[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 13 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.
Why this question:
The Parliament passed the Code on Wages Bill, 2019 mandating a minimum wage across the country in its first session itself. This law mandates a universal minimum payment of ₹178 a day.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must analyse the impact of the bill and to what extent is it justified.
Directive:
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:
Brief on the background of the bill; Origin of minimum wage, the concept and its application.
Body:
First acknowledge the issue of minimum wages in india, explain what are the pros and cons of the move, its objectives and in what way it is both a boon and a bane. Take hints from the article and detail upon it and form a balanced opinion.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to improvise and make the system of wages more efficient and effective.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
The article throws light on the recent move made by the government with respect to abrogating Article 370 and Article 35A and in what way it has affected the federal character of the country.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must critically examine the essence of federalism and the blow it has taken due to the scrapping of article 370 and 35A.
Directive:
Critically 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. 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:
Brief upon the context of the question or start with definition of federalism.
Body:
Discussion should have the following aspects covered:
In what way it has silenced the voices of those affected by these actions?
Tendency of centralization of power.
Detail upon the federal arrangements and effects on political decentralization.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to respect and value federalism as the beholding fabric of the country and that it shouldn’t be disturbed.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
The article provides for in-depth analysis of the possibilities, and gaps, in the draft new education policy. The draft of New National Education Policy has been recently submitted by the Committee led by the Chairman Dr. Kasturirangan on education policy.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the key policies of the New draft education policy and discuss upon its status of implementation.
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 the current education scenario in the country using some facts and recent statistics.
Body:
Discussion should include the following:
Explain that the draft Policy provides for reforms at all levels of education from school to higher education. It seeks to increase the focus on early childhood care, reform the current exam system, strengthen teacher training, and restructure the education regulatory framework. It also seeks to set up a National Education Commission, increase public investment in education, strengthen the use of technology and increase focus on vocational and adult education, among others.
Then discuss its status of implementation and what more needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology
Why this question:
12th August was 100th birth anniversary of scientist and innovator Vikram Sarabhai. Dr. Sarabhai is considered as the father of India’s space program, and his centenary comes just weeks after India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission to the moon.
Demand of the question:
Explain in depth the contributions made by Dr. Sarabhai.
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
Bring out importance of such personalities in bringing space technology to the current conditions and stature in India.
Body
From the article take cues and discuss the specific contributions made by Dr Vikram Sarabhai to the Indian space technology – Dr. Sarabhai established the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962, which was later renamed the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). He helped set up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Thiruvananthapuram, with its inaugural flight in November 1963. He pioneered the setting up of several institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, Community Science Centre etc.
Conclusion
Conclude with reassertion of the extraordinary contributions made by him.
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question:
The article discusses in detail the reasons for resurgent interest in the moon.
Key demand of the question:
One must list down the possibly causes of Why is there a resurgence in interest in Moon.
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 explain the significance of space missions.
Body:
Take hints from the article and list down causes as to despite multiple efforts made by the world countries the mission to moon have remained an unfinished agenda and thus there is dire need to resurge upon.
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.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question aims to evaluate the virtue of detachment and in what way it impacts the duty aspect of an individual.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the virtue of detachment and in what way it is applicable to public administration.
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 what you understand by ‘detachment’ in the context of the question.
Body:
Bhagavad Gita is one of the earliest texts in any tradition to emphasize that it is important not just to do one’s duty, but to do it in a certain kind of way; detachment.
Explain the importance of Detachment in general and how it applies to public services – it boosts a public servant capability to stay away from unintended emotions and ensures that emotions are invested wisely. It is is important to uphold public Interest as our excessive attachment with postings, perk, privilege, power, and position leads to civil servants becoming pursuing self-interest rather than public interest, self-serving rather than serving the people etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting significance of the same.
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 article emphasizes on the need for A technology to be evaluated both on the basis of its utility and the intention of its creator.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in depth the need for understanding and discussing the ethical basis of AI and in what way it is important for India.
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:
Explain the need for ethics in using technology.
Body:
The body of the answer should explain that multiple ethical perspectives are involved in development and application of a technology and it becomes essential for any technology like that of artificial intelligence to inculcate ethic on the basis of its utility and the intention of its creator.
Illustrate using suitable case studies/examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
NOTE:
