[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 01 MAY 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 2
Topic – 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.
why this question
Child nutrition is one of the key development parameter as well as an asset, which translates into human resource. Recently, the idea of providing readymade food under Anganwadi Services Scheme was forwarded by the minister of Women and Child Development. The idea was however opposed by the top officials from the same ministry. The question is related to GS-2 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 question wants us to bring forth the implications, both positive as well as negative arising out of providing energy-dense, factory-made nutrient packets as take-home ration under Anganwadi Services Scheme (ASS).
Directive word
Critically examine- we have to get into the details and find out what will be the result of providing readymade food under ASS. After bringing out all the pros and cons of such a measure, we have to form and present our opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write about the National Food Security Act, 2013,Schedule II and the
Supplementary Nutrition (Integrated Child Development Services Scheme) Rules, 2017. Mention that they aim to raise nutritional standards of the food provided. Earlier there were no legal provisions.
Body- divide the body into two main parts.
Discuss in points, the benefits of providing energy dense readymade food under ASS. e.g uniformity of standards, easy monitoring, economy of scale, flexible and able to cater to specific needs etc.
Discuss in points, the cons. E.g risk of commercialization of a critical social responsibility, more prone to corruption, nutritious but not healthy way of eating, undermines the role of other factors which impact our health etc.
Conclusion– give your unbiased, objective and fair opinion on the ultimate acceptability of readymade food under ASS; and then suggest briefly in 1-2 lines, the way forward.
TOPIC: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- application, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
why this question
Social audit has a special origin and huge impact on the governance of a society. Social audit can dramatically improve quality of service delivery and decision making. It increases accountability like none other. It has been promoted by institutions ranging from CAG to Supreme Court of India. The issue is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading-
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- application, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to describe social audit and discuss its implementation in India and identify the major problems arising in its implementation. Then it wants us to highlight the legislative and judicial initiatives taken in this regard.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the meaning and history of social audit and then all the impediments to implementing social auditing in India- identify the challenges involved.
Highlight- we have to briefly describe the recent legislative and judicial measures undertaken in this direction.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- define social audit and discuss its origin and link with India. Try to mention names of places associated with the origin.
Body-
discuss in points, about all the impediments faced in institutionalizing social audits in India. E.g opposition by political parties, government officials, and other vested interests, lack of required skills and knowledge among the people, need for a legal mandate, problems like delays in getting justice delivered etc.
Discuss in points about the recent steps taken by the government in this direction. E.g mention SC directions and CAGs role in development social audit standards- for the first time in world history etc.)
Conclusion- form a concise and fair evaluation of scope of social auditing in India and provide some suggestions for institutionalizing the same.
TOPIC: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure ; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question
There are several problems that have dropped up due to deeper penetration of digital technology such as fake news, privacy, online crimes etc. Presently the government is reacting rather than dealing with these issues in a holistic manner. Thus policy reforms and legal reforms required need to be discussed. The EX report provides a good model which can be utilised in other answers as well.
Key demand of the question
Following are the issues that need to be discussed in the question:
- Issues faced on account of problems in regulating online communication
- The present regulatory structure in India
- The reforms suggested by EC
- The reforms which are applicable to India and how will it help in solving the unique problems that India faces
Directive word
Analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – discuss the various high profile cases in India and abroad like Cambridge analytica which has necessitated brainstorming over regulations.
Body
- Mention the issues faced currently such as cyber bullying, defamation, incitement to violence etc (now repealed section 66A), Section 69A of IT Act, poor understanding of the technology etc
- Detail out the present regulatory structure – mention the salient features of IT Act , mention how we try to deal with emergency situations by shutting down internet etc
- List down the reforms suggested by EC which you feel are relevant for India and discuss how it will help improve status quo
Conclusion – Summarise your answer and suggest a way forward – like the reforms required in IT Act and how we need to come out with a policy document etc
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question
Aadhar has a huge role to play in targetted delivery of government subsidies. However, it has also led to various debates including those of privacy and exclusion errors which is being heard in the courts. It is important for us to keep track of the court judgements and orders regarding the use of Aadhar.
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to examine whether making Aadhar compulsory for targetting of service delivery makes sense. The article also highlights that putting restrictions on the use of Aadhar will hamper targetted delivery of subsidies. We have to examine the veracity of this claim by highlighting the various debates surrounding the issue in light of SC judgments.
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 . In this question the topic is making Aadhar compulsory for targetted delivery of government services.Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight the role that government expects Aadhar to play and mention that the usage of Aadhar has come under the courts scanner due to concerns raised by Civil society organisations.
Body
- Mention about Aadhar Act to highlight government’s point of view. Mention the areas where Aadhar has been made mandatory
- Discuss the pros and cons of the above step. Divide your answer into broad heads like constitutionality, privacy, effectiveness etc to examine the hypothesis.
- While explaining the above point, quote liberally from various cases regarding Aadhar which are pending in the court or has been decided by the court.
Conclusion – Summarise the arguments presented and give a way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Why this question
Implementation of gst has thrown up several challenges which has enabled us to refine GST laws. One of the striking feature of the new tax law is the multiple rate structure which was included for the purpose of equity. The experience of multiple rate structure needs to be examined in light of global best practices to understand whether it makes the tax structure flexible or complex.
Key demand of the question
The focus of the question is on analysing the pros and cons of multiple rate structure and whether it simplifies or makes the gst structure more complex. There have been several issues that have cropped up due to this provision such as classification of sanitary napkins etc which has caused controversy. In this light, multiple slab provision has to be examined. The question also asks us to analyze the experience of other countries and institutions to understand what the global best practice is.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of multiple rate structure in gst concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain the multiple rate structure of GST.
Body
- Highlight India’s economic performance since implementation of gst. That will lead to examining the provisions of GST such as multiple rate structure.
- Highlight the impact and benefits that has accrued out of this provision – equity, protecting revenue etc. The benefits should be seen in the context of whether they bring greater flexibility. Here quote from the reports of international institutions.
- Highlight the issues with such a regime. Analyze whether they bring in more complexity.
- Bring out the global experience with multiple rate structure to show that India is acting as a pioneer when it comes to implementing GST
Conclusion – Highlight that still a long way to go in adjusting to this massive reform in the indirect tax regime. Also provide a conclusion to highlight whether it
General Studies – 4
TOPIC : Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in
human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
Key demand of the question
The question wants to know our opinion on,” whether ancient Greeks not only discussed ethics but also incorporated them into their daily life “. we have to justify our opinion.
Directive word
Comment-we have to take a stand and form a personal opinion on the given statement. We have to justify our answer with arguments/ examples/ facts.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– mention the core philosophy of ancient greeks- Aretē, which means an excellence of strength or ability, and is ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one’s full potential.
Body– discuss in points, how Greek philosophers were practically ethical in their life.
E.g Socrates drank poison but did not give up what he felt was the truth, Aristotle’s analyses of the good life in the Nicomachean Ethics and the Eudemian Ethics, in which he focuses on the central topic of good and bad character traits that is virtues and vices, the Greek cynics who live practically the life of a beggar, Socratian frugality, condemnation of sophists, medical ethics- Hippocratic oath etc.
Conclusion- present a fair, concise and unbiased conclusion on the given statement and briefly mention the resemblances with ancient Indian philosophy.
