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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on India–US agricultural trade negotiations and unified welfare state (Week 115)
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-2 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss how a federated, rights-based and digitally integrated social security model can address systemic inefficiencies and transform welfare delivery in India. Discuss the strategic considerations and political challenges surrounding India–US agricultural trade negotiations. 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: Discuss how a federated, rights-based and digitally integrated social security model can address systemic inefficiencies and transform welfare delivery in India. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The International Labour Organization's Director-General recently praised India's 'cash and non-cash' social security programs. The latest ILO-Phase II survey for India revealed that its schemes benefit more than 100 crore people. This milestone is the culmination of various initiatives initiated by both the federal and state governments. — The ILO's World Social Protection Report (2021) first assessed India's coverage at 24.4%, but revised it to 48.8% after the government highlighted the scope of state-level programs. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The pressing task is to optimise distributed plans. This includes removing duplications, identifying the appropriate beneficiaries, and investing in capacity development and market-ready skill sets for our workforce. — The G20 New Delhi Declaration demands for 'sustainably financed universal social protection coverage'. 'One Nation, One Social Security Governance' offers a promising road forward. It can fix current inefficiencies in order to make the greatest use of limited budgetary resources while sparing citizens the discomfort of running between government departments. For example, E-Shram registrations are intended for unorganised workers, whereas EPFO registrations mostly cover formal employment. They compete with one another and generate troublesome boundaries when they overlap. — Central legislation such as the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, Employees' Compensation Act, ESIC Act, BOCW, and Maternity Benefit Act provide security to workers beyond federal borders. Our Constitution permits states to create comparable schemes in their respective jurisdictions. — These institutions can be improved to transition to a 'one government' welfare system, in which states work together to add value rather than recreating the wheel. Conclusion: — Our collective resolve to be 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 depends upon several factors. One of them is financial security in old age. Cash transfers planned by any unit of the government can be routed through the UAN of the EPFO. A certain percentage of such 'transfers' can be used for Provident Fund, pension and insurance. (Source: Why India needs a unified welfare state) Points to Ponder Read more about 'sustainably financed universal social protection coverage'. Read about ILO's World Social Protection Report Related Previous Year Questions 'The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.' Explain. (2021) 'Indian diaspora has a decisive role to play in the politics and economy of America and European Countries'. Comment with examples. (2020) QUESTION 2: Discuss the strategic considerations and political challenges surrounding India–US agricultural trade negotiations. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Indian Prime Minister's remark that India will never compromise the interests of its farmers, livestock rearers, and fishermen is the most direct representation of the red lines his government has drawn in the now-stalled trade discussions with the United States. — There were difficulties in opening India's domestic market to US farm produce, including GM maize and soybeans, fuel ethanol, and dairy products. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The imposition of a 50 per cent duty on Indian imports — inclusive of a 25 per cent levy as 'penalty' for purchase of oil from Russia — has narrowed the Indian government's space for give-and-take that is part of the process to clinch any trade deal. — The US also wants India to allow imports of ethanol for use as a biofuel. Currently, only ethanol derived from domestically cultivated sugarcane, maize and rice is used to blend up to 20% with fuel. — Unsurprisingly, Indian farmer associations are concerned that allowing imports of GM maize and soyabean from the United States may cause a drop in domestic pricing. They believe that such an openness is unfair, given that the cultivation of genetically modified crops (other than cotton) is not permitted in India. — The Indian dairy industry is strongly opposed to the import of milk powder, butter oil, and cheese under any free trade deal, whether with the United States, the European Union, New Zealand, or Australia. — There is also a requirement, which the US asserts is solely based on religious and cultural considerations, that all imported dairy products be sourced from animals that have not been given any composition including animal internal organs, bone meal, or tissues. — The threat is primarily about exports rather than imports. India's seafood exports to the United States were valued at $2.48 billion in 2024, with a 32.5% increase recorded in the first six months of the year. This is especially true given that rival countries such as Chile, Ecuador, Indonesia, and Vietnam have substantially lower tariffs ranging from 10% to 20%. Conclusion: — India has significant potential to increase exports of seafood, basmati rice, spices, and essential oils to the United States, and it may need to import maize and soyabean for poultry and cattle at some point. — The two countries' farm produce trade is increasing. Based on trends from January to June, both exports from India to the US and from the latter to the former are expected to reach new highs in 2025. The dramatic increase in India's purchases of Californian almonds and pistachios, as well as frozen prawn shipments from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to the United States, demonstrate the benefits of comparative advantage that both countries may receive in agriculture. (Source: Why PM Modi spoke of farmers, livestock rearers & fisherfolk amid US trade talks, For India and US, agricultural trade could be a win-win option) Points to Ponder Read more about India-US trade Read about recent tariff on India by the United States Related Previous Year Questions 'Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.' Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (2023) Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss. (2022) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 114) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 115) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 114) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 113) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 114) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 113) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Why India needs a unified welfare state
