A Framework for Ethical Decision Making

A Framework for Ethical Decision Making

Recognize an Ethical Issue

1. Could this decision or situation be damaging to someone or to some group? Does this decision involve a choice between a good and bad alternative, or perhaps between two “goods” or between two “bads”?
2. Is this issue about more than what is legal or what is most efficient? If so, how?

Get the Facts

3. What are the relevant facts of the case? What facts are not known? Can I learn more about the situation? Do I know enough to make a decision?
4. What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? Are some concerns more important? Why?
5. What are the options for acting? Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted? Have I identified creative options?

Evaluate Alternative Actions

6. Evaluate the options by asking the following questions:

• Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? (The Utilitarian Approach)
• Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (The Rights Approach)
• Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (The Justice Approach)
• Which option best serves the community
  as a whole, not just some members?
  (The Common Good Approach)
• Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (The Virtue Approach)

Make a Decision and Test It

7. Considering all these approaches, which option best addresses the situation?
8. If I told someone I respect-or told a television audience-which option I have chosen, what would they say?

Act and Reflect on the Outcome

9. How can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of all stakeholders?
10. How did my decision turn out and what have I learned from this specific situation?

RIMES

The Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early Warning Systems (RIMES) nations recently agreed to share regionally relevant meteorological and oceanographic data between partner institutions, member-states and collaborating countries. This was declared in the 2nd RIMES ministerial conference.

• The RIMES countries have also decided to launch a capacity building programme for enhancing early warning systems for small island states, in collaboration with regional and national institutions.

About RIMES:

• It is an international institution managed by 12 member-states and is presently chaired by India. It was established in April 2009.
• RIMES evolved from the efforts of countries in Africa and Asia in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami to establish a regional early warning system, and capacity building for preparedness and response to trans-boundary hazards.
• There are 19 collaborating countries in RIMES, including Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, and Russia among others.
• RIMES operates from its regional early warning centre located on the campus of Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, Thailand.

India’s population crosses 127-crore mark

India’s population crosses 127-crore mark

On the World Population Day (11^th July), India recorded a population of 127,42,39,769. It is growing at a rate of 1.6% a year, and could make the country the most populous in the world by 2050. This data was released by Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh or National Population Stabilisation Fund (NPSF), an autonomous body under the Union Health Ministry.

Notable observations made:

• India’s population is 17.25% of the global population.
• India’s population is growing at a faster rate than China, which is now the world’s most populous country at around 1.39 billion.
• If current population growth rates continue, India will have 1.63 billion people by 2050 and will surpass China.
• The total fertility rate (TFR) in India has seen a decline and stood at 2.3 in 2013 although the decline is not consistent.
• The data suggests that a high percentage of female (21-26%) are married below 18 years of age in States like Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Bihar.
• The population of India, at 1.21 billion as per the 2011 Census, is almost equal to the combined population of the U.S., Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together.
• The population of several States match, and in some cases, exceed that of several large countries. For example, the population of U.P. is almost that of Brazil, the fifth most populous country in the world.

About Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh:

• The “Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh” (JSK) (National Population Stabilisation Fund) has been registered as an autonomous Society established under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
• JSK has to promote and undertake activities aimed at achieving population stabilisation at a level consistent with the needs of sustainable economic growth, social development and environment protection, by 2045.
• The Union Health Minister heads the General Body of JSK and the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, Department of School Education & Literacy, Rural Development, Planning Commission are represented by their Secretaries on the General Body of JSK.
• All State Governments are members of JSK.
• Besides this the General Body has demographers, representatives of Industry & Trade, NGOs, medical and para-medical associations, general citizens as its members. This enables JSK run as a civil society movement drawing on the strength of its partners.

Khushaal Yadav, Rank – 28, CSE-14

Demystifying the Personality Test

Khushaal Yadav, Rank – 28, CSE-14

The UPSC has finally disclosed the interview and mains marks. More than 775 in mains and over around 175 in PT (Personality Test/Interview) is must for harboring any hopes of getting in the administrative services. Of course, there could be outliers who will defy any sort of analysis.

Mains is straight forward Read and Revise and Presentation (More on MAINS later)

Back in the graduation days we used to have theoretical exams and practicals including viva-voce. It was then that I realised the importance of the ‘Interview Skills’. It goes without saying that one needs to have a respectable knowledge of the content before presenting ones viewpoints, but there are certain skills and a particular attitude that can go a log way into making the PT one of your strong areas.

I did not do great in the content aspect, meaning my answers were not extraordinary but being well prepared mentally and being presentable helped me score 201 and make the cut. It compensated for a below par 782in the Mains that I managed.

State of Mind-

This is perhaps the most important part. Make or break. It would determine your rank, your service , cadre,  everything related to the UPSC CSE

It is the most essential aspect in that you are being tested for your communication, presentation, thinking, reasoning skills which are sine qua non for a prospective Officer.

Get into that frame
Imagine you are already in the job. Say, you are in a meeting with hot-shots , or addressing a Press Conference. How would you act then? This is in brief what your PT is all about. To express yourself directly, soundly, and convincingly.

The Skills take time
One does not become an orator overnight. It requires great deal of patience, practice and proper guidance. It is true for any other field. Getting into a proper shape- physical or mental is time consuming, but its a frame of mind worth getting into.

Simple Exercises–
1)IMAGINE yourself to be into the fabled corridors of the UPSC and being escorted to the interview board. Anticipate it. The walk, the churning of the gut, that rush, that chill down the spine.
2) Mirror, mirror! Tell it all!! 
Practice speaking before a mirror. Write down  questions on a chit and draw them randomly.Think for some time, formulate your thoughts, get the necessary phrases, anticipate the possible counter questions that might follow and respond in a calm, controlled and confident manner.
3) Summarise– after reading say an article of the HIndu or the IE, close your eyes and try to summarize it in say a 100 words, recapitulate the key words. This helps not only in memorisation but also helps to avoid verbosity and brings about brevity in the responses, a desirable trait in an officer.
4) V-LOGS – Alternatively, you could record yourself and analyse the clip later, with or without friends. This helps to identify Gestures( facial/bodily), Slips of tongues, stock-phrases, Beating around the bush, tone, pitch, pace, etcetera.
An indispensable exercise to master the movements of the tongue and make them fluid, seamless and purposeful.
5) Learn from the best– Turn to presenters from the BBC, Al- jazeera, CNN; world leaders- Barack Obama, PM Modi ji, Putin, Cameroon; Speakers who have honed the craft of story telling. This is in short what it is. Telling them a tale and keeping them spell-bounded. Additionally, this helps you to stay abreast with the changes in the world, to say the least.

#SolarEnergy plans leap frog; Target spiked five times to one lakh MW in next seven years

 Just when a Swiss pilot 's solar powered aircraft mesmerised the world by setting a record of longest solo flight without a drop of fuel, India’s solar energy ambitious plans are set to leap frog. The Centre has revised cumulative targets under National Solar Mission from 20,000 MW by 2021-22 to 1,00,000 MW- a quantum jump.

        After launching of signature initiatives 'Smart city,' 'Digital India' and 'Make in India,' massive efforts are underway to tap the untapped renewable energy resources-mainly solar power. Official sources said the Ministry of new and renewable energy (MNRE) currently pushing solar city programme to reduce dependence on fossil fuel based energy has selected 50 cities to be developed as solar centres. Of these, 44 cities have already prepared master plans. Stakeholder committees have been formed in all the 50 selected cities.The programme entails that the selected cities will have to ensure desired level of generation from renewable energy resources .

         India’s huge and vibrant market of 1.25 billion people has triggered interest among foreign players. Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal, on completion of one year in office, said that steps were afoot to accomplish Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aim of ensuring 24x7 power to all and RE sector would play a major role. At least a dozen nations have signed MoUs to work with India in the development of renewable energy in past few years.During his recent visit to France, Mr Modi laid thrust on India’s vision towards solar energy. French companies are working in the solar sector here and they aim at contributing in a big way. President Francois Hollande has already conveyed France's commitment to develop clean energy here.

         If the goals set for the solar energy are realised, the country will surpass Germany which is a global leader in solar power generation by producing three times higher energy from the discipline. Though technology is getting cheaper , experts feel that the sector might be a game changer so the government should revisit its policy of financing of projects. They feel that at present India RE projects are financed for 10-12 years with an annual interest rate of 12-13 per cent while in Europe and US, the projects are funded for 17-18 years with an interest rate of 4-5 per cent.

         To make 100 GW ( giga watt )solar energy target a reality, an ambitious scheme of creating sector skills has been launched recently under which 1,00,000-“Surya Mitras” will be trained to help achieve scaled up objectives and service the arena . Experts feel that the RE sector will create one million jobs by 2022 as the government has scaled up the target which includes100 GW from the solar sector and 60 GW from the wind energy by 2022. Various states are coming up with their own plans of regulatory norms and other policies. Almost every day, states are coming up with solar plant announcements as well as commencements.

        The world’s largest solar project is going to be set up in Rewa ,which will have 750 MW capacity plant spread over 1,500 hectares of land. Similarly, M Chinnaswamy stadium in Karnataka has emerged as yet another hallmark of grid connected solar roof top system ,now luring others to follow suit. It has now 400KW of net metered rooftops power plant.About two dozen states have notified net metering policy, laced with incentives to promote the rooftop solar plants connected with grid.The net metering is the process through which discoms will generate bills to solar power plant owners as per consumption and credit will be given to the consumer of contribution to the gird is higher than the consumption.

        In some areas in the national capital,the phenomenon is catching up,say experts ,contesting the perception that solar power is back up in case of regular breakdowns outage and insist that it is going to be hassle free power. Plagued by outages, increasing power tariffs , corruption in power companies, the aam aadmi is evincing keen interest in solar power –technology which was costly a few years back. Even in remote places kiosks selling solar panels can be spotted. Small LED bulbs are emerging another attraction among consumers.

         A retired central government employee, Harish Chandra Bhardwaj, appeared upbeat by spotting such kiosks near his village Samadha in mofussil Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.” Solar power is becoming lucrative among poor people who buy some panels to harness the energy to recharge their mobiles and one or two lights in the house,'' he asserts admitting cost is to be brought down.

         In upscale colonies, RWAs now mull over installation of common solar powered system instead of going for big gen sets.At a number of public meetings, the Prime Minister recently put his government’s approval to step up of solar power capacity target under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) by five times.The target will principally comprise of 40 GW Rooftop and 60 GW through Large and Medium Scale Grid Connected Solar Power Projects. With this ambitious target, India will become one of the largest Green Energy producers in the world, surpassing several developed countries.

       The total investment in setting up 100 GW will be around Rs. 6,00,000 crore. In the first phase, the Government is providing Rs. 15,050 crore as capital subsidy to promote solar capacity addition, official sources say. This capital subsidy will be provided for Rooftop Solar projects in various cities and towns, for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) based projects to be developed through the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) and for decentralised generation through small solar projects.

       Official sources said the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) intends to achieve the aim of 1,00,000 MW with targets under the three schemes of 19,200 MW.         Apart from this, solar power projects with investment of about Rs. 90,000 crore would be developed using Bundling mechanism with thermal power. Further investment will come from large Public Sector Undertakings and Independent Power Producers (IPPs). State Governments have also come out with State specific solar policies to promote solar capacity addition.

       JNNSM was launched in 2009 with a target for Grid Connected Solar Projects of 20,000 MW by 2022. In the last two to three years, the sector has witnessed rapid development with installed solar capacity increasing rapidly from 18 MW to about 3800 MW during 2010-15. The price of solar energy has come down significantly from Rs 17.90 per unit in 2010 to under Rs 7 per unit, thereby reducing the need of VGF/ GBI (Generation based incentive) per MW of solar power.

     With technology advancement and market competition, Green Power is expected to reach grid parity by 2017-18. These developments would enable India to achieve its present target of 20,000 MW. But considering its international commitment towards green and climate friendly growth trajectory, New Delhi has taken this path-breaking decision.
Sources said steps are afoot to approach bilateral and international donors as also the Green Climate Fund to achieve this target. Solar power can contribute to the long term energy security of India, and reduce dependence on fossil fuels that put a strain on foreign reserves and the ecology as well. The solar manufacturing sector will get a boost with this long term trajectory of solar capacity addition.

        This will help in creation of technology hubs for manufacturing. The increased manufacturing capacity and installation are expected to pave way for direct and indirect employment opportunities in both the skilled and unskilled sector. The new solar target of 100 GW is expected to abate over 170 million tonnes of CO2 over its life cycle. This Solar Scale-up Plan has a target of 40 GW through Decentralised Solar Power Generation in the form of Grid Connected Rooftop Projects.

       While Decentralised Generation will stabilise the grid, it will minimise investment on power evacuation. To facilitate such a massive target, the Prime Minister’s Office has been pushing various Ministries to initiate supporting interventions, including incorporating changes in land use regulations and tenancy laws to facilitate aggregation and leasing of land by farmers/ developers for solar projects; identification of large chunks of land for solar projects and identification of large government complexes/ buildings for rooftop projects. Other steps include clear survey of wastelands and identification of transmission/ road infrastructure using satellite technology for locating solar parks; development of power transmission network/Green Energy Corridor; setting up of exclusive parks for domestic manufacturing of solar PV modules.

These interventions also  aim at provision of roof top solar and 10 percent renewable energy as  mandatory reform under the new scheme of Ministry of Urban Development;  amendments in building bye-laws for mandatory provision of roof top  solar for new construction or higher FAR and considering infrastructure  status for solar projects.

       These also envisage raising tax free solar  bonds; providing long tenor loans; making roof top solar a part of  housing loan by banks/ NHB and extending IIFCL credit facility to such  projects by the Department of Financial Services; suitable amendments to  the Electricity Act for strong enforcement of Renewable Purchase  Obligation (RPO) and for providing Renewable Generation Obligation  (RGO); incorporating measures in Integrated Power Development Scheme  (IPDS) for encouraging distribution companies and making net-metering  compulsory.

       Official sources said upto December last year,17 Solar Parks  of aggregate capacity of 12759 MW were planned to be set up in 12  States and a grant of Rs 172.50 crore has been released to Solar Energy  Corporation of India (SECI) towards development of solar parks.  Further, proposal for release of Rs 80 crore have been initiated. 

“Make in India” wins the 2015- Economic Development Innovation Award for Policy and Program Implementation Excellence

“Make in India” wins the 2015- Economic Development Innovation Award for Policy and Program Implementation Excellence

Frost and Sullivan, USA today presented the 2015 Asia – Pacific Economic Development Innovation: Policy and Program Implementation Excellence Award in Manufacturing to Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion for the Make in India initiative.

Frost & Sullivan, a US based Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation, and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 54 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on 6 continents.

The award is in recognition of the outstanding contribution of the Make in India program’s vision and implementation excellence to simplify the regulatory framework, reinforce connectivity and incentivize investments.

After a detailed 10 step process the independent global experts arrived at the GIL-100 Index: Manufacturing Index for 2015 on Manufacturing Excellence. The Make in India program has scored the highest in this data driven GIL Index on vision and implementation, among 100 Countries. The two underlying principles of evaluation were:

Enabling Vision: Vision for Development Strategy and Vision Congruence, Role of Agency in Policy Design, Industry Focus and Funding and Innovative Programs

 Implementation Excellence: Effective Channelization of Resources, Effective Program Coordination and Execution, Program Reach and Accessibility, Infrastructure Development and Implementation Success

The award recognizes that the Make in India initiative has become a catalyst to India’s booming domestic manufacturing sector. The initiative has propelled progress towards high value-added manufacturing growth and heavy investment attraction. With the help of operational and legal relaxations, effective infrastructure programs and schemes, and focusing focus on upgrading the strength of skill sets, the Make in India initiative has facilitated the government’s persistent efforts to attract investments from around the world. The initiative’s aggressive efforts towards reinforcing connectivity, channelizing production methodologies, and maximizing effective investment incentives have put India on a path to excellence. The award is a mark of recognition for Make in India’s outstanding contributions to nurture the country’s economic and industrial transformation, and for steering the country towards an environment conducive to domestic and global manufacturing and investment.

The 360 degree research methodology acknowledges the fact that achieving excellence in Policy and Program Implementation is never an easy task; it is even more difficult with today’s competitive intensity and economic uncertainty—not to mention the challenge of gaining global and regional mindshare with industry captains, governments, and trade agencies. In this context, your receipt of this award signifies an even greater accomplishment.

The Award was received by Mr. Amitabh Kant, Secretary Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion on 14^th July, 2015. 

Launch of SKILL INDIA Campaign on 15th July, 2015

Launch of SKILL INDIA Campaign on 15th July, 2015

On the occasion of the first ever World Youth Skills Day on 15^th July 2015, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will launch the SKILL INDIA Campaign.  On this historic occasion, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has consented to be the Chief Guest for the event to be held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Announcing this here today, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that during the function, the Prime Minister will formally launch the “National Skill Development Mission”, unveil the new “National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015”, and roll out on all-India basis the Ministry’s flagship scheme, “Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikash Yojana - PMKVY” – the pilot phase of which has already begun.

He said, the National Mission will converge, coordinate, implement and monitor skilling activities across India. It will also be a vehicle to achieve the objectives of the National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015, which will provide policy direction and guidance to all stakeholders in the skill development and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Shri Rudy said, thePradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), the Ministry’s flagship, demand-driven, reward-based skill training scheme will incentivise skill training, by providing financial rewards to candidates who successfuly complete approved skill training programmes. PMKVY will skill 24 lakh youth, across India, over the next one year. For the first time, the skills of young people who lack formal certification, such as workers in India’s vast unorganised sector, will be recognised through an initiative known as ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ (RPL), who will have a chance to be assessed and certified for the skills that they already possess. 10 lakh youth will be certified under PMKVY’s RPL category over the next one year.  

He said, the launch of the Skill India Campaign is an important milestone towards achieving the objective of skilling with Speed, Scale and Standards accross the country. This event would bring together key stakeholders including Central Ministries/Departments, State Governments, leading Industry Bodies, and trainees. Partnerships with all these these stakeholders is vital to ensure that Skill India, is a success.

MSDE has initiated a range of cross-sectoral partnerships, across Ministries and Departments to scale up skill training efforts. Till date Eight cross-sectoral, overarching MoUs have been signed between MSDE and other key Ministries including (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Mines, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Department of Fertilisers and Department of Pharmaceuticals). In addition to this, two tri-partite MoUs have been signed between NSDC, NSDF and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) as well as Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.

These MoUs seek to:

·        Leverage existing government infrastructure to deliver skill training programmes

·        Mobilize CSR funds of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to support skilling

·        Upgrade equipment of ITIs and NSDC/SSC affiliated training providers

·        Promote and scale up apprenticeship training in PSUs

·        Incentivize hiring of NSQF certified personnel

·        Promote adoption of ITIs by PSUs, including provision of technical and resource support

·        Introduce vocational courses in schools run by Ministries/PSUs

·        Establish ‘Centres of Excellence’ for high quality skill training

·        Align training programmes to NSQF and mobilize workforce for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

·        Scale up skill training programmes, for Persons with Disabilities

Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy said, widespread awareness and mobilisation drives have been initiated, parallel to the event to ensure that the message of Skill India, reaches out to every part of the country. All States/Union Territories have been roped in to organise functions at State/District headquarters in the presence of their Chief Ministers, in order to increase awareness of World Youth Skills Day.

The national event is also being telecast live across more than 10000 ITIs, NSDC training centres, select Nehru Yuva Kendras, and some educational institutions in all States/Union Territories in India.

With a view to focus on the most important stakeholder – India’s youth – trainees will be felicitated at the Skill India launch at Vigyan Bhawan, at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and NSDC training centres, across the country.  

A ‘Skill Loan’ initiative will be launched at the event, where loans from Rs 5,000-1.5 lakhs will be available to more than 34 lakh youth of India, who seek to attend skill development programmes, over the next five years. Financial constraints will no longer be a hindrance to accessing skill training programmes.

The entire idea of celebrating World Youth Skills Day on a large scale is to underscore the significance of skilling, vocational education and entrepreneurship amongst the youth of the country and make them feel that by skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling, they shall become an integral part of the growth story of India, besides carving out a career trajectory for themselves.

The majority of India’s vast population is of working age. Urgent and effective action to Skill India is critical to capture the demographic potential of India’s youth, so that they can contribute productively to the economy. Recognising the centrality of skills to overall socio-economic development within and across nation-states, the United Nations, at its General Assembly in November 2014, declared 15^th July as World Youth Skills Day. The resolution, endorsed by all UN regional groups, seeks to generate greater awareness and stimulate discussion on the vital role of skill training, in giving youth access to employment and sustainable livelihood pathways.