[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 07 JUNE 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.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Why this question
The question is related to the gS 1 syllabus under the following heading-
The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to trace the evolution of India and Pakistan as a nation. Based on our personal opinion on whether the supremacy of civilian institutions in India and their decimation in Pakistan was the difference in the nature of the Congress and the Muslim League, we have to give reasons in support of our opinion.
Directive word
Comment- we have to brainstorm on the given issue, form an opinion on whether civil institutions in India are supreme and their counterparts in Pakistan have not been/ are not so. Based on our opinion we have to present arguments/ reasons/ facts/examples in its support. (Here we agree with the question).
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention how India and Pakistan were created in 1947 out of a single geopolitical and cultural unit, and both countries share a common history, culture etc.
Body–
- Discuss in points, reasons behind the deterioration of civilian institutions in Pakistan. E.g Muslim League was born out of the ideology of exclusivity which further translated into Pakistan political history, Muslim League had no roots in Pakistan which made abrogation of power by the bureaucratic-military Nexus easier, use of proxy Wars as a state instrument by Pakistan which further divided the society etc.
- Discuss in points, how India was able to maintain the supremacy of its civil institutions. e.g Nehru’s convictions- “civil authority is and must remain supreme”; efforts of the Congress and Congress leaders like Sardar Patel to integrate the country etc.
Conclusion- form a fair, concise and a balanced opinion on the given issue or you can also highlight the importance of supremacy of Civil institutions for the well being of a country.
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.
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Why this question
India is home to the world’s largest population of undernourished children. Under such circumstances, the government’s decision to bring an annual State of Nutrition report is a welcome step. However, such report would not give a complete picture of the nutrition problems faced by India. The issues related to GS 3 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.
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to discuss the advantages of/ need for a regular state of Nutrition report in the context of India. It also wants us to bring forth the limitations/ inadequacies in the above step of releasing an annual report on the state of Nutrition. We have to form our personal opinion on the overall issue.
Directive word
Critically analyse- the question directs us to identify the key aspects/ demands of the question, discuss them individually while forming a coherent connection/ flow between the two. Based on our discussion we have to form our personal opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– mention that India’s decision to release annual reports on the state of Nutrition is a welcome step.
Body–
- Discuss in points, India’s undernutrition problem in order bring out the need for an annual report on the state of Nutrition. Mention the values (as derived from surveys) of key parameters like stunting, wasting, anaemic women etc.
- Discuss, how any state of Nutrition report which does not capture overnutrition is incomplete. Mention the number/ percentage of obese people in India, less lean meat and more body fat among the Indians which predisposes them to obesity, Indian dietary habits, increased consumption of junk food etc.
Conclusion- conclude your answer with your opinion in the form of a way forward- e.g promote crop diversity (to enable dietary diversity) as well as regulatory and fiscal measures (to decrease the availability, affordability and promotion of unhealthy foods, while making healthy foods more accessible).
TOPIC: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or
affecting India’s interests
Key demand of the question
The question is quite straightforward in the demands. We need to bring out the features, achievements and the shortcomings of the league of nations. Whether it’s shortcomings led to WW2 is a questions that needs deeper examination.
Directive word
Discuss – The main reasons for failure has to be brought out. We also need to present our view on how significant these failures were in leading to WW2.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that In his “14 point program for world peace”, US President Woodrow Wilson, emphasized the need of a global body to provide a forum for resolving international disputes and precluding another world war.
Body
- Highlight the mechanism of LoN to settle disputes
- Discuss the achievements of LoN
- Examine the reasons for failure and how critical were they in leading to WW2
Conclusion – Mention that albeit, LoP had certain credit to its name, but due to such inherent weaknesses, inability to enforce the territorial-rights and the unstable economic-political situation of the world, League of Nations failed to fulfil its objective of maintaining the world order.
General Studies – 3
Topic – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why this question
NITI Ayog has just come up with the national strategy for artificial intelligence in which 5 sectors have been picked up for focussed monitoring. How AI will help in these 5 sectors and the challenges in making use of AI widespread are issues to be studied.
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to identify the 5 sectors, understand the scope of AI’s application in these sectors and the challenges in widespread use of AI.
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 – Discuss the challenges in realising the vision from AI in a holistic manner.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – highlight that the government has become conscious in usage of AI and mention details about NITI Ayog’s national strategy for artificial intelligence.
Body
- Mention the 5 sectors and how AI can prove beneficial in these sectors, which will help in improving the standard of living of the people.
- Discuss the challenges like lack of original research, shortage of skilled manpower etc
- Provide a way forward
Conclusion – bring out the advantages that might accrue as a result of this discussion paper by NITI Ayog.
Topic – Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their
effects on industrial growth.
Why this question
Each year, the woes of sugarcane farmers and the inability of mill owners to pay their arrears comes to light. Recently CCEA has approved a slew of measures to deal with this. Understanding what the challenge is and the ways in which government is attempting to resolve it, along with its effectiveness is important.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the reasons behind the recurrent woes in sugar industry. The problem is to be analyzed from various perspective like economic, geographical, environmental, global demand supply etc . Thereafter the steps taken by the government to deal with the current crisis needs to be mentioned. Whether or not this is sufficient, whether we have implemented Rangarajan committee recommendations properly etc are issues that needs to be analyzed.
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 that the problem in sugar industry repeats every year and needs closer examination.
Body
- Discuss the issues and also mention why these issues are so knotty. Over procurement leading to falling prices, but necessary to ensure farmers welfare, issue of MSP etc
- Discuss the steps taken by the government. Examine whether they are sufficient by understanding whether they address the core problems.
- Examine whether the gaps identified by previous committees have been plugged.
Conclusion – Present your view on the status of sugar industry and present a way forward.
Topic: Conservation
Why this question
Water is a critical resource whose shortage is impacting common man to farmers to industries. As water woes increase, new ways and global cooperation to ensure its sound management is bring focussed upon. The above Yojana , approved by WB seeks to address groundwater issues through community based management. Understanding what it is and how can it help in improving groundwater management is critical.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to highlight the status quo of groundwater in the country, the details of Atal Bhujal Yojana and how community based management can help in addressing this crisis.
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 – Establish that groundwater shortage is a key problem , highlight the finding of some key report to emphasize on the point and the necessity of innovative interventions.
Body
- Discuss the status quo of groundwater reserves in the country along with the issues that ails them.
- Bring out the major aims and mechanism of Atal Bhujal Yojana . Point out the focus on community based water management.
- Discuss what community based management of water reserves is and how it will help in addressing the issues. Discuss case studies from TN, AP, Gujarat where such measures have been a success. Also highlight the limitations.
Conclusion – emphasize on the criticality of water resulted issues and the need for urgent intervention.
General Studies – 4
Topic:Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions. Ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
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.
Ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to express our understanding of the concept of cultural moral relativism and bring forth its importance understanding the ethical theory and moral philosophy with respect to the contemporary society.
Directive word
Comment- we have to we have to form our personal opinion based on our understanding of the key aspects and key demand of the question. Where we have to explain the meaning of the term cultural moral relativism and discuss its importance in contemporary society.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– briefly define the meaning of the terms moral relativism and cultural relativism.
Body–
- State, whether moral and cultural relativism is irrelevant for ethical theory and moral philosophy of contemporary society.
- Give reasons in support of your answer. Take the help of the article attached to the question and other sources to frame your answer.
Conclusion- based on your opinion, form a fair, balanced and a concise opinion on the given issue.
