[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 16 January 2020
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
1. What is a complex volcano? Discuss the salient features with suitable illustrations.(250 words)
Why this question:
In the Philippines, a volcano called Taal on the island of Luzon, 50 km from Manila, erupted on January 12, spewing lava on the ground, and ash and smoke into the sky. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the concept of complex volcano and the silent features of it.
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 define volcano in general and suggest the types.
Body:
In detail explain the concept of complex volcanoes.
A complex volcano, also called a compound volcano, is defined as one that consists of a complex of two or more vents, or a volcano that has an associated volcanic dome, either in its crater or on its flanks. Examples include Vesuvius, besides Taal.
Discuss that the Taal volcano does not rise from the ground as a distinct, singular dome but consists of multiple stratovolcanoes (volcanoes susceptible to explosive eruptions), conical hills and craters of all shapes and sizes. Taal has 47 craters and four maars (a broad shallow crater).
Describe the key features of such volcanoes. Explain the landforms created by it. Use suitable diagrams wherever possible to illustrate better.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of such phenomena in the evolution of landforms on Earth.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Why this question:
The article highlights the fact that Many Global cities like New York, Paris, London have empowered mayors who lead their country on Urban Issues, but in India the metros have been deprived of empowered Mayors who can raise efficiency, productivity and livability. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the status of the post of mayor in the country and the real-time challenges facing it. Discuss the need to empower Mayors to ensure growth and sustainable development of our urban areas.
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:
Start with constitutional status of the position of a Mayor.
Body:
- Discuss briefly the powers and responsibilities of Mayor in India.
- Explain what the Advantages of having empowered mayors are.
- Discuss the challenges in the Indian scenario; key challenge is the status quo itself and the vested interests it has entrenched. State governments do not wish to delegate more authority to city-level institutions etc.
- Suggest what needs to be done to empower the post.
Conclusion:
Conclude that India’s cities need a new deal that is focused on development. Only elected, empowered and accountable Mayors can deliver on that.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
The Hindu
Why this question:
NGO Pratham’s Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) in the past has spoken about deficiencies in India’s Education system and how children fall short on basic learning skills. In the latest edition of ASER, it directs attention to children between four and eight years of age, and suggests that India’s learning crisis could be linked to the weakness of the country’s pre-primary system. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail in what way if India’s learning crisis is linked to the weakness of the country’s pre-primary education system. Explain the deficiencies in India’s Education system and how children have fallen short on basic learning skills.
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 highlight the conditions of Indian education system in general.
Body:
Discuss the key statistics of the report – ASER.
According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019, 21% children in grade one of government schools could read words compared to 46.7% in private schools — an advantage of 122%.
Provide for reasons for such conditions, take hints from the article.
Discuss the crucial role played by Early childhood education, its lacunae in Indian education system.
Suggest what needs to be done.
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 fifth edition of the prestigious event is being jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the significance of Raisina Dialogue to Asia and world and the role that India plays.
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:
Describe what Raisina Dialogue is.
Body:
- First present facts associated – The three-day conference will see the participation of 12 Foreign Ministers, including from Russia, Iran, Australia, Maldives, South Africa, Denmark, Uzbekistan and the EU. The theme this year is ‘Navigating the alpha century’.
- The Raisina Dialogue is a multilateral conference committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.
- It is a multilateral conference held annually in India.
- Every year, global leaders in policy, business, media and civil society are hosted in New Delhi to discuss cooperation on a wide range of pertinent international policy matters.
- The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation, an independent think tank, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
- It is designed to explore prospects and opportunities for Asian integration as well as Asia’s integration with the larger world.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of such multilateral forums.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
Almost five years after the launch of the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), there are indications that the power sector is once again in trouble. The article traces the performance of the scheme so far and brings out detailed deliberation of DSICOM finances.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the issues of power sector in India in general and specifically with respect to the financial concerns of state DISCOMs. Highlight the need for efforts by the government in different perspectives.
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:
Briefly highlight the issue.
Body:
In the recent past, several initiatives have been taken to address the challenges in the power sector. These include structural changes in the regulatory framework as proposed by the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014, and more recently, the UDAY scheme to address financial issues being faced by companies distributing electricity.
Discuss what challenges are posed by the DSCOMs, why have the restructuring policies failed in the past.
Suggest what government should do to address these constraints.
Conclusion:
Conclude that a multi-pronged approach is the need of the hour.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
Almost five years after the launch of the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), there are indications that the power sector is once again in trouble. The article traces the performance of the scheme so far and brings out detailed deliberation of DSICOM finances.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the issues of power sector in India in general and specifically with respect to the financial concerns of state DISCOMs. Highlight the need for efforts by the government in different perspectives.
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:
Briefly highlight the issue.
Body:
In the recent past, several initiatives have been taken to address the challenges in the power sector. These include structural changes in the regulatory framework as proposed by the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014, and more recently, the UDAY scheme to address financial issues being faced by companies distributing electricity.
Discuss what challenges are posed by the DSCOMs, why have the restructuring policies failed in the past.
Suggest what government should do to address these constraints.
Conclusion:
Conclude that a multi-pronged approach is the need of the hour.
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Why this question:
The question aims to analyse the challenges of textile industry in the country and need for a strong policy to address the issues and make the sector a strong and flourishing one.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the challenges facing the Indian Textile Sector in detail and suggest ways and means to upsurge domestic manufacturing and promotion of exports in the this Sector.
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 discuss key statistics of the textile sector. Indian textile industry is one of the largest industries in India. It is the second largest industry in terms of providing employment opportunities to more than 35 million people in the country. Indian Textile industry contributes to 7 per cent of industrial output in terms of value, 2 per cent of India’s GDP and to 15 per cent of country’s export earnings.
Body:
List the challenges of the Indian Textile Sector –
- The Indian Textile Sector is losing to competition because of lack of FTAs (Free Trade Agreements) with the EU and the USA.
- The small scale of business is making it difficult for textile manufacturers to compete on cost with players from outside.
- India is facing huge competition from other countries in Ready-made Garment (RMG) Exports, particularly cotton .And while the world of fashion is moving towards “Blends”, India is not making many blended apparel items. So on the one side our traditional items are facing competition, and on the other side we are behind in Product Diversification.
- Textile imports from Vietnam and Bangladesh are cheaper for buyers across the world.
Suggest remedies to the above challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Exports are critical, but textile manufacturers should focus on the opportunities in the domestic market too.
