[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 25 February 2019
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues .
General Studies – 1
Topic– Impact of British rule on India
Why this question
Bastar is a notorious region of central India, inflicted with naxalism. It has also a long history of armed revolt against outside forces. In this context it is important to discuss the role of British colonialism on the region.
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 of the issue of tribal conflict in the Bastar region and adjoining areas. It wants us to express our opinion as to how British colonialism has been an important factor behind the same.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the Bastar region. E.g In February of 1910 the tribal population of the princely state of Bastar in eastern India rose in rebellion against a small British force stationed within the kingdom. This event, referred to as bhumkal (earthquake), established Bastar as a major battleground for tribal revolt during the colonial period.
Body-
- Discuss the historical role of British colonialism on the tribal conflicts in the region. E.g British rule brought a degree of disruption and suffering among the peasantry which was, it seems likely, more prolonged and widespread than had occurred in Mogul times; new colonial policies, such as the commandeering of forest lands and increased rural taxation, led to widespread discontent and rebellion among indigenous groups; Although the British did exert final authority over the native states, princes often had large amounts of internal discretion within their territories, and these kingdoms—at the very least—featured less of a colonial footprint; colonial officials took direct control over the forests, they displaced tribals from their land, and they heavily interfered in succession to the throne, which upset the native population etc.
- Discuss how the modern India has also failed to address the root causes of tribal discontent. E.g Despite the transition from colonial to independent status, forest resource management changed little:; exclusionary processes accelerated to consolidate state authority over forest resources etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic– India’s Freedom Struggle- Significant Personalities.
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 role played by one of the most prominent and celebrated freedom fighters of India- Dadabhai Naoroji. We have to write in detail about his social, economic and political achievements.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the Dadabhai Naoroji. E.g Dadabhai Naoroji was a legendary Indian political and social leader, academician, and intellectual. Famously called the ‘Grand Old Man of India,’
Body-
Discuss in points his social, economic and political achievements vis a vis his role towards India. E.g
- He played an instrumental role in the formation of the Indian National Congress. He was a member of the Second International.
- Naoroji also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom House of Commons as a Liberal Party member. He was the first Indian to become a British MP.
- Naoroji was a prominent Indian nationalist and critic of the economic policy of the British Raj in India.
- Through his book ‘Poverty and Un-British Rule in India,’ he put forward the ‘theory of drain of wealth,’ which highlighted the exploitation of Indian resources for the benefit of Britain.
- He brought out the economic adversities faced by India before the English audience and this he made possible by presenting himself as an Imperial citizen.
- He said that Indians were either subjects or slaves of the British, which depended on the extent of Britain’s wish to give the institutions already operated by them to India.
- He was instrumental in the formation of the ‘London Indian Society’ in 1865. The objective of the society was to discuss Indian social, political and scholarly subjects.
- He also helped in setting up the ‘East India Association’ in 1867 that aimed at conveying the Indian perspective to the Britain public etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic– Globalization
3) Discuss how developments in Education have transformed the world. (250 words)
Why this question
Education is a quintessential parameter to measure and attain human development. In this context it is important to discuss how increase in education and its development has impacted the world.
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 role and contribution of education in transforming the world, globally. We have to present the transformation in economy, health, income growth, globalisation etc.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the importance of education. E.g write some famous quotation on education relevant to the current discussion.
Body-
Discuss in points the transformation brought out by education, on a global level. E.g discuss about the
- Education and its role in social transformation like in terms of higher age of marriage, child planning and better health parameters.
- Education as a tool to loosen the grips of superstitions and traditional restrictive beliefs.
- Education as a tool for political enlightenment.
- Education as a tool for gainful employment.
- Education and growth of globalization.
- Education as a harbinger of modern democratic values.
- Education and decrease in inequality and decreasing gap between developing and developed countries etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
General Studies – 2
Topic– Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Human Resources.
Why this question
The article discusses the plights of the scheme workers in government schemes, the reasons behind their protests, and how government has responded to their protests. These workers play an important role in the implementation of government schemes and their demands and issues need greater examination and analysis.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the issues faced by the various scheme workers, explain that they perform a crucial role in successful implementation of government schemes and discuss what needs to be done in this regard. We also need to highlight the impact of the prolonged issues and the way forward.
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 – Explain who the scheme workers are –
anganwadi workers and cooks are among the “scheme workers” across the country who bring the central and state governments’ social welfare schemes to the people. In effect, they are the ambassadors and implementers of these schemes, many of which are flagship schemes of the respective governments.
Body
- Explain about their issues
- All across India, these scheme workers provide core services in basic areas like health, education, and nutrition. Termed as “volunteers,” they are poorly paid, carry a heavy workload, and are not eligible for any benefits that government employees get
- Their unions point out that, despite their workload, they are also expected to carry out government surveys and data collection drives. However, not only are these workers not considered government employees, they are also paid “honorariums” that are disproportionate to the responsibilities they shoulder etc
- Discuss the important role they play and the impact of such issues
- Considering their job descriptions and scope, it is obvious that this female-dominated workforce performs a crucial role involving the welfare of marginalised sections.
- They are the “face” and “hands” of social welfare schemes that cover pregnant women, children, the ill, and the malnourished. Etc
- Discuss what needs to be done to alleviate their plight.
Conclusion – give a fair and balanced conclusion and discuss way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic– Indian agriculture
Why this question
Farming is India is under huge environmental as well as economic threat and farm diversification if often proposed as a solution to increase incomes. In this context it is important to analyze the challenges involved in farm diversification in India.
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 prospects of farm diversification in India and the challenges faced in that direction.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the farm diversification. E.g mention how farm diversification aims to bring benefits to the farmers- environmental conservation, diversification of income, hedging risks, participating in valuable supply chains etc.
Body-
Discuss the challenges faced in farm diversification in India. E.g
- Agricultural pricing policies have barely looked beyond the populism of the minimum support prices (MSP) in the grain sector.
- The chances of realising the MSP, particularly at such high levels, are bleak unless backed by public procurement. And the government has already limited the procurement for the central pool to the extent of a state’s public distribution system (PDS) requirement under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
- The non-grain sector, on the other hand, is plagued by market inefficiencies and associated price risks.
- high returns in diversified agriculture are associated with high risks, and that 85% of the Indian farmers are bereft of any risk-hedging apparatus.
- Given that, when they operate in the “high-value” sector they can control only about a fifth of the final price of the produce, while the remaining four-fifths of the price are influenced by players with higher risk-taking abilities and hence more bargaining power.
- A blanket act covering livestock and agriculture.
- Lack of access to farm and non-farm credit.
- Lack of standards and quality checks in order to fetch a higher price in the international market etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic– Security challenges and their management in border areas; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Why this question
The question expects us to discuss the problem of numbers being faced by Indian Air force and how they are trying to resolve the issue. The focus of the article is on explaining how the IAF is bolstering it’s numbers and examining the issues that it is facing.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the issues that the IAF is facing with respect to its numbers and how it is trying to resolve the issue. We need to discuss these issues, point out CAG’s observations and discuss the way forward.
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.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain about the recent Rafale controversy and how the IAF is lagging behind in maintaining its fleet.
Body
- Discuss the issues faced by IAF with respect to acquisition of new aircrafts to maintain its fleet strength. The Indian Air Force’s problems with numbers is no secret, It has been plagued by poor decision-making, poor acquisition strategy and shoddy quality control and contract delivery.
- Highlight how IAF plans to acquire a squadron plus (21 aircraft) of MiG-29s that were lying unassembled and moth-balled in a Russian facility and thereafter discuss the CAG report with respect to capital acquisition by IAF and the issues inherent in the process.
- Discuss what needs to be done for the IAF to be prepared against any eventuality
Conclusion – Give a fair and balanced view and discuss the way forward.
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