NSIL and private firms.
• FDI liberalisation (2024): up to 100% in satellite components; 74% automatic for satellite manufacturing and operations.
• Start-up ecosystem: private launches (Vikram-S) and Agnikul's 3D-printed engine; hundreds of space start-ups.
• Venture fund: a ₹1,000-crore fund for space start-ups.

Challenges

• No comprehensive space activities law yet; liability and insurance unclear.
• High capital needs and long gestation.
• Small domestic demand; dependence on government contracts.
• Spectrum, debris and global competition (SpaceX, China).

Way forward

• Enact a Space Activities Act with clear licensing and liability.
• Anchor demand through government procurement of private services.
• Build launch pads (Kulasekarapattinam) and test facilities for private use.
• Focus on downstream services — earth observation, navigation (NavIC), communication.

Introduction

Wetlands filter pollutants, recharge groundwater, buffer floods and store carbon. With Sukhna and Sauj Jheel, India now has 103 Ramsar sites.

Threats

• Encroachment and urban expansion
• Sewage and agricultural run-off
• Siltation and invasive species
• Altered water flows from dams and drainage

Measures

• Notify boundaries under the Wetlands Rules, 2017
• Integrated management plans and Amrit Dharohar
• Treat sewage before discharge
• Involve local communities as custodians

Conclusion

Listing must be followed by funded, science-based management.

Introduction

The Montreal Protocol (1987) phased out ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs. The Kigali Amendment (2016) added hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — ozone-safe but potent greenhouse gases.

Why it succeeded

• Universal ratification: all 198 UN member parties.
• Clear science linking CFCs to the ozone hole.
• Differentiated timelines for developing countries.
• Multilateral Fund to pay incremental costs.
• Available substitutes and trade measures against non-parties.
• Result: the ozone layer is on track to recover by about 2066 over Antarctica.

India's commitments

• India ratified Kigali in 2021 and is in Group 2.
• Freeze HFC consumption in 2028 (baseline 2024–26).
• Reduce 10% by 2032, 20% by 2037, 30% by 2042 and 85% by 2047.
• India Cooling Action Plan (2019) aims to cut cooling demand 20–25% and refrigerant demand 25–30% by 2037-38.

Way forward

• Promote low-GWP refrigerants and energy-efficient ACs.
• Train service technicians; curb illegal trade.
• Apply Montreal's lessons — finance, technology and fair timelines — to the climate regime.

Introduction

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has stepped up enforcement in Delhi-NCR as winter approaches.

Causes

• Vehicle, industry and construction emissions
• Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana
• Winter inversion and low wind trap pollutants
• Road dust and waste burning

Governance approach

• Treat NCR as one airshed under CAQM
• Year-round action, not only GRAP stages
• Ex-situ stubble use and crop diversification
• Public transport, EVs and clean industrial fuel

Conclusion

Sustained, regional and data-driven action can break the winter cycle.

Introduction

World Food Day marks FAO's founding in 1945; 17 October is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. India has largely achieved calorie security but not nutrition security.

Achievements in food security

• National Food Security Act, 2013 covers up to 75% of rural and 50% of urban people.
• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana provides free grain to about 81 crore people.
• One Nation One Ration Card enables portability.
• Record foodgrain output and buffer stocks.

Nutrition gaps

• NFHS-5: stunting 35.5%, wasting 19.3%, anaemia in 57% of women.
• Cereal-heavy diets lacking protein and micronutrients.
• Poor sanitation and maternal health worsen absorption.

Strategies

• Diversify PDS: millets, pulses, fortified rice (now universal in PDS).
• Life-cycle approach: POSHAN 2.0, PM POSHAN school meals, maternity benefits.
• Agriculture: nutri-sensitive farming, kitchen gardens, biofortified seeds.
• WASH: Swachh Bharat and Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Behaviour change: Poshan Maah, breastfeeding promotion.

Conclusion

Linking income, diet diversity, health and sanitation will turn full granaries into healthy children.