[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 13 OCTOBER 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
General Studies – 2
Topic– Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
Why this question
The article discusses the status of mental illness in India, how bad the situation is. Mental health issues have hardly received the attention in India in terms of policy making, creating infrastructure etc and all this should change considering the statistics and economic impact of such ailments. Since mental health is such an important topic for civils, this question has been asked.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to shed light on the problems faced by mental illness patients in India, the Lancet report which highlights the economic losses that India faces on account of mental ailments. Next, we need to bring out the strategy and overall objective of PMJAY and discuss how could the focus on mental illness be increased. Finally, we need to give a way forward.
Directive word
Examine- here we have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Discuss that mental health ailments in India have not received the kind of attention they deserve and the situation is changing.
Body
- Highlight the immense burden created by mental health issues in economic sphere, problem of suicide, depression etc. Give statistics to show how widespread the problem is and how Ill equipped we are to deal with it
- Discuss some of the steps taken so far to deal with issues related to mental health and where we have been lacking so far. Also discuss mental health policy
- Highlight that the objective of PMJAY seeks to address such issues and examine how the focus on mental health under the scheme can be enhanced.
Conclusion – Emphasize on the problem associated with mental health ailments in India and discuss the way forward.
Topic – Indian Polity : Issues
Why this question
The article highlights the responsibility and actions of judiciary, executive and legislative and makes a point that off late the burden of deepening democracy, bringing in progressive legislation etc has largely fallen on judiciary. This brings under the scanner the role of the other two organs of government and the issues that might arise if India becomes a judicial democracy.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the issues associated with judiciary’s enhanced role in Indian polity and examine whether it disrupts the balance of power, whether judiciary is the correct institution to make laws and the issues plaguing legislature and executive. Finally, we need to bring out what corrections are required along with reasoned arguments.
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.
Key demand of the question
Introduction – Highlight the current situation, where judiciary has taken a lead to address questions related to privacy, section 377 etc
Body
- Discuss the role of three organs of government and the issues that arises if the burden of governance falls on judiciary.
- Discuss the issues arising as a result of decline of parliament and give facts and figures to indicate the decline in the nature and quality of parliamentary work. Comment on the representative nature of judiciary and explain why judicial democracy is an issue
- Discuss ideally how the three wings of government should function
Conclusion – Give your opinion on the issue and discuss way forward.
Topic- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Why this question
In the recent elections, India got 188 votes in the Asia-Pacific category, the highest number of votes among all candidates. UNHRC is an important international organization and it it is essential to discuss about the working of the organization and the criticism faced by it.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the structure and functioning of UNHRC and also write in detail about the criticism faced by it.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the UNHRC- The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis. Mention India’s recent election feat.
Body-
- Discuss the structure and the functioning of UNHRC. E.g The members of the General Assembly elect the members who occupy the UNHRC’s 47 seats. The term of each seat is three years, and no member may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms. The seats are distributed among the
- UN’s regional groups as follows: 13 for Africa, 13 for Asia, six for Eastern Europe, eight for Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), and seven for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG); The UNHRC holds regular sessions three times a year, in March, June, and September; The UNHRC can decide at any time to hold a special session to address human rights violations and emergencies, at the request of one-third of the member states. To date there have been 28 special sessions etc.
- Discuss the criticism faced by the organization. E.g The UNHRC has been accused of anti-Israel bias, a particular criticism being its focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at each session as Agenda Item 7; Several independent human rights groups say that UNHRC is being controlled by some Middle East and African nations, supported by China, Russia and Cuba, which protect each other from criticism etc.
Conclusion– sum up your discussion in a few lines and form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the above issue.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question
India’s headline inflation data may be subdued for now, but there are mounting risks that are difficult to ignore. In this context it is important to discuss those factors in detail.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the risks faced by Indian economy at this juncture of time when inflation has been high for some time and has now subdued.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– mention the state of India’s headline inflation for past several months. Mention that The RBI expects inflation in the range of 3.9 percent to 4.5 percent in the second half of the fiscal year to March 2019, down from 4.8 percent projected earlier.
Body–
Discuss the risks faced by the economy with regards to inflation. E.g a record-low currency, high oil prices, and a looming election; India, which imports more than 80 percent of its oil needs, is vulnerable to increasing crude prices. Together with the rupee, Asia’s worst-performing major currency this year, this worsens the outlook for inflation and the current-account gap. Besides, the government’s move to raise support prices for farm produce will add to the inflationary pressures. Discuss each risk briefly and bring out their relationship with inflation.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
5) Why air-quality has been better in North India before winters this year. Explain.(250 words)
Why this question
North India faces severe air pollution in winters on account of several natural as well as anthropogenic factors. In this context it is essential to understand why the pollution has been less severe this year.
Directive word
Explain-here we have to make the concept in question, clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to explain the reasons behind the low air pollution witnessed in Delhi before winters this year.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the air pollution problem in Delhi and in India overall.
Body-
- Discuss why air pollution has been low before this winter in Delhi. E.g Burning of crop residue, blamed as the primary factor behind the smog that blankets the capital in the beginning of the winter season, has been substantially less so far this year; The Centre and northern states have taken measures this year to discourage farmers from a practice that they follow to prepare fields between the summer and winter crops. These measures, which include financial incentives to buy machines to manage farm reside, may have helped, but a key factor that has kept farmers from burning residue so far is the delayed harvest this year and untimely rains etc.
- Discuss any other factors which could increase the air pollution. E.g high vehicle emissions, cold temperature and incoming winds, stubble burning may increase etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic– Part of static series under the heading – “Land use pattern in India”
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to highlight the current land use pattern in India. Next we need to highlight the policy as per national forest policy and why land under forest could not be enhanced. Thereafter, we need to explain the reasons why india has majority of small landholding.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Discuss data related to land use pattern in India.
Body
- Discuss the policy with respect to land under forests and the reason why land under forest in India has not increased – increasing demands for non-forest uses like agriculture, industries etc. Despite government efforts like taking up large scale afforestation programmes, deforestation for development projects like mining, hydropower etc. has not attributed to any large scale increase in forest cover. There are also issues like lacunae in implementation of Forest laws, exclusion of tribals and village communities in conservation efforts have not helped.
- Highlight the pattern of landholdings and bring out the reasons why consolidation of land holding has not happened – poorly implemented land reforms, overwhelming dependence on agriculture etc
Conclusion – Comment on the land use pattern in India and highlight how the current land use pattern can be made more efficient.
General Studies – 4
Topic– Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
7) The value of tolerance is simply the opposite of intolerance. Do you agree? Comment. (250 words)
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to form an opinion as to whether the value of tolerance is simply the opposite of intolerance, or not. We have to form our opinion based on a proper discussion and by presenting proper arguments in our support.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Write a few introductory lines about tolerance. E.g The term “toleration”—from the Latin tolerare: to put up with, countenance or suffer—generally refers to the conditional acceptance of or non-interference with beliefs, actions or practices that one considers to be wrong etc.
Body-
Discuss why tolerance is not simply the opposite of tolerance. E.g For some people, the value of tolerance is simply the opposite of intolerance. But to think of tolerance in simple binary terms limits our understanding of important aspects of the concept; Toleration is always a response to something that is disapproved of – but not to such a degree as to justify prohibition. Tolerance is, by definition, a mark of disapproval; discuss tolerance- prohibition- acceptance; Mention that Ethics calls upon people to examine their lives – including the quality of their reasons when forming judgements. An ethical life is one that goes beyond unthinking custom and practice. This is why judgements about what is to be accepted, tolerated or prohibited need to be made free from the distorting effects of prejudice. Beliefs, customs and institutions should be evaluated for what they actually are – and not on the basis of assumptions about people or the world etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
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