UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 10)

QUESTION 1

How are the committees seen as useful for parliamentary work? Discuss the role of the Estimates Committee in this context.

QUESTION 2

The strategic partnership between the United States and India is based on shared ideals, such as a dedication to democracy and the rule-based international system. Discuss in the context of technology and defence partnership.

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.

— 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: How are the committees seen as useful for parliamentary work? Discuss the role of the Estimates Committee in this context.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about parliamentary committees.

— A Parliamentary Committee is a panel of MPs that is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker, and which works under the direction of the Speaker. It presents its report to the House or to the Speaker.

— Parliamentary Committees originated in the British Parliament. They derive their authority from Article 105, which deals with MPs’ privileges, and Article 118, which grants Parliament the ability to create rules to govern its process and conduct of business.

— Parliamentary Committees can be classified into:

Financial Committees (includes the Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings)

Departmentally Related Standing Committees (to increase Parliamentary scrutiny)

Other Parliamentary Standing Committees

Ad hoc Committees (appointed for a specific purpose)

(Source: Parliament Committees, their leaders, and their role in law-making by Liz Mathew)

Body:

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

Estimate Committee

— Estimates Committee consists of 30 Members who are elected by the Lok Sabha every year from among its Members.

— A Minister is not eligible for election to this Committee and in case any Member of the Committee becomes a Minister, he/she ceases to be a Member of the Committee.

— The term of the Committee is one year.

Role of Estimate Committee

— To report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency, or administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected;

— To suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration;

— To suggest the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament;

— To examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates.

(Source: loksabhadocs.nic.in)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— The Estimate Committee also examines matters of special interest which may arise or come to light in the course of its work or which are specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker.

— Parliament can also constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) with a special purpose, with members from both Houses, for detailed scrutiny of a subject or Bill.

Points to Ponder

Ad-hoc committees

Committee on Public Undertakings

Related Previous Year Questions

Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples. (2021)

QUESTION 2: The strategic partnership between the India and United States is based on shared ideals, such as a dedication to democracy and the rule-based international system. Discuss in the context of technology and defence partnership.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about India and US relations.

— The India and United States have shared interests in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity.

— The United States supports India’s rise as a prominent global force and a critical partner in efforts to keep the Indo-Pacific region peaceful, stable, and prosperous.

— The Joint Statement issued by India and the United States affirmed a vision of the two countries as “among the closest partners in the world — a partnership of democracies looking into the 21st century with hope, ambition, and confidence”.

(Source: http://www.state.gov)

Body:

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

Technology Partnership

NASA-ISRO collaboration in space

— India has signed the Artemis Accords, joining 26 other countries committed to peaceful, sustainable, and transparent cooperation that will enable exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

— NASA will provide advanced training to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) astronauts with the goal of launching a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024.

— NASA and ISRO are also developing a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023.

Strengthening semiconductor supply chains

— Micron Technology, with support from the India Semiconductor Mission, will invest more than $800 million toward a new $2.75 billion semiconductor assembly and test facility in India.

— Applied Materials will build a Semiconductor Centre for Commercialization and Innovation in India to strengthen the two nations’ semiconductor supply chain diversification.

Critical Minerals Partnership

— India has become the newest partner of the US-led Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) which has been established to accelerate the development of diverse and sustainable critical energy minerals supply chains globally.

— India’s Epsilon Carbon Limited will invest $650 million in a greenfield electric vehicle battery component factory, which will be the largest ever Indian investment in the US electric vehicle battery industry.

Quantum, Advanced Computing, and Artificial Intelligence

— The two countries have established a Joint Indo-US Quantum Coordination Mechanism to facilitate joint research between the public and private sectors across the two countries.

— They have also signed an implanting arrangement to support joint research on quantum, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and advanced wireless technologies.

Advanced Telecommunications

— India and the US have launched public-private Joint Task Forces on the development and deployment of Open RAN systems and on advanced telecoms research and development.

— India’s Bharat 6G and the US Next G Alliance will co-lead this public-private research. This work will reduce costs, increase security, and improve the resiliency of telecommunication networks.

Innovation Handshake

— To support the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), the US-India Commercial Dialogue will launch a new “Innovation Handshake” to connect the startup ecosystems of the two countries.

Fiber Optics Investments

— India’s Sterlite Technologies Limited has invested $100 million in the construction of an optical fibre cable manufacturing unit near Columbia, South Carolina, which will facilitate $150 million in annual exports of optical fibre from India.

Defence Partnership

General Atomics MQ-9Bs

— India intends to procure armed MQ-9B Sea Guardian UAVs. The drones will increase India’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.

GE F414 Engine Co-Production

— The Joint Statement welcomed the groundbreaking proposal by General Electric to jointly produce the F414 jet engine in India.

— The first-of-its-kind initiative to manufacture F414 engines in India will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before.

Service and repair of US Navy ships

— The US Navy has concluded a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with Larsen and Toubro Shipyard in Kattupalli (Chennai) and is finalizing agreements with Mazagon Dock Limited (Mumbai) and Goa Shipyard (Goa). These agreements will allow mid-voyage US Navy ships to undergo service and repair at Indian shipyards.

Defence “Innovation Bridge”

— The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) — a network of university, incubator, corporate, think tank, and private investment stakeholders. This programme will facilitate joint innovation on defence technologies and accelerate the integration of India’s private sector defence industry with the US defence sector.

(Source: What US, India have agreed on: Tech and defence partnerships, initiatives on visas and education, and more)

Conclusion:

Your conclusion should be short.

— India and USA have resolved to strengthen undersea domain awareness cooperation, and agreed to place three Indian liaison officers in US commands for the first time. The US and India have also begun negotiations for a Security of Supply Arrangement and Reciprocal Defence Procurement Arrangement that will enable the supply of defence goods in the event of unanticipated supply chain disruptions.

— India and the United States cooperate closely at multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

(Source: http://www.state.gov)

Points to Ponder

2+2 Dialogue

I2U2

Related Previous Year Questions

What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (2020)

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

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 8)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 9)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 8)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 9)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 9)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 10)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 4 (Week 9)