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Journalism of Courage
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress.
What is ‘digital arrest’? What steps are taken by the government to counter online fraud and cybercriminals?
What are Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)? What are the National Institute of Nutrition’s (NIN) guidelines for children and mothers?
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.
QUESTION 1: What is ‘digital arrest’? What steps are taken by the government to counter online fraud and cybercriminals?
Introduction:
— Online fraudsters and criminals frequently call potential victims to inform them that they have sent or are the intended recipients of a parcel containing illegal products, drugs, counterfeit passports, or any other contraband item.
— In certain circumstances, the criminals contact the target’s relatives or friends and inform them that the target has been determined to be involved in a crime or accident and is being held.
— Criminals, who frequently utilise images or identities of police officers to suggest legitimacy, typically demand money from the target in exchange for a ‘compromise’ and the matter being closed.
— In certain circumstances, victims are “digitally arrested” and forced to remain visible to criminals via Skype or other video conferencing platforms until their demands are met.
— Cybercriminals are also known to use studios that resemble police stations or government buildings, as well as to dress in law enforcement-style outfits.
Body:
Steps taken by the government
— Following collaboration with Microsoft, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which coordinates the country’s response to cybercrime, has blocked more than 1,000 Skype IDs linked to such operations.
— It is also focusing on blocking SIM cards, mobile devices, and “mule” accounts used by cybercriminals. According to a security advice put on HDFC Bank’s website, money mules or “smurfers” are “innocent victims who are duped by fraudsters into laundering stolen/illegal money via their bank account(s)”.
— The Home Ministry is collaborating with other ministries and agencies, the RBI, and other organisations to combat these illicit operations. I4C has been giving inputs and technical support to state and union territory police forces in order to identify and investigate instances.
— To raise awareness, I4C has released infographics and videos on its social media platform Cyberdost, as well as on its X (Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram accounts. The Ministry has asked citizens to remain vigilant and raise awareness about cybercrime.
Conclusion:
— The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) has received numerous complaints about intimidation, blackmail, extortion, and digital arrests by cybercriminals impersonating police officers, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Narcotics Department, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), among others.
— Intelligence services have established that the episodes are part of a larger online economic crime racket organised by cross-border crime syndicates.
Points to Ponder
Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre
What is cybercrime?
Related Previous Year Questions
What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (2023)
What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)
QUESTION 2: What are Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)? What are the National Institute of Nutrition’s (NIN) guidelines for children and mothers?
Introduction:
— Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), often known as chronic diseases, are long-term conditions caused by a mix of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural variables.
— The most common types of NCD include cardiovascular illnesses (such as heart attacks and stroke), malignancies, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes.
— Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people year, accounting for 74% of all deaths worldwide.
Body:
National Institute of Nutrition’s (NIN) guidelines
— According to the guidelines, poor diets account for approximately 56.4% of India’s total illness burden.
— A good diet and regular physical activity can prevent 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases while also greatly lowering the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.
— The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, which is part of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has issued guidelines that prescribe general principles such as reducing consumption of salt and highly processed foods.
For children and mothers
— Optimal nutrition for mother and child from conception to the age of two years is associated with optimal growth and development. It can prevent all types of malnutrition, including nutritional deficits and obesity.
— The study cites the Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2019, which found a high frequency of lifestyle problems among youngsters. Approximately 5% of children aged 5 to 9, as well as 6% of adolescents, were overweight or obese; nearly 2% of children and adolescents had diabetes, and another 10% had pre-diabetes.
— The investigation discovered high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL and triglycerides) in 37.3% of children aged 5 to 9, and 19.9% of pre-teens and teens aged 10 to 19. One-fourth of all children and adolescents had low levels of healthy cholesterol.
— Pregnant women who are suffering nausea and vomiting should eat small, frequent meals. The guidelines advocate eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, particularly those high in iron and folate.
— Infants and children: For the first six months, infants should only be nursed and not given honey, glucose, or diluted milk. There is no need to provide water, even during the warmer months. After the age of six months, supplemental foods must be included.
Conclusion:
— Micronutrient deficits (zinc, iron, and vitamins) occurred in 13% to 30% of children aged 1 to 19. The proposed optimum diet charts for distinct groups of people account for both micronutrient deficits and disorders of overnutrition.
— While severe types of undernutrition such as marasmus (a lack of macronutrients such as carbs and proteins) and kwashiorkor (a protein shortage) have been eradicated from the country, signs such as anaemia persist, the research states. The prevalence of anaemia is 40.6% in infants under the age of five, 23.5% in children aged 5 to 9, and 28.4% in children aged 10 to 19.
(Source: With 56.4% of India’s total disease burden linked to unhealthy diets, what new nutrition guidelines prescribe by Anonna Dutt, http://www.who.int)
Points to Ponder
Malnutrition
Obesity
Overweight
Hypertension
Related Previous Year Questions
What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in health sector? (2020)
Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (2014)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 51)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 50)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 50)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 51)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 51)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 50)
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