UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 : Questions on QUAD and local government bodies (Week 70)

QUESTION 2

Analyse the significance of the Quad Alliance in the context of global geopolitics.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: Discuss the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Local bodies are institutions of local self-government that oversee the administration of a specific area or small community, such as a village, town, or city.

— Local bodies in India are broadly divided into two groups. Local bodies formed for local planning, development, and administration in rural areas are known as Rural Local Bodies (Panchayats), while those formed for local planning, development, and administration in urban areas are known as Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities).

— Local government is a state topic under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Article 243 G of the Indian Constitution enshrines the fundamental idea of devolution of authority to local bodies.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Role of Local Bodies

Local Government plays a significant role which includes:

— It includes the implementation of numerous laws and regulations.

— It entails providing urban services in an efficient and equitable manner while also effectively managing its accounting.

— All men and women have a say in decision-making, whether directly or through legitimate intermediaries that represent their interests.

— It actively supports higher-level governments in ensuring equitable distribution and delivery.

— It plays an important role in promoting improvements in all elements of municipal governance and administration.

Conclusion:

— In terms of resource allocation, India spends the least on local government. Local government experience differs by state; it is more firmly practised and entrenched in states such as Kerala.

— Technology has been a two-edged sword. On the one hand, it can build local capability; on the other, it has been exploited to circumvent political negotiation and control.

— The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, which went into force in April 1993, resulted in significant reforms in local governance in the country, whereas the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act, 1992, is a landmark initiative of the Government of India to promote local self-government in cities and towns.

(Source: Nobody loves local government by Pratap Bhanu Mehta, mospi.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Schedule 5 and 6 of the Constitution of India

Articles related to Panchayats and Municipalities

Ashok Mehta Committee and Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

Related Previous Year Questions

Analyse the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons of merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies. (2024)

‘‘The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.’’ Comment. (2023)

QUESTION 2: Analyse the significance of the Quad Alliance in the context of global geopolitics.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in December 2004, India, Japan, Australia, and the United States formed an informal alliance to coordinate disaster relief efforts. Shinzo Abe, Japan’s then-Prime Minister, codified the partnership in 2007 as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the Quad.

— The Quad is not constituted like a traditional multinational organisation, without a secretariat and any permanent decision-making body (such as the EU or UN). Instead, it has concentrated on deepening existing agreements among member countries and emphasising their common principles.

— The Quad does not include mechanisms for collective defence, instead opting for combined military drills as a show of unity and diplomatic cooperation.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Significance of the Quad Alliance

— The group’s primary objectives include maritime security, addressing the risks of climate change, creating an ecosystem for investment in the region, and boosting technological innovation.

— This year, the Quad is proudly implementing practical projects that help partner countries around the Indo-Pacific, including the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region.

— The Quad is driving major projects to assist partners in combating epidemics and disease, responding to natural catastrophes, increasing maritime domain awareness and security, and mobilising and building high-quality physical and digital infrastructure.

— Each Quad government has committed to working through their own budgetary processes to secure substantial funding for Quad priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, ensuring long-term effect.

— The Quad administrations also want to collaborate with their separate legislatures to strengthen inter parliamentary exchanges and urge additional stakeholders to engage with Quad counterparts.

Conclusion:

— Quad members have also expressed a desire to expand the collaboration by forming a so-called Quad Plus, which would include South Korea, New Zealand, and Vietnam, among others.

— The 2025 Quad Leaders Summit will be held in India, while the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting will be hosted in the United States.

(Source: PM Modi in US: What is the Quad grouping?)

Points to Ponder

Read about Quad Cancer Moonshot

QUAD efforts on Mpox

QUAD on Maritime Security

Related Previous Year Questions

How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (2022)

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss. (2020)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 69)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 68)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 68)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 69)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 69)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 70)

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