[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 18 OCTOBER 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
General Studies – 1
Topic– Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Why this question
The Metoo# movement has generated a much needed debate on the issue of sexual harassment of women at workplace. In this context it is important to understand how the issue can be addressed at the societal level.
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 express our opinion as to, whether sexual harassment at workplace in all its forms, can only be addressed by familial and social sensitisation or not. We have to form our opinion based on sufficient and proper arguments/ facts/ examples etc.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the Me-too movement which has forthrightly highlighted the plight of women in workplace settings.
Body– Discuss how sexual harassment can be addressed by familial and social sensitisation that begins from infancy + a strong legal and institutional framework to deal with the issue. Discuss why social sensitisation will have a primary role in addressing the issue. E.g discuss the presence of Sexual harassment of women at workplace act but still the problem remains unabated; explain how patriarchy and misogyny perpetuates sexual harassment- e.g sexual freedom’ has been appropriated and subverted by men to imply ‘sexual availability’. They use it not so much for relationships of equal power and dignity but to perpetuate misogyny. Drinking, staying single, using a dating app, everything is interpreted as an invitation; The problem is fundamentally one of socialisation. Men have to unlearn a lifetime of imbibed contempt for women etc.
Also discuss how social sensitization can be done to improve your answer.
Conclusion– sum up your discussion in a few lines and form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the above issue.
Topic – geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Why this question
The article highlights IPCC report and discusses the significance of coral reefs and the factors responsible for their destruction. Coral reefs and the reasons why they are facing threats is important for GS1
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to first explain what coral bleaching is and the various factors that cause coral bleaching. We can also provide the impact of diminishing corals and what we can do to save them.
Directive word
Discuss – Here, in our discussion we need to explain coral bleaching and the reasons for the same.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that IPCC report has pointed out the grave risk of loss of coral reefs if corrective actions are not taken. Clive Wilkinson of the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network says 10% of the Earth’s coral reefs have been reduced to skeletons, another 30% are in a critical condition and a further 30 are under severe environmental stress.
Body – Explain what coral bleaching is. Discuss the reasons for the same such as overfishing, increased Temperature of the oceans etc. Discuss the impact of destruction of coral reefs – here we need to highlight the immense productivity of such reefs and its destruction would have immense impact of marine ecosystem etc. Discuss the steps required to address the destruction of coral reefs – devise policies to provide protection to existing carbon sinks such as corals along with developing an adaptation frameworks for others. Reducing emissions will be critical here.
Conclusion – Emphasize on the importance of corals and discuss the way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic-Indian Agriculture : Issues
Why this question
The article discusses the reasons why India’s dependence on monsoons is bound to create obstacles for India’s growth story going forward, and discusses the steps that can be taken in this regard. In light of the recent IPCC report which highlight the need for immediate actions to prepare ourselves for facing the climate uncertainty, this issue gains significance.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the reasons why the capricious nature of monsoons in India is problematic for India and also discuss the impact of being overly dependent on monsoons for irrigation. Thereafter, we need to highlight the steps taken, and the steps required to address this situation.
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 – Briefly highlight data establishing the dependence of agriculture on monsoon.
Body
- Discuss the reasons why such huge dependence on monsoons is problematic – good monsoon is critical for helping farmers achieve the dream of doubling their incomes, report by IPCC and the scenario that it paints etc
- Discuss the impact of poor monsoon rains – food inflation, food security etc
- Discuss some of the steps that have been taken to mitigate the risks – announcement of fiscal packages etc. Examine the necessity of climate sensitive budgeting
Conclusion – give your view on the urgency of the issue and discuss way forward.
Topic: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention; Security challenges and their management in border areas
why this question
The article discusses the inadequacies in India’s national security policy and highlights the absence but dire need for a national security vision.
Directive word
Critically analyze- here we 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. Based on our discussion we have to form a concluding opinion on the issue.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to analyze the inadequacies of India’s national security policy and absence of a security vision. Based on our discussion we have to form an opinion on the overall issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Write a few introductory lines about the importance of having a robust and forward looking national security policy.
Body-
- Discuss the problems and inadequacies of the national security policy. E.g mention the spurt in violence in Kashmir and increase in cross-border firing incidents; New Delhi’s neighbourhood policy continues to be in the doldrums and there is a clear absence of vision on how to balance, engage and work with the many great powers in the regional and the broader international scene; There is little conversation between the armed forces and the political class, and even lesser conversation among the various arms of the forces. This will soon become unsustainable for a country that aspires to be a modern great power; One of the most serious lacunas in our defence management is the absence of jointness in the Indian armed forces. Our doctrines, command structures, force deployments and defence acquisition continue as though each arm is going to fight a future war on its own etc.
- Discuss about the recently envisaged Defence Planning Committee (DPC) to assist in the creation of “national security strategy, international defence engagement strategy, roadmap to build (a) defence manufacturing ecosystem, strategy to boost defence exports, and priority capability development plans. Also mention the decision to to revive the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) within the overall National Security Council (NSC) system. Mention that India as a country should have an overall national security document from which the various agencies and the arms of the armed forces draw their mandate and create their own respective and joint doctrines which would then translate into operational doctrines for tactical engagement. In the absence of this, as is the case in India today, national strategy is broadly a function of ad hocism and personal preferences 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 – “Industrial regions”
Key demand of the question
In this question, we first need to explain how the spatial distribution of iron and steel industry has changed over time and the reasons that have led to this change.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain that there has been a change in the sense that the main producers of iron and steel are predominantly developing countries that have replaced their developed counterparts who held sway in the industry till recently.
Body – Explain the reasons for the same such as – Industry is shifting towards market, towards a location that is a transport hub, shifting towards the industrial hub so that the produced steel could be consumed by other industries like automobile and heavy engineering at same place etc
General Studies – 4
Topic – Determinant of ethics in human actions
Why this question
In the wake of Metoo movement, debates of all kinds have cropped up. Believe Her perspective has been hotly contested in light of certain false cases and due to several other reasons. In this regard, it is important to understand whether trial on social media of alleged sexual assaulters is a violation of due process of law and Principles of natural justice.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to debate whether the process of naming and shaming on social media for allegations of sexual misconduct is justified, or whether due process of law should be followed in every case.
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 – Explain the context of the question by giving a brief about both the perspectives and metoo movement.
Body – First of all, explain what the debate is about by bringing in both the perspectives. Thereafter, we can argue that because patriarchy is so deep rooted ,and sexual misconduct so common, that naming and shaming is a way to tell society that the limit has been reached. Also, the movement is not only about seeking legal justice but to initiate a conversation into the meaning of consent. On the other hand, we can also point out that the process of naming and shaming is not justified because the purpose of social media is not to serve as a courtroom.
Conclusion- Give a fair and balanced opinion and discuss how we can take this movement to its logical conclusion.
Topic– Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
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 express our knowledge and understanding as to why compassion towards animals and their care is important, and discuss how a society can be judged by the way it treats its animals.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the importance of having compassion and empathy.
Body-
Discuss the relationship between morality and how a society treats its animals. E.g the proposition that animals are mere property rather than sentient beings is a perverse worldview that led to mass exterminations of whole species throughout history. It justifies the killing of wildlife, deplorable conditions for agricultural animals, the avoidable use of animals in research and the indifferent treatment of captive animals; All of the world’s major religions call for compassion toward animals; treating animals in-humanely undermines the moral standing of a society; Disregarding the health and welfare of animals makes it easier for us to disregard the health and welfare of fellow humans. It limits our capacity for empathy and constrains our ability to look beyond self-interest; The treatment of animals can be a catalyst for a more just and compassionate society, or it can be a symptom of a society that has lost its moral compass etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
NOTE:
