[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 17 MAY 2018

Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.

How to Follow Secure Initiative?

How to Self-evaluate your answer? 

LIST of TOPICS (Static)

REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018 

Revision Tests

General Studies – 1

TOPIC:  The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors
/contributions from different parts of the country.

1)Congress despite its early hesitation, played a crucial role in shaping the labour movements of the country. Critically analyze.(250 words)

Bipan Chandra – India’s struggle for independence Pg 196

 

Key demand of the question

Following points are to be outlined in the question

• What is the meaning of initial hesitation of Congress
• How Congress helped in forward movement of the labour movement
• The role that other political outfits played in labour movements in pre freedom era
• Your view on the assertion made in the question backed with sound arguments

Directive word

Critically 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. You need to conclude with  a fair judgement, after analyzing the nature of each component part and interrelationship between them.

Structure of the answer

Introduce – Briefly outline the labour movements in india – the beginning of it, the modus operandi, their relationship with national struggle and the overall outcome

Body

• Highlight the initial hesitation of INC – not get associated with any divisive issue of economic nature
• Highlight the later role that Congress played – AITUC, CSP, view of Nehru and his efforts to bring this perspective in mainstream etc
• Highlight the role that left and other political outfits played and the lack of support from Congress ( took action against strikes when in power in provinces)
• Based on the arguments made come to the conclusion – should be on the lines of that labour movement in India despite the favourable conditions could never really grow. Whatever it grew, Congress had a role to play in the ideological development of the movement. Implementation of ideology done mostly by local leaders.

Conclusion – Mention the overall achievement of the labour movement during national movement and how it carried the freedom struggle forward.

 

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

2)Discuss Koppens climate classification scheme and also discuss its limitations.(250 words)

Reference

Why this question

Koppens climate classification scheme is one of the most widely used climate classification schemes. However it has also been criticized on various fronts. The question is indirectly related to GS 1 syllabus under the following heading-

Salient features of world’s physical geography.

Key demand of the question

The question wants us to describe Koppens climate classification scheme, major climate regions and then discuss its limitations.

Directive word

Discuss- we have to write in detail about Koppens climate classification scheme. It is better if we can a diagram of the world climates as per the scheme. We also have to discuss the limitations of the scheme.

Structure of the answer

Introduction- Mention the proponent, year and further developments in Koppens climate classification scheme.

body–

1. Discuss the scheme in detail- make a table of the world climates and draw a rough diagram for illustration purposes.
2. Discuss its limitations. ( e.g estimated rather than measurable variables involved, symbol system difficult to interpret, other factors not taken into account, too simplistic etc)

Conclusion– mention the few advantages/ pros of the Koppens climate classification scheme and mention that despite the above discussed limitations, it is one of the most widely used climate classification schemes, although with modifications.

General Studies – 2

Topic -Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

3)To enable greater efficacy of public policies, it is necessary to ensure meaningful public participation. Discuss.(250 words)

dnaindia

Why this question

A lot of policies have been made public for comments and feedback, however a very limited set of people particularly organised civil society are able to register their feedback and response. Ways to ensure greater public participation needs to be devised so as to enable formulation of better policies.

Key demand of the question

The following points have to be brought out

• The present situation – how public participation is sought to be ensured etc
• the advantages and ways of ensuring greater public participation
• The impracticality and disadvantages of greater public participation in case of public policies
• Instances of public policies which have had a buy in of all stakeholders and the impact that it has created such as RTI
• Way forward

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 the recent policies which have been brought out for public response and relate that to the issue being discussed in the question.

Body

• Bring out the present situation – highlight that formal mechanisms exist but are unutilized or underutilized
• Highlight the advantages of ensuring greater public participation
• Highlight the disadvantages of the same
• Highlight ways in which the situation can be improved
• Highlight case study of RTI where there was a lot of genuine public participation and how the policy has strengthened democracy and the experience should be replicated across

Conclusion – stress on the importance of the issue in ensuring formulation of better policies and the way forward.

General Studies – 3

TOPIC: Effects of liberalization on the economy

4)The provisions of Agreement on Agriculture relating to subsidies are impractical for developing countries particularly India. Examine(250 words)

Financial express

Why this question

United States (US) submitted a document in the World Trading Organization (WTO) questioning the compatibility of India’s agricultural subsidies with the relevant provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA). Hence the provisions need to be examined

Key demand of the question

The question demands answers to the following points:

• The provisions have to be explained
• The pragmatism of these policies, particularly for developing countries needs to be examined
• The stand of developed and developing countries need to be mentioned
• How should India respond is to be brought out

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 the above case, the discussion has to be centred around the points outlined above.

Structure of the answer

Introduction – Stress on explaining that this is an oft repeated controversy, highlight the recent case and outline the debates that it raises

Body

• Explain the provisions and why is there a controversy on this issue
• Explain the perspective (in brief) of developed countries
• While outlining the perspective of developing countries like India – explain how it is impractical for India to limit itself to the 10% limit based on 1986-88 prices due to reasons of food security, livelihood protection etc
• Examine India’s stand on the issue and way forward

Conclusion – Mention the need for modification in the subsidy regime to ensure that there is greater buy in from the developing countries when it comes to WTO policies.

Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

5) Use of antibiotics in poultry poses health risks to all and should be strictly banned. Critically analyse.(250 words)

Indian express

 

Why this question

Poultry production and consumption in India has been growing steadily and most of the domestic production is under intensive system. Poultry industry is heavily dependent on the use of antibiotics, which poses several health concerns. The question is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-

Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

Key demand of the question

The question wants us to highlight the reasons behind antibiotics use in poultry and discuss its adverse effects on the health. We have to form a personal opinion based on that discussion.

Directive word

Critically analyse- we have to see all the aspects of the question- why antibiotics are used in raising poultry and what are its health effects. We have to present our personal opinion on the issue also.

Structure of the answer

Introduction- Present some statistics about use of antibiotics in poultry or mention the growth in production and consumption of poultry meat in India.

Body–

1. discuss the need of using antibiotics in raising poultry. (e.g as growth promoter it improves feed conversion ratio, thereby decreasing costs of production.
2. discuss the health effects. ( e.g increased antibiotic resistance, allergy, environmental pollution and hence risk to non meat eaters also etc.)
3. Discuss the efforts directed to reduce or stop antibiotics use in poultry. Mention national action program on antibiotics etc.

Conclusion- mention the imperative to stop antibiotics use and present a way forward- stricter standards, use of probiotics and prebiotics in place of antibiotics etc.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance

6)What do you understand by emotional intelligence. Discuss the five components of emotional intelligence as given by Holeman.(250 words)

Reference

Reference

Why this question

This question is related to GS 4 syllabus under the following heading-

Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

Key demand of the question

The question simply wants us to define the concept and importance of emotional intelligence. It also wants us to discuss the five components of emotional intelligence as given by Holeman.

Directive word

Discuss- we have to write in detail about the given topic- emotional intelligence and its five components.

Structure of the answer

Introduction- Define emotional intelligence.

Body.

1. Discuss the importance and relevance of emotional intelligence.
2. Discuss the five components of emotional intelligence as given by Holeman.

Take the help of the above attached article and other such articles/ sources to frame your answer.

Conclusion– mention in 1-2 linea how we can improving our emotional intelligence vis a vis public services.