SECURE SYNOPSIS: 22 NOVEMBER 2019
NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The Union Cabinet recently approved The Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019, which proposes to amalgamate The Trade Unions Act, 1926, The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the Industrial Relations Code Bill and explain in what way it’s a welcome step and explain its criticism.
Directive:
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief explain the coming of Industrial Relations Code Bill; The industrial relations code is the third out of four labour codes that have got approval from the cabinet. The Labour Code on Wages has already been approved by Parliament in August while the Labour Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions has been referred to the standing committee of labour.
Body:
Explain that the code combines Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, the Trade Unions Act, 1926, and the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
Discuss the key features of the bill and Highlight the implications.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the importance of the bill that in a fresh breather it brings dignity to the labor.
Introduction:
The Union Cabinet recently approved The Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019, which proposes to amalgamate The Trade Unions Act, 1926, The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The industrial relations code is the third out of four labour codes that have got approval from the cabinet.
Body:
Key features of the bill:
- It seeks to allow companies to hire workers on fixed-term contract of any duration.
- The code has retained the threshold on the worker count at 100 for prior government approval before retrenchment, but it has a provision for changing ‘such number of employees’ through notification.
- It also provides setting up of a two-member tribunal (in place of one member) wherein important cases will be adjudicated jointly and the rest by a single member, resulting speedier disposal of cases.
- It has vested powers with the government officers for adjudication of disputes involving penalty as fines.
Recent changes made to the bill:
- The government had previously included the category of ‘Fixed Term Employment Workman’ for all sectors in the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946. This was only applicable to ‘central sphere’ establishments, and the states did not follow suit.
- The threshold required for government permission for retrenchment has been kept unchanged at 100 employees, as against the proposal for 300 employees in an earlier draft of the Bill, which was opposed by trade unions.
- Instead, the government has now provided flexibility for changing the threshold through notification.
- The rigidity of labour laws about laying off labour has often been cited by industry as the main reason limiting scalability and employment generation.
- At present, any company having 100 workers or more has to seek government approval for retrenchment.
- The provision of fixed-term employment, which helps in the flow of social security benefits to all workers along with making it easier for companies to hire and fire, in The Industrial Relations Code Bill.
Importance of the bill:
- The most important aspect of the Bill is that it presents the legal framework for ushering in the concept of ‘fixed-term employment’ through contract workers on a Pan-India basis.
- It offers some degree of flexibility on government permissions for retrenchment.
- With the introduction of fixed-term employment, they will be able to hire workers directly under a fixed-term contract, with the flexibility to tweak the length of the contract based on the seasonality of industry. These workers will be treated on a par with regular workers during the tenure of the contract.
- The move to include it in a central law will help in wider reach, and states are expected to follow similar applicability. The Bill now ensures a pan-India impact of this move.
However, the bill has been criticized due to:
- Some critics have the concern that the unclear provision regarding retrenchment would lead to uncertainty, and discretionary behaviour during implementation by the central or state government.
- The moment the law will provide flexibility for the applicability, it leaves the matter to the discretion to the appropriate government (states or Centre). Then the clause can be misused.
- Any discretion in law leads to uncertainty, lack of clarity, discriminatory implementation, and provides scope for unnecessary usage.
- Fixed-term employment needs to be introduced with adequate safeguards, otherwise it runs the risk of encouraging conversion of permanent employment into fixed-term employment.
Conclusion:
The government should be clear whether to increase the threshold or retain the threshold and face the consequences. Fixed-term employment will help in keeping salaries and facilities to workers such as PF, gratuity, and medical benefits, the same as those for permanent labour and inclusion in the central law will help in applicability of fixed-term employment uniformly across the country.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question:
The article explains that with India being a linguistic treasure-trove, a nation widely acknowledged for its extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity. The plurality and co-existence of multiple languages add color and vitality to our country and make it unique.
Key demand of the question:
Elucidate upon the linguistic diversity of the country and importance of the mother tongue as a tool of expression.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief take hints from the article and bring out the linguistic and cultural diversity in the country.
Body:
First explain the relevance of mother tongue with respect to child pedagogy.
Explain the pros and cons of having primary education in mother tongue.
Discuss its applications – in development of child, in education, Better connection with your culture, Intellectual Development, Commercial benefits, the Pride and in establishing identity of a particular society.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:
Mother tongue or mother language refers to the language which a person has grown up speaking from early childhood. India is a land of linguistic diversity and the languages differ in their dialects every 100 kms. There have been many arguments and dissatisfaction over having a single national language (Hindi) for entire country. The Vice president of India recently said that mother tongue vital for survival of civilisation and every country must encourage their children to study primarily in the mother tongue.
Body:
Mother Tongue is vital to preserve India’s cultural diversity and heritage:
- Mother tongue is the very first language that one hears, understands and gets familiar with. Thus, it plays important role in shaping feelings, emotions and thought processes.
- Use of mother language helps one in getting comfortable with his/her cultural identity.
- Maintaining mother languages is necessary for preserving cultural heritage and identity.
- Dissemination of mother languages encourages linguistic diversity, thus inspires solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue.
- When languages disappear, the world loses a rich tapestry of cultural identity.
- Opportunities, traditions, memory, unique modes of thinking and expression, valuable resources for ensuring a better future also get lost.
Every year, UNESCO celebrates 21st February as International Mother Language Day to promote mother tongue-based multilingual education. The day is also a reminder of how language connects us, empowers us and helps us to communicate our feelings to others. The world has over 7,000 languages whereas India alone has about 22 officially recognized languages, 1635 mother tongues, and 234 identifiable mother tongues.
Challenges faced in preserving mother languages:
- According to the UN, every two weeks, a language disappears and the world loses an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.
- At least 43% of the estimated 6000 languages spoken in the world are endangered.
- Only a few hundred languages have been genuinely given a place in education systems and public domain. Also, 40% of the global population does not have access to education in a language they speak or understand.
- Less than a hundred languages are used in the digital world.
- Apart from globalization, rush for learning foreign languages for better job opportunities is a major reason behind the disappearance of mother languages.
Way forward to preserve mother languages:
- With the help of technology, every mother language can be maintained. Google’s Project Navlekha in India is an example. The project is aimed at increasing the online content in Indian local languages.
- People should be made aware of the professional viability of pursuing degrees in native languages. With a degree in a native language, one can take up professions like Language Expert, Translators, and Tourist-Guide etc.
- Also to maintain any native language, it is necessary that it is spoken. Use of native languages at homes, schools, and offices should be encouraged.
- The Upper House of India has an arrangement for interpretation of 22 languages i.e. members are encouraged to speak in their native languages.
- Countries like France, Germany, Italy, China have developed their mother languages as a powerful medium. Other countries need to learn from these to preserve their cultural and linguistic identity.
Conclusion:
It is our strength that we have many languages and dialects. All other languages are important. But one should respect, learn and understand their mother tongue. According a hegemonic role to the “most-spoken” language in the country may promote cultural homogenisation, but that is hardly desirable in a country with a diverse population, a plural ethos and is a cauldron of many languages and cultures. Further, national identity cannot be linked to any one language, as it is, by definition, something that transcends linguistic and regional differences. The need today is to respect, protect and nurture diversity of our nation so that unity is ensured.
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question is based on the functioning of the Finance commission as enshrined in the constitution.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the composition and functions of the Finance Commission in detail.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Highlight the value that FC holds in the constitutional and the setup of Indian polity.
Body:
Briefly mention the constitutional status of Finance Commission and its composition.
Discuss its major functions as mentioned in the constitution.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of Finance commission.
Introduction:
The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves. Two distinctive features of the Commission’s work involve redressing the vertical imbalances between the taxation powers and expenditure responsibilities of the centre and the States respectively and equalization of all public services across the States.
Body:
Composition of Finance Commission:
The Finance Commission is appointed by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution. As per the provisions contained in the Finance Commission [Miscellaneous Provisions] Act, 1951 and The Finance Commission (Salaries & Allowances) Rules, 1951, the Chairman of the Commission is selected from among persons who have had experience in public affairs, and the four other members are selected from among persons who:
- are, or have been, or are qualified to be appointed as Judges of a High Court; or
- have special knowledge of the finances and accounts of Government; or
- have had wide experience in financial matters and in administration; or
- have special knowledge of economics.
Functions of the finance commission:
- It is the duty of the Commission to make recommendations to the President as to:
- the distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them and the allocation between the States of the respective shares of such proceeds;
- the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India;
- the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State;
- any other matter referred to the Commission by the President in the interests of sound finance.
- The Commission determines its procedure and have such powers in the performance of their functions as Parliament may by law confer on them.
The debate for Need for permanent status:
- Finance commissions have over the past several decades adopted different approaches with regard to principles of tax devolution, grants to be given to states and fiscal consolidation issues. In other words, there has to be continuity and change between finance commissions.
- There is a need to ensure broad consistency between Finance Commissions so that there is some degree of certainty in the flow of funds, especially to the states. This has become even more critical in the post GST scenario.
- If it is given permanent status, the Commission can function as a leaner entity in the intervening period till the next Finance Commission is set up in a full-fledged manner. During the intervening period, it can also address issues arising from implementation of the recommendations of the finance commission.
Conclusion:
The Indian federal system allows for the division of power and responsibilities between the centre and states. Correspondingly, the taxation powers are also broadly divided between the centre and states. State legislatures may devolve some of their taxation powers to local bodies.
Topic:Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Indian Polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question is based on the principle of subsidiarity as followed in the Indian polity system.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the concept of principle of subsidiarity and explain its significance and discuss in what way 73rd constitutional amendment act tries to achieve it.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Introduce by briefly explaining the principle of subsidiarity.
Body:
Explain its importance for democracy, efficiency and effectiveness of administration as well as accountability in brief.
Discuss how the 73rd constitutional amendment act tries to achieve the principle.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:
The Second Administrative Reforms Commission defines subsidiarity as “a principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed at a more local level.” The principle of subsidiarity holds that a larger and greater body should not exercise functions which can be carried out efficiently by one smaller and lesser, but rather the former should support the latter and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the whole community.
Body:
Importance of Subsidiarity:
- It enables citizens to demand accountability and helps to make government more responsive, efficient and effective.
- It helps to make government programmes and services more effective and sustainable.
- It enables the poor and marginalized to influence public policy and service delivery to improve their lives.
- It helps to promote healthy, grassroots democracy.
- The central idea of subsidiarity is that citizens as sovereigns and stakeholders in a democracy are the final decision-makers.
- Citizens are also the consumers of all services provided by the State.
- The citizen-sovereign-consumer must exercise as much authority as practicable, and delegate upward the rest of the functions which require economies of scale, technological and managerial capacity or collective amenities
- Various functions shall be carried out closest to citizens at the smallest unit of governance possible and delegated upwards only when the local unit cannot perform the task.
- The citizen delegates those functions he cannot perform, to the community, functions that the community cannot discharge are passed on to local governments in the smallest tiers, and so on, from smaller tiers to larger tiers, from local government to the State Governments, and from the States to the Union.
73rd constitutional amendment and Subsidiarity:
- Democratic decentralisation: The PRI has succeeded in creating another layer of government and political representation at the grass-roots level.
- Local self-Government: The establishment in every state (except those with populations below 2 million) of panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels.
- Political accountability: through the provision of Gram Sabha as the decision-making body. As villagers get a voice in the governance of the village.
- Participatory democracy: due to regular and direct election by the citizens of the village conducted by a separate State Election Commission.
- Social empowerment and inclusive development: Research using PRIs has shown that having female political representation in local governments makes women more likely to come forward and report crimes.
- Financial devolution of resources based on the recommendations of State Finance Commission.
- Bottom-up approach in planning process and efficient implementation of schemes adhering to local problems.
- In districts with female sarpanchs, significantly greater investments are made in drinking water, public goods.
- Moreover, the states have also provided the statutory safeguards for many devolution provisions, which have considerably empowered local governments.
- Successive (central) Finance Commissions have, so substantially, increased fund allocations for local bodies and also the grants have been increased.
Conclusion:
In this scheme, the citizen and the community are the centre of governance. In place of traditional hierarchies, there will be ever-enlarging concentric circles of government and delegation is outward depending on necessity.
Topic: issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
5) Discuss the scope & challenges of aquaculture in India.(250 words)
Why this question:
The question is based on the aspects of aquaculture.
Key demand of the question:
One must present a detailed discussion on the scope & challenges of aquaculture in India.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define Aquaculture and provide certain facts regarding the aquaculture in India.
Body:
Aquaculture (aqua farming) means farming of aquatic organisms in both coastal (saltwater) and inland (freshwater) areas. As per FAO, aquaculture in India accounts for 85% of the total fish production.
Write about the scope of aquaculture in India and then in brief mention about the challenges associated with it.
Discuss the steps taken by the government in this direction like Matsya Sampada Yojna etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward to tackle the above challenges and the prospects it holds for the economy in future.
Introduction:
Aquaculture or aqua farming is the cultivation of aquatic organisms – fish, shellfish and aquatic plants. Farming implies some form of intervention in the rearing process to enhance production, such as regular stocking, feeding, protection from predators, etc. It includes both marine water and freshwater species and can range from land based to open ocean production.
Body:
Scope:
- Aquaculture resources in India include 2.36 million ha of ponds and tanks, 0.798 million ha of flood plain lakes/derelict waters plus in addition 195 210 km of rivers and canals, 2.907 million ha of reservoirs and that could be utilized for aquaculture purposes.
- The total fish production during 2017-18 is estimated to be 12.60 million metric tonnes, of which nearly 65% is from inland sector and about 50% of the total production is from culture fisheries, and constitutes about 6.3% of the global fish production.
- India has over 3,000 species of fish, two-thirds of which are marine, a third are freshwater, and over 100 are brackish-water. In the past few years, in addition to whiteleg shrimp in brackish water, freshwater species like pangasius (a kind of catfish) and tilapia have become popular in aquaculture.
- Ponds and tanks are the prime resources for freshwater aquaculture, however, only about 40 percent of the available area is used for aquaculture currently.
- It has been estimated that about 1.2 million ha of potential brackish water area available in India is suitable for farming.
- In addition to this, about 9.0 million ha of salt affected areas are also available.
- The farming of shrimp is largely dependent on small holdings of less than 2 ha, these farms account for over 90 percent of the total area utilized for shrimp culture.
- More than 50 different types of fish and shellfish products are being exported to 75 countries around the world.
- Fish and fish products have presently emerged as the largest group in agricultural exports from India, with 13.77 lakh tonnes in terms of quantity and Rs. 45,106.89 crore in value.
- This accounts for around 10% of the total exports and nearly 20% of the agricultural exports, and contribute to about 0.91% of the GDP and 5.23% to the Ag – GVA of the country.
- With over 2.4 lakh fishing crafts operating along the coast, 7 major fishing harbours, 75 minor fishing harbours and 1,537 landing centres are functioning to cater to the needs of over 4.0 million fisher folk.
- For promoting aquaculture, 429 Fish Farmers Development Agencies (FFDAs) and 39 Brackish water Fish Farms Development Agencies (BFDAs) were established in the country.
Challenges:
- At present, freshwater aquaculture system remains restricted to carp culture in a few private ponds, prawn cum paddy culture in limited areas, stocking of carps in a few irrigation reservoirs, and river ranching in a few rivers on a limited scale.
- No serious effort has been taken to develop coldwater fish culture, game fisheries, culture of indigenous fish species of India, freshwater pearls, etc.
- ornamental fish industry still prefers imported feeds due to lack of indigenously- made feeds of good quality.
- In shrimp culture, only 15 percent of the potential area has been put into culture purpose.
- Most of the freshwater fishes are marketed whole without any processing. No effort has been taken to make value-added products like fish fillets, surimi etc.
- It has also brought vast un-utilized and under-utilized land and water resources under culture
- Over the years, however, culture practices have undergone considerable intensification and with the possibility of obtaining high productivity levels there has been a state of flux between the different farming practices.
- In the brackish water sector there were issues of waste generation, conversion of agricultural land, salinization, degradation of soil and the environment due to the extensive use of drugs and chemicals, destruction of mangroves and so on.
- in many cases, aquaculture administration still falls under more than one agency, which often hinders progress.
Way forward:
- Advanced farming practices such as cage culture; pen culture and running water culture are emerging in many places, and have great potential for utilizing vast areas of freshwater bodies in India.
- The cultivable space could be more effectively enhanced by utilizing the available water area, and facilitating easier harvesting compared to the conventional farming in earthen ponds.
- Cage culture does not affect the indigenous flora and fauna of the reservoirs or their water flow characteristics, and is therefore ecologically safe.
- The rich resources of wetlands, which remain fallow during major parts of the year could be brought under freshwater prawn farming to enhance production and productivity from these fallow water bodies.
- Serious effort to protect the biodiversity is needed in the case of indigenous ornamental fishes and coldwater fishes.
Conclusion:
Aquaculture over recent years has not only led to substantial socio-economic benefits such as increased nutritional levels, income, employment and foreign exchange. With freshwater aquaculture being compatible with other farming systems, it is largely environmentally friendly and provides for recycling and utilization of several types of organic wastes.
Topic: corporate governance.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is based upon the concept and relevance of corporate governance.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the diverse ethical challenges confronting corporates today and in what way focus on corporate ethics and corporate governance can help in addressing these challenges.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define corporate ethics, corporate governance
Body:
Corporate ethics is defined as the way in which a company behaves towards and conducts business with its internal and external stakeholder, including employees, investors, creditors, customers and regulators.
Corporate governance is the system of rules, practices and processes by which a firm is directed and controlled.
Discuss then the diverse ethical challenges confronting companies today; Fundamental Ethical Issues, Lack of professional ethics, Conflict of interest, Corruption and Nepotism etc.
Explain in what way corporate ethics and corporate governance can help in addressing these challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Corporate ethics is not only a process for integrating values but also it is parameter to assess the impact of corporate on environment and community. So it promotes sustainable and inclusive development. Hence corporate ethics and corporate governance is an urgent need for companies of 21st century.
Introduction:
Corporate governance is the system of rules, practices and processes by which a firm is directed and controlled. It includes the rules relating to the power relations between owners, the board of directors, management and the stakeholders such as employees, suppliers, customers as well as the public at large. It essentially involves balancing the interests of a company’s many stakeholders, such as shareholders, management, customers, suppliers, financiers, government and the community. Ethics is at the core of corporate governance, and management must reflect accountability for their actions on the global community scale.
Body:
The ethical issues with Corporate Governance in India:
- It is common for friends and family of promoters and management to be appointed as board members.
- In India, founders’ ability to control the affairs of the company has the potential of derailing the entire corporate governance system. Unlike developed economies, in India, identity of the founder and the company is often merged.
- Women director appointed are primarily from family in most of the companies which negates the whole reform.
- Appointed independent directors are questionable as it is unlikely that Independent Directors will stand-up for minority interests against the promoter. In the Tata case, these directors normally toe the promoter’s line.
- An independent director can be easily removed by promoters or majority shareholders. This inherent conflict has a direct impact on independence.
- Data protection is an important governance issue. In this era of digitalisation, a sound understanding of the fundamentals of cyber security must be expected from every director.
- Board’s Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is often found unsupportive.
- Conflict of Interest – The ICICI Bank Ltd fiasco demonstrates the challenge of managers potentially enriching themselves at the cost of shareholders in the absence of a promoter.
Measures to improve Corporate Governance in India:
- For the good corporate governance focus should be shift from independent director to limiting the power of promoters.
- Promote women from diverse background rather than from family as board of director.
- A well composed Audit Committee to work as liaison with the management, internal and statutory auditors, reviewing the adequacy of internal control and compliance with significant policies and procedures, reporting to the Board on the key issues.
- Risk is an important component of corporate functioning and governance, which should be clearly acknowledged, analysed for taking appropriate corrective measures. In order to deal with such situation, Board should formulate a mechanism for periodic reviews of internal and external risks.
- A clear Whistle Blower Policy whereby the employees may without fear report to the management about unprincipled behaviour, actual or suspected frauds or violation of company’s code of conduct. There should be some mechanism for adequate safeguard to personnel against victimization that serves as whistle-blowers.
- Strengthening the power of SEBI, ICAI, and ICSI to handle the corporate failure. As for example in Sahara case, court has to intervene to bring justice.
- CSR projects should be managed with much interest and vigour.
- The board must invest a reasonable amount of time and money in order ensures the goal of data protection is achieved.
- A robust mechanism should be developed to mitigate risk. A better management of risk may avoid Kingfisher like debacle.
- Explicitly approved norms of ethical practices and code of conduct are communicated to all the stakeholders, which should be clearly understood and followed by each member of the organization.
- The objectives of the corporation must be clearly recognized in a long-term corporate strategy including an annual business plan along with achievable and measurable performance targets and milestones.
Conclusion:
Currently, India accounts nearly 3% of world GDP and 2.5% of global stock market capitalisation – with 5,000 listed companies and more than 50 companies in the global Fortune list. Uday Kotak committee recommendations hold importance in growing concerns for corporate governance. The recommendations of the Kotak committee will enhance transparency and effectiveness in the way boards of listed companies function.
Topic: Emotional intelligence.
Why this question:
The article brings out a brief discussion upon the topic of emotional intelligence and its bearing in general.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the relevance of Emotional intelligence in complex and challenging environment characterized by frequent policy changes with suitable examples and case studies.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief define EI – emotional intelligence is the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions well for us and our relationships.
Body:
Explain relevance of emotional intelligence in time of frequent policy changes and stress, with suitable examples.
Elaborate upon the key components of EI.
Explain that Reforms come with various policy changes and sometimes such policy changes are very frequent creating stress for public servants. In such complex and challenging environment, Emotional Intelligence (EI) holds great relevance to ensure compliance with process as well as work efficiency of a public servant.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need of emotional intelligence in every walk of life and assert its significance with special focus on the aspects of public services.
Introduction:
Emotional intelligence or EI is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and those of the people around you. Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.
Body:
Theodore Roosevelt quoted that “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.’.
Civil Servants today have to perform their activities in challenging work environment such as:
- Increasing regional, economic and digital divide.
- Widespread application of IT.
- Demand for improved governance.
- Issues getting politicized easily.
- Political Pressure and Rampant Corruption.
- Decentralisation of governance to grassroots levels thereby increasing responsibilities.
- Issues of globalisation, migration, terrorism, cybercrimes, information technology etc.
Consequently, EI becomes a critical in complex and challenging environment characterized by frequent policy changes.
- Emotional intelligence in administration can be used for the following ways:
- Appraising emotions arising from situations.
- Using emotions for reason based decisions and policy making.
- Identifying emotions in faces, voices, postures, and other content during public management activities.
- Predicting performance:
- Some companies are blending IQ testing with scientific measurement of EQ to predict job performance and direct workers to jobs where they are most likely to succeed.
- Negotiation:
- Whether you’re dealing with a trading partner, competitor, customer or colleague, being able to empathize and be creative in finding win-win solutions will consistently pay off
- Performance management:
- 360-degree feedback is a common tool for assessing EQ. Knowing how your self-perception compares with others’ views about your performance provides focus for career development and positive behavioural changes
- Peer relationships:
- Good networking skills are a staple of job effectiveness for the average worker. Networking has too often been associated with “using” other people, but a heightened EQ ensures a mutually beneficial approach to others.
- Social responsibility:
- When a leader cares about others, he is not a centre of attention and keeps everyone in the loop by making their intentions known.
- Stress tolerance:
- To stay focused, stress should be managed and it involves own reactions to stress or the reactions of others to the stress.
- Impulse control:
- Independent people evaluate the alternatives and initiate the work by taking appropriate action by executing the right options. People who manage their impulses avoid being distracted and losing control of the situation.
- Optimism:
- Optimistic people have a target that they’re aiming toward. These people are confident in their ability to carry out the required actions and meet the target by looking for successful solutions to problems.
Conclusion:
Good ethics reaffirm the emotional intelligence of a person. Highly emotional intelligent individuals are more adept at reasoning through the emotional antecedents of their own and others’ behavior and using this information to guide thinking and action. Individuals high on emotional intelligence will be able to manage their emotions and react less aggressively to the behaviours of others.
