UPSC CSE Mains Answer Writing

Introduction

Digital arrest scams use fake police or court calls to extort money; the SC calls them a massive fraud.

Why bank liability

• Banks control KYC, mule-account detection and transaction monitoring.
• Liability creates incentives to invest in fraud analytics and alerts.
• Victims, often elderly, face huge losses and slow recovery.

Concerns

• Moral hazard if customers stop exercising basic caution.
• Defining 'due diligence lapse' needs clear, auditable standards.
• Costs may raise charges or slow genuine transactions.

Safeguards suggested

• Temporary hold on transfers deviating sharply from account history.
• Automated police alerts and physical verification for large transfers.
• Faster restoration of frozen money through the 1930 helpline and I4C.

Way forward

A shared-responsibility model, clear RBI norms and awareness can restore trust in digital payments.

• SC Bench led by CJI Surya Kant: compensation at least equal to loss where banks lapse
• RBI (KYC) Amendment Directions, 2026: notify by 30 Nov, operational by 31 Dec
• Over 7 lakh fund-restoration requests; I4C helpline 1930

Introduction

Gig and platform workers lack employer-linked social security; the new Board gives them an institutional voice.

Vulnerabilities

• Irregular income, no paid leave, health or pension cover.
• Algorithmic control and opaque deactivation by platforms.
• High accident risk for delivery and ride-hailing workers.

Role of the Board

• Recommends schemes on life, accident, health, maternity and old-age cover (Sec 114).
• Includes aggregators, unions and gig associations for tripartite dialogue.
• Monitors schemes and reviews fund expenditure.

Gaps

• Portability across multiple platforms and States is unclear.
• Aggregator contribution may be passed on to workers.
• Registration on e-Shram must reach informal workers.

Key data and examples

• Code on Social Security, 2020: Sec 6 (Board), 113 (registration), 114 (schemes)
• Board chaired by Union Labour Minister; meets at least thrice a year
• NITI Aayog (2022) projected 2.35 crore gig workers by 2029–30

Way forward

Universal registration, portable benefits and grievance redressal can make the Board effective.

• Code on Social Security, 2020: Sec 6 (Board), 113 (registration), 114 (schemes)
• Board chaired by Union Labour Minister; meets at least thrice a year
• NITI Aayog (2022) projected 2.35 crore gig workers by 2029–30

Introduction

NavIC is India's regional navigation system; GSLV-F18 placed NVS-03 in orbit on 30 October 2026.

Significance

• Assured positioning for defence when foreign GNSS may be denied.
• Supports disaster alerts, fisheries, railways and precision agriculture.
• L1 signal improves compatibility with civilian smartphones.

Challenges

• Atomic clock failures earlier reduced operational satellites.
• NVS-02 could not raise its orbit due to a valve problem.
• Low receiver penetration in consumer devices.

Measures

• Indigenous atomic clocks and timely replacement launches.
• Mandate NavIC support in phones, vehicles and IoT devices.
• Private industry role in ground segment and chipsets.

Key data and examples

• NavIC coverage: India + ~1,500 km; SPS and RS services
• NVS-01 (GSLV-F12, 2023) first with indigenous atomic clock

Way forward

Completing NVS-04 and NVS-05 on time will make NavIC a reliable strategic asset.

• NavIC coverage: India + ~1,500 km; SPS and RS services
• NVS-01 (GSLV-F12, 2023) first with indigenous atomic clock
• Kargil 1999 GPS denial experience drove IRNSS

Introduction

At Cebu, India offered counter-terror expertise, joint exercises and a defence 'Youth Bridge' to ASEAN.

Opportunities

• Maritime security cooperation in the 2026 ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
• Defence exports such as BrahMos to the Philippines.
• Co-chairing counter-terrorism working group builds credibility.

Limitations

• ASEAN centrality and consensus slow security decisions.
• Members balance ties with China and avoid bloc politics.
• India's limited capacity for sustained naval presence and financing.

Way ahead

• Expand HADR, coast guard and hydrography cooperation.
• Link defence ties with Northeast connectivity and trade.
• Use Quad and JAI trilateral as complements, not substitutes.

Key data and examples

• ADMM-Plus: 11 ASEAN + 8 partners; started Hanoi 2010
• India–ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022)
• India–Malaysia co-chair EWG on Counter-Terrorism 2024–27

Way forward

A people-centric, maritime-led partnership respecting ASEAN centrality serves India's Indo-Pacific vision.

• ADMM-Plus: 11 ASEAN + 8 partners; started Hanoi 2010
• India–ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2022)
• India–Malaysia co-chair EWG on Counter-Terrorism 2024–27

Introduction

MHA has notified enumeration from 25 January to 28 February 2027, the first Census since 2011.

Significance

• Basis for delimitation, reservation and Finance Commission transfers.
• Updates beneficiary lists for NFSA and welfare targeting.
• Provides data on migration, urbanisation and housing.

Challenges

• Data privacy and accuracy in self-enumeration.
• Excluded poll-bound and snow-bound States need separate schedules.
• Training and digital divide among enumerators and households.

Suggestions

• Independent quality audits and transparent data release.
• Statutory fixed intervals to avoid future delays.
• Strong cyber security for digital enumeration.

Key data and examples

• Census Act, 1948; Union List Entry 69
• Self-enumeration 10–24 Jan; revisional round 1–5 Mar 2027
• 2021 Census postponed due to COVID-19

Way forward

A credible, timely Census is a public good that underpins evidence-based policy.

• Census Act, 1948; Union List Entry 69
• Self-enumeration 10–24 Jan; revisional round 1–5 Mar 2027
• 2021 Census postponed due to COVID-19

Introduction

A GLOF from Bhutan's Shintaphu Lake and a study on Badrinath's hanging glaciers signal growing cryospheric risk.

Causes

• Warming accelerates glacier retreat and growth of moraine-dammed lakes.
• Steep slopes and permafrost thaw destabilise hanging ice.
• Unplanned roads, hydro projects and crowding raise exposure.

Impacts

• Sudden downstream floods across borders, as in the Sankosh basin.
• Threat to pilgrims and towns like Badrinath on the Alaknanda.

Risk reduction

• Inventory and satellite monitoring of glacial lakes and hanging glaciers.
• Early warning systems with community sirens and India–Bhutan data sharing.
• Carrying-capacity based regulation of yatra and construction.

Key data and examples

• NDMA GLOF Guidelines, 2020
• South Lhonak GLOF, Sikkim (Oct 2023)
• National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme

Way forward

Science-led monitoring, transboundary cooperation and zoning can make Himalayan settlements safer.

• NDMA GLOF Guidelines, 2020
• South Lhonak GLOF, Sikkim (Oct 2023)
• National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme

Introduction

The endangered Ganges river dolphin is an indicator of river health; UNEP named its recovery a flagship.

Role of flagship species

• Mobilises public support and funds for whole-river conservation.
• As an apex predator, its presence signals clean, flowing water.
• Links with Namami Gange and Project Dolphin.

Threats

• Dams and barrages fragment habitat and reduce flows.
• Pollution, sand mining and fishing-net entanglement.

Measures

• Ensure environmental flows and protect deep pools.
• Community-based monitoring and dolphin-safe fishing.
• Scientific population surveys at regular intervals.

Key data and examples

• National Aquatic Animal (2009); IUCN Endangered
• Action Plan for Dolphin Conservation 2022–2047
• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030

Way forward

Restoring the dolphin means restoring the river; flows, people and science must move together.

• National Aquatic Animal (2009); IUCN Endangered
• Action Plan for Dolphin Conservation 2022–2047
• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030

Introduction

The CCS cleared eight indigenously designed corvettes worth over ₹40,000 crore for GRSE and Goa Shipyard.

Achievements

• In-house naval design capability; INS Vikrant built at Cochin Shipyard.
• Most warships on order are being built in Indian yards.
• Positive indigenisation lists and DAP 2020 'Buy Indian-IDDM'.

Weaknesses

• Delays and cost overruns; first NGC only by 2030.
• Import dependence for engines, sensors and weapons.
• Limited dry-dock capacity and MSME supply chains.

Suggestions

• Fixed-price contracts with milestone-based payments.
• Joint development of marine engines with partners.
• Shipbuilding clusters linked to the Maritime India Vision.

Key data and examples

• DAP 2020; positive indigenisation lists
• INS Vikrant commissioned 2022
• SAGAR doctrine; NGCs ~2,000 t displacement

Way forward

Timely delivery and deeper component indigenisation will turn orders into real naval capability.

• DAP 2020; positive indigenisation lists
• INS Vikrant commissioned 2022
• SAGAR doctrine; NGCs ~2,000 t displacement

Introduction

Only six States have Councils; UP and Bihar just elected graduates' and teachers' members.

Provisions

• Article 169: creation or abolition by Parliament on Assembly resolution.
• Article 171: one-twelfth each from graduates and teachers.

For

• Brings expertise of educators, professionals and nominated experts.
• Allows revision and delay of hasty legislation.
• Gives voice to graduates and teachers as constituencies.

Against

• Only suspensive powers; cannot block money bills.
• Often used to accommodate defeated politicians.
• Adds cost; existence depends on ruling party preference.

Key data and examples

• Councils: UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP, Telangana
• J&K Council abolished 2019
• Rajasthan/Assam Council proposals pending

Way forward

A national policy on Councils with stronger expert roles can make them meaningful.

• Councils: UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP, Telangana
• J&K Council abolished 2019
• Rajasthan/Assam Council proposals pending

Introduction

The FM cited World Bank data: extreme poverty fell from 27.1% (2011) to 2.6% (2023).

Measures

• Consumption-based lines: Tendulkar, Rangarajan, World Bank $3.00/day.
• Multidimensional Poverty Index covers health, education, living standards.

Strengths

• HCES 2022–23 gives fresh consumption data after a decade.
• MPI captures deprivations beyond income.

Limitations

• No official national poverty line since 2011–12.
• Higher lines ($4.20) still show 16.1% poor; vulnerability remains.
• Regional concentration from UP to West Bengal.

Key data and examples

• World Bank: 27.1% (2011) to 2.6% (2023)
• NITI MPI: 24.82 crore exited 2013–14 to 2022–23
• Tendulkar 21.9% (2011–12)

Way forward

An official, periodically updated multidimensional poverty framework should guide targeting.

• World Bank: 27.1% (2011) to 2.6% (2023)
• NITI MPI: 24.82 crore exited 2013–14 to 2022–23
• Tendulkar 21.9% (2011–12)