[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 04 May 2019
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
why this question:
A postage stamp to commemorate the 750th birth anniversary of Sri Vedanta Desikan was released yesterday, Sri Vedanta Desikan is one of the most prominent preceptors in the Srivaishnava tradition and one of the most effulgent luminaries.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must capture the contributions of such a personality, essential features of Sri Vedant Desikan’s philosophy, his contributions to Indian art and culture and its significance even today.
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
In a few introductory explain who was Sri Vedanta Desikan?
Body
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
- Discuss the background of who was he ? – Sri Vedanta Desikan (1268–1369), born in present day Tamil Nadu is also known as Swami Desika, Swami Vedanta Desika, Thoopul Nigamaantha Desikan. He was a multi-faceted personality – a spiritual teacher, a scientist, a logician, a mathematician, a literary genius, a linguist, a military strategist and much more. He was conferred the title of ‘Sarva-tantra-svatantra’ or master of all arts and crafts.
- essential features of Sri Vedant Desikan’s philosophy – inclusion, irrespective of caste and creed could join the Sri Vaishnava fold etc.
- explain his literary contributions – prominent works are Hayagriva Stotram, Abheethistavam, Achyutha Satakam, Bhagavat Dhyana Sopanam and Kamasikasthaka etc.
- He received other titles such as ‘Kavitarkika-kesari’ and ‘Kavitarkika-simham’, the lion amongst poets.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of such personalities and its uniqueness to India.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary
Why this question:
Off-late the SC has been making headlines more for controversies than for its position of giving diktats. The current Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, just like his two immediate predecessors, Justices Dipak Misra and JS Kheharis dealing with a crippling controversy and many such errors have been pointed out around the judicial system that highlights the opaqueness of the system.
Demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine the issues surrounding the judicial system of the country, the causes and consequences associated with it. One should also suggest what needs to be done to overcome such a state of affairs in the country’s Judicial system.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Start with brief introduction of the background of events surrounding the Judicial system.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- What are the issues surrounding the system that makes it opaque?
Corruption.
- Lack of transparency (particularly in the appointment of judges).
- abuse of the office of the Chief Justice of India.
- fragility of judicial independence
- Under trials of the accused.
- Lack of information and interaction among people and courts.
- What needs to be done ?
- Discuss the need for institutional reset; what should it be like?
- Conclude by re-asserting the necessity of judicial system remaining transparent.
Conclusion
It is not enough to assert that judicial independence will be at risk whenever any matter related to the judiciary is sought to be debated. Instead, mechanisms must be evolved to ensure due process , where protecting judicial independence is one of the factors involved while ensuring transparency is another.
Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
Why this question:
The question is about the significance and role played by Prime Minister’s Science, Technology And Innovation Advisory Council in India.
Key demand of the question:
The answer is direct and straightforward, one must discuss the roles and responsibilities handled by the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology And Innovation Advisory Council.
Directive:
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:
Brief upon the need to have such regulatory to develop the domain of sci and tech in the country.
Body:
Following to be discussed in detail –
- About Prime Minister’s Science Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) – is an overarching body for assessment, creation and implementation of major scientific, technology and innovation interventions for India.
- Explain the composition.
- The other important terms of reference of the Council is to formulate, converge, collaborate, co-ordinate and implement multi-stakeholder policy initiatives, mechanisms, reforms and programmes aimed at:
- Synergizing S&T covering fundamental to applied research in collaboration with multiple stake holders both in central and state governments
- Enabling future preparedness in emerging domains of science and technology
- Formulating and coordinating major inter-ministerial S&T missions
- Providing an enabling ecosystem for technology led innovations and techno-entrepreneurship
- Driving innovation and technology delivery towards solving socio-economic challenges for sustainable growth
- Fostering effective public-private linkages for driving research and innovation
- Developing innovation clusters with multiple stakeholders including academia, industry and government
- Skilling in current and futuristic technologies.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such regulatory bodies.
Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
Why this question:
In the recent past the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has asked commonly-used antibiotics manufacturers to ensure its details be made available to the general public. This decision was taken considering directives from the National Co-ordination Centre of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI). Thus it is important for us to know the functions of CDSCO.
Key demand of the question:
The question must highlight About CDSCO, its role as a regulator, its functions and significance.
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:
Begin with brief on CDSCO, how they function.
Body:
- Discussion should include the following aspects –
- About CDSCO: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO) under Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India.
- What are its Functions ?
- Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, CDSCO is responsible for approval of New Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials,
- laying down the standards for Drugs,
- control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country and coordination of the activities of State Drug Control Organizations by providing expert advice with a view of bring about the uniformity in the enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
- CDSCO along with state regulators, is jointly responsible for grant of licenses of certain specialized categories of critical Drugs such as blood and blood products, I. V. Fluids, Vaccine and Sera.
- Discuss issues or concerns if any associated with it.
- Explain its significance.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy
Power for All – A Dream Coming True, Yojana Feb 2019 issue: Infrastructure
Why this question:
Over the years there has been a transformational change in the Power Sector. Regulatory frame work is being reformed with a new Tariff Policy and amendments to the Electricity Act. In sum, the Indian Power sector has undergone a paradigm change. Thus it is important for us to evaluate the power for all scenario of India.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must provide for a detailed analysis of the transformative changes that Indian power sector has witnessed recently. Our country jumped to 24th rank in 2018 on World Bank’s Ease of Getting Electricity in the world as against 111th rank in 2014. This is a quantum leap. One has to justify the developments and bring out the shift in policy making that has led to such a transformative change. Also suggest what should be the way ahead to ensure power for all.
Directive word:
Analyze – When asked to analyze, you 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.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
write a few introductory lines – quote relevant facts justifying changing scenario of Indian power sector.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- Access to reliable and affordable energy increases the ease of living and generates employment. It powers the development of the country.
- Discuss the recent initiatives taken by the government in this direction, marked shift in policy making from traditional methods to modern technologies.
- Achievements – More than one lakh megawatts of new generation capacity has been added.
- Energy deficit has been brought down from 4.2 per cent to almost zero.
- India has become an exporter of electricity exporting electricity to Nepal and Bangladesh.
- One lakh circuit kilometres to the inter-state transmission capacity-connecting the entire nation to one grid.
- Now, for the first time we have One nation- One Grid –the entire network operating on one frequency. Power can be transferred seamlessly from one corner of the country to another.
- A major landmark to universal access to electricity was crossed when our country achieved 100% village electrification.
- What should be the way forward?
- Significance of power for all .
Conclusion –
Conclude with need for sustainable energy in future.
Topic : Disaster and disaster management.
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of recent cyclone Fani that has hit coastal regions of coastal Odisha. Thus it is important for us to evaluate the significance of Disaster management in such regions.
Key demand of the question:
The answer is intended to evaluate the development perspective of Coastal area and the planning and management of the same with a focus on disaster management and the protective role of coastal ecosystem.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines narrate the onset of cyclone Fani/ disasters that have been witnessed by coastal regions of India.
Body:
- Explain – The recovery process post such disasters in the coastal regions continue to generate awareness of the need for an integrated approach to decision-making in coastal regions that balances the need to accommodate seemingly conflicting objectives such as ecosystem management, housing and economic development.
- Discuss that analysis of communities that have experienced disasters reveal that too often in the rush to return to “normal,” rebuilding occurs in such a way as to recreate, and often increase exposure to repeat hazards, while not taking into consideration lessons learned from the event such as the protective role of forests and dense vegetation buffers. Such rapid rebuilding tends not to be based on plans developed before the event that identified safety set-back distances, creation of buffer zones and optimal land uses.
- Discuss the Regional Vulnerabilities in Indian scenario with special emphasis on coastal regions
- What are the current institutional arrangements available? What needs to be done to make them better and make them work more effectively? .
- Discuss what should be done to overcome such situations.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need for managing Disasters with focused approach.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics in private and public relationships.
Ethics by Lexicon publications.
Why this question:
The question is about analyzing the quality of Trust in an individual, what can happen if there is a mistrust or trust deficit in a relationship – be it individual, societal or professional. One has to analyse and suggest solutions to such a situation using an example/illustration.
Key demand of the question:
Analyse in detail the quality of ‘Trust’ , its significance in one’s life. Discuss the impact of trust deficit
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines explain the significance of Trust.
Body:
In brief cover the following aspects –
- Discuss What does trust in the workplace mean to you? Trust at individual level and its impact on concerned relations.
- Benefits of virtue of Trust –
- Individuals who trust each other don’t expend as much of their time and energy watching their backs. They often redirect that energy towards productivity and innovation.
- When individuals are given the trust to execute, they are more likely to become engaged with the relationship and align more with its mission.
- What is trust deficit ? how to overcome it?
- How to earn trust? Do what you say you will do and don’t overcommit. Be honest – When others know your feedback focuses on attaining the same goal, they’ll trust you to not to spin etc.
- Use an example – say one involving trust between two teammates working in an office – workplace and illustrate the trust – trust deficit scenario.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
Topic: Foundational values for Civil Service.
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is intended to evaluate the significance of the values of Social influence and persuasion as fundamental functions of communication.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the importance of values of Social influence and persuasion in communication aspects of public servants while rendering their service to the people.
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:
In a few introductory lines appreciate the need for such values in a public servant.
Body:
- Define first – what do you understand by social influence and persuasion ?
Social influence – A change in person’s behaviour, thoughts, feelings and attitudes that results from interaction with another individual in society.
Persuasion – ability to make someone do something through the use of words to manipulate their thoughts, behavior, and actions.
- What is the difference between social influence and persuasion?
- Discuss How can a civil servant/public servant be more persuasive?
- Use examples wherever possible to justify their importance.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of the above virtues to public servants in their service.
NOTE:
