[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 16 April 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
India’s Struggle for Independence, Chapter – 13 (Bipan Chandra)
Key demand of the question:
The question has 2 main statements which need to be commented upon. Firstly, the impact of Home Rule League movement fell on a much wider community outside their direct membership. This has to be discussed. The main part however, is the second part which hypothesizes that the impact of the movement was limited and could not bring in mass agitational politics. We need to examine the impact of the movement and whether it helped in bringing the national movement to the masses.
Directive word
Critically comment : We have to give our opinion on the main points as discussed above and come to a rational stand.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Write about Home Rule Movement – what were they fighting for and what was their method.
Body – The first part of the statement needs to be discussed. We have to elucidate how the Home Rule movement had influence outside their direct membership. Points that can be mentioned here are that several leaders not directly associated with Home Rule League extended their support. Give examples.
The second part of the statement then needs to be commented upon. The answer would depend on your stand. If you are arguing that HRL Movement did not result in mass agitational politics. Give points like – did not unite Moderates and Extremists, did not include or find support from sections like peasants etc, did not find support from non Brahmin section etc. Similarly, if you take the stand that the League did result in mass agitational politics, you can give points like it laid the basis of Gandhian struggle etc.
Conclusion – Based on your arguments, mention your stand and the impact of HRL movement.
General Studies – 2
Topic: mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
Why this question
Child rights and issues are important for UPSC exams, and also gross violation of child rights has been in news recently. The issue is related to GS2- syllabus under the following heading- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Key demand of the question
The main demand of the question is to know the laws, policies, mechanisms and programmes presently in place, to protect the child. It also wants us to highlight various problems and issues faced by children.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about all the laws, policies, mechanisms and programmes put in place to protect the children. We also have to discuss in detail about various issues and disabilities faced by the children and then identify the reasons behind the same.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- you can start your answer by citing UNICEF’s child rights’ definition. Or you can cite the Integrated Child Protection Scheme’s concept of child protection.
Body- divide the body into three main parts. In the first part ( further divided into subparts) discuss in points about the laws, policies, mechanisms and programmes in place to protect children. DIvide the answer into constitutional, legal provisions, policies and other associated measures.
In the other part, discuss what are the problems faced by children e.g. sexual exploitation, begging, trafficking, child labour, child marriage etc.
In the third part, which can be treated as conclusion, try to highlight the reasons behind the current state of affairs where despite a plethora of laws, policies, mechanisms children still face a lot of vulnerabilities and violation of their rights.
Topic: Separation of powers between various organs,
Why this question:
This issue has recently received lot of media attention, courtesy developments in UP. Moreover, the Allahabad HC verdict rekindles the debate over Section 321 of CrPC. Hence, the issue becomes important.
Key demand of the question:
The question is asking us to examine whether Section 321 of CrPC makes sense legally, constitutionally, practically. The question is also asking us to focus more on the various judicial pronouncements on the subject to examine the statement.
Directive word
Critically examine – We have to provide arguments for
- Withdrawal of cases should be the prerogative of state
- Withdrawal of cases should not be the prerogative of state
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention Section 321 of CrPC and the debate over it.
Body – Mention the HC judgment on the issue. Then examine the main issues that have been raised by the judgment
- Role of state
- How far can judiciary reinterpret Section 321
- Separation of power etc
Thereafter present your argument under broad heads like Legal, Constitutional etc. Here, mention the judgments of SC in support of your argument.
Conclusion – Mention your stand and why you think so.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster and disaster management.
Why this question
Agriculture employs around 48% of India’s population and with one of the largest populations, Indian agriculture plays a crucial role in global food security. Climate change, ozone and pollution will have marked effects on agriculture. The issue is related to GS-3 syllabus under the following heading- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster and disaster management.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to discuss and explain the causes effects of tropospheric ozone on food and nutrition food security. It also wants us to dig deep into the issue and see how poverty, climate change and malnourishment are exacerbating the woes of agriculture in such areas and what could be the possible implications.
Directive word
Analyse – we have to bring out the causes, and implications of tropospheric ozone on agriculture and food security with special reference to India. We also have to explain how poverty, climate change and malnourishment affect agriculture and food security in such areas.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- you can introduce your answer by highlighting increasing concentration of ozone in troposphere around agriculturally intensive areas of the world, by quoting credible sources/ reports.
Body- divide the body of the answer into parts.
- Bring out the causes of increasing tropospheric ozone.
- Discuss its implications on agriculture and food security.
- Trace the prevalence of poverty, malnourishment and climate change in agriculturally intensive areas of India. Ganga basin would be a good example.
- Discuss how poverty, malnourishment and climate change coupled with tropospheric ozone will affect the agriculture and food security in such areas and in the country as a whole.
Conclusion- you can conclude your answer by mentioning government efforts in this direction or you can simply provide a few suggestions to tackle the issue.
General Studies – 4
Topic: ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
Why this question
We are heading towards fourth industrial revolution, in which IT technologies will play a much greater role in our lives. Universally, search engines are being used to access information about almost everything ranging from sports and entertainment to politics, work and news. Recently, Facebook has been involved in a huge controversy around privacy issue and search engines hold much larger amount and more sensitive data than Facebook and they could be the next focus of attention. The question is related to GS-4 syllabus under the following heading- ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to identify and discuss upon various ethical concerns around search engines.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to dig deep into the issue and identify all the ethical aspects involved. We have to identify various ethical concerns revolving around the search engines and discuss each of them briefly.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – you can introduce your answer by highlighting the nature and volume of data generated by our interaction with search engines and by mentioning that a lot of ethical concerns are generated by such interaction.
Body- Divide the body of the answer into points and in each point discuss briefly, what are the ethical concerns involved;
e.g manipulation of search results, privacy issues, advertisement issue, non-voluntary disclosure of personal information etc.
Conclusion- you can conclude your answer by highlighting the importance of search engines and need to allay the ethical concerns surrounding them. You can also briefly mention a few suggestions that could be implemented to ensure ethical behaviour on part of search engines.
