[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 25 JUNE 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 1
Topic – Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India
Why this question
With the deadline for final draft of the Supreme Court-monitored National Register of Citizens (NRC) nears, it is prudent to understand the issue of migration in Assam and how far NRC can resolve the issues.
Key demand of the question
In the first part of the question, we have to throw light on the history of migration, the communities who migrated and the issues it has created. In the subsequent part, we need to examine whether NRC will resolve issues or create new ones.
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 – Give an overview of the current situation to explain why this question.
Body – In the first part, examine the nature of migration. Mention the history of migration – in 8th century Turks and Arab traders and sailors came to the Brahmaputra Valley and settled in the Darrang region, during British time, how tea plantation workers from other parts were taken to Assam pre independence, migration from Bangladesh etc. Highlight the issues arising out of migration – demography change, resource crunch, struggle for political power etc
In the subsequent part, explain the need for NRC, and the pros and cons of its implementation.
Conclusion – present your view on NRC and way forward.
Topic: part of Static series under the heading “Freedom of Speech and Expression and Censorship”
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to examine the situation related to freedom of press in India, the causes why it is under threat and the impact that it would have. In the second part, we need to bring out the press reforms required for media to regain the lost trust and function effectively as the fourth pillar of democracy.
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 India has fallen on the press freedom index with its position only slightly above Pakistan, which does not portend well with respect to press freedom in India.
Body – Bring out the status quo of press freedom in India. Examine the reasons why it is under threat. Discuss the impact that new forms of technology like social media has had on press freedom. Highlight the impact lack of freedom of press would have on democracy.
In the next part, discuss the reforms such as Leveson committee reforms etc which would help strengthen freedom of press by imparting greater credibility to media.
Conclusion – Discuss the importance of press freedom for democracy and the necessity of undertaking press reform asap.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question
The question is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following headings-
Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write at length about the role of CBHI in strengthening the health information system in India. We have to discuss all the related aspects of the question (CBHI) and be as exhaustive as possible ( of course within the word limit).
Directive word
Discuss- This is an all-encompassing directive and here we have to write about the nature of CBHI, its vision and important activities it performs.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that CBHI was established in 1961 by an Act of Parliament on the recommendation of Mudaliar committee. It is the Health Intelligence Wing under Directorate General of Health Services (Dte.GHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Body-
- Briefly discuss the vision of the CBHI and relate it to the importance of the work. We have to discuss why having a robust Health Management Information System (HMIS) is important.
- Discuss in points the important activities undertaken by CBHI. e.g National Health Profile, information on reform initiatives for Health Sector Policy Reform Option Database, National Health Resource Repository, Training and education, Collaboration with international bodies etc.
Conclusion- Reiterate the need for a strong HMIS in the country and suggest (if possible) how CBHI can be made more effective. Else, just conclude with a fair and a balanced opinion on the CBHI.
Topic – Role of civil services in a democracy
Why this question
With the recent news of lateral entry in government service capturing headlines, the focus shifts to performance of IAS officers and whether they have dutifully performed the role that was envisaged of them – becoming the iron frame. Answer to this question would automatically help us do a critical analysis of lateral entry in civil services.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to critically comment on whether several of India’s developmental challenges like malnutrition, poor learning levels etc are a result of the faults within the IAS system.
Directive word
Critically comment – When you are asked to comment, you have to pick main points and give your ‘opinion’ on them based on evidences or arguments stemming from your wide reading. Critically comment is also forming opinion on main points but in the end you have to provide a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – You can start with explaining the vision of sardar Patel regarding the role of civil services in democracy.
Body – Focus should be on examining how far the IAS have helped the country in carrying out projects and running administration so that the fruits of development are enjoyed by everyone. We should also bring out the failures of IAS system such as myopic understanding of their role, bend under political pressure etc which have led to sub-optimal results in several critical challenges like malnutrition etc.
