UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 : Questions on Estimate Committee and India-Mauritius relations (Week 45)

QUESTION 2

Discuss the military significance of the airstrip that India has developed for Mauritius.

General points on the structure of the answers

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.

Advertisement

— 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.

Advertisement

— 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.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: What is the Committee on Estimates? Discuss the functions of the Estimates Committee.

Introduction:

— Estimates Committee consists of 30 Members who are elected by the Lok Sabha every year from among its Members.

— A Minister is not eligible for election to this Committee and in case any Member of the Committee becomes a Minister, he/she ceases to be a Member of the Committee.

— The term of the Committee is one year.

Body:

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

Functions of the Estimates Committee

— To report what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency, or administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected;

— To suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration;

— To suggest the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament;

— To examine whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates.

Conclusion:

— Parliamentary Committees can be classified into:

(i) Financial Committees (includes the Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings)

(ii) Departmentally Related Standing Committees (to increase Parliamentary scrutiny)

(iii) Other Parliamentary Standing Committees

(iv) Ad hoc Committees (appointed for a specific purpose)

— The Committee does not exercise its functions in relation to such Public Undertakings as are allotted to the Committee on Public Undertakings by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of Lok Sabha or by the Speaker.

(Source: Parliament Committees, their leaders, and their role in law-making by Liz Mathew, sansad.in)

Points to Ponder

Ad hoc Committees

Public Account Committee

Committee on Public Undertakings

Related Previous Year Question

Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples. (2021)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the military significance of the airstrip that India has developed for Mauritius.

Introduction:

— The diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius were established in 1948. Previously, Mauritius maintained connections with India under Dutch, French, and British administration.

— From the 1820s, Indian workers began travelling to Mauritius to work on sugar plantations. After the British Parliament abolished slavery in 1834, many Indian workers were transported to Mauritius as indentured labourers.

— The Mauritian dependency of Agaléga comprises two islands — the main North Island, and the smaller South Island, located 1,100 km north of Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, and 2,500 km southwest of Malé, the capital of Maldives.

Body:

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

Strategic significance of the Agaléga airstrip for India

— The upgraded airstrip and jetty are key strategic projects that can help to expand India’s reach in the Indian Ocean and enhance its coverage of the waters off the east coast of Africa.

— It will help to counter the growing Chinese influence in the region, including in the Maldives.

— The existing airstrip on North Agaléga Island was suitable for the Indian Navy’s Dornier aircraft operations, but the upgraded airstrip will allow the Navy to also operate the larger P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

— Operating from Agaléga, the Indian Navy’s long-range aircraft will be able to monitor the western and southern Indian Oceans, as well as the eastern and southern coasts of Africa, significantly improving India’s maritime domain awareness in the region and ability to conduct a variety of maritime operations.

— Following the tensions in the Red Sea region, many commercial vessels on east-west voyages have rerouted to the Cape of Good Hope, resulting in increased transit and shipping traffic in the area.

Agalega island map.

Conclusion:

— India and Mauritius have cooperated closely on maritime security and other aspects. Indian defence officers are deputed to the Mauritian Defence Forces.

— A MEA document mentions that an Indian Navy officer heads the Mauritian National Coast Guard, an Indian Air Force officer commands the Police Helicopter Squadron, and an Indian Naval Officer heads the Mauritius Hydrography Services.

— India has supplied six of the seven helicopters in service in Mauritius, besides five ships, three aircraft, and 10 Fast Interceptor boats, and has helped set up a Coastal Surveillance Radar System.

— India has been working in recent years to enhance its diplomatic and military ties with the Seychelles and African nations including Madagascar.

(Source: What is the military significance of the airstrip that India has developed for Mauritius? by Amrita Nayak Dutta)

Points to Ponder

India ties with Maldives

Diego Garcia

Gulf of Aden

Related Previous Year Questions

Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. (2023)

India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 43)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 44)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 43)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 44)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 45)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 44)

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.