[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 8 January 2020
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Why this question:
The article highlights the significance of storytelling and Mythology to Children and the benefits they carry in imparting values to children.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the significance of storytelling and Mythology to Children 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:
Explain that stories help connect Children to reality.
Body:
Discuss in detail the benefits of Mythology and storytelling.
Explain how it justifies the fact that children can’t be given direct sermon.
Explain how they help build values in children.
Use examples to justify.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of it.
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Why this question:
The article captures in what way the substantive versions of these ideas have been evoked in the popular upsurge across the country today.
Key demand of the question:
Bring out the trajectory of the democracy in the country. Explain how the idea of democracy has evolved over a period.
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.
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:
Explain first what you understand by the Idea of India.
Body:
Discuss the recent happenings that have been challenging the idea of India.
Explain the reasons that have led to such phenomenon. Use hints from the article and list down the factors responsible.
Explain how we go about retrieving ideas of democracy and nation authentic to our context.
Conclusion:
Conclude that while this popular upsurge does not give us a full-blown ideal of democracy that we wish to be and the image of the nation it recasts, the indicators are all there to see. There is a surplus in the ideas of nation and democracy that formal rules of law and modes of representation can never exhaust, and one cannot trump the former by invoking the latter.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question:
Today, with wildfires burning more than 12 million hectares of land, destroying native flora, killing thousands of wild animals, including endangered species, and displacing residents and tourists, Australia is confronted with a dystopian vision, where “apocalypse becomes the new normal”.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in what way the Bush fires present New Delhi and Canberra a rare opportunity to translate their rapidly converging interests and coalescing of values into a formidable partnership for the 21st century.
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:
Briefly state the situation of Bush fires in Australia, explain the severity.
Body:
Briefly discuss what bush fires are and what leads to them.
Discuss that with this incident debate on global warming, climate change and fossil fuels are going to intensify.
Explain the significance of the disaster to Australia-India relationship.
Discuss the scope for partnership.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward and assert the significance of partnership between the two countries on this front.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Why this question:
The article discusses in what way the rising tensions between US and China affords an opportunity for India to secure some of its crucial interests.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the present scenario; explain in detail the rising tensions between US and China. Highlight the possible challenges and opportunities that the context throws at India.
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.
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Recently USA and China agreed on a temporary trade deal (‘Phase One’) to ongoing trade war between them. However this will not significantly improve the relations between the two countries. Since many other challenges between these two countries have risen up in recent times like- technology war, passing of Hong Kong Human rights act, US’s decision on Iran etc.
Body:
Explain first what has been the impact of this tension on India so far?
Quote the “Ecowrap report” and the key highlights of it.
Explain the opportunities it poses to India.
Discuss in what way India can respond to this challenge.
Conclusion:
Conclude that US-China rising tensions could help India achieve its economic and strategic interests that are crucial to the growth of the country.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
5. Write a short note on National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture.(250 words)
Why this question:
The question is direct from the static portions of GS paper III.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the NMSA project, highlight its key objectives, quote facts of achievements so far, challenges if any and conclude with way forward.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) has been formulated for enhancing agricultural productivity especially in rain fed areas focusing on integrated farming, water use efficiency, soil health management and synergizing resource conservation.
Body:
Briefly discuss the mission objectives first.
Explain the mission strategy.
Discuss the major components of the scheme in detail.
Take hints from the reference and cover majority aspects in your answer.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such missions to the agro-economics of the country.
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Why this question:
Question is based on the topic of economics of animal-rearing.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the benefits of Livestock farming backed by Agricultural Extension services. And the positive impact it brings in development of weaker sections of the society.
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:
Dis
Body:
Explain that Livestock make a major, although largely underestimated, contribution to rural development in developing countries. They produce food, enhance crop production and provide additional economic goods and services as well as cash income.
The inclusion of livestock diversifies and increases total farm production and income, provides year-round employment and disperses risk. Sales of livestock products provide funds for purchasing crop inputs and for financing farm investments
Livestock often form the major capital reserve of farming households and, in general, enhance the economic viability and sustainability of a farming system.
Explain how linking it with agri extension services can help weaker sections of the society.
Discuss the stakeholders that will benefit from such a combination of services; Women, Rural areas etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question:
Science outreach programme was on the agenda on the third day of the 107th Indian Science congress. Central government has a plan to launch a
Programme on implementing scientific social responsibility (SSR).
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the aspects of SSR and its importance. Explain why the country needs a dedicated policy to ensure SSR is in place.
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 is SSR – The ethical obligation of knowledge workers in all fields of science and technology to voluntarily contribute their knowledge and resources to the widest spectrum of stakeholders in society.
Body:
Explain in detail the significance of SSR.
To encourage science and technology (S&T) institutions and individual scientists in the country to proactively engage in science outreach activities to connect science with the society.
To harness latent potential of the scientific community for strengthening linkages between science and society, and for making S&T ecosystem vibrant.
To develop a mechanism for ensuring access to scientific knowledge, transferring benefits of science to meet societal needs, promoting collaborations to identify problems and develop solutions.
Explain the need for a dedicated policy to ensure SSR is in place.
Discuss the highlights of the draft policy dedicated to SSR.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need and significance of SSR; When most research is being done by using taxpayers’ money, the scientific establishment has an ethical obligation of “giving back” to the society. SSR is not only about scientific impact upon society but also about the social impact upon science. SSR would therefore strengthen the knowledge ecosystem and bring efficiencies in harnessing science for the benefit of society.
