[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 08 MAY 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.
Bipan Chandra – India’s struggle for independence pg 459
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to answer how individual Satyagraha helped take the national movement forward. The second part demands us to answer the reason why the movement was suspended.
Directive word
Discuss – The focus should be on detailing the significance of individual Satyagraha for our freedom movement. One can also bring out the limitations of the movement and how the movement failed to achieve anything tangible.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – explain briefly about individual Satyagraha
Body
- Discuss the background in which the decision was taken to launch individual Satyagraha
- Discuss how it took the national movement forward – channelize the masses political energy, highlight their grievances in front of the British etc ; the leadership question got resolved etc
- Discuss the limitations of the movement
- Examine the reason why CWC decided to end the movement – questions over the safety and defence of India etc
Conclusion – summarise the significance of individual Satyagraha.
General Studies – 2
Topic –India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Why this question
The centre had set up a committee to prepare a report on the issue of inter-country parental child abduction. In its report, it has questioned one of the basic principles of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. The issue is related to GS-1 syllabus under the following heading-
India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring out the reasons why India should and should not sign the Hague Convention and support our answer with necessary justifications.
Directive word
Examine- We have to to dig deep into the question and find out the implications of not signing the Hague Convention. We have to justify it with proper arguments/ facts/ examples.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- Give a brief introduction of Hague Convention, its year of coming into force, vision etc.
Body-
Take a stand on the above issue- why India should not formally accede to Hague Convention in its present form. Briefly discuss the reasons/ arguments in points.
E.g mention statistics about Indian diaspora- intercountry marriages, data about cases of parental abduction- who is generally the victim, judicial remedies available and how they affect the rights of the women (mother), misuse of the law by the husbands in alimony cases etc.
Conclusion- mention the Japan experiment and mention the need for a similar law in India.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question
Creation of jobs is one of the most critical step required for India in light of its demographic situation. The lack of growth in manufacturing sector raises many issues for Indian economy. The focus of the government on programmes like make in India and skill India makes it imperative for us to analyze why despite sustained efforts, commensurate benefits are not being reaped.
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to examine the issues created by premature deindustrialization in India, whereas also stating that decline of manufacturing jobs is not necessarily a matter of concern. Following points are to brought out in the answer
- Status quo – lack of productive jobs
- Why the lack of productive jobs is a problem
- Also need to examine how non creation of jobs in manufacturing sector is not that big an issue
- The new challenges that employment situation in India poses to us
- Ways to deal with the challenge
Directive word
Critically 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Discuss in brief about premature deindustrialization and the problem of employment in India, particularly acute due to lack of new jobs creation.
Body
- Present the status quo of employment in the country – sectoral division, nature of jobs etc
- Examine the issues raised by premature deindustrialization in the country
- Examine in light of WEO and IMF report, whether the assertion made makes sense for India. Whether transitioning to service sector jobs directly is sustainable.
- Discuss the concerns that we have to be mindful of in light of lack of manufacturing jobs – productivity of jobs, social security etc
- Discuss the steps by government to deal with unemployment and ensuring the health of our economy – make in India , Skill India and what more can be done to boost employment
Conclusion – mention your view on whether manufacturing jobs is critical or not in Indian context.
Topic: Investment models. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievement of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question
Raising financial capital is a critical step in operationalization and success of any startup. Indian startups have been facing problems in raising capital and dearth of hybrid securities catering to the needs of the investors and entrepreneurs alike is one of the main reasons behind that. In this regard,the GoI has decided to introduce more sorts of hybrid securities in Indian financial market. The question is related to GS-3 syllabus under the following heading-
Investment models. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievement of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to describe the meaning of hybrid securities, their purpose and need in the context of Indian financial market.
Directive word
What- we have to provide a brief and complete-in-meaning description of hybrid securities.
Discuss- We have to write in detail about the need to have more kinds of hybrid securities in Indian financial market.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- define hybrid securities/ instruments, along with examples of a few hybrid securities e.g convertible bonds, preferred stocks etc.
Body- Discuss in points about the need for providing flexibility in terms of ownership and holding and how customized financial instruments will help in that regard, so that foreign and domestic investment is spurred. E.g need for attracting foreign investment, providing entrepreneurs with necessary capital, existence and exploitation of different hybrid instruments in countries like China, US etc, innovation in finance is required to cater to industry’s needs and to create meaningful employment etc.
Conclusion– mention that as per existing regulations, only equity based instruments, that is, instruments vesting ownership rights on the holder are allowed under FDI, which needs to be changed and new types of hybrid securities introduced.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster and disaster management.
Why this question
India generates a huge amount of biomass annually, especially from the agricultural sector. Burning of this biomass creates air pollution problem in the northern states of India, where the practice is more prevalent. Recently, a task force on biomass management submitted its report. The task force has suggested a two-pronged approach to tackle the issue: a) ploughing the residue back into the field and; b) extraction and usage for other purposes. 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 the need for and course of action for imparting behavioural change in farmer’s community, for better use and management of farm waste.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to dig deep into the given issue and write in length about the reasons for the particular behaviour, why there is need for behavioural change and how to impart it.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention India’s plan to achieve 10GW capacity of energy generation from biomass and current installed capacity of around 5 GW.
Body-
- Discuss the reasons for burning of farm waste by farmers- e.g lack of knowledge about alternate use, very less time for farm preparation, unorganized nature of biomass market, which is characterized by lack of mechanization in agriculture sector, fragmented land holdings, and vast number of small or marginal farmers etc.
- Briefly discuss some of the ex-situ and in-situ methods of farm waste utilization. E.g prali char, compositing, Bio-Power, Bio-CNG, Pelletisation Plant, Briquetting Plant, Pyrolysis (biochar), biogas Plant etc.
- Mention and briefly discuss in points, about the strategies suggested by the task force of NITI Aayog- e.g subsidies on various technologies, regulatory support to businesses, creating awareness by field visits and by using ICT tools, reward scheme for individual farmers and for panchayats, creating efficient monitoring mechanisms etc.
Conclusion- bring out a fair, concise balanced conclusion out of the above discussion.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why this question
Groundwater is a critical resource whose sound management is absolutely necessary. Various reports have pointed out the alarming drop in groundwater levels across the country. The issue compels us to examine the root cause behind this shortage and suggest steps to deal with the issue
Key demand of the question
Following points are to be highlighted in the answer
- Paint the picture of acute shortage of groundwater in the country
- Probe deeper into the various factors that have led to this crisis
- Ways to deal with the crisis
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 – highlight studies that point towards the rapidly declining groundwater level in the country which forces us to examine this issue in greater detail.
Body
- The problem of groundwater shortage in India is to be highlighted. Take cues from the down to earth article
- Examine the reasons behind groundwater shortage under various heads – policy lacunae, overexploitation, lack of legal provisions, indiscriminate pollution etc
- Suggest ways to deal with the crisis. Quote from research articles, policy strengthening, legal provisions like groundwater management bill etc
Conclusion – Re-emphasize on the importance of groundwater as a natural resource and the necessity to manage it well for our own good – keeping into account the growing water crisis.
General Studies – 4
TOPIC : Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Why this question
The first part of the question is a direct excerpt from the mains syllabus while the second part is its extension to conflict between diversity of tastes vs family values. the issue is related to GS-4 syllabus under the following heading-
Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring out the role of family in inculcating values in a person and then form a personal opinion on the dilemma of the society to preserve family values in the face of diverse tastes.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the role of a family in inculcating values in a child.
Comment- we have to present the the present structure and nature of a modern society and how it influences a family’s capacity of inculcation and transmission of values.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- give a brief definition of values and family.
Body-
- Discuss in points the role of family in inculcating values in a child.
E.g discuss individual values of truthfulness, sense of responsibility, happiness, peace, etc are inculcated without any conscious effort.
- present the current scenario of nuclear families, single parents and how it affects the transmission and inculcation of values.
E.g stress on materialism/ consumption, high competition, presence of superstructures like globalization, nations, social media etc.
Conclusion– Based on the above discussion, form a fair, balanced and concise opinion on the second part of the question.
