Research Paper Evaluation Criteria – Marks for the topic will be given on the basis of the following:-
(a)The extent to which the contribution throws fresh light on the subject.
(b)Understanding of the subject.
(c)Thought, logic, development of theme.
(d)Language / expression.
(e)Essays must have relevant end-note references and a bibliography, as applicable.
(f)Plagiarism – Essay will be disqualified if any plagiarism has been found with the help of Plagiarism software’s.
Synopsis.
(a) In strategic level decision making especially those related to the nations security, the stakes are extremely high and have long-term implications; but tend to be based on human perceptions and judgments as these have to be taken in an unpredictable environment. Therefore, it is important that all stakeholders are a part of the decision making process. Sadly, one of the reports stated that “Indian security for the past 50 years has been marked by defence policy making sans strategic logic, long term planning and a sense of urgency characterised by opacity, ad hoc decisions and general muddle-headedness. The decades old debate on reorganisation of the higher defence organisations and the national security apparatus has made little progress.” This is definitely is not desirable.
(b) In the present arrangement, the Armed Forces are of out of the government mechanism on strategic decision making. Ignorance of the political leadership coupled with bureaucratic reluctance has ensured the military leaders are left out of the loop and the political leadership are denied strategically sound advice particularly those related to the threats, armed forces transformation, capability development and employment and institutional issues.
(c) There is a view that while the military input is essential for and invaluable in deliberations on matters of security; the concept of security today is much wider and hence, the civilian leadership with inputs from the Ministry of Defence can holistically handle it. But the perception is that there is an imbalance in India’s civil-military relations brought about by an intervening bureaucratic layer in the Ministry of Defence between the military and the political head. The question to be asked is – Is the “lack of trust” between the civil-military officials affecting strategic policies? Whatever be the case, it is important that the Armed Forces make themselves heard, have greater space in relevant decision-making and seek partnership in national security and defence policy-making, lest we suffer the same fate as was the case in 1962.
(d) There is an urgent need for an integrated approach to ‘national security’ with the political, military, economic and diplomatic aspects meshed together cogently. A democratic nation which is aspiring to be a regional power requires effective and sound advice to be rendered to the civilian authorities who are representative of, and answerable to the Parliament. Integrated approach to strategic decision making helps to build trust, avoids costly delay, avoidable duplication and wasteful expense, and improves operational efficiency. Therefore, there is no doubt that the Indian Armed Forces have an important role to play in strategic decision making related to national security especially on issues that directly affect them such as intelligence assessments, force structures, resource allocation, defence processes and procedures.
(e) Effective civilian control over security forces and structures is one critical component. Civilian control not only helps ensure transparency and policy oversight; it can help restore the legitimacy of security institutions among the public. However, it is also important that military viewpoints be effectively represented in decision-making structures.
(f) With the above as the background, carry out an analysis of the existing national security decision-making processes and structures and suggest ways and means on how the Indian Armed Forces can play a greater role in the strategic decision making and reclaim the strategic space.
(g) The essay should also address the following issues:-
?Current strategic environment is too vital a subject to be dealt with in watertight compartments. In what all aspects, do the armed forces need to play a significant role in the strategic decision-making?
?Do Indian civilian authorities-executive and legislative-adequately demonstrate critical understanding of the larger strategic issues and implications of military employment and institutional conduct? Are they adequately conversant with military purposes, capabilities, constraints and effects?
?Do the Indian Armed Forces demonstrate critical, creative understanding of the strategic purposes? Does it contribute in strategic level discussions, and explain the consequences of military employment and institutional conduct?
?There is a wide range of national security decision-making models available in developing and developed countries. There are similar and dissimilar challenges faced by other armed forces in the world. Analyse these models and highlight those issues that are of relevance to us.
?Keeping in view the fast changing strategic environment and trends in warfare, there is an urgent requirement to review our higher defence control system. Do we need changes in the structures, processes, and procedures that create a space for the Indian Armed Force to meaningfully contribute towards efficient and effective decision making at the strategic level?
