[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 13 April 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 1
Topic: – Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Why this question
Dalit protests have rocked the nation. The issue has been in news for quite some time now. It is important thus to delve deep into the reason for the protests, the systemic issues that it highlights, the constitutional that have or have not been fulfilled, efficacy of the affirmative action policies taken by the government and so on. Empowerment of Dalits and its status becomes a very important topic for Mains.
Key Demand of the Question
Disgruntled by the promises of empowerment is the key word in the question. We have to discuss the promises made historically and currently, the status quo, alternative view point if any to the cause behind Dalit unrest and way forward
Directive word
Discuss – All aspects of Dalit disgruntlement has to be brought forward including – details of the empowerment objectives, status quo, what went wrong or what is going wrong etc.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Talk about the major incidents which highlight Dalit anger.
Body
- Discuss the promises that have been made
- Constitutional
- Legal
- Historical
- Currently
- Discuss the steps taken to ensure empowerment of Dalits (some of the points are mentioned in the article)
- DIscuss this in broad heads like legal, social, economic, institutional etc
- DIscuss the pluses and the misses. Here point out the status quo with data from NCRB etc to back your arguments
- Mention in brief whether the present anger is the next step in an age old struggle for Dalits or whether the dissatisfaction is deep seated now
Conclusion – Mention way forward and the necessity of solving this potential tinderbox
Topic: -The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
India’s Struggle for Independence, Chapter – 11 (Bipan Chandra)
Key demand of the question
- Revolutionaries “supplemented” the national cause – main role was played by the extremists/ Gandhi. Examine this hypothesis by arguing both for and against
- Discuss how and when revolutionaries carried the message abroad – Main part of the answer
- Overall picture of the role of revolutionaries
Directive Word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the role of the revolutionaries by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure
Introduction – Discuss who were revolutionaries and how they were different from Moderates and Extremists
Body
- Compare and contrast the role of revolutionaries with other school of freedom fighters
- Discuss the impacts of revolutionaries vis a vis moderates/extremist. Bring out both pluses and misses
- Should be short
- Thereafter role abroad. Here divide into heads
- Publications like that of Madam Bhikaji Cama
- Diplomacy – meetings between revolutionaries and leaders
- Arranging army etc
- Mention Komagata Maru etc
- Also highlight the shortcomings – such as lack of organization etc
Conclusion – Mention that each group contributed in their own way and that revolutionaries played a critical role in spreading the message of Indian freedom struggle abroad.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
Why this question:
Finance Commission is a very important constitutional bodies whose recommendations have an impact on the nature of fiscal federalism in the country. The controversy over the ToR have to be understood and the reasons examined, and the overall impact of the FC’s ToR analyzed. Hence this topic is important.
Key demand of the question:
The question is directly asking us to examine the ToRs and explain the various issues in the ToR which might have an impact on Fiscal Federalism. Our own stand is also needed here.
Directive word
Critically examine – Have to present the ways in which ToR of FC and performance of FC (in past) has strengthened Fiscal Federalism. On the other side, we also have to examine how the ToR would affect state autonomy in handling its finances. Then a balanced view needs to be stated.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Discuss fiscal federalism in brief. Move to the ToR then and highlight the sense of why the protests are happening.
Body: Discuss the issues in ToR one by one. The primary ones being
- Issue of Deficit Grants
- Issue of 2011 population
- Shortage of states revenues
- Merit of the proposal of performance based incentives for the states
- Whether ToR goes beyond the constitutional mandate of the FC
Mention both sides of the coin
Conclusion – Write your stand highlighting the importance of taking states along to strengthen cooperative federalism
General Studies – 3
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology
and issues relating to intellectual property rights
Why this question
- Rising privacy concerns amid Facebook controversy and its role in influencing elections in many countries has generated a lot of debate on the issue. The issue is hence important for UPSC mains exam. It is related to GS- syllabus under the following headings.
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nanotechnology, biotechnology
and issues relating to intellectual property rights.- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to analyse GDPRs and see how they are progressive in nature, and also discuss their limitations. It also wants us to discuss, what could be their possible effects on Indian companies and market.
Directive word
Critically analyze- we have to examine both the aspects of GDPRs and discuss their pros as well as their limitations/ weaknesses.
Discuss- We have to write in detail about the possible effects of GDPRs on India.
Structure of the answer
introduction – briefly describe what are GDPRs and their salient provisions.
Body- Divide the body of the answer into three parts.
In first part, discuss how GDPRs are a progressive and much needed step.
In second part, discuss their limitations, weaknesses and present your opinion about the GDPRs
In third part, discuss their effects on Indian companies and on Indian IT industry.
Conclusion-draw your conclusion from the critical analysis done in part one and two. Also add in 1-2 lines, how Indian companies could adapt to the new regulations.
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc., Investment models. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why this question
In 2015, India announced an ambitious goal of to increasing renewable power capacity to 175 gigawatts (GW) by 2022, with 100 GW of solar, 60 GW of wind, 10 GW of bioenergy and 5 GW of small hydro. Recently India had called for expression-of-interest for its first offshore wind energy project. Thus the issue is important for exam and it is related to GS-3 syllabus under the following heading; Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc., Investment models. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to highlight the benefits as well as limitations of offshore wind energy generation compared to onshore wind energy generation. Then it wants us to discuss what efforts have been made by India to harness its offshore wind energy.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about both the issue viz. 1) Benefits and limitations of offshore wind energy generation vis a vis onshore wind energy generation (not any other form of energy generation) and 2) steps taken by India.
Structure of the answer
introduction – introduce your answer by mentioning India’s wind energy targets and achievements.
Body- Divide the body into three parts.
In one part, discuss the benefits of offshore wind energy generation vis a vis onshore wind energy generation.
In the second part, discuss its limitations, negative point, challenges .
In the third part, discuss India’s offshore wind energy potential, identify challenges involved in harnessing offshore wind energy in India and what steps have been taken by the government to harness the same.
Conclusion- you can conclude your answer by presenting a few suggestions on how offshore wind energy can be better harnessed by India.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Why this question:
Cryptocurrency has become a household name, so has the technology on which cryptos are based. Blockchain has diverse applications and its application in governance must be prepared well, for it is the technology of the future.
Key demand of the question:
The first part asks us simply to explain the difference. In the 2nd part, answer the way in which blockchain can be utilized in land modernization, why it will be such a radical step, the challenges and the way forward
Directive word
Explain – Simply tell the difference
Discuss – Need to bring out multiple facets of the issue as discussed above
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain blockchain is brief
Body
- Explain difference
- Explain application of block chain in land modernization
- The potential impact, this step might have
- Challenges
Conclusion – Mention that use of technology in governance is a sign of progress and nothing better to start off with than land modernization
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators
Why this question
- The golden rule or the law of reciprocity is central to many world religions and has varied philosophical interpretations. The question will help you in critically analysing similar statements/ quotations which is an important aspect of ethics paper. The question is related to GS-4 syllabus under the following heading;
- Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators and also
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to examine both sides of the debate over the given statement. It wants us to argue in favour of and against the given statement and then form a personal opinion.
Directive word
Critically analyze- we have two analyse all the aspects of the given quotation and express our arguments in its favour and against it. Based on those arguments we have form and present our personal opinion and interpretation.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- introduce your answer by mentioning further about the quotation and highlight its source and importance as an ethical question.
Body- Divide the body into two parts. In one part, present arguments in favour of it.
In second part, present arguments against it and other related but opposing philosophies, if any.
Conclusion- you can conclude your answer by drawing up a conclusion of the above analysis and presenting your personal opinion on the question
