UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. Mains Answer Writing covers essential topics under static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress.

What is cyber kidnapping? Discuss the major cybercrimes reported in India in 2022, according to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau.

What are the first advance estimates? How can GDP be estimated by using first advance estimates?

Introduction

— An introduction 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 a trusted source and include authenticated facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the import of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must preferably be written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— 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.

— 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.

QUESTION 1: What is cyber kidnapping? Discuss the major cybercrimes reported in India in 2022, according to data released by the National Crime Records Bureau.

Introduction:

— Cyber kidnapping refers to a crime where the ‘kidnappers’ convince their victim to hide, and then contact their loved ones for ransom.

— The victim is also forced to send pictures that appear to show them bound or gagged, giving the impression that they are being held captive.

— The ‘kidnappers’, though not physically present, monitor the victim online through video-call platforms.

Body:

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

Cybercrimes in India

— According to the latest data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India saw a 24% increase in cybercrimes registered in 2022 compared to 2021, while other categories of crime – including economic offences (11%), crimes against senior citizens (9%), and crimes against women (4%) also increased.

— According to the report ‘Crime in India’, 65,893 cases were registered under cybercrime, showing an increase of 24.4 per cent compared to 52,974 cases in 2021.

— In 2022, 64.8 percent of cybercrime cases registered were for the purpose of fraud (42,710 out of 65,893 cases), followed by extortion (5.5% – 3,648 cases) and sexual exploitation (5.2% – 3,434 cases).

— Among the specified categories of economic offences; criminal breach of trust, FCF (forgery, cheating, and fraud), and counterfeiting, FCF accounted for the greatest number of such cases, with 1,70,901 cases, followed by criminal breach of trust with 21,814 cases, and counterfeiting with 670 cases in the previous year.

— In 2022, a total of 4,45,256 crimes against women were registered, showing an increase of 4 per cent compared to 4,28,278 cases in 2021.

— The majority of cases under crime against women were registered under ‘cruelty by husband or his relatives’ at 31.4 per cent followed by kidnapping and abduction of women at 19.2 per cent, assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty at 18.7 per cent, and rape at 7.1 per cent.

Conclusion:

— According to the FBI’s website, “Although virtual kidnapping takes on many forms, it is always an extortion scheme—one that tricks victims into paying a ransom to free a loved one they believe is being threatened with violence or death.

— With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), such crimes can rise, as scammers can send people voice notes that sound exactly like a loved one in distress.

— Scammers can use information you’ve shared on social media to make their calls appear more credible, so be cautious about what you share about yourself and your children online, especially names, specific locations, and pictures of your home, neighbourhood, or children’s school.

(Source: Chinese boy ‘cyber kidnapped’ in Utah found safe: What is cyber kidnapping, how to protect yourself, 24% rise in cybercrime in 2022, 11% surge in economic offences: NCRB report by Mahender Singh Manral and Jignasa Sinha)

Points to Ponder

Artificial intelligence

Cognizable and Uncognizable crimes

Related Previous Year Questions

What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (2022)

Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (2020)

Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. (2017)

QUESTION 2: What are the first advance estimates? How can GDP be estimated by using first advance estimates?

Introduction:

— The First Advance Estimates (FAEs) are presented at the end of the first week of January every year. They are only the first estimates of growth for that financial year.

— The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will release the Second Advance Estimates and, by the end of May, the Provisional Estimates.

— The FAEs are based on the performance of the economy over the first seven-odd months.

Body:

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

— The Advance Estimates of National Income are indicator-based and are compiled using the benchmark-indicator method, i.e. the estimates available for the previous year (2022-23) are extrapolated using the relevant indicators reflecting the performance of sectors.

— The crucial significance of the FAEs is that they are the last GDP data released before the Union Budget for the coming financial year (which is presented on February 1) is finalised.

What do the FAE data show?

— The chart shows India’s real GDP (GDP after stripping away the effect of inflation), both in absolute terms (in Rs lakh crore) and in terms of growth rate.

— On an annual basis, the 7.3% growth rate estimated for 2023-24 presents a substantial and pleasant upside surprise.

— Most observers, including the Reserve Bank of India, had expected growth to decelerate in the current financial year to somewhere between 5.5% and 6.5%. That the GDP growth rate is now expected to beat even the higher estimate by almost a percentage point underscores the strength of India’s economic recovery.

— India’s GDP is calculated by adding up all kinds of spending in the economy —

(i) Spending by people in their individual capacity is called the Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) which accounts for almost 60% of India’s GDP.

(ii) Spending towards investments in boosting the productive capacity of the economy is called Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF), and is the second-largest engine of growth that typically accounts for 30% of the GDP.

(iii) Spending by governments to meet daily expenditures such as salaries is Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE) which accounts for around 10% of GDP.

(iv) Net exports

(v) Private consumption demand and Government spending

— According to the government’s First Advance Estimates (FAEs) released, India’s GDP will grow by 7.3% in the current fiscal year (2023-24), slightly faster than the 7.2% growth in 2022-23.

(Source: First Advance Estimates of India’s GDP out: What are they, and what do the data show? by Udit Misra)

Points to Ponder

National Statistical Office

Per Capita Income

Real GDP and Nominal GDP

Related Previous Year Questions

Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard (2023)

Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (2021)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 30)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 32)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 31)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 32)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 32)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 31)

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