[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 09 August 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in
human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating
values.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Why this question:
The Lok Sabha passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2019 on Tuesday. The Bill aims to regulate the practice of surrogacy in India and allow only “ethical altruistic surrogacy”.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must examine in detail the key provisions of the bill , the concerns and issues involved along with the need of such a law in place to regulate surrogacy in the country.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define what you understand by Surrogacy.
Body:
Explain the following –
Surrogacy is a form of assisted reproductive treatment (ART) in which a woman carries a child within her uterus on behalf of another person or couple. Recently Lok Sabha passed the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 which seeks to regulate commercial surrogacy which has become a flourishing industry in the country.
Discuss the need for the Bill – to curb unethical practices present in the medical industry with respect to surrogacy, women health aspects, to prohibit commercial surrogacy.
What are the key provisions of the bill?
Explain in detail the possible concerns – It does not allow single women or men, or gay couples to go in for surrogacy, clarity in case of unhealthy child born out surrogacy and its acceptance is missing etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that sanctioning altruistic surrogacy will enforce emotional and societal pressure on close female relatives without any compensation for immense emotional and bodily labour of pregnancy involved in surrogacy as well as loss of livelihood.
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
The Big Picture- floods and river linking
Why this question:
The debate captures in depth analysis of river linking projects for India and in what way they are a boon and a bane at the same time.
Demand of the question:
The answer must analyse in detail the pros and cons of the river interlinking projects in the backdrop of recent floods witnessed across the country.
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
Start with key facts depicting the uneven distribution of rains across the country.
Body
The interlinking project aims to link India’s rivers by a network of reservoirs and canals that will allow for their water capacities to be shared and redistributed.
According to some, this is an engineered panacea that will reduce persistent floods in some parts and water shortages in other parts besides facilitating the generation of hydroelectricity for an increasingly power-hungry country.
Discuss in brief the history of interlinking projects in India.
Then explain the positives of such a policy.
Discuss the demerits – financial viability, physical viability, will adversely affect land, forests, biodiversity, rivers and the livelihood of millions of people etc.
Discuss examples of successes and failures and suggest what should be done.
Conclusion
Conclude with a fair and balanced opinion.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development.
Why this question:
With a trade war between the US and China already having ruptured the stability in Asia, Beijing’s cheapening of the yuan has stoked fears of a ‘currency war’.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must analyse in depth the recent economic policies adopted by China in response to the ongoing trade wars with US.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief put across the concept of currency manipulation.
Body:
Explain that China’s economy depends significantly on its exported goods. By devaluating its currency, the Asian giant lowered the price of its exports and gained a competitive advantage in the international markets. A weaker currency also made China’s imports costlier, thus spurring the production of substitute products at home to aid the domestic industry.
Explain the impact of such a move on global trade markets.
Effect on Asian markets – With Chinese goods becoming cheaper, many small- to medium-sized export-driven economies could see reduced trade revenues. If these nations are debt-ridden and have a heavy dependence on exports, their economies could suffer. For instance, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Indonesia greatly rely on their footwear and textile exports. These countries could suffer if China’s devaluations make its goods cheaper in the global marketplace.
Provide for a passing reference to impact on India.
Conclusion:
Conclude that China’s recent moves will continue to send ripples across global financial systems, and rival economies should brace themselves for the after-effects.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Why this question:
India has signed the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA) recently.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the detailed features of United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA) and effect on India.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with brief on the origin and coming of United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA).
Body:
Discussion should include the following:
First explain about the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA); The United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (“the Convention”) on 20th December 2018. The convention is also known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation” (the Convention).
What are the key features of it?
Advantages and merits of it.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic:Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development.
Why this question:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced new measures to increase credit flow to the Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) so as to overcome the on-going liquidity crunch in the sector. Thus, it is important to examine the environment of NBFCs in the country.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the liquidity crisis facing the NBFCs and the role of government in dealing with the crisis.
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 what are NBFCs.
Body:
Students must first bring out in brief the worsening credit situation of NBFCs and the causes for it, then explain the recent measures taken by the RBI to deal with the same – RBI has increased the cap on a bank’s exposure to a single NBFC to 20% of its tier-I capital from 15% now.
Bank lending to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) for on-lending to Agriculture up to ₹10.0 lakhs; Micro and Small Enterprises up to ₹ 20.0 lakh and housing up to ₹ 20.0 lakh per borrower to be classified as priority sector lending.
Also explain the measures taken in the last year and its effect on NBFCs.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
6) Discuss Aristotle’s concept of ‘Golden Mean’ in Ethics.(250 words)
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and is based on the theory of golden mean propounded by Aristotle.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the concept of Golden mean and how can one apply it.
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:
In brief highlight the significance of the concept.
Body:
Explain the theory – according to Aristotle the Moral behavior is the mean between two extremes – at one end is excess, at the other deficiency. He emphasizes that one must find a moderate position between those two extremes, and thus one will be acting morally.
The concept of Aristotle’s theory of golden mean is represented in his work called “Nicomachean Ethics”, in which Aristotle explains the origin, nature and development of virtues which are essential for achieving the ultimate goal, happiness, which must be desired for itself.
Present examples/case studies where these principles can be applied and substantiate your answer.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of the theory and its relevance.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of Sarvodaya as propounded by Mahatma Gandhi.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the concept and its application and relevance even in today’s times.
Directive:
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain in short what you understand by Sarvodaya.
Body:
This concept was first of all adopted by Mahatma Gandhi. It is a comprehensive, social, economic, political, moral and spiritual philosophy.
Sarvodaya is a term meaning ‘Universal Uplift’ or ‘Progress of All’. It is based on the principle of duties rather than rights of individuals. It lays great emphasis on moral and spiritual values. It seeks to create new social and economic values.
The concept of possession yields places to the concept of trusteeship. In the Sarvodaya society of Gandhiji’s dream, therefore, every member will be free from any greed for limitless acquisition of material wealth and more and more luxurious living.
everyone will, thus, get ample opportunity to produce and earn sufficiently through honest work for having a decent and dignified living.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the concept is for the betterment of the society and holds significant role even today in its application.
NOTE:
