UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 27)

QUESTION 2

The equitable distribution of natural resources is the fundamental spirit of the Indian Constitution. Highlight various water dispute tribunals of India.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— An introduction 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 a trusted source and include authenticated 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.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: India and the UAE have signed a pact on use of local currencies in cross-border transactions. How will the agreement boost bilateral trade?

Introduction:

— India and the United Arab Emirates signed pacts on use of local currencies for cross-border transactions and setting up a campus of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology in Abu Dhabi.

— The “UAE-India relations have witnessed tremendous progress on all fronts”.

— The pacts signed include:

(i) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a framework to promote the use of local currencies (INR-AED) for cross-border transactions by Governors of the respective Central Banks.

(ii) MoU on interlinking payment and messaging systems by Governors of the respective Central Banks was also inked.

(iii) MoU for planning to establish an IIT-Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi.

Body:

How will the agreement boost bilateral trade?

— It paves the way for enhanced economic collaboration and will make international financial interactions simpler.

— The leaders expressed their interest in strengthening cooperation in the payment systems area by enabling integration between their instant payment systems to process cross-border transactions between the UAE and India more efficiently.

— The cooperation will also include the mutual acceptance of domestic card schemes by interlinking national card switches.

— India and the UAE had signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). India-UAE trade rose to USD 85 billion in 2022, making the UAE India’s third-largest trading partner for 2022-23 and India’s second-largest export destination.

— Under the MoU on ‘Payments and Messaging Systems’, the two central banks agreed to cooperate on

(a) linking their Fast Payment Systems (FPSs) – Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India with Instant Payment Platform (IPP) of UAE;

(b) linking the respective Card Switches (RuPay switch and UAESWITCH); and

(c) exploring the linking of payments messaging systems (Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) of India with the messaging system in the UAE)

Conclusion:

— They agreed to further deepen their bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, terrorist financing, and extremism.

— The leaders agreed to strengthen their bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, encompassing renewables, natural gas, and oil. Both parties will advance their collaboration in grid connectivity, solar energy, and green hydrogen. Additionally, both parties decided to boost energy-related investments overall, including in India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve Programme.

(Source: India, UAE sign pacts on use of local currencies in cross-border transactions, IIT campus in Abu Dhabi by Shubhajit Roy)

Points to Ponder

What are other key new developments between India and the UAE?

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)

Related Previous Year Questions

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

India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

QUESTION 2: The equitable distribution of natural resources is the fundamental spirit of the Indian Constitution. Highlight various water dispute tribunals of India.

Introduction:

— Addressing the valedictory session of the 7th India Water Week, the Vice-President of India, Dhankar highlighted that equitable distribution of natural resources is the fundamental spirit of the Indian Constitution.

— It is the fundamental spirit of the Indian constitution. It is reflected in the Directive Principle of the State policy. There shall be equitable distribution of natural resources.

— The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Act, 2019 provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys.

— Under the Act, a state government may request the central government to refer an inter-state river dispute to a Tribunal for adjudication.

— Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC) comprise of a Chairperson, and experts with at least 15 years of experience in relevant sectors, to be nominated by the central government.

— The central government will set up an Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal which consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, three judicial members, and three expert members.

Body:

Water dispute tribunals of India

Vansadhara River Water Dispute Tribunal — Odisha and Andhra Pradesh

Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal — Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha

Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal -I — Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka

Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal — Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra

Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal — Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan

Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal — Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry

Conclusion:

— The Cauvery dispute has flared up again, the first time after 2018 when the Supreme Court (SC) re-adjudicated the dispute after a tribunal gave its award. The Court also directed the creation of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to implement the decision.

(Source: 7th India Water Week | It’s time to end all inter-state water disputes: Dhankhar, One tribunal for all river water disputes: why the proposal, how it will work by Amitabh Sinha)

Points to Ponder

Disputes Resolution Committee

Inter-State River Waters Disputes Act of 1956

Related Previous Year Question

Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss. (2013)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 26)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 25)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 25)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 26)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 26)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 27)

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