UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on AI in Indian judicial system and inadequate sanitation infrastructure (Week 93)

QUESTION 1

Discuss the potential applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Indian judicial system.

QUESTION 2

Discuss the impact of inadequate sanitation infrastructure, particularly the lack of gender-inclusive washrooms, on women’s participation in the workforce in India.

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 potential applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Indian judicial system.

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

Introduction:

— Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a transformation in India’s judiciary and law enforcement, improving efficiency, access, and decision-making.

— By incorporating AI into judicial processes, case management, legal research, and law enforcement, India is streamlining operations, shortening delays, and making justice more accessible to everyone.

— AI’s impact on crime and crime control is unavoidable, just as the internet and cyber technologies have grown. At the turn of the twenty-first century, India addressed the difficulties of rising cybercrime by implementing the Information Technology Act of 2000 and improving the capabilities and understanding of law enforcement authorities.

Body:

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

Potential applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

— AI innovation advances cybercrime into new territory, allowing crooks to operate more efficiently with fewer technical expertise. Improved text production technologies, realistic image creation, and voice cloning are altering classic cybercrime techniques. Deep learning and generative AI will change criminals’ methods of operation.

— AI also has the potential to increase the capacity of the criminal justice system. In India, the police are required to register all cases, and the courts hear all cases charged by law enforcement officials. While the system is perfect for a country like India, AI offers the potential for increased efficiency and transparency.

— The use of AI to optimise the complaint registration process, monitor investigation progress, identify action items, and assess investigation quality would increase efficiency and transparency.

— AI can also be utilised in fieldwork to assess data generated during day-to-day operations, such as crime location data, patrolling trends, and offenders’ paths, in order to construct predictive models to direct police activities.

— AI, with its wide ability to interpret spreadsheets, pictures, and audio data, has the potential to improve supervision efficiency and justice delivery. Currently, a considerable number of police officers are employed in administrative roles, such as crime control and personnel administration.

— AI is a strategic tool because it takes advantage of the vast amount of data available to the police and interprets it in ways that a single human cannot. AI’s ability to handle data in a variety of formats, including text, images, and voice, guarantees that no part of a problem is ignored.

— AI can assist in detecting abnormalities, contradictions, or frauds in court documents, hence lowering document authentication delays and assuring fewer errors.

Conclusion:

— The Indian government has been promoting the policy of SMART police, which stands for Strategic, Meticulous, Adaptable, Reliable, and Transparent police.

— AI can thereby increase the rigour and meticulousness of the criminal justice system. It may rigorously filter every piece of information to avoid any sort of inaccuracy in choices across instances, hence increasing the dependability of the legal system.

(Source: How AI can help deliver justice by TK Vinod Kumar)

Points to Ponder

Role of AI in other fields

How AI can help in better governance and administration

Related Previous Year Questions

Explain the reasons for the growth of public interest litigation in India. As a result, has the Indian Supreme Court emerged as the world’s most powerful judiciary? (2024)

Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the filing of a large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive authorities. (2019)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the impact of inadequate sanitation infrastructure, particularly the lack of gender-inclusive washrooms, on women’s participation in the workforce in India.

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

Introduction:

— Due to the shortage of clean and accessible public toilets for women, many women have been trained to use the lavatory before leaving their houses, whether for school, shopping, job or even a short walk.

— The lack of gender-inclusive infrastructure has far-reaching repercussions, including limiting women’s employment opportunities.

Body:

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

— A large number of women in India indicate that a shortage of clean, sanitary public toilets has pushed them to forsake employment that require lengthy hours away from home. Research backs up this argument, finding inadequate sanitation facilities as a major obstacle to women’s workforce participation. As an example,

(i) According to ActionAid India’s 2018 survey, 35% of public toilets in Delhi lack a separate section for women.

(ii) In Uttar Pradesh, where monies are generously provided for temples and the Kumbh Mela, a 2019 investigation by the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy discovered that four out of 74 district courts lacked a single restroom, while seven lacked women’s facilities.

— The recent inquiry into the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata brought to light another worrisome reality: there are no clean, well-lit restrooms for female hospital staff, even on hospital grounds. This is not an isolated issue, but rather a sign of a bigger systemic failing that exposes women in public and professional settings across India.

— Gender-inclusive public areas must have clean and sanitary restrooms with appropriate privacy, proper lighting, sanitary napkin vending machines, and secure locking systems. These facilities should also accommodate the needs of transgender and queer people, ensuring that all persons, regardless of gender identity, have access to basic sanitation with dignity.

— Notably, access to sanitation is not a privilege, but rather a fundamental right. Under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, nations must ensure that all people have access to sufficient and equitable sanitation and hygiene, with a focus on the needs of women, girls, and vulnerable groups.

Conclusion:

— Governments, urban planners, and policymakers must emphasise gender-inclusive bathroom infrastructure as an essential component of public planning. Adequate funding, careful monitoring, and community participation are critical to ensuring that public toilets are not only constructed, but also maintained and renovated to fulfil the requirements of all users.

— Decision-makers must realise that providing safe and sanitary bathrooms is a critical step towards gender equality in public places. Sanitation is more than just a question of convenience; it is a key factor in women’s mobility, safety, and economic empowerment.

(Source: To enhance women’s participation in the workforce, we need gender-inclusive washrooms and infrastructure by Dolon Ganguly)

Points to Ponder

Read about Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) annual report

Rise in women’s labour force participation in rural and urban areas

Related Previous Year Questions

In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system, the Indian State should play a vital role in containing the adverse impact of the marketisation of the system. Suggest measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level. (2024)

‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’. Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme. (2017)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 92)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 92)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 91)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 91)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 92)

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