[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 03 JULY 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question
Personal liberty is an essential fundamental right and any incursion on this inalienable right is a important issue, especially as far as UPSC mains exam is concerned. The issue is related to GS- 2 syllabus under the following heading –
Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring out the salient provisions and procedures of the UAPA act and write in detail about how they affect the personal liberty of the citizens.
Directive word
Discuss- here we have to dig deep into the question and write in detail about all the vital and related aspects of the question- need and evolution of the act, its implications on personal liberty
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention that pursuant to the acceptance of recommendations of the Committee on National Integration and Regionalisation, the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963 was enacted to impose, by law, reasonable restrictions in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India. In order to implement the provisions of 1963 Act, the Unlawful Activities act was passed.
Body- Discuss how the act impinges on personal liberty of the citizens.
- The definition of “unlawful activities” includes “disclaiming” or “questioning” the territorial integrity of India, and causing “disaffection” against India. These words are staggeringly vague and broad, and come close to establishing a regime of thought-crimes.
- “Membership” of unlawful and terrorist organisations is a criminal offence, and in the latter case, it can be punished with life imprisonment. But the Act fails entirely to define what “membership” entails.
- Section 43D(5) of the Act prohibits courts from granting bail to a person if “on a perusal of the case diary or the [police] report etc.
Conclusion– Discuss the important cases related to UAPA and mention the imperative to eliminate excessive discretion and denial of judicial review under the act in order to realize the personal liberty of all the citizens of the modern India etc. You can also form your own conclusion.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
WHY THIS QUESTION
The US has recently expressed its desire to build space weapons. This is an important issue given the shared space resource and implications for security of space infrastructure and capability to initiate a space weaponization race among countries. The issue is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading-
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to analyze the issue of space weaponization thoroughly. We have to discuss the implications of such a decision globally and on India. Based on our discussion, we have to come with an opinion on the issue.
Directive word
Critically analyze- here we have to dig deep into the issue, bring out all the related and important aspects and come up with a personal opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that the space is a region with increasing commercial, civil, international and military interests and investments. Also mention the recent decision by US to to establish a Space Force as the sixth branch of the armed forces.
Body–
- Discuss the implications of such an act. E.g initiating a space weaponization race ( Russia, China); space wars; vulnerability of critical space infrastructure, it will undermine international and national security, and disrupt existing arms control instruments, in particular those related to nuclear weapons and missiles etc.
- Discuss the implications for India. E.g lack of capabilities in the present time, apprehensions from China, lack of an official policy even though India is a party to PAROS
Conclusion– mention the need for commitment to peaceful use of space but when other powers are exploring the options of space weaponization, India should engage with multiple stakeholders directly about the role space weapons will play in India’s grand strategy etc.
Topic – Part of static series under the head “Fundamental duties”
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the relevance of fundamental duties in a democracy, its comparison with fundamental duties and how the two can be reconciled. We also need to discuss the shortcomings of fundamental duties in terms of making people conscious.
Directive word
Discuss – Here the points mentioned above are to be discussed in detail.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention the history of fundamental duties and the constitutional provisions related to the same.
Body
- Discuss the purpose of fundamental duties – rights are to be accompanied with duties and the citizens need to follow certain guiding principles to ensure that society and nation progresses
- Examine why this is critical for democracy.
- Compare fundamental rights and duties and highlight how duties are not infringements on the rights of a person but aim to make the environment more conducive for the enjoyment of such rights.
- Highlight the shortcoming as well – vague nature, low awareness etc
Conclusion – Discuss any reform which you feel should be incorporated in duties to make it more reflective of the current environment.
Topic – Issues relating to development and management of Human Resources
Why this question
The article talks about the current shortcoming in the multifarious skill development programmes being run by various agencies. The application of blockchain in this regard is a novel perspective and merits analysis.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the issue plaguing skill development mission of the government and how blockchain can be utilised for addressing the issue.
Directive word
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight that skill development is top priority and the structure of Skill India Mission where multiple programmes are being run by several ministries.
Body – Highlight the issue being faced – standardisation and duplicacy in certification. Mention that Sharda Prasad Committee also recommended steps towards standardization . Examine how blockchain can help in aforementioned issue by creating an online secure repository of database which can help in ease of access verification etc. Discuss the challenges such as lack of digital literacy, cyber security threats etc.
Conclusion – Express your opinion on how effective such usage of blockchain will be.
General Studies – 3
Topic – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation
Why this question
The report highlights the pressing challenge for Indian economy that is climate change. This article provides several filler points that can be used across GS papers. Hence this question.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to highlight the key findings of the report and its associated impact on India. Thereafter, we need to suggest measures on how can we adapt to this challenge to ensure that the damages are least.
Directive word
Discuss – Here the findings of the report, its impact on India and ways in which we can respond to mitigate losses is to be brought out.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Give details about the report and how climate change is a pressing challenge.
Body – Highlight the contents of the report. Bring out the impact on Indian economy, on living standards, the regional nature of the impact etc. Discuss ways in which we can deal with this challenge – focussing on mitigating agricultural risk by investing in infrastructure, innovation in agriculture etc.
Conclusion – Highlight why this issue deserves our utmost attention and the way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic:Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Why this question
UPSC almost always asks a questions based on a quotation from some famous personality (here Gandhi)and we have to comment on it. The issue is related to GS- 4 syllabus under the following heading
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 express our knowledge and understanding of the role of the family and the parents in inculcating and developing values among the children.
Directive word
Comment- Here we have to express our understanding of the issue and come up with an opinion (either against or for, the statement/ quotation). However, our opinion should be in consonance with and a reflection of our discussion of the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- Mention some related quote by some other famous person OR simply mention that family and parents play a huge role in the overall development of the child, his values and temperament/ attitude etc.
Body–
Discuss the role of family and the parents in inculcating values in a child. E.g role model, shaping of attitude towards people and society, inculcation of prejudices, close contact and high amount of time spent together, role of criticizing actions/ thoughts of the child, development of critical thought process in the child etc.
Take the help of the article attached to the question and take the help of other relevant material to frame your answer.
Conclusion- Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced opinion on the overall issue.
