[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 14 October 2019
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Post- independence India by Bipin Chandra
Why this question:
The question must discuss the challenges that were faced by
Key demand of the question:
One must bring out, violence and displacement followed by the partition, integration of the princely states and redrawal of internal boundaries based on languages were immediate challenges faced by India post-independence. Explain them in detail.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must 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:
In brief discuss the background of the question.
Body:
Explain the challenges to integration and unification of India after independence.
Briefly state the steps taken by the government to resolve these challenges.
Explain its significance in contemporary times.
Conclude by stating the possible steps that can be taken to maintain the unity and integrity of the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to overcome these challenges.
Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Growth much more difficult. Comment.(250 words)
Post- independence India by Bipin Chandra
Why this question:
The question aims to ascertain the challenges faced during the transition of Indian economy from the colonial times to the modern economy immediately post-independence.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the challenges faced by the Indian economy to transition itself from the colonial era to a self-sustained growing economy of its own.
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 discuss the conditions that Indian economy was in when India got independence.
Body:
Explain the challenges faced by the Indian economy soon after independence.
Then move on to explain under what circumstances our leaders adopted a mixed economy.
Explain the process of planning and its impact.
Discuss briefly the significance of socialist planning and impact on Indian economy along with the variety of challenges that came through while realizing the economic planning process.
Conclusion:
Conclude with achievements.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these.
Why this question:
The question is based on the importance that article 81 hold in Indian constitutional setup and its relevance to Indian population in the current times.
Key demand of the question:
One has to throw light on the unchanged composition of Lok Sabha despite changes in population numbers and relevance of the same and suggest what needs to be done.
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 describe article 81 of the Indian constitution – Article 81 of the Constitution defines the composition of the House of the People or Lok Sabha. It states that the House shall not consist of more than 550 elected members of whom not more than 20 will represent Union Territories.
Body:
Explain in detail the why the number of Lok Sabha seats need to be rationalized on the basis of population?
What are the provisions related to it in the constitution? – provide here for an in-depth analysis for article 81 and the significance of these provisions.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done and way ahead.
Topic: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
Why this question:
A recent Pan-India study of 1.2 lakh children by Health and Family Welfare Ministry shows children received better diets with higher levels of schooling among mothers. Thus it is important to understand such a correlation and its impact.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain in detail the correlation between mothers’ education and the nutrition levels of children and its overall impact on well-being of children.
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 bring out the findings of the survey made by Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
Quote data from Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNSS).
Body:
Explain first importance of nutrition in Children.
Discuss the determining factors of child nutrition in general and explain the role played by mothers in ensuring total nutrition to their children.
Discuss why is it important for mothers to be educated? How does it impact nutrition among children?
Quote data from the survey to justify your answers better.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done to overcome the challenges of nutrition.
General Studies – 3
TOPIC: 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:
The article discusses in detail the coming of Li-ion batteries and in what way they have set off a technology revolution. The 2019 Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to John B. Goodenough, M. Stanley Whittingham and Akira Yoshino for working towards the development of practical lithium-ion batteries, thus making it important from exam point of view.
Key demand of the question:
One has to explain in detail the technological revolution that Li-Ion batteries have brought in and the importance of the same with 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:
First explain the coming of Li-ion batteries.
Body:
Explain first why Li-ion batteries are important?
Discuss the genesis of the same.
Explain that For many years, nickel-cadmium had been the only suitable battery for portable equipment from wireless communications to mobile computing. Nickel-metal-hydride and lithium-ion emerged In the early 1990s, fighting nose-to-nose to gain customer’s acceptance. Today, lithium-ion is the fastest growing and most promising battery chemistry.
List down the advantages and limitations of the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
TOPIC: Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
Disaster and Disaster Management.
6) Mangroves can act as first line of defence against coastal flooding. Elucidate. ( 250 words)
Why this question:
The article discusses a case study dealing with significant contributions of mangroves to coastal flooding.
Key demand of the question:
One has to explain the importance of Mangroves as a strong mechanism to prevent and manage the issue of coastal flooding.
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:
In brief state the recent coastal flooding witnessed by the Indian states like Kerala and Karnataka.
Body:
First explain the causative factors of coastal flooding.
Discuss the need to manage these floods; their impact.
Explain the role played by Mangroves – what are mangroves? Advantages and in what way they act as natural seawall.
Illustrate with suitable examples to justify better.
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.
Why this question:
The article discusses the role that women have in the development of corporates.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in what way Firms with a better balanced gender ratio are better governed and deliver superior results thus emphasizing on the role that gender diversification has to play in development of corporate governance.
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 you understand by corporate governance.
Body:
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
Why should there be gender diversification in corporates?
What difference women make in corporate firms – list down advantages and disadvantages of it.
Quote examples where the presence of women leaders in corporates has impacted the firms largely.
Conclusion:
Conclude that business leaderships must act in favour of gender diversity—if not out of a sense of justice, then for the sake of enhancing shareholder value.
NOTE: