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[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 16 MAY 2018
[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 16 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.
1) It is argued, credibly, that Gandhi “feminized” nationalist politics. Evaluate. (250 words)
The Indian Women’s Movement in Historical Perspective – unpan1.un.org, 24.07.2012
PDFunpan1.un.org › apcity › unpan051009 (Pg 18)
Key demand of the question
The question makes an assertion that Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in feminizing the national politics during our freedom struggle. Thus we need to examine whether or not this statement is true by analysing the modes of protest that Gandhi incorporated, the role that women played in Gandhian Satyagraha, the gender perspective of several demands of INC etc. Ultimately, we have to comment on the veracity of the statement.
Directive word
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidences. You have to appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming a personal opinion here.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that freedom struggle was a time when great many experiments were taking place in the domain of civil and gender rights.
Body
- Mention that Gandhi was deeply inspired by tolstoy farm which talked about equal treatment of men and women
- Mention how Gandhian strategies allowed more women to come to the political centre stage
- Mention the active role that women played in national movement post Gandhi’s arrival
- Also mention that women did play a role earlier as well ( rani laxmi bai etc) but the numbers increased manifold during Gandhian struggle
- Mention the civil rights demands of INC and how Gandhian philosophy had a role to play in it
Conclusion – Mention your own view on the veracity of the assertion made in the question.
General Studies – 2
Topic -Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Why this question
Although an old yet an important issue, Citizenship amendment (CA) bill raises several important concerns. Recently a Joint Parliamentary committee visited Assam to review the work done. The issue is related to GS 2 syllabus under the following heading-
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.
Key demand of the question
The question simply wants us to discuss the key issues involved in CA bill and analyse how it will widen the old fault lines in Assam.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about all the important issues involved in the CA bill and relate them with the old fault lines in Assam.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- Briefly discuss the aim and context (illegal migration, internal security etc) of the CA bill, 2016.
Body-
- discuss the key issues involved. ( e.g violation of article 14 i.e right to equality, wide grounds for cancellation of OCI etc.)
- Mention the fault lines (Hindu-Muslim, Barak valley Bengalis vs insiders) in Assam and explain how they will be widened by the CA bill, 2016.
Conclusion– present a fair and balanced opinion on the CA bill, 2016 and suggest a way forward.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question
Culling of the Iran deal from USA’s side puts India in a tough spot again. The nuclear deal and the impact that USA’s withdrawal will have to India needs to be analyzed in greater detail.
Key demand of the question
Following points need to be brought out in your answer
- What is the JCPOA deal
- Why is it in news currently
- What are the challenges that withdrawal from JCPOA pose for india
- How should India deal with those challenges
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 – Mention what is JCPOA and why is it news currently
Body
- Discuss the challenges that USA’s withdrawal from the deal would have on India Iran relations, India USA relations, energy security, regional connectivity etc
- Discuss how should India deal with these challenges
Conclusion – mention the need for maintaining a policy of principled equidistance and the need for securing national interest. In that respect, Iran’s importance in Indian strategic and geopolitical objectives can not be overstated.
Topic – Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
Why this question
The fractured mandate post Karnataka elections will reignite the debate over post poll alliances and hence needs to be discussed.
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to analyze the pros and cons of post poll alliances – the constitutional, legal, by convention perspective along with role of governors etc needs to be analyzed in this question.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight why this topic is in news. Mention some past incidents which has already caused controversy.
Body – Discuss the pros and cons of post poll alliances in democracy by bringing out the diverse perspective on the necessity ( or not) of post poll alliances.
Conclusion – present a balanced view and way forward.
General Studies – 3
TOPIC:Linkages between development and spread of extremism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
why this question
Militant recruitment and terrorist attacks in J & K have increased in recent years and so have the incidents like stone pelting, student protests etc. The local representatives have called for a ceasefire in the wake of the Ramadan, but there are several issues involved. The question is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Linkages between development and spread of extremism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to deliberate upon the present situation in J&K and analyse why it will be difficult or even a wrong to secure a ceasefire ( unilateral or bilateral).
Directive word
Examine- we have to bring out all the necessary facts/ arguments to see why securing a ceasefire agreement in J&K would be dangerous and difficult.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Mention the present proposal of the political parties in J&K to secure a ceasefire and the previous time when such an agreement could be secured ( under AB Vajpayee).
Body–
- Discuss the dangers involved in securing such agreement. ( e.g increase in attacks on, and casualty of security forces, decrease in morale of security forces etc).
- Discuss in points why it would be difficult to achieve. ( e.g To BJP, talks are not acceptable with separatists, separatist camp dominated by hardliners, absence of parallel talks with Pakistan etc).
Conclusion– Summarize your discussion in a concise manner and suggest some measures to ameliorate the situation ( e.g peace building measures like relaxation in AFSPA, release of first time offenders etc.).
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why this question
The discussion on global conservation accord for the oceans brings into focus the blue economy strategy of various countries. India has off late taken a lead in creating awareness and implementing blue economy strategies for itself and indian ocean littoral countries. Thus the balance between usage of ocean resources and sustainable management of oceans has to be found.
Key demand of the question
The following points are to brought out in your answer
- The immense potential of ocean resources
- The need to maintain a balance and what is understood by balance
- What is blue economy and how the creation of Marine protected areas is linked to blue economy
- Examine whether for a country like india, having several pressing developmental needs, creation of protected areas will lead to issues in growth. How to reconcile the two
- Strategy that should be followed
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 . Here discuss the issues as discussed above.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight the growing emphasis on Blue economy, explain blue economy in brief.
Body
- Highlight the immense potential of ocean resources, which enhances the risk of over exploitation and hence the need for maintaining a delicate balance. Talk about the problems faced on account of ocean pollution.
- Discuss the global accord on ocean conservation and the debates that it raises for countries like india
- Probe deeper into india’s blue economy strategy and discuss the pros and cons of creating MPAs. In cons, one can discuss cases like the opposition to Meenakumari committee on deep sea fishing which advocated creation of protected areas to boost fish population.
- Discuss what should be a balanced strategy for india
Conclusion – provide your view and way forward on MPAs
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7) Discuss the contribution of Immanuel Kant to the field of moral philosophy.(250 words)
Why this question
The question is related to GS 4 syllabus under the following heading-
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to write in detail about the contribution of Immanuel Kant to the field of moral philosophy.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write at length about the contribution of Immanuel Kant- his books, works, thoughts, quotation etc.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Mention Kant’s role to effect Copernican revolution in philosophy and his overall status as a philosopher.
Body– Discuss in points, about the contribution of Immanuel Kant to the field of moral philosophy. Mention the important works of Immanuel Kant and discuss their moral philosophy. Take help of the article attached with this question to frame the answer.
e.g Critique of Practical Reason, Critique of Judgement, Metaphysics of Morals etc.
Conclusion– Bring Out the relevance and overall importance of Kant’s works and mention some of his favourite quotation on morals and ethics.