[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 31 MAY 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.
Why this question
The recent changes brought about in NCERT textbooks have put greater emphasis on enhancing our knowledge and understanding of the science and philosophies of ancient India. Ancient Indian science and philosophy was very rich and Weber had said that we would be ignoring Indian school of thought reflects the paucity of the west (albeit in context of political philosophy). In this context, discussion on the contribution made by ancient Indian knowledge and whether or not the move to change syllabus of NCERT books is required.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to initially bring out the major contributions of the philosophy and science of ancient India. We are also expected to discuss whether the textbook changes are justified. For this, we have to first mention the changes and thereafter analyze the causes and the impact behind such changes and whether it is justified.
Directive word
Discuss – Highlight the achievements of the science and philosophies of ancient India.
Critically analyze – Thereafter discuss the changes made, examine the causes behind making those changes, examine whether the changes are required at those levels, whether it is part of propaganda or would enable students to be more appreciative of our ancient history. At the end, it own view on the changes have to be provided
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight the reason behind this question. NCERT changes as well as frequent reference to our glorious past, need to learn ehat actually are their achievements.
Body
- Highlight the advancement made in the field of medical science, astronomy, Mathematics, metaphysical aspects etc
- In the next part of our answer compare and contrast the above point with the changes made in NCERT textbooks
- Analyze the benefits that reading about the achievements would have for the students.
- Present your view on the changes made
Examine – Summarize the latter part of the argument and present your view on NCERT textbook revision.
Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial
revolution, world wars.
Key demand of the question
The question makes two basic assertions which have to be analyzed. That Napolean was the child of the revolution meaning that his rise can be attributed to French revolution and that he disregarded the aims and principles of the French revolution. These have to be critically analyzed ie the veracity of these assertions have to be established or unfounded.
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
Introduction – Highlight the overall significance of Napolean in the history of Europe in general and France in particular.
Body – For the first part of your answer, highlight the political instability in France at the time of the revolution as a result of the French Revolution. This provided an opportunity to Napolean to take charge and declare himself to be the emperor of France. This is how he came to power and could be described as the child of the revolution.
Thereafter, examine the principles of French revolution contained in the constitution of 1789 and how Napolean changed these principles thereafter in his constitution. Examine the changes related to economy, polity, society etc that Napolean made which reversed the progress of French revolution. As an opposite view, one can also write how Napolean helped spread the ideal of French revolution through his wars in Europe which was ultimately corrected through the Vienna Congress.
Conclusion – present your view by summarising your arguments and discuss the overall contribution of Napolean.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
3) What do you understand by cryosphere. Discuss how it affects the earth’s climate.(250 words)
Why this question
Cryosphere is a large and important component of our earth, which has a profound impact and in turn is hugely impacted by the climate and climate change. The question is related to GS1 syllabus under the following heading-
Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to describe the term cryosphere and then discuss how it affects our climate.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the meaning of the term as well as how it is related to our climate and how they influence each other.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Give a brief definition of the term, Cryosphere.
Body–
- Describe the term further and mention that it is intricately linked to the global climate.
- Discuss in points how the cryosphere affects the climate of the world.
e.g Albedo- cooling of earth, feedback loop- results when ice melts and then this decreases albedo and more ice-melt occurs, storage of carbon in the polar ice etc.
Conclusion- Give a fair and balanced opinion on the importance of cryosphere and mention the efforts of MOES in this direction.
General Studies – 2
Topic:Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question
The draft National Policy on Official Statistics is much required due to the declining truth in the numbers in a post truth world. We need to analyze the provisions of the draft policy to understand it’s hits and misses.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to incorporate the following points in our answer
- Provisions of the policy – issues faced in data collection correctly
- It’s hits and misses – how it addresses the challenges
- The impact this will have
- Any changes required
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 the fact that in a post truth world, ensuring that the numbers are beyond doubt is important and thus this policy becomes important too
Body
- Highlight the issues that the present data collection processes face – lack of interdisciplinary approach, questions not framed properly etc
- Highlight the provisions of the policy and how it addresses these issues
- Highlight those areas where the policies fall short
- Discuss the impact that this policy is likely to have
Conclusion – Your view on the policy along with changes required.
General Studies – 3
Topic -Environmental degradation and conservation
Why this question
The recent water crisis in Shimla poses several questions related to water management in the country. At a time when several reports have been highlighting the acute paucity of water facing India, it is regrettable that we haven’t moved fast enough in addressing this challenge. Hence this question.
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to incorporate the following points in your answer
- Describe the situation in Shimla
- Examine the problem facing India in general related to water availability and use
- Reports of various organisations which have harped on the need for effective water management in the country
- What are the water related issues we should be wary of
- Solutions to these issues in brief and the role of transitional water harvesting structures in detail
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 .
Discuss – Detail out the benefits of traditional water harvesting structures.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – take the example of what is happening in Shimla and discuss the issues that it raises.
Body
- Examine the issues plaguing Shimla – reasons behind non availability of water
- Examine the challenges that it poses for water management in India – highlight other examples to prove that it is an all India problem
- Take help of reports like NASA’s, UN world water development report 2018 etc to prove that the challenge ahead is arduous
- Discuss solutions to these issues in brief
- Discuss in detail the role that traditional water harvesting system in India would play in averting some water related woes
Conclusion – Highlight the necessity to start acting immediately and the way ahead.
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. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
6) Human Behaviour Flows From three Sources: Desire, Emotion, And Knowledge. Comment.(250 words)
Why this question
The question is related to GS 4 syllabus under the following heading-
Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. 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 deliberate on the determinants of behaviour of a person and specifically analyse the role and importance of Desire, emotion and knowledge on the behaviour of a person.
Directive word
Comment- We have to form our opinion on the issue and based on our opinion we have to provide necessary arguments/ facts etc in order to bring out the role of the three- desire, emotion and knowledge.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Briefly discuss the human behaviour and mention some of the factors which determine our behaviour.
Body- Discuss in points and individually how Desire, Emotion and knowledge affects our behaviour.
Take the help of the articles attached with the question and also use other material to frame your answer. Also try to bring out a natural order of which factor is the most potent determinant of a man’s behaviour.
Conclusion- Form a fair, balanced and a concise opinion on the issue and mention a few points about how to bring desired change in the behaviour of a person.
