[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 16 JUNE 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
General Studies – 1
Topic: urbanization – their problems and their remedies
Why this question
Recently, we saw AQI of Delhi reach alarming levels. AQI levels of our cities are constantly off the roof, which is now creating various challenges for urban spaces. Clean Air is a basic necessity and has become one of the most elusive resource in our cities. Hence this question.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out why air pollution is a huge challenge for urbanization – bring out the economic impacts, societal impacts, health impacts etc. Examine the causes behind air pollution in cities and measures to address the same.
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 – Highlight some cases of air pollution in urban areas and point towards its severity.
Body
- Discuss impact that air pollution has in urbanization under various heads like economy, society etc
- Provide your view on whether it is one of most difficult challenge for Indian cities – take help of WEF study and others to substantiate your point.
- Analyze the causes behind air pollution and suggest measures to tackle the same
Conclusion – Highlight the importance of dealing with this issue and the way forward.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
significant provisions and basic structure.
2) Preamble is the philosophical key to the Constitution. Examine(250 words)
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to examine the reasons why preamble is considered to be the philosophical key to the constitution and the impact that it has on the interpretation of constitution.
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 – mention that SC has held that preamble is the key to understanding the minds of the constitution makers.
Body – first of all, examine the opinion of SC on the nature of preamble, wherein, earlier preamble was considered not to be a part of the constitution, but thereafter, SC realised that preamble is key to understanding the minds of the constitution makers. Mention that preamble in a succinct manner conveys the aims and objectives of Indian state by emphasizing on qualities like justice, equality etc
Bring out how SC has interpreted several provisions of the constitution in light of the preamble.
Conclusion – Emphasize on the importance of preamble and the importance of upholding the values mentioned therein.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Why this question
Recently India and Pakistan attended the SCO meet for the first time, after their formal accession last year. This event will have significant impact on the peace, development and prosperity of not only the sub-continent, but also the entire Eurasia. The issue is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading-
Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Key demand of the question.
The question simply wants us to write at length about the organizational structure of the SCO, what are its aims and what is its mandate.
Directive word
Discuss- As an all-encompassing directive, the question directs us to write in detail about the key demand of the question- organizational structure and mandate of the organization.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – mention the year of formation and preferably enlist the members of the SCO.
Body- Take the help of the articles attached to the question in order to frame your answer.
- Discuss the organizational structure of SCO. Preferably, draw an illustrative diagram to make a better presentation.
- Discuss the activities/ mandate of SCO.
Conclusion– Form a fair and a balanced opinion on the overall potential of SCO and briefly discuss the scope for India.
General Studies – 3
Topic – Indian Economy – Issues
Why this question
The primary purpose of GST is to create one nation, one tax, one market. All forms of cesses, surcharges etc were supposed to be subsumed under it. In this situation, talks of imposition of sugar cess raises several questions which needs to be examined.
Key demand of the question
The question demands us to bring out the various issues – constitutional, from perspective of separation of power, economic etc associated with imposition of sugar cess. Thereafter, it expects us to provide alternatives to resolving the crisis in the sugar sector.
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 the proposal of introducing sugar cess and mention what cesses are and its status under the GST regime.
Body – Discuss the various issues under heads like constitutional, economic etc. Analyze the case from both for and against perspective. Bring out issues like the basis of cess in GST regime, the authority of GSTN to impose cess etc. Post that, discuss the long term solutions to the crisis in sugar sector.
Conclusion – provide your view and way forward.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why this question
Even though the governments, including the central and the state governments have tried to
increase and improve the public transport system, the efforts have not been successful in weaning people away from private transport and traffic woes continue. The issue is related to GS 3 syllabus under the following heading-
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to dig deep into the emerging shared mobility options and app-based ride providers and analyze the advantages offered by them and problems faced by them.
Directive word
Critically analyze- We have to scrutinize and look into the details of the issue. We have to identify the key aspects of the question, have a discussion on each one of them and form a personal opinion on the issue in the end.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Mention the increase in number of motor vehicles in India from 5.4 million in 1981 to 210 million in 2015. Also mention the emerging shared mobility options and app-based ride providers and give some examples like Zoom car etc.
Body-
- Discuss briefly the meaning of shared mobility.
- Discuss its advantages vis a vis public transport system. E.g. it provides end-to-end mobility, more customized services, complements well with self-driving technology, on-demand availability, the flexibility to choose vehicle type as per need and freedom from parking hassles. It also cuts down costs related to car ownership, such as maintenance, service and insurance etc.
- Discuss the problems faced by such shared mobility services e.g they don’t fall within the ambit of stage carriages or contact carriages, regulatory issues related to pricing etc.
Conclusion- mention how —electrification, shared mobility, connectivity and autonomous driving— will drive the future of mobility and transportation and form a balanced, fair and a concise opinion on the issue.
General Studies – 4
TOPIC: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service.
Why this question
Both aptitude as well as attitude are important as far as civil services are concerned. However,there is a large difference between the two and people have diverging views on which is more important for civil services. The question is related to GS 4 syllabus under the following heading-
Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to discuss in detail about the differences between attitude and aptitude. It then wants us to deliberate upon, which one is more important as far as civil services are concerned.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive. It directs us to write in detail about the difference between the two concepts.
Comment- We have to express our understanding of the issue and then finally present our opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Give a definition of attitude as well as aptitude.
Body-
- Discuss the difference between the two. E.g Attitude is more related to behaviour than aptitude etc. (refer to the book, lexicon for ethics, integrity and aptitude and do a perusal of both the terms and frame your answer accordingly.
- Discuss, which one is more important of the two, vis a vis civil services. You can hold your opinion based on your understanding and convictions. But you have to support your answer with sufficient and proper arguments/ examples.
E.g attitude is more important than attitude because aptitude can be increased/ improved much easily than aptitude, attitude guides our behaviour in difficult circumstances etc. Take the help of the articles attached with the question to frame your answer.
Conclusion– Based on the above discussion, form a fair and a balanced opinion on the issue.