Conclusion – give a fair and balanced view along with the way forward which is unleashing civil services reforms.
Topic: Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question
CBHI has recently released the annual National Health Profile for the year 2018. The report throws light on the state of health infrastructure in the country. The issue is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading –
Development processes and the development industry- the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring out the overall importance of a robust and efficient health infrastructure for a country/ society. It wants us to highlight the status of health infrastructure in India as revealed by the NHP-2018. Thus we have to correlate both the aspects and discuss what should be done in this regard.
Directive word
Critically analyze- we have to dig deep into the question, identify and deliberate upon its key demands. Based on our discussion, we have to form a personal opinion in the form of a way-forward.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Briefly discuss the performance of India globally, in terms of various health/ socio-economic parameters like HDI, Hunger index, TB, Malnourishment, IMR, MMR etc. Also mention that poor health infrastructure is one of the most critical factor hampering India’s development and constitutional goals.
Body-
- Bring out the overall status of health infrastructure in the country as depicted by NHP-2018. E.g Educational infrastructure vs service infrastructure; increase in no. of medical and dental colleges, lack of hospitals including mental hospitals and blood banks in the country, south vs north difference in infrastructure etc.
- Discuss what should be done in this regard; e.g increasing health spending by the govt, increase private sector participation and investment, proper insurance policies, improve basic infrastructure to make it attractive for private sector participation, medical tourism, open date etc.
Conclusion– mention the Ayushman Bharat scheme and other such schemes, which need to be consolidated, backed by adequate resources and periodically revised in order to achieve the SDGs.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
Why this question
With several crucial health reforms on the anvil, benchmarking against global best practice in healthcare can only give is better ideas to make our reforms more effective.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to analyze how the indian design of healthcare system is closely related to the national health service of UK, the shortcomings in our implementation which have obstructed us from achieving the same result as NHS in UK and lessons we can learn from the same. We also need to bring out the other viewpoint that comparing the results of the two would be as different as comparing apples and oranges.
Directive word
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 – Explain what NHS is and the principles on which indian healthcare system was designed.
Body – Bring out the point of similarities in vision of NHS and Indian healthcare system. Highlight the reality of both these systems in present times. Explain that NHS has made healthcare affordable, universal etc which we have failed to do. Examine the reasons why – multiplicity of regulatory agencies, poor spending on healthcare, rise of private players etc. Also discuss the alternate viewpoint that challenges of UK and India differ significantly in terms of resources available, complexity in terms of burden of diseases, economic strata of patients, paucity of infrastructure etc and hence like to like comparison can not be done.
Conclusion – present a fair and balanced view, discuss the lessons learnt and way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic – Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers etc….
Why this question
Agriculture is the main occupation of almost half of the Indian population and the sector is today at crossroads facing various challenges. Although it is a general question, it will help you in framing answers for other questions and also for your essay. 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.
Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers etc….
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to express our understanding and knowledge of the issue. We have to bring out the problems of Indian agriculture in relation to viability, profitability and sustainability and how they could be solved.
Directive word
Comment- We have to present our knowledge and understanding of the issue and present our opinion on the causes of these problems and how they should be handled.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that agriculture contributes just about 16% to India’s GDP but employs about half of its population etc.
Body–
- Discuss in detail the problems of viability and profitability in agriculture, and also the issue of sustainability. Discuss these problems vis a vis their underlying factors e.g shrinking land-holdings and farm sizes, increasing competition internationally, high prices of inputs, entry of multinational corporations, climate change, land degradation, problem of plenty followed by period of scarcity etc.
- Discuss what should be done in this regard- e.g Irrigation, Infrastructure, Investment and Insurance sectors – need to be strengthened for an integrated development of farm sector, training of latest know-how and trained in the do-how in order to improve farm productivity; diversification of crops, efficient distribution of food grains, better weather information and advisory services etc.
Conclusion– based on your above discussion, form a fair, balanced and a concise opinion on the given issue.
