New Articles
[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 02 August 2019
[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 02 August 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: 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.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
Recently Rajya Sabha passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2019 to provide an Efficient, Safe and Corruption Free Transport System in the Country.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the key features of the MV amendment bill 2019 , discuss and highlight the merits of the same.
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:
Define the recent amendments made to the bill.
Body:
The bill seeks to amend the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 to provide for road safety. Around 1.50 lakh people die and 5 lakh people injured annually in road accidents.
Then discuss the key features of the bill – Provisions related to increasing penalties of traffic violations, addressing issues on third-party insurance, regulation of cab aggregators and road safety are proposed in the amendment.
It proposes a scheme to allow cashless treatment of victims in a road accident during the golden hour.
It proposes to increase the minimum compensation for hit and run cases. In case of the death, the compensation has been raised from 25,000 to 2 lakh rupees, and in case of grievous injury, it will be from 12,500 to 50,000 rupees.
The government will open motor driving training schools to impart skill trainings to drivers. The government will also give one crore rupees grant to those who want to open such training schools.
Quote the merits and associated challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting significance of the Bill.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The article captures the findings of the recent report on the tax by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and highlights the shortcomings the GST reform has been facing in terms of implementation.
Key demand of the question:
The answer should evaluate the lacunae present and what are the problems in the implementation and what can be done to overcome these concerns and challenges.
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:
Discuss about GST, its mandate and trace its coming till date.
Body:
Explain the lacunae being faced in implementation of the reforms.
Discuss that the major issues outlined by the CAG report is the lack of a system to match the invoices of buyers and sellers that would have closed interstitial spaces for tax evasion. The idea was to structure the system in such a way that there was no gap between two ends of a reported transaction.
Write a note on the findings of CAG and explain how these findings can be put to use to address the gaps in implementation of the reforms.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies, Important aspects of governance
Why this question:
Recently Lok Sabha cleared bill to speed up resolution of inter-state river water disputes by establishing a single central tribunal in place of the numerous existing ones.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate the significance of such step and analyse to what extent can such a solution work given the current conditions and past legacy of issues with respect to inter-state river water disputes.
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:
Discuss the context of the question in short.
Body:
Explain how Inter-state River Water Dispute (Amendment) Bill, 2019, follows the failure of existing tribunals to resolve river water disputes in a time-bound manner. Of the nine tribunals set up to adjudicate such disputes, only four have given their awards and the time taken to do so ranged from seven to 28 years. Thus, the urgent need to amend and have a single tribunal.
Then discuss the merits and demerits of having a single tribunal to solve the disputes.
Discuss the key features of the new amendments introduced in the bill.
Conclusion:
Conclude with appreciation of the amendments.
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.
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question:
Recently, a government panel headed by senior bureaucrat Subhash Chandra Garg placed in the public domain a draft bill calling for a complete ban on private cryptocurrencies in India. The panel recommended a fine of up to ₹25 crore and a jail term of up to 10 years for anyone found to be owning or handling private cryptocurrencies. Thus, the question.
Key demand of the question:
The question aims to analyse the concept of cryptocurrency and its feasibility as a national currency.
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:
Begin with brief on what is a cryptocurrency – “any information or code or number or token not being part of any official digital currency, generated through cryptographic means or otherwise, providing a digital representation of value which is exchange with or without consideration, with the promise or representation of having inherent value in any business activity which may involve risk of loss or an expectation of profits or income, or functions as a store of value or a unit of account and includes its use in any financial transaction or investment, but not limited to, investment schemes.”
Body:
Discussion should include the following:
Explain the context of the question – Inter-Ministerial Committee on Virtual Currencies headed by finance secretary Subhash Chandra Garg has submitted its report to the government. The committee set up by Centre has also proposed a draft bill ‘Banning of Cryptocurrency & Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2019’.
Discuss what are the key recommendations made, discuss pros and cons and form a fair and balanced opinion as to whether the currency should be allowed or banned completely.
Conclusion:
Conclude with 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
Why this question:
The question is directly from the static portions of GS paper III.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the prominent internal security challenges/threats that have been witnessed or being witnessed due tot social media and one must explain the laws and regulations in place to curb the same.
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:
Body:
Explain how Spread of social media and cell phones has created the phenomenon of ‘flash crowds’ at the site of encounters. In addition, media like Facebook and YouTube are being used to great advantage to carry out propaganda.
One can discuss recent examples/incidences to substantiate the possible threats posed by social media on the internal security aspects of the country.
Then move on to detail upon the Existing laws for regulation over electronic media in India.
Conclusion:
Conclude that a serious and clear debate on the issue of freedom of expression, social responsibility, anonymity and data security is the need of the hour. And social media needs to be managed with proper and strict regulations in place.
General Studies – 3
Topic:Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The article talks about the employment picture and state of Jobs in the country.
Demand of the question:
The answer has to evaluate How serious is the employment problem in India.
What are the issues of economy with respect to jobs and employment scenario?
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, 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
Discuss by quoting facts and highlight the issue.
Body
The article discusses in detail in what way stagnant wages and jobless growth are a recipe for political instability in the Indian countryside.
Take hints from the article and discuss the issues associated and what are the possible solutions/fixes to the same.
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question aims to discuss and evaluate the need for high ethical standards in the Indian bureaucratic system.
Key demand of the question:
Explain how and why High ethical standards are necessary for civil services.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, 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:
Briefly state the importance of ethics in general.
Body:
Explain how set of values are desirable in civil servants so as to ensure they have an ethical conduct being professed. Explain the reasons that necessitate the high ethical standards in civil services, quote case studies or examples of ethically upright, morally sound civil servants to justify better.
Conclusion:
Conclude that civil servants are ultimately responsible and accountable for the varied and multitude of services they provide.so to ensure assurance and in the best interests of society, they have to take care that high ethical standards are being met.
NOTE: