Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 07 October 2024

Contents:

1. A Learning Curve: Evaluating the PM Internship Scheme’s Pilot Project
2. A Defeat Foretold: Why Maoists Must Abandon Armed Struggle and Embrace Democracy
3. A Three-Tier War in West Asia with No Endgame

A Learning Curve: Evaluating the PM Internship Scheme’s Pilot Project

Context:
On October 3, the Centre launched an online portal for the operationalization of the PM Internship Scheme, a key initiative announced in the Budget for 2024-25. The scheme aims to provide 4.1 crore youth with internships over five years, bridging the gap between theoretical education and practical skills needed in the job market. As a pilot project, 1.25 lakh interns will be matched with companies starting December 2024, providing an opportunity to assess and refine the scheme based on real-world feedback and outcomes.

Relevance: General Studies Paper 2 (Governance)

Mains Question: Critically analyze the potential of the PM Internship Scheme in addressing youth unemployment in India. What challenges are expected in its implementation, and how can these be overcome? (250 words)

• Understanding the PM Internship Scheme:
  The PM Internship Scheme is part of a broader five-scheme initiative to address skill gaps and enhance youth employability. It aims to create one crore internships by March 2029, with the first phase targeting 1.25 lakh interns for a year-long, on-the-job training program. This scheme is primarily Centre-funded and seeks to match young job-seekers with companies willing to provide practical skills training.
• Potential Benefits of the Scheme:
  • Bridging Skill Gaps: The program seeks to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical job skills. By collaborating with firms, the scheme can address the issue that employers often cite: graduates lack real-world skills.
  • Certification and Job Market Readiness: Firms will issue certifications to interns, making them more attractive candidates for future job roles. This could significantly improve youth employability, especially in sectors like manufacturing and services.
  • Support for Job Creation: With 4.1 crore internships planned, the scheme has the potential to absorb a substantial portion of unemployed youth, reducing overall unemployment rates.
• Challenges in Implementation:
  • Regional Disparities in Job Availability: Placement of interns within or near their district may not be feasible in less industrialized states such as Bihar or Jharkhand, where job opportunities are limited. This could lead to disparities in participation and outcomes.
  • High Dropout Rates: Ensuring that interns complete their full tenure and transition smoothly into the job market will require continuous monitoring and mentorship.
  • Soft Skills Training: Beyond technical training, modern workplaces demand soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and digital literacy. The scheme must integrate these into its design.
  • Industry Collaboration: Sustained partnerships with private firms are essential. However, voluntary participation may limit the number of companies willing to engage, especially in low-growth sectors.
• Recommendations for Effective Implementation:
  • Localized Adaptation: Tailor the scheme’s implementation strategy based on regional industrial profiles. For less-developed regions, focus on sectors like agriculture, micro-enterprises, and local industries.
  • Incorporate Mentorship Programs: Pair interns with experienced professionals to guide them through the internship, ensuring they gain meaningful insights and skills.
  • Monitoring and Feedback Mechanisms: Establish a robust feedback mechanism to track dropout rates, intern satisfaction, and skill acquisition, allowing for mid-course corrections.
  • Expand Industry Involvement: Provide incentives for more companies, especially MSMEs, to participate. This could include tax benefits, reduced compliance burdens, or shared training costs.
• Expected Outcomes and Scalability:
  The pilot project’s success will be measured by the employability and retention of interns post-training. If the scheme can demonstrate value to both youth and employers, scaling it to one crore internships by 2029 will be feasible. The lessons learned from the pilot phase should be used to refine the design, ensuring that the program is sustainable and impactful.

Latest Data and Numbers:

• Target: 4.1 crore internships over five years.
• Pilot Phase: 1.25 lakh internships starting December 2024.
• Youth Unemployment Rate: Currently higher in states like Bihar and Jharkhand, which lack industrial presence.

Conclusion:
The PM Internship Scheme is a timely initiative to address India’s growing youth unemployment. However, its success will depend on effective implementation, industry collaboration, and addressing regional disparities. With continuous evaluation and a dynamic approach, the scheme can be a game-changer in enhancing India’s human capital and creating a skilled, employable workforce.

By ensuring a focused and adaptable strategy, the PM Internship Scheme can transform the employment landscape, making India’s youth more competitive and job-ready.

A Defeat Foretold: Why Maoists Must Abandon Armed Struggle and Embrace Democracy

Context:
In a significant setback to Maoist insurgency in India, 31 cadres, including senior members, were killed in a security operation in Abujhmadh, Chhattisgarh — a stronghold considered the last bastion of left-wing extremism. The operation is part of intensified efforts by security forces and paramilitary groups to eliminate Maoist influence in central and eastern India. The movement’s diminishing power can be attributed to several factors, including loss of local support, strategic miscalculations, and an over-reliance on militant tactics. With weakening strength and alienation from tribal communities, the Maoists are at a crossroads where they must consider abandoning violence and engaging in the democratic process.

Relevance: General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security, Left-Wing Extremism)

Mains Question: Analyze the factors leading to the decline of the Maoist movement in India. What role can democratic engagement play in addressing the issues faced by affected communities? (250 words)

• Background of the Maoist Insurgency:
  The Maoist movement, also known as Naxalism, began as an armed struggle against perceived state exploitation and neglect of tribal areas. Over the decades, the insurgency spread across several states, primarily in central and eastern India, earning the region the label of the ‘Red Corridor’. At its peak, it controlled significant territories and had considerable support among marginalized tribal communities.
• Current Decline and Setbacks:
  The recent encounter in Chhattisgarh is indicative of the movement’s ongoing decline. Coordinated operations by security forces have led to heavy casualties and numerous surrenders. The Union Home Ministry’s focused strategy, including better coordination among paramilitary units, increased intelligence inputs, and targeted operations, has significantly reduced the Maoists’ operational capability.
• Loss of Local Support:
  One of the critical reasons for the Maoists’ weakening is the erosion of support from tribal communities, who were once their primary base. Decades of violent struggle have brought little to no tangible benefits to these communities, leading to disillusionment and alienation. As tribal groups distance themselves from the movement, the Maoists are losing the grassroots support necessary for sustaining a guerrilla war.
• Strategic and Ideological Failures:
  The Maoists’ adherence to a rigid, anachronistic ideology, rooted in 1920s China, has not resonated in a diverse, democratic India. Their over-dependence on militaristic tactics, at the expense of political engagement, has alienated potential supporters. Unlike movements in other countries that adapted to political realities, the Indian Maoists have been unable to transition to a strategy of peaceful engagement.
• Comparative Global Examples:
  Similar insurgencies in countries like Peru, Colombia, and Malaysia failed when they failed to adapt to changing political landscapes. The inability to recognize democratic avenues for achieving political goals has been a common thread in the collapse of these movements.
• The Need for Democratic Engagement:
  Despite its flaws, Indian democracy provides ample space for dialogue, negotiation, and addressing grievances. By continuing to pursue violent means, the Maoists are undermining their stated objective of representing the tribal people. Entering the political mainstream would allow them to advocate for tribal rights within the framework of law and governance.
• Role of the State and Civil Society:
  While security operations are essential to curbing violence, the state must complement them with developmental initiatives and democratic outreach. Improved governance, protection of tribal rights, and local-level political inclusion are necessary to address the root causes of alienation and prevent any resurgence of extremism.

Latest Data and Numbers:

• Recent Casualties: 31 Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh operation.
• Current Strongholds: Limited to remote areas in states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

Conclusion:
The recent setbacks to the Maoist insurgency signal a critical juncture for the movement. Persisting with armed struggle will only lead to further isolation and eventual collapse. The Maoists must recognize that democratic engagement, rather than violence, is the only viable path forward for achieving the interests of the tribal communities they claim to represent.

By transitioning to political participation, the Maoists can transform their struggle into a constructive movement that genuinely benefits the communities they aim to serve.

A Three-Tier War in West Asia with No Endgame

Context:
The ongoing conflict in West Asia is characterized by a complex, multi-layered struggle involving multiple actors—Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and their respective international backers. The situation has recently escalated following Hamas’s deadliest attack on Israel in decades, leading to a brutal Israeli response. The conflict now encompasses not only the Israel-Palestine confrontation but also a broader geopolitical struggle that includes regional powers like Iran and Saudi Arabia and global actors such as the U.S. and Russia.

Relevance: General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations)

Mains Question: Analyze the evolving dynamics of the Israel-Palestine conflict in the context of broader West Asian geopolitics. How do the actions of regional and global powers shape the conflict, and what are the implications for peace in the region? (250 words)

• Background of the Conflict:
  The Israel-Palestine conflict is rooted in historical disputes over territory, statehood, and national identity. The recent attack by Hamas, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking more than 200 hostages, marked a significant escalation in hostilities. In response, Israel launched a full-scale military campaign in Gaza, triggering widespread destruction and displacement.
• Two Diverging Narratives:
  Israel perceives the conflict as an “existential war” against terrorism, aimed at securing its borders and eliminating militant threats. For Palestinians, the conflict is a struggle for liberation from Israeli occupation and recognition of their rights. The divergent narratives complicate any peace efforts, as both sides view the conflict through fundamentally different lenses.
• Geopolitical Dimensions:
  The conflict is not limited to Israel and Hamas. Iran-backed Hezbollah has ramped up its military activities in northern Israel, creating a second front. Saudi Arabia, which was on the brink of normalizing relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords, has been drawn into the conflict. The U.S. is involved in supporting Israel’s military efforts, while Russia and China have been manoeuvring diplomatically to increase their influence in the region.
• The “Octopus Doctrine” and Iran’s Strategy:
  Israel’s “Octopus Doctrine” aims to decapitate Iranian influence by targeting its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. This strategy is based on the assumption that destabilizing Iran’s regional allies will weaken its broader geopolitical influence. Iran, in turn, has used Hezbollah and Hamas to keep Israel embroiled in protracted conflicts, preventing it from projecting power beyond its borders.
• The Regional Security Quagmire:
  West Asia has become a conflict loop where various actors, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, are locked in a continuous cycle of confrontation. The Abraham Accords, which sought to normalize ties between Israel and several Arab nations, have been overshadowed by the resurgence of violence. This has reinforced the perception that true peace in West Asia cannot be achieved without addressing the Palestinian issue.
• Implications for Global Stability:
  The conflict has broader ramifications for global security, particularly given its potential to draw in major powers. The U.S. has already increased its military presence in the region, and any miscalculation could escalate into a wider war involving multiple state actors. The Israeli-Hamas conflict also risks spilling over into neighboring Lebanon, Syria, and the Gulf, destabilizing an already fragile region.
• Recommendations for a Peaceful Resolution:
  • Address Core Grievances: Sustainable peace will require addressing the root causes of the conflict, including the status of Jerusalem, the right of return for Palestinian refugees, and the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state.
  • Involve Regional Stakeholders: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other key players must be engaged in peace talks to ensure that any agreement has regional backing.
  • Reform International Mediation Efforts: The UN and other international bodies need to adopt a more assertive role in mediating peace, going beyond traditional diplomatic statements.

Latest Data and Numbers:

• Casualties in Recent Hostilities: Over 1,200 Israelis killed, 200 hostages taken by Hamas.
• Impact on Palestinians: More than 41,000 Palestinians killed in the past year, with over 1,000,000 displaced.

Conclusion:
The ongoing war in West Asia is a multi-tiered conflict with no clear endgame. Without a comprehensive approach that addresses both the immediate hostilities and the deeper political issues, the region will remain trapped in a cycle of violence and instability. Global and regional powers must act decisively to break the deadlock, or the conflict risks spiraling into a broader geopolitical confrontation with devastating consequences.

By focusing on inclusive and sustainable peace processes, the international community can hope to break the conflict loop and bring stability to a region that has seen decades of turmoil.