[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 30 May 2019
Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.
How to Follow Secure Initiative?
How to Self-evaluate your answer?
INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Why this question:
A 34-member panel of the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) has voted 29-4 in favor of designating a new geological epoch — the Anthropocene.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must analyse what is Anthropocene age, what is its significance and what are geological markers and evidences of the same in discussing Anthropocene epoch.
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.
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
In a few introductory lines define Anthropocene age.
Body
The body of the answer has to capture the following aspects:
- Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) voted in favor of designating a new geological epoch i.e, the Anthropocene.
- The term ‘Anthropocene’ was coined in 2000 by Nobel Laureate Paul Crutzen and Eugene Stoermer to denote the present geological time interval in which human activity has profoundly altered many conditions and processes on Earth.
- The word combines the root “anthro”, meaning “human” with the root “cene”, the standard suffix for “epoch” in geologic time.
- The Anthropocene is distinguished as a new period either after or within the Holocene, the current epoch, which began approximately 10,000 years ago (about 8000 BC) with the end of the last glacial period.
- Then discuss what are geological markers – Some of the geological markers used in declaring Anthropocene epoch.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of the same.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Why this question:
Question is straightforward and is about discussing role played by India in QUAD.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss QUAD as reflection of India’s multi-polar foreign policy.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
write a few introductory lines on what is the QUAD.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects:
- Significance of QUAD vis-à-vis India’s multi-polar foreign policy.
- Explain how QUAD membership reinforces India’s policy –
- China’s assertion in South China Sea (SCS) compromises freedom of navigation. Through QUAD India seeks to reassert rule-based world order to counter China’s growing power and assertion.
- Democratic, Cooperative and Peacekeeping endeavor: The QUAD initiative is group of four largest and powerful democracies in the world which values democratic, peaceful, rule based international order.
- India held that the Quad was more about sharing democratic experiences than a security arrangement directed at China.
- Emergence of Indo-pacific: USA under its pivot to China policy held Indo-Pacific region is now world’s most strategic location.
- Different nations are seeking to project their strategic power in the region.
- India’s membership to QUAD should be seen in this light as a counterbalancing initiative to secure its own neighborhood.
Conclusion –
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Why this question:
Recently Vice President calls for renewed efforts for India to gain permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the role and significance of UNSC, need for UNSC reforms, why India should be given permanent membership.
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:
Briefly explain the mandate of UN security council in general.
Body:
Body of the answer should discuss the following aspects:
- What is UN security council?
- Discuss its composition, mandate and objectives.
- What are the current proposed reforms?
- What are India’s demands?
- Why India should be given a permanent seat in the council? Discuss pros and cons.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
4) “With the New government India needs a New Bombay Plan”. Elucidate. (250 words)
Why this question:
The article is in the backdrop of the new government that has come into place and places the need for new Bombay plan for the Indian economy.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the relevance of Bombay plan for the present economy and the nuances of the same.
Directive word:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with brief write up on what was Bombay plan
Body:
Discussion should include the following aspects –
- Explain what was Bombay plan? How is it relevant even today?
- Discuss its potential to change the direction of economic development in the country and how it also happens to be one that is worth emulating today.
- Explain why it is necessary for the new government to have a vision in this direction?
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such plans in bringing an overhaul in the economy of the country.
Topic : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The article provides for a detailed analysis of how cryptocurrencies though have been doubted for long by various countries, it is gaining significance as a currency that can challenge the traditional ones.
Demand of the question:
Answer must discuss in detail the nuances of cryptocurrency. One must trace its evolution from being doubted to the one now that has been gaining significance for known and unknown factors.
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 definition of cryptocurrency.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- What are cryptocurrencies? How are they used?
- Explain how though widely seen as a disruption for the traditional banking and financial institutions, cryptocurrencies have gained significant traction over the last half a decade, at the same time creating a regulatory nightmare for banking regulators across the globe. At present, there are around 969 cryptocurrencies in existence across the globe, with a total market capitalization close to 116 Billion USD.
- Quote reasons for their popularity.
- What are the associated pros and cons?
- What needs to be done?
Conclusion
Conclude with significance and way forward.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
Recently the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has released a discussion paper on a framework for a ‘regulatory sandbox’ for fintech testing.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain in detail what is the concept of sandbox, what are its utilities, how is it useful in effective regulations of Fintech companies.
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:
One can start by bringing out the highlights of the discussion paper brought out by SEBI.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- Highlights of the paper.
- Definition: A live, testing environment where new products, processes, services and business models could be deployed on a limited set of eligible customers for a specified period of time, with certain relaxations in the regulations and guidelines.
- Objective: The sandbox is intended to serve as a testing ground for new business models and technologies that benefit the investors, Indian markets and the Indian economy at large.
- To begin with, all market participants that are registered with the SEBI will be eligible to test within the sandbox. At a later stage, SEBI may allow sandbox access to fintech start-ups and other fintech firms as well.
- To be eligible to be tested in the sandbox, a solution need to show that it directly benefits the investors and poses no risks to the financial markets among other parameters.
Conclusion:
based on your discussion, conclude with significance of such a concept.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and is about discussing the rising trends of Plastic pollution forcing us to think of the new sub category to Holocene – Plasticene.
Key demand of the question:
Discussion should be about the menace that plastic pollution is causing and its extent. Emphasize on advancements are being made in recycling plastics, what should be 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:
In a few introductory lines explain with some stats/facts the current conditions of plastic pollution.
Body:
One must cover the following aspects in the answer –
- What are the concerns posed by plastic pollution?
- Causes and impact?
- To what extent advancements are being made in recycling plastics?
- Quote various policies in this direction taken by different countries, organizations etc. in this direction.
- Suggest what measures should be taken to overcome the challenge.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way forward.
NOTE:
