1. Critically examine the role of MSP in farmer welfare. How can the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses contribute to agricultural sustainability?
| Syllabus: General Studies – III: Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies and Minimum Support Prices; Public Distribution System – Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping; Issues of Buffer Stocks and Food Security; Technology Missions; Economics of Animal-Rearing. |
Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a key policy tool to ensure remunerative returns to farmers and safeguard them from price volatility. The recent hikes in MSP for six rabi crops along with the launch of the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses reflect the government’s twin goals of farmer welfare and agricultural self-sufficiency.
Role of MSP in Farmer Welfare
- Income security: MSP provides assured prices, protecting farmers from market fluctuations.
- Crop diversification challenge: Despite hikes, procurement is still skewed towards wheat and rice, limiting diversification.
- Regional imbalance: Benefits concentrated in states with strong procurement infrastructure.
- Farmer distress persists: Rising input costs, limited procurement coverage, and lack of legal guarantee dilute MSP’s impact.
Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses
- Domestic self-sufficiency: Aims to raise area under pulses to 310 lakh ha and production to 350 lakh tonnes by 2030–31.
- Nutritional security: Pulses are key for protein needs in Indian diets.
- Employment generation: Expansion of pulse cultivation expected to create rural jobs.
- Reducing import dependency: Cuts reliance on volatile global markets (India currently imports ~2–3 million tonnes annually).
- Sustainability gains: Pulses improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, lowering fertilizer use.
MSP ensures short-term price stability but needs reforms like wider procurement and crop diversification. Coupled with missions like Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, India can move towards sustainable, self-reliant, and farmer-centric agriculture.
| PYQ REFERENCE [2018] Q. What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low income trap? [10 Marks] |
2. Gandhi argued that national prestige comes from moral courage and dignity, not from ego or domination. In today’s world of rising nationalism and trade wars, how can Gandhian principles of truth, non-violence, and self-respect without arrogance be applied in India’s conduct of international relations?
| Syllabus: General Studies – IV: Contributions of Moral Thinkers and Philosophers from India and World. |
- Gandhi’s conviction that national prestige flows from moral courage, not domination remains relevant in today’s world of aggressive nationalism and trade wars. His principles of truth, non-violence, and dignity without arrogance can guide India’s conduct of international relations.
- Application of Gandhian Principles
- Truth (Satyagraha): India can insist on transparency in climate negotiations, WTO reforms, and technology partnerships.Promoting fact-based diplomacy combats misinformation and builds credibility.
- Non-violence (Ahimsa): Advocate peaceful conflict resolution (Russia–Ukraine, Israel–Palestine) through mediation.
Refrain from coercive diplomacy or economic bullying. - Self-respect without arrogance:Engage major powers (US, China, EU) on equal footing without submission or aggression.Uphold sovereignty while remaining open to dialogue.
- Justice and Fairness:Support a rules-based international order that protects weaker nations from exploitation.Champion South–South cooperation and equitable globalisation.
- Tolerance and Pluralism:Showcase India’s democracy and diversity as strength, offering a counter-narrative to exclusionary nationalism.Promote interfaith dialogue and cultural diplomacy.
- Sustainability and Self-reliance (Swadeshi): Reduce external dependence while contributing to global commons (renewables, digital governance).
- Lead by example in sustainable growth.
- Moral Leadership:Project India as a voice for humanity, not just national interest.Prioritise humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and vaccine diplomacy.
Gandhian principles offer India a framework to balance firmness with fairness. By embodying truth, non-violence, justice, and self-respect without arrogance, India can protect its interests while also providing moral leadership to a divided world.
| PYQ REFERENCE [2018] Q. What does these quotations mean to you in the present context: Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. “_ Mahatma Gandhi. [10 Marks] |