[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 31 October 2019
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent)
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I.
Key demand of the question:
One should explain the concept of sub-terranean twin river system in detail and highlight the significance of Amazon-Hamza twin river system.
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 twin river system – Two rivers flowing at different levels in the same region, i.e., on the ground surface and below the ground surface but following the same direction and the gradient is called the twin river system.
Body:
Start by explaining the fact that it is an unusual geological happening. Such a river system has been discovered in 2011 in Brazil, called the Amazon-Hamza river system. Hamza river is a subterranean river, which is flowing below the Amazon River.
Then move on to discuss key features of Amazon-Hamza twin river system.
Explain How Amazon and Hamza are two different rivers?
Conclusion:
Conclude that due to differences in flow, level and source of water these two rivers have been considered different and have been named as a subterranean twin river system.
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent)
Why this question:
Glaciers exist in the areas where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over a long period of time. The question aims to ascertain the key features of such landforms and the threats they are facing.
Key demand of the question:
The question is straight forward; explain the key features and the threats faced by the glaciers.
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 glacial landforms in brief.
Body:
Explain the key features of the glacial landforms with suitable diagrams where ever necessary.
Discuss their significance of the glaciers with respect to the resources they offer.
Explain the challenges they face and what needs to be done to overcoe such threats.
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 article brings out the findings of the report published by National Crime Records Bureau.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the relevance of accurate, reliable and comprehensive data reports of crimes in the country for smooth functioning of the criminal justice system.
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 findings of the report released recently.
Body:
- Give a brief introduction about Criminal Justice system and its importance in a democracy.
- Mention the importance of data reports for smooth functioning of criminal justice system.
- Mention the lapses in the crimes data collection and its management by NCRB.
Conclusion:
Give the way forward for the lapses mentioned.
General Studies – 3
TOPIC: : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The article brings out the significant contributions that e-commerce in India is making and the steady trajectory of growth it has been achieving amidst economic slowdown facing the country.
Key demand of the question:
One has to elaborate on the fact that the potential of job creation in e-commerce is evident from the extent to which it has penetrated India’s retail and consumption ecosystem. Explain in depth in what way e-commerce can be potentially used to create more jobs and augment the dream of $5 trillion economy.
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 highlight statistics related to e-commerce in India.
Body:
Explain that the e-commerce sector’s resilience indicates an increasingly sharper understanding of what both India and Bharat want.
It also must be noted that amid a perceived nationwide slowdown in consumption, India’s e-commerce sector has recorded its highest sales ever.
Discuss the benefits of e-commerce.
What are the possible challenges? And how they can be addressed.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the fact that the potential of e-commerce sector must be utilized to the fullest.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why this question:
The article highlights the importance of Big data as a technology for building better future for citizens.
Key demand of the question:
Bring out the significance of Big Data as a technology. Its applications in detail.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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 define what Big Data is and explain its evolution.
Body:
- Explain first the relevance of Big Data and its emergence as a powerful tool.
- Mention the significance of Big Data in India.
- Then move on to discuss how big data can help vulnerable people manage their health and lives.
- List down the applications of Big Data ranging from governance, economy, disaster management etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Why this question:
The article suggests that By 2025, according to the global research and advisory firm Gartner, companies will generate and process more than 75% of their data outside of traditional centralized data centres — that is, at the “edge” of the cloud.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects us to elaborate on the new technology of edge computing and in what way it will be the new face of cloud.
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 what is edge computing? – Edge computing enables data to be analyzed, processed, and transferred at the edge of a network.
Body:
- Explain the application of cloud computing first, and then discuss in what way edge computing is different from it.
- Cloud computing — by which remote servers hosted on the Internet store and process data, rather than local servers or personal computers — is ready to move to the next level.
- Amazon, Microsoft, and Alphabet, the parent company of Google — the technology giants that provide cloud computing infrastructure to major corporates and governments — want to leverage 5G wireless technology and artificial intelligence to enable faster response times, lower latency (ability to process very high volumes of data with minimal delay), and simplified maintenance in computing.
- This is where Edge Computing comes in — which many see as an extension to the cloud, but which is, in fact, different in several basic ways.
- Quote relevant examples highlighting the uses of such applications.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: 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 explains the overall contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the fact that The power to transform the world does not flow from political parties or big multi-national companies rather it flows from the collective non-violent energies of ordinary men and women in our society.
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 narrate the context of the question.
Body:
One can discuss the following aspects of the question –
- Explain that Mahatma Gandhi spoke on several issues which give us an insight to this thought-process and more importantly also helps us to navigate some of the current issues in our society. Such as on the question of future of women in India. He expressed that they will be equal in every respect to men, if not superior.
- Discuss his views on political ideologies. Example: Socialism, He felt it was good if it did not rely on force to achieve its objectives.
- On the issue of religion- He rejected the idea of intrinsic superiority of one religion over another and the imperative of constricted, exclusive belonging. He also believed that learning good principles from other religion was not intrinsically bad. More importantly, though, Mahatma Gandhi believed social transformation can be brought about only by a change in the moral character of every individual person.
- Indian society at this point of time is facing many challenges such as- rise in majoritarian ideology, fall in the moral character of individuals in society, discrimination of women in all sectors etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that thoughts and messages delivered by Gandhi possess the ability to fight these challenges successfully.
NOTE:
