[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 14 JUNE 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 1
Topic: World History
Key demand of the question
The question focuses on the objectives of establishment of Arab League and the role they played in safeguarding and promoting the interests of Arab Nations.
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 – Explain what is Arab League, when was it formed etc
Body – Discuss the broad objectives of formation of Arab League such as strengthen ties between member states and safeguard their independence and sovereignty; and a general concern with the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.
Thereafter, analyze how Arab League has worked to safeguard and promote the interests of Arab nations such as it’s role in Israel Palestine conflict, Arab unity etc.
Discuss the impact that the working of the league has had on the polity, economy etc of Arab nations
Conclusion – Give an overview of the role of Arab League, how it can be better leveraged to deal with the issues in Gulf countries.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question
Oceans and seas, are facing many challenges- acidification, marine pollution, overexploitation of fish stock etc. In this direction, recently, G7 countries, agreed to the Charlevoix Blueprint For Healthy Oceans, Seas And Resilient Coastal Communities. The question is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
And also to the GS 2 syllabus under the following heading-
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Key demand of the question.
The question simply wants us to mention and describe the aims/ commitments and also discuss how the blueprint wants to achieve those aims- what is the strategy envisaged.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question- aims and the strategy envisaged by the Charlevoix Blueprint For Healthy Oceans, Seas And Resilient Coastal Communities.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that recently G7 countries agreed to the Charlevoix Blueprint For Healthy Oceans, Seas And Resilient Coastal Communities.
Body-
- Discuss in points the aims/ targets/ commitments of the Charlevoix Blueprint.
- E.g pursuing global efforts towards a sustainable and climate-resilient future, in particular reducing emissions while stimulating innovation and economic growth, enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to the impacts of climate change while ensuring a just transition to the broad participation of women and girls, both at home and in our commitment to support developing countries.
- Discuss the strategy envisaged by the Blueprint.
E.g Support better adaptation planning, emergency preparedness and recovery; Support innovative financing for coastal resilience; Increase the availability and sharing of science and data; Address IUU fishing and other drivers of overexploitation of fish stocks etc.
Conclusion – Form a fair, balanced and a concise opinion on the above issue and suggest a way forward- e.g need of all the developed and developing countries together to address the issue holistically.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question
India has huge infrastructure needs. Approximately 200 billion rupees are required to be invested in infrastructure every year. However, raising investment is not an easy task and government has tried to rope in private investment for this purpose. The issue is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write at length about the key demand of the question- importance of private sector participation in resource mobilization for India’s infrastructure needs and measures undertaken by the government to attract private investment.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention the corpus of investment required and investment raised, vis a vi’s infrastructure needs of the country.
Body–
- Discuss why private sector participation is needed in resource mobilization for infrastructure needs. E.g government revenue is limited, private investment spurs growth and brings technology and innovation ( in ideal situation) etc.
- Discuss the steps taken by the government to increase private sector participation in resource mobilization for the country’s infrastructure needs. E.g BAMII, NIIF, Credit Enhancement Fund for raising bond ratings issued by infra companies, the New Credit Rating scale for infrastructure projects, InvITS, BOT etc.
Conclusion- Form a balanced and concise conclusion based on your discussion and suggest a way forward.
Topic – Indian Economy – Issues
Why this question
Now that the idea of privatization of Air India has come a cropper, the focus has shifted to alternate solutions which will address the troubles plaguing the airlines. In this backdrop, the suggestion by NITI Ayog has to be analyzed in depth.
Key demand of the question
The question first focuses on the theory of various levels of shareholding such as 25%, 51% etc and the impact it has on shareholders rights. Thereafter, the suggestion that public listing of AI will address its issues needs to be analyzed in depth. The pros and cons of the move has to be brought out along with the way forward.
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 .
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. When you are asked to analyze, you have to examine each part of the problem. It is a broader term than ‘Examine’.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that the recent attempt at privatization of AI saw no interested parties coming forward and thus, alternatives are being looked into.
Body – First bring out the various levels of shareholding under Companies Act and the impact it will have on shareholder’s rights.
Thereafter, explain the suggestion by NITI Ayog regarding public listing of AI. Highlight in brief the woes of AI that needs course correction. Analyze whether listing of AI which will grant autonomy to the board will help in improving the Balance Sheet of AI. Bring out the pros and cons
Conclusion – Present a fair and balanced view and the way forward.
Topic– Indian economy – issues
Why this question
The maintenance of Fiscal discipline by the states is critical for stability of the economy. Economic survey last year had discussed this issue in depth. The tools at our disposal towards this end needs to be understood and analyzed.
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to first explain the key challenges which impact the ability of the state government to maintain their fiscal discipline. Next, we have to discuss in detail the provisions of the FRBM Act which tries to bring in fiscal discipline among the states and the effectiveness of those provisions. Finally, if any alternative is available which will help us achieve this end in a better way, is to be brought out.
Directive word
Discuss – The various issues faced by the states in maintaining fiscal discipline needs to be brought out.
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 – Briefly explain why maintaining fiscal discipline by the states is necessary.
Body -Bring out the position with respect to Fiscal Deficit of the various states and whether or not states are maintaining fiscal discipline. Discuss the challenges in maintaining fiscal discipline by the states. The provisions of the FRBM Act such as checks on fiscal deficit of the states, their ability to borrow etc. Examine whether these provisions have worked. Finally, suggest some alternative – such as utilizing market forces to push states towards fiscal discipline by linking their ability to mobilize resources from the market by linking it to adherence to fiscal standards.
Conclusion – Present your view and the way forward.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why this question
Plastics have become ubiquitous not only in their usage but unfortunately due to their indiscriminate usage, in the environment as well. They pose significant health and environmental problems which demands reduction in the usage and ultimately phasing out plastics. In case of India, although we have Plastic Waste Management Rules in place, the usage of plastic has not come down and their recycle and reuse has not increased upto the expected levels. The issue is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring out the need (and key principles governing such approach) to reduce and ultimately phase out the use of plastics in India. We also have to shed light on why the Plastic Waste Management Rules already in place have not been able to address the issue.
Directive word
Critically Comment- We have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and based upon our discussion we have to form a personal opinion on the overall issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that India generates an estimated 16 lakh tonnes of plastic waste annually. Also mention that this plastics poses several environmental and health concerns for all the living species on earth.
Body–
- Mention the key provisions of Plastic Waste Management Rules.
- Discuss in points the key provisions of the Plastic Waste Management Rules. E.g only multilayered plastics (MLP) allowed ( which was however amended by the recent amendment to the rules and now the use is restricted to those plastics which have an alternate use and are energy recoverable); Burning of MLPs ( energy conversion or alternate use) even though scientific procedures is not advisable as it omits harmful toxins, that affects environment and public health;
- Discuss in points why these rules have not been effective in achieving the desired goals. E.g lack of awareness, slack implementation, lack of support from civil society and people in general, lack of access to alternatives of plastic etc.
- Discuss how the issue should be handled. E.g decrease use and then phase out, involve the people and the civil society in the awareness and behavioural change process, more research on the quantity of plastics produced in the country, their effects on environment, plant and animal life and on the environment, strict enforcement of the rules etc
Conclusion– form a fair, balanced and a concise opinion on the overall issue. Mention the ocean charter recently agreed to by G7 minus 2.
General Studies – 4
TOPIC: case studies
School was coming to an end for the year and Dibyalok needed to get a good job this summer, after all this was the end of his junior year. He desperately wanted to work at the famous Research Institute. Dibyalok felt that if he got a job there as a summer intern, it would really boost his chances of getting admitted to the graduate engineering program of his choice. He knew the institute hired very few summer interns and generally these were students from private schools who had excellent academic records and high standardized test scores. So, Dibyalok decided to “tweak” his resume. He rounded his GPA up from 3.0 to a more respectable 3.5 and listed his SAT scores as 700 verbal and 820 math (in reality they were 600 verbal and 720 math). Dibyalok reasoned that these changes really didn’t matter because he would show them who he really was through the quality of the work he did for the Institute once he was hired…
Discuss the various ethical issues raised by the action of Manish.
(250 words)
Why this question
The question is related to GS 4 syllabus ( case studies part).
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to write in detail about the various ethical issues involved in the above case study.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to be exhaustive in our approach and write in detail about various ethical issues involved in the above case study.
Structure of the answer ( Approach)
Refer to the article attached with the question in order to get an idea about the ethical questions raised under the given situation. However, you should not restrict yourself to the issues raised in the article only. You should think harder and add a few more issues, in order to increase your analytical skills.
Frame your answer in points and discuss each issue separately.
Conclusion– You can add your viewpoint on what Dibyalok should do in this situation.