Election-bound Bihar recently announced a generous pension hike from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100 for its elderly, widowed, and disabled citizens. Come election season, such announcements are not just expected but eagerly anticipated. The trend of populist welfare is global, and India is no exception. Though these political philanthropies provide short-term income support, they also raise a fundamental question: Should India remain trapped in fragmented, populist welfare politics, or is it time to build a unified, rights-based, and economically sustainable social security system that fuels the economy? Can the 'Digital India' ecosystem be leveraged to deliver smart social security governance that empowers and uplifts? The answer is important for the future of over half of India's population, who are under the age of 28 and aspire to live a developed-nation dream and the elderly who will need support by 2047. The International Labour Organisation's Director-General recently lauded India's 'cash and non-cash' social protection schemes. The ongoing ILO-Phase II survey for India reveals that its schemes reach over 100 crore beneficiaries. This milestone is the cumulative result of numerous schemes launched by both the central and state governments. According to one estimate, there are over 34 major social protection schemes, 24 pension schemes and several independent welfare initiatives by states. The ILO's World Social Protection Report (2021) initially estimated India's coverage at 24.4 per cent, only later adjusting it to 48.8 per cent after the government highlighted the extent of state-level programmes. If even the ILO gets messed up with data, imagine what citizens face when looking for their scattered entitlements. The pressing challenge is optimising scattered schemes. This includes eliminating duplications, identifying the right beneficiaries, and investing in capacity building and market-ready skill sets for our working population to grow the pie, rather than compete over its pieces. A related challenge is the need to reimagine direct transfers not as isolated, consumptive payouts, but as self-multiplying instruments, where one entitlement has the potential to unlock access to others. For example, could pension benefits be extended to include education allowances for grandchildren of the elderly? The G20 New Delhi Declaration calls for 'sustainably financed universal social protection coverage'. 'One Nation, One Social Security governance' presents a promising path forward. It can address current inefficiencies to make the best of the scarce fiscal resources, while sparing citizens the pain of running between various units of the government. For instance, E-Shram registrations are meant for unorganised workers, and EPFO registrations largely cover formal employment. They compete with each other and create problematic boundaries when there is an overlap. Specified eligibility conditions and lack of interoperability often deny simple benefits envisaged by the legislators. A closer look at many state government schemes shows they often repackage existing benefits under new names, offering little differentiated value. In its report, 'Successful Social Protection Floor Experiences' (2011), the ILO found several examples to illustrate how an integrated national strategy and framework were useful to provide universal social assistance and develop basic capabilities of citizens. Brazil's 'The Fome Zero' programme brought in a Unified System of Social Assistance (SUAS) that regulates and organises the social assistance service network in all 26 states, the federal district and 5,564 municipalities. South Korea faced similar challenges in the 1990s and responded by consolidating welfare programmes under institutions like the National Pension Service and the National Health Insurance Service. A similar transition in India is needed. A 'one government' approach moves away from silos, shifting the focus to collective outcomes. It is time to put the Digital India Stack, Aspirational Districts Programme to best use and build on the experiences from programmes like PM-Gati Shakti. Central legislation like the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, Employees' Compensation Act, ESIC Act, BOCW, and Maternity Benefit Act provides security to working segments across federal boundaries. Our Constitution empowers states to frame similar schemes in their own spheres. The EPFO currently maintains around 30 crore accounts, with some 8 crore actively contributing. The Cabinet, on July 1, approved the rollout of the Employment Linked Incentive Scheme to enhance job creation, employability and social security, targeting about 3.5 crore jobs in two years. It has chosen EPFO as the vehicle, trusting its capacity at scale. Last financial year, EPFO settled more than 5 crore claims. ESIC is another pillar that delivers at scale. These institutions can be strengthened to transition to a 'one government' welfare system, where states are partners in adding value as a top-up rather than reinventing the wheel. Our collective resolve to be 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 depends upon several factors. One of them is financial security in old age. Cash transfers planned by any unit of the government can be routed through the UAN of the EPFO. A certain percentage of such 'transfers' can be used for Provident Fund, pension and insurance. As a caution, any move towards a unified social security governance model must be federated, flexible, and incentive-driven, with the autonomy to factor in unique social realities. Through bold political consensus, this transition can become one of India's most transformative governance reforms since Independence. Prakash is Regional PF Commissioner (Cochin), and Tiwari is Regional Labour Commissioner (Thiruvananthapuram). Views are personal
