[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 17 August 2019
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and
compassion towards the weakersections.
General Studies – 1
Topic: population and associated issues
Why this question:
The prime minister, in his Independence Day speech, flagged “population explosion” as a problem and talked of the need to counter it. It is surprising that the government has missed the message on the declining trend in fertility in the country and is gearing up to fight yesterday’s problem.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate the current population level dynamics.
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:
Present the situation of population in the country.
Body:
The proponents of population regulation raise the bogey of the absolute population level already being too high and the resulting resources-demand gap fueling social misery and instability. But this deliberately ignores or underplays the fact that the rates of both absolute population growth and total fertility have been declining steadily, and negate the need for population regulation measures.
Explain the causes and consequences of the declining trend and what kind of change in population policy is desired.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
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 Lok Sabha recently passed an amendment bill that allows a Supreme Court judge besides the Chief Justice of India to be appointed the chairperson of National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC) and increases the number of members from two to three.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must justify in what way the new amendments curb the independence of NHRC.
Directive:
Critically– 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 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:
State the changes brought in by the new bill.
Body:
The bill provides that a person who has been Chief Justice or Judge of a High Court will be the chairperson of a State Human Rights Commission.
It seeks to reduce the term of office of chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC to three years from five years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.
Discuss the different amendments made and the possible consequences of the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question:
The article suggests With WTO’s dispute settlement process set to fall apart due to appellate body vacancies remaining unfilled, a parallel arbitration procedure is a must.
Demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate the need and necessity for arbitration procedure as a parallel to WTO’s dispute settlement body.
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
Provide for a brief background of the current situation at the WTO.
Body
Explain what are the present conditions at the WTO’s dispute settlement body, discuss the need for a parallel arbitration mechanism.
The EU and Canada have jointly indicated their intention to resort to arbitration under Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), and set up an interim arbitration procedure. This procedure will be followed in disputes involving the two WTO members if the AB is unable to hear appeals due to an insufficient number of members.
Discuss the implications of such a step.
Conclusion
Conclude with way ahead.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
On August 15, during the first Independence Day speech of his second tenure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Jal Jeevan Mission, which plans to supply water to all households by 2024.
Key demand of the question:
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:
Brief on the concept of Jal Jeevan Mission.
Body:
Discuss the key features of the Jal Jeevan Mission
Mission Objective: To ensure Har Ghar Jal (piped water supply) to all rural households by 2024 under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Executing agency: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Mantralaya.
Strategy: This Mission will focus on integrated demand and supply side management of water at the local level, including creation of local infrastructure for source sustainability like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household wastewater for reuse in agriculture.
The Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water supply management across the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with in what way Jal Jeevan Mission will be a major step towards improving ease of living and meeting aspirations of a New India.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question:
In response to Prime Minister’s call on India’s 73rdIndependence day, to make India free of single use plastics, a massive public campaign will be launched engaging all stakeholders.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate the need for reducing plastic waste in the country.
Directive:
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:
State few facts depicting plastic pollution scenario in the country.
Body:
Discussion should include the following:
Explain first the past and present India’s efforts to beat plastic pollution.
How far has the country gone?
Discuss why the steps aren’t alone enough to tackle the menace and what more needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic:Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
Question is based on the theme of dedication of public servants.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the concept of dedication, factors leading and consequences of it.
Directive:
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:
Define dedication as a value/virtue.
Body:
There are some professions in which individuals overly dedicate their lives, personal life, fun and comfort.
Discuss the factors that determine a civil servant’s dedication to public service – benevolence, tolerance and Compassion towards weaker Section
caring altruism, Fearlessness and Courage, Spirit of Service and Sacrifice, A sense of Mission and Focus etc.
discuss the impact of dedication and positive effects of the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reiterating the significance of dedication.
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is based on the theme of objectivity.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in depth the concept of objectivity with suitable examples and discuss
its significance in civil services.
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 objectivity.
Body:
Objectivity means taking decisions based upon established facts and figures
rather than personal opinion or bias.
Objective Ethics refers to a view that a person’s action can always be seen as right or wrong, regardless of the situation or the consequences. It focuses on rules for governing what is considered to be morally right, wrong, or obligatory.
Students must use suitable examples and explain the relevance.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
NOTE:
