UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 29)

QUESTION 1

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released their annual report titled ‘Road Accidents in India – 2022’. Discuss the key takeaways from the report.

QUESTION 2

How does the Article 370 decision broadens the scope of Article 356?

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: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released their annual report titled ‘Road Accidents in India – 2022’. Discuss the key takeaways from the report.

Introduction:

— The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways released their annual report titled ‘Road Accidents in India – 2022’.

— According to the report, states and union territories (UTs) reported a total of 4,61,312 road accidents during the calendar year 2022, claiming 1,68,491 lives and injuring 4,43,366 people.

— This marks an increase of 11.9% in accidents, 9.4% in fatalities, and 15.3% in injuries compared to the previous year.

Body:

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

Key takeaways from the report

1. Overspeeding

— Overspeeding accounted for 72.3 percent of total road accidents, 71.2 percent of total deaths, and 72.8 percent of total injuries in 2022, up 12.8 percent, 11.8 percent, and 15.2 percent from the previous year.

— In 2022, wrong-side driving was the second leading cause of total road accidents, accounting for 4.9 percent of all accidents.

2. Most accidents occurred on straight roads

— According to the data, straight roads accounted for 67% of all accidents. This is more than four times the total number of accidents on curved roads, potholed roads, and steeply inclining roads combined (13.8%).

3. ‘Hit from back’ collisions

— It accounted for over 21 per cent of all collisions, followed by ‘head on collisions’ which accounted for 16.9 per cent.

4. Most road accidents occurred on a clear day

— Almost three-quarters of all accidents and fatalities occurred in’sunny/clear’ weather. Accidents caused by inclement weather such as rain, fog, and hail accounted for approximately 16.6 percent of total road accidents in 2022.

5. Two-wheelers

— It accounted for highest number of accidents and deaths.

— In 2022, there were 63,115 accidents involving two wheelers. This resulted in the deaths of 25,228 people. Cars and pedestrians were involved in the most accidents, with 29,005 (10,174 deaths) and 20,513 (10,160 deaths) respectively.

6. Fatality rate

— It is used to explain road accidents relative to vehicular population in a given location. It is measured by the number of road accident fatalities per 10,000 vehicles.

— Sikkim reported the highest fatality rate, standing at 17. UTs Ladakh and Daman & Diu had the lowest fatality rate at 0. The all India rate stood at 5.2.

7. Highest number of accidents

— Tamil Nadu reported 64,105 total accidents, a 15.1% increase over the previous year. This accounted for more than 13% of all accidents reported in India. Madhya Pradesh came in second, with 54,432 accidents reported.

Conclusion:

— The data in this report is derived from state and union territory police departments and is presented in standardised formats as provided by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Data (APRAD) base project.

(Source: 7 takeaways from GoI’s report on road accidents by Harikishan Sharma)

Points to Ponder

Other key takeaways of the report

Fatality rate

Related Previous Year Question

“The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report. (2020)

QUESTION 2: How does the Article 370 decision broadens the scope of Article 356?

Body:

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

— As part of its decision on Article 370, the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament can effectively unilaterally change the status of a state to that of a Union Territory while it is under President’s Rule.

— In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, the President referred the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019, to Parliament for comment because the state was under President’s Rule. Parliament can exercise the “powers of the Legislature” under the President’s Rule, as stated in Article 356(1)(b) of the Constitution.

— Article 356 contains provisions “in case of failure of constitutional machinery in states”, including those for imposition of President’s Rule.

— For the President to issue a proclamation under Article 356, two prerequisites must be met:

(i) The President’s satisfaction that a situation has arisen in which the government of a state cannot function as per constitutional provisions; and

(ii) The President’s satisfaction that such a situation has arisen must be formed based on a report sent by the state Governor or otherwise.

— If these two conditions have been fulfilled, the President, by a proclamation, may:

(a) assume “all or any” functions of the state government and “all or any” powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor or another authority in the state;

(b) declare that powers of the state legislature shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament; and

(c) make “incidental and consequential” provisions that are “necessary or desirable” for giving effect to the object of the proclamation.

— This includes the authority to suspend, entirely or partially, constitutional provisions pertaining to any state body or authority.

— However, the President is prohibited from exercising the powers of the high courts or suspending constitutional provisions related to them.

— A proclamation approved by both Houses has a six-month shelf life, but it can be extended for up to three years in exceptional circumstances, such as the declaration of a “national emergency” under Article 352 or the Election Commission certifying its necessity due to difficulties in holding general elections.

Conclusion:

— Previously, In Bommai case, which drew a redline for Centre-state relationships, a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court interpreted Article 356 of the Constitution to define the limits of President’s Rule.

— While the provision was upheld unanimously by all nine judges, the Court ruled that the President’s decision would be subject to judicial review on grounds of illegality, mala fide, extraneous considerations, abuse of power, or fraud.

— “Proclamation under Article 356 is open to judicial review, but to a very limited extent,” a five-judge SC bench said in Rameshwar Prasad. The power of judicial review can be exercised only when the power is used fraudulently or on wholly extraneous or irrelevant grounds.”

(Source: Decode Politics: How Article 370 verdict expands the scope of Article 356 by Khadija Khan)

Points to Ponder

Article 370

Article 356

Previous rulings of Supreme Court

Related Previous Year Questions

“The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws. (2022)

“The Constitution of India is a living instrument with capabilities of enormous dynamism. It is a constitution made for a progressive society.” Illustrate with special reference to the expanding horizons of the right to life and personal liberty. (2023)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 28)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 27)

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

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 28)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 28)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 29)

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