[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 02 October 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Why this question:
The author explains how in last five years, Swachh Bharat mission has captured people’s imagination, they have owned the change. Thus making it important for us to analyse in what way SBM has set a benchmark for participatory and transformative development.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the significance of SBM and the modus operandi of it that made it successful than ever before.
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:
Explain the importance of SBM, briefly state what it has achieved.
Body:
One can start by highlighting the fact that Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of an India where no one had to suffer the indignity of open defecation. There cannot be a better tribute to him than the transformation of the country, in the last five years, from being the highest contributor to global open defecation to torch-bearer for global sanitation.
Discuss the achievements made so far, explain what factors were involved and have led to such a great success that has transformed the behavior of the society.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward that India has achieved what was unimaginable a few years ago, but the show must go on.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question:
US President Donald Trump’s recent offer to buy Greenland appeared to come out of the blue. It is, however, indicative of the emerging geopolitics of the Arctic region, where climate change and China are fast destabilizing the status quo, throwing up political, security, legal, and environmental challenges.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects us to bring out the significance of Arctic region as hotspot of global power centre in terms of resources that it has to offer owing to the technological and climatic trends it is witnessing currently.
Directive:
Elaborate – 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 brief start by explaining – India’s footprint in the Arctic oil and gas sector is increasing with Indian state-run companies investing $5 billion in various oil projects in the Russian far-east.
Body:
Explain the significance of Arctic region.
Oil and natural gas are particularly important for the energy hungry Asia-Pacific region. With the Arctic opening up for exploration, drilling in inaccessible and remote areas seem promising.
Discuss the issues underlining arctic politics.
Throw light upon India’s position amidst these issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Why this question:
The article discusses in depth that travelling to New Delhi or engaging expensive Supreme Court counsel to pursue a case is beyond the means of most litigants. It also highlights the fact that Standing Committees of Parliament recommended in 2004, 2005, and 2006 that Benches of the court be set up elsewhere.
Key demand of the question:
One has to provide for arguments for the merits of establishing multiple benches of the apex court to address the growing pendency of cases with the judiciary and discuss how it can be achieved.
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 need for multiple benches.
Body:
Explain the current situation of Judiciary. The issues plaguing it and why multiple benches can be a way forward.
Discuss in depth the recommendations given by various law commissions so far and justify with your opinion as to what would be ideal.
Explain both the pros and cons associated and conclude.
Conclusion:
Conclude that though It is obvious that travelling to New Delhi or engaging expensive Supreme Court counsel to pursue a case is beyond the means of most litigants, the Supreme Court however has not agreed with the proposal to set up regional benches, which in its opinion will dilute the prestige of the court.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The article discusses the importance of agricultural production in devising a long-term solution to the problem of unemployment and the present slowdown in economy.
Key demand of the question:
One must establish the significance of agricultural production in devising a long-term solution to address the issues of unemployment and economic slowdown currently being witnessed by the country.
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 judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief narrate the agrarian situation in the country.
Body:
In brief, write a note on the role and significance of agriculture in Indian economy. Analyze the performance of agriculture in the last few years. Then critically look into, how emphasis on agricultural production will address the present issues in economy- unemployment and the slowdown.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Why this question:
Nearly 110 people died in rain-related incidents across the country in the past four days, with Uttar Pradesh reporting the maximum deaths, while
Incessant rainfall in Bihar has badly hit normal life, with almost all areas of capital city Patna under knee-deep waters and people struggling to meet their daily needs.
demand of the question:
One has to explain the causative factors of the flood situation in the states of Bihar and UP.
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:
Narrate the ongoing situation in these states.
Body:
In brief discuss the flood situation in Bihar and UP.
Explain the causative factors of the floods – discuss both manmade and natural causes of it.
Discuss using the case study of Patna; describe specific issues that have left the situation grim.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions to address the situation both short term and long term.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Key demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and aims to ascertain effect that educational institutions have in forming value system of an individual.
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 values in an individual’s life.
Body:
Start with describing what values schools, colleges and educational institutions inculcate then proceed how these values have denigrated. Explain how education must focus on developing a holistic personality.
Implications on self and society at large are to be mentioned to address the question comprehensively.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Value education is the first step for a peaceful and happy society thus it is critical to the development of an individual.
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Why this question:
The article talks about the significance of Democracy as expressed by Mahatma Gandhi.
Key demand of the question:
One has to explain what values a true democracy must encompass.
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:
In brief narrate the meaning of the quote.
Body:
Explain that in a democratic country like India the importance and inevitability of social justice cannot be minimized. It is especially for the reason that social justice is one of the main problems of India. Hundreds of thousands of people are still in want of social justice. Consequently, they suffer in political, economic and intellectual spheres. Hence, Mahatma Gandhi laid a great stress on decentralization of power so that participation of each and every one in political and economic fields could ascertain. Moreover, on the strength of this participation common men could also enjoy a standard of living, and along with intellectual growth they could find a way to achieve equality in society.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of the quote.
NOTE:
