[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 25 DECEMBER 2018
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Disaster and disaster management
General Studies – 1
Topic – Salient features of Indian Society”
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the evolved nature of caste system in India and comment on whether or not it can be eradicated because of how it has been entrenched in Indian society.
Directive word
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. Your opinion may be for or against, but you must back your argument with evidences.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – explain about caste system.
Body – Write about the various changes taking place in the caste system. Talk about the greater assertion shown by the lower caste off late. Discuss the making of caste based groups in several sectors like commerce, trade, agriculture etc. Talk about the political associations formed on the lines of caste and why eradicating caste on account of these factors would be difficult.
Conclusion – Give your view on whether caste system would be eradicated in India because of these factors.
General Studies – 2
Topic– Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question
Low literacy levels have often been the most ascribed cause for their low workforce participation. This article briefly discusses other reasons behind the issue.
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 bring out in detail as to what are the factors which are responsible for low female participation in workforce despite increasing literacy levels
Structure of the answer
Introduction-
Write a few introductory lines about the topic E.g present some statistics regarding the increase in literacy levels including higher and research education.
Body
Discuss the factors responsible for low female participation in workforce despite increasing literacy levels
- Social norms ensure that higher prestige or social status is associated with families which keep their women out of the workforce.
- At the same time, the growth in formal sector jobs has not kept pace with the supply of educated women, which may have led to “crowding out of females” from the workforce.
- Women security issues etc.
- Social norms placing more responsibilities on women
Conclusion– based on your discussion form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue. E.g government policies should focus on behavioural changes that make female employment more acceptable in the society, communication programmes on gender equality in secondary education to help students imbibe equitable gender norms as well as programmes that acknowledge child care as the responsibility of both parents etc
Topic-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Directive word
Examine- here we have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to dig deep into the recent Surrogacy bill and bring out as to how by banning commercial surrogacy and allowing altruistic surrogacy will lead to some problems because of the concept of close relatives as introduced by the bill.
Structure of the answer
Write a few introductory lines about the surrogacy (Regulation) bill its consequences E.g The Lok Sabha has recently passed a Bill banning commercial surrogacy with penal provisions of jail term of up to 10 years and fine of up to ₹10 lakh.
Body
Discuss about the Surrogacy (Regulation) bill and also discuss its consequences E.g
- the bill allows only close Indian relatives to be surrogate mothers and purely for “altruistic” reasons. It states an Indian infertile couple, married for five years or more, can go in for ‘altruistic surrogacy’ where the surrogate mother will not be paid any compensation except medical expenses and insurance.
- Under the bill kinship and family hide the commercial element entailed in seeking a surrogate from among close relatives;in the case of organ donation, wherein ‘strangers’ were dressed up as ‘near relatives’, in altruistic surrogacy too, similar negotiations may be entered into.
- In an overtly patriarchal society, women are always at the receiving end of ostracism and exploitation.
- Despite exempting gay couples, single men and women, and live-in couples from seeking surrogacy, not clearly defining the regulative mechanisms within altruistic surrogacy, and the very regressive approval for couples with differently-abled children to opt for surrogacy etc
Conclusion- based on your discussion form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian economy : Issues
Why this question
A group of 13 economists have penned down a comprehensive report on the state of Indian economy and specific reforms required in certain sectors of the economy. The report provides a good insight into the reforms required in Indian economy to take it to a growth pace that will be in sync with the needs of society. Hence this question would help you in preparing filler material on topics of growth etc.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the status of Indian economy as described by the report, the difficulties faced by certain sectors of the economy and the steps required to accelerate growth in the country by reforms in the sectors discussed in the report.
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 the nature of report released by these economists and describe its content.
Body
- Highlight the status of Indian economy as described in the report – India’s economy has performed well in absolute and relative terms, for the last quarter century. But then it opines that India can and must do better which forms the basis for suggestions for various sectors of the economy.
- Highlight the suggestions that the report has to make for macroeconomic stability, reforms in the banking sector, worsening of public finances at the state level, performance of stressed sectors such as agriculture etc
- Discuss the steps required for better performance of these sectors as suggested by the report and any shortcomings in the recommendations.
Conclusion – Give your view on the status of Indian economy and comment that the report is a timely reminder of what needs to be done.
Topic – Disaster and disaster management
5) Big data can play a significant role in disaster management. Discuss.(250 words)
Why this question
Big data is being explored with great enthusiasm in solving various problems ranging from transportation to services delivery and industrial production. In this context it is important to analyze how big data can help in disaster management.
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 as to how big data can play a role and help us in disaster management.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Write a few introductory lines about the topic E.g Data is the future oil and big data holds immense possibilities for solving various problems in a society. Its growth has been increasing sharply in different fields over the years. It can also be helpful in disaster management in many ways.
Body
Discuss the role of big data in disaster management E.g Big Data technology has proven its merit as a resource for disaster relief and preparedness;
- big data technology in emergency responder agencies- identify and track populations such as elderly communities or areas with high concentrations of babies and children etc
- help rescue workers identify support resources and plan logistics during emergencies,
- also facilitates real-time communication during a disaster, and
- emergency managers use the technology to forecast how residents will react to crises;
- “By seeing how residents move, by gathering data on their experiences, what worked, what did not, and then going back after the emergency is over to study the emergency response and identify weak spots.” 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 – “Disaster and Disaster management”.
Why this question
The alacrity with which the world is faced with so many natural disasters means that disaster management is to be focussed upon. The lessons learnt from Kerala etc needs to be understood in detail and incorporated in our disaster management policy response.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the what a holistic process of disaster response incorporates, from preparation to response to rehabilitation and rebuilding. All these discussions have to be done in the context of the lessons learnt from the recent disasters that have hit India and other parts of the world.
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 answerIntroduction – Highlight that the magnitude and intensity of natural disasters has increased across the world.
Body
- Explain the concept of Total Disaster Risk Management (TDRM) Approach part of Hyogo framework. This approach emphasises that the natural disasters are not natural, but rather man-made disasters are the consequences of natural hazards and human actions or inactions. Thus, human societies have the capacity to recognize the risks and factors that could lead or cause disasters, as well as the appropriate interventions to control or manage them. In other words, disasters can be prevented or, at least, their destructiveness minimized.
- Highlight the lessons that can be learnt from disasters such as the floods in Kerala etc and how can they be incorporated in out disaster management strategy for better results.
Conclusion – Emphasize on the losses both economic and in terms of lives etc that have to be mitigated for which a more effective disaster response and preparation strategy is required.
Topic: Part of static series under the heading – “Disaster and Disaster management”
7) Discuss the role of Information Technology in disaster prevention and management?(250 words)
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the role of various facets of IT in prevention of disasters as well as in managing the aftermath of disaster. We can talk about the role of Internet, big data etc.
Directive word
Discuss – Here your discussion should bring out the role IT can play in disaster management and prevention.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that disaster management needs drastic improvements in its sources to decrease damage and save the life of people. To achieve this main object, disaster management has to face challenges for data collection, data management, translation integration and communication. IT pays crucial role in this respect.
Body
- Define disaster management- e.g Disaster management is a systematic process with primary aim to reduce the negative consequences and effect of disasters, hence safeguarding people and social infrastructure.
- Discuss in points, how big data can play a role in disaster management. E.g Big data generated from geo-informatics and remote sensing platforms can contribute to early warning systems for disasters. Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and environmental monitoring sensors with cloud services have a potential to predict disasters; Geoinformatics information along with transportation network data can benefit to understand human mobility patterns during disasters; social data sets; financial data sets etc.
- Also discuss the role of internet etc in disaster handling.
- Discuss the challenges involved in the process. E.g understanding how to link different datasets with different kinds of disasters; early phase of research and application of big data; protection of personal privacy and information etc
Conclusion – based on the above discussion, form a fair and a balanced opinion on the above issue.
General Studies – 4
Topic– Citizen’s Charter
8) What is a citizen’s charter and what are its components. Discuss.(250 words)
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 meaning and scope of citizen’s charter and then also discuss about its essential components.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the citizen’s charter. E.g Citizen’s Charter is a document which represents a systematic effort to focus on the commitment of the Organisation towards its Citizens in respects of Standard of Services, Information, Choice and Consultation, Non-discrimination and Accessibility, Grievance Redress, Courtesy and Value for Money.
Body-
- Discuss about the concept of citizen’s charter in detail. E.g The term ‘Citizen’ in the Citizen’s Charter implies the clients or customers whose interests and values are addressed by the Citizen’s Charter and, therefore, includes not only the citizens but also all the stakeholders, i.e., citizens, customers, clients, users, beneficiaries, other Ministries/ Departments/ Organisations, State Governments, UT Administrations etc.; The Citizen’s Charter is not legally enforceable and, therefore, is non-justiciable. However, it is a tool for facilitating the delivery of services to citizens with specified standards, quality and time frame etc. with commitments from the Organisation and its clients.
- Discuss its various components. E.g
(i) Vision and Mission Statement of the Organisation
(ii) Details of Business transacted by the Organisation
(iii) Details of ‘Citizens’ or ‘Clients’
(iv) Statement of services including standards, quality, time frame etc. provided to each Citizen/ Client group separately and how/ where to get the services
(v) Details of Grievance Redress Mechanism and how to access it etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
NOTE:
