[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 23 April 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and
Architecture from ancient to modern times.
1) Examine the changes in Indian cinema brought about by economic liberalization.(250 words)
The hindu
Why this question
UPSC sometimes asks such questions in GS paper or even in essays. The question is related to GS-1 syllabus under the following heading-
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to trace the history of Indian cinema with a special focus on how has economic liberalization impacted it.
Directive word
Examine- we have to dig deeper into the issue and find out not only the changes but also the driving forces behind them.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- Introduce your answer by mentioning the arrival of cinema in India and briefly mention its link with the society.
Body- In one part, discuss the pre-liberalization Indian cinema and describe its nature- topics, audience targeted etc and why so.
In the other part, discuss how liberalization impacted Indian cinema- change in content/ themes, change in audience targeted, change in business models and opportunities, role of technology and advertisement etc.
conclusion – Give a balanced and justified brief conclusion/ viewpoint on the given issue.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business,
powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Why this question
Parliamentary disruptions and low productivity of our parliament and state legislative assemblies has become a perennial problem, wanting discussion and change. The recent budgetary session was one similar abysmally low productive session. The question is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading-
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to describe in detail about the role of anti-defection law and money bills in disruptions in legislative assemblies and the Parliament. We have to explain their involvement in such disruptions.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to dig deep into the issue and write in detail about how money bills and anti-defection law impact the working of the Parliament and state legislatures. Based on our discussion we have to explain how such disruptions are rooted in above two provisions. We also have to discuss the possible solutions, briefly.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- introduce your answer by documenting the low productivity of state legislatures and the Parliament, mention the severity, prevalence and history of the problem. Also, briefly mention Kihoto Hollohan case.
Body- Divide the body into three main parts. In one part discuss how anti-defection law is responsible for Parliamentary and state legislatures’ disruptions.
E.g discuss the role party whip, how it has placed the political party, and not the individual legislator, at the core of parliamentary democracy.
In the second part, discuss how money bills and their certification and loss of role of Rajya sabha lead to such disruptions.
Conclusion- present a brief conclusion of your discussion and briefly mention the way forward. E.g make necessary amendments in anti-defection law, domicile requirement for RS, amendments in money bill provisions.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related
constraints.
Why this question
MGNREGA aims to provide a basic livelihood security to the large population of unskilled workers, by providing assured 100 days of employment in a year. The scheme has been acknowledged to have multiplier effects in agricultural and more importantly rural economy. The question is related to GS-3 syllabus-
Key demand of the question
The question wants to know our understanding of the essence of MGNREGA and our opinion on why a guaranteed payment and a viable minimum wage rate is necessary to serve that purpose.
Directive word
Comment- we have to present our personal understanding and viewpoint on the given issue. We have to back our stand/opinion by providing necessary justifications/ arguments/ facts.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- in the introduction briefly discuss the raison d’etre of MGNREGA.
E.g providing minimum livelihood security, rights based law to improve the socio-economic condition of the rural poor, sustainable development of agriculture and participatory governance.
Body- divide the body into two main parts. In one part, discuss the problem with payment system and minimum wage rates in different parts of India.
In the other part, discuss in points, why guarantee of payment and a viable minimum wage rate, that is pegged on the prevailing market rate, are indispensable to the raison d’être of MGNREGA.
E.g guarantee of work lost, men migrate to other works while women participation increased, loss of decentralization and participatory democracy.
conclusion – present a clear and concise conclusion based on the above discussion and suggest some remedies if possible.
Topic – Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Why this question
Issue of inclusive growth is of paramount importance for India. Both the gini coefficient for india and the poverty figures do not inspire much confidence. In this backdrop, the debate over the direction that policies for ensuring inclusive growth take, becomes critical.Key demand of the question
The focus of the question is on figuring out whether the policy measures should be directed towards addressing inequality or poverty or whether addressing one would automatically take care of the other. We need to thus analyse, whether the nature, causes and way of addressing poverty and income inequality are similar, whether policy measures can be designed to kill two birds with one stone.
Directive word
Critically analyse – We need to conclude with a fair judgement, after analyzing the nature, causes and policy responses of dealing with poverty and income inequality and the interrelationships between them.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Discuss the relationship between inclusive growth , poverty and inequality of income. Provide data for India to highlight the magnitude of problem that we have to address.
Body
- Discuss status quo and past experiences
- Examine poverty and inequality data in pre reform and post reform period (high growth period and otherwise)
- Examine urban and rural data
- The point of this part of your answer should be to establish that addressing one does not necessarily lead to improvement in the other, or it does (your conclusion)
- Discuss the reasons behind income inequality and poverty and comment whether the reasons behind these issues can be resolved with the throw of a single dice.
- Discuss some particular inclusive growth policies and assess its impact on poverty and income inequality.
- Discuss what is a bigger challenge for India and what should be focused upon in the short and long run.
Conclusion – Provide a fair judgment which should flow from the summary of your arguments presented above.
Topic – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
5) Agriculture has a huge role to play in helping India deal with its water woes. Examine.
Why this question
As India urbanizes, population increases, effects of climate change become more prominent, water issues in India is bound to become more severe. Thus efficiency of water use in water intensive sector like agriculture will go a long way in ensuring water security for India.
Key demand of the question
The focus of the question is on bringing out how agriculture can impact water shortage and how efficiency in water use in agriculture will improve the overall water situation in the country.
Directive word
Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any .
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Bring out the magnitude of water scarcity that India faces and establish that agriculture is a major contributor to the water issue in India.
Body
- Bring out the major issues in this issue
- Question of water productivity
- Issue of geographical distribution of major crops
- Efficiency of irrigation methods – bring out issues like evaporation losses in canal irrigation etc
- Subsidies provided for withdrawal of ground water from motorized pumps
- Inter state water disputes – linkage to agriculture
- Etc
- Discuss the way forward
Conclusion – bring out the issue of acute water shortage and the need for quick intervention to safeguard our future.
General Studies – 4
Topic – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment ; developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Why this question
Waste management is a lesser understood problem whose ramifications for a growing India is immense. Metros like Bengaluru are reeling under this problem and struggling to find land space to dump the monumental proportion of waste generated. This issue thus assumes significance both from GS1 and GS3 perspective.
Key demand of the question
The demand of the question is straightforward as what needs to be discussed is mentioned. While discussing the way forward, we have to bring out the global best practices as it is explicitly demanded by the question
Directive word
Discuss – we have to bring out various aspects related to solid waste management in India. Highlight it’s pros and cons. While discussing way forward, we have to comment on its applicability to India.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – discuss what is solid waste and what comes under solid waste management
Body
- Discuss the magnitude of the problem
- Use data to highlight magnitude (status quo)
- Bring out the various ways in which this problem is affecting us – health, land use, environmental damage, seepage of chemicals underground
- Bring out what issues can be caused by it in the future
- Discuss way forward
- Global best practices and its applicability to India
- Indian best practices
- Governmental measures – their shortcoming and the way forward
Conclusion – emphasize that this problem needs to be resolved ASAP for a healthy and wealthy India
