UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on cybercrime and spending of MGNREGA funds (Week 124)

QUESTION 1

The NCRB 2023 report points to a significant increase in cybercrime in India. In this context, discuss the major trends in cybercrime and examine the key challenges in its prevention, investigation, and legal response.

QUESTION 2

A recent amendment to MGNREGA guidelines mandates increased spending on water conservation projects at the block level. Discuss.

General points on the structure of the answers for UPSC Mains

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: The NCRB 2023 report points to a significant increase in cybercrime in India. In this context, discuss the major trends in cybercrime and examine the key challenges in its prevention, investigation, and legal response.

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

Introduction:

— The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released the Crime in India report for 2023, which is the most authoritative compilation of offences across the country. From violent crime and caste-based offences to economic frauds, the annual report provides crucial data that informs policymaking and law enforcement priorities.

— India recorded 31.2 per cent increase in the cybercrimes cases with 86,420 cases reported.

Body: (The data is given for general understanding, and you may omit it if not necessary or retain the prominent ones or understand the trend)

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

— The annual State/UT data for “Crime in India” is furnished by the 36 States and Union Territories in the NCRB-prescribed proformae through its software application.

Key data points in the report

— A total of 1,77,335 cases of crime against children were registered across the country in 2023, showing an increase of 9.2% as compared to the previous year. Major crime heads in 2023 were kidnapping and abduction of children (79,884 cases or 45%) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act (67,694 cases or 38.2%).

— Crimes against STs increased 28.8% in 2023, with 12,960 cases registered. Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, emerged as the worst-affected state. “Madhya Pradesh reported the second-highest number of crimes against STs with 2,858 cases, next was Rajasthan with 2,453 cases in 2023,” the report said.

— There were 57,789 cases registered in 2023 for crimes against SCs, with Uttar Pradesh accounting for the highest share at 15,130 cases. Rajasthan recorded the second-highest number at 8,449, followed by Madhya Pradesh (8,232) and Bihar (7,064).

— Cybercrime in India saw a sharp surge in 2023, with fraud, extortion and sexual exploitation accounting for the majority of cases. The crime rate, which is the number of crimes per lakh population, increased from 4.8 in 2022 to 6.2 in 2023. The rise in cases under the cybercrime category has been steady — from 27,248 in 2018, 44,735 in 2019, 50,035 cases in 2020, 52,974 in 2021 and 65,893 in 2022. Karnataka, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh saw the most cases.

— A total of 4,48,211 cases of crime against women were registered, marking an increase of 0.7%. The national crime rate stood at 66.2 incidents per lakh female population.

Conclusion:

— “‘Rise in crime’ and ‘increase in registration of crime by police’ are clearly two different things, a fact which requires better understanding”, said the NCRB, adding that “higher” numbers for crimes may not always be a bad sign: “Increase in crime numbers in a state police data may in fact be on account of certain citizen-centric police initiatives, like launching of e-FIR facility or women helpdesks, etc.”

(You may not use quotes, just rephrase generally.)

(Source: Rise in cybercrime, most crimes against women in UP: How to read NCRB’s 2023 Crime in India report)

Points to Ponder

Read more about cybercrime

Read more about NCRB report

Related Previous Year Questions

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)

Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (2020)

QUESTION 2: 

A recent amendment to MGNREGA guidelines mandates increased spending on water conservation projects at the block level. Discuss. 

(File Photo)

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

Introduction:

— The Centre has amended Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG-NREGA), 2005, so that a minimum amount is spent on water conservation and harvesting works in rural blocks or subdivisions.

— As per the MG-NREGA provisions, every state government shall introduce a scheme to provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment in a financial year to every rural household, based on demand.

— The scheme’s minimum features are specified in Schedule-I of the Act, as well as a list of permissible public works that can be undertaken to provide work.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer. (The data is given for general understanding, and you may omit it if not necessary):

— The MoRD issued a notification which states that the “order of priority of works” shall be determined by each Gram Panchayat in the Gram Sabha meetings, keeping in view the potential of the local area, its needs, and resources. Gram Sabhas are the local assemblies comprising all adults in a rural area.

— The District Programme Coordinator shall ensure that at least 60% of the works to be taken up in a district in terms of cost shall be for creation of productive assets directly linked to agriculture and allied activities through development of land, water and trees.

— The Centre has now specified the proportion of money to be spent on water-related works. While the existing provision mandated spending on agriculture and allied activities assets at the district level, the new norms have specified minimum spending at the block level, based on their stage of groundwater extraction — “Over-exploited”, “Critical”, “Semi-critical” and “Safe”.

— According to the new norms, in rural blocks categorised as “over-exploited” and “critical” by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), a minimum of 65% of the MG-NREGS works (in terms of cost) shall be taken up for water conservation, water harvesting and other water-related works. For the “Semi-critical” and “safe” blocks, the minimum proportion has been fixed at 40% and 30%, respectively.

— The CGWB, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, classifies blocks into four categories. ‘Over-exploited’ blocks are where the stage of groundwater extraction is over 100%, meaning that more groundwater is being drawn there than is being replenished. Blocks with groundwater extraction between 90-100% are categorised as ‘critical’, those between 70% and 90% are classified as ‘semi-critical’, while the ‘safe’ blocks are those having the stage of groundwater extraction equal to or less than 70%.

— According to the new norms, the maximum proportion of amount has been fixed for ‘over-exploited’ blocks across 17 states and Union Territories. Most are in Rajasthan, followed by Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The ‘Critical’ blocks are also concentrated in these states. So, these states will tap more funds for water-related works under the new norms.

Conclusion:

— For such a question on the implementation of schemes or their amendment, you may conclude with a general statement. For example: While the amendment aims to promote sustainable rural development and resource management, its success will ultimately depend on robust implementation, local capacity building, and convergence with other water-related initiatives.

(Source: How a new MGNREGA amendment pushes for spending on water conservation projects)

Points to Ponder

Read about MGNREGA

Read more about classification of blocks

Related Previous Year Question

Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater? (2025)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 122)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 123)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 122)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 123)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 123)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 122)

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