[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 18 February 2020
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Role of women and women’s organization, Social empowerment.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The article highlights the implications of the Supreme Court’s order granting permanent commission to women on a par with men.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of the verdict and in what way it’s a great leap forward towards equality in the Indian army.
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:
State the details of the case; The Supreme Court recently brought women officers in 10 streams of the Army on a par with their male counterparts in all respects, setting aside longstanding objections of the government.
Body:
The body of the answer should first cover the background of the case; discuss when women were first inducted into the Army etc. Then explain why till recent times Women were not considered for higher ranks in the Army and other defence roles. Explain the bias towards women in general, present arguments supporting the judgment, highlight that several countries with powerful militaries, such as China, the United States of America and Israel, allow women in different forms of active combat. Discuss why the judgment is a leap forward.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of such a judgment in granting equality at the gender roles.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution– historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The question is in the background of recent Supreme Court’s move to take suo motu cognizance of children taking part in demonstrations in Shaheen Bagh in Delhi.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the merits and costs of involving children in protests and political actions and discuss the constitutional provisions associated with 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 explain what constitutes – the right to protest and what are the constitutional provisions associated with it in the country.
Body:
List down the basic provisions associated with the right to protest in the country. Explain significance of Article 19; right to protest, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) etc. Then move onto discuss in what way questions have emerged whether it is responsible parenting to protect children from these issues or to involve children in the middle of a protest that involves police action and could become volatile. Take hints from the article and present your opinion with suitable justifications.
Conclusion:
Take a fair and balanced approach and conclude with a middle path that strikes balance between right to protest and protection of children in such incidences.
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
In the 5th India Russia military industry conference held during the Defexpo 2020 in Lucknow, 14 MoUs were signed between Indian and Russian companies. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the effect that the diversification of defence imports will have on the relationship that India shares with Russia.
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:
Briefly highlight the fact that much of Indian military equipment is sourced from Russia.
Body:
Discuss that today their bilateral ties—officially labeled “special and privileged strategic partnership”—focus heavily on defence cooperation, while the economic partnership remains listless even as the respective relations of the two with other states have grown rapidly. Discuss other countries with which India is importing Defence equipment; explain the effect of that on Russian aspect. Discuss in such a situation and the relationship between the two, how diversification of Defence imports will affect the Indo-Russian relations in the present context and the near future.
Conclusion:
Conclude that While the relationship between the two remains generally strong and without significant obstacles, both countries need to critically examine the substance and future of their ties for a more coherent policy outlook.
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The author in the article discusses how with the electoral process tapping data in the country, a data protection framework must uphold a voter’s informational autonomy.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the need for a strong data protection framework to uphold the information of the voter in the elections of the country.
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:
Briefly explain the context of the question.
Body:
Explain first how in recent times Indian electoral system has advanced and upgraded itself in terms of use of data but however it still has lacunae on the front of protection of this information making the voter’s information vulnerable. Discuss specific issues such as micro targeting by the government, take cues from the article and bring out the challenges involved. Comment on the front of privacy laws, need to enforce better framework.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions to address the above issues, assert upon the need to develop a robust framework to address the issue.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and aims to analyse the key challenges involved in the applications of Darknet and the prevalent misuse of it.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the challenges involved in fighting the Darknet while suggesting strategy and solutions to deal with 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:
Explain what Darknet is.
Body:
Dark Net is an umbrella term describing the portions of the Internet not open to public view or hidden networks whose architecture is superimposed on that of the Internet. Explain what are the challenges involved with it; Misuse: Computer crime (hacking, file corruption etc.), Sale of restricted goods on Darknet markets, File sharing (personal files, pornography, confidential files, illegal or counterfeit software etc.) The Dark Web is often used by individuals who want to preserve anonymity. That includes criminals, terrorists and state-sponsored spies. The Dark Web does contain websites selling illicit goods, including drugs etc. Discuss why it is difficult to tackle – virtual presence, no restricted geographical boundaries etc. Suggest solutions to address the challenge like – Introduction of technology-savvy youngsters into the cyber department in large numbers, Hiring of experienced foreign law-enforcement professionals, who have experience in similar operational security and applicable law.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting upon the need to address the issue with greater urgency.
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon Publications
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of ‘Tolerance’ in today’s times and its relevance.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of tolerance as a virtue quintessential for the peaceful existence of our societies in the world.
Directive:
Illustrate – A similar instruction to ‘explain’ whereby you are asked to show the workings of something, making use of definite examples and statistics if appropriate to add weight to your explanation.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define first what you understand by Tolerance.
Body:
Set the context of the question first by explaining that in an age where the electronic media has drawn us closer together into what is called a global village, its benefits will only be felt when mutual goodness prevails, when mutual respect and understanding prevail. Then link the above fact with role that practicing tolerance plays in a society. Highlight the importance of tolerance. Discuss what happens when there is Lack of tolerance in the society; fighting, violence, and finally it destroys the peace and security of society. Quote some illustrations from India or any other example to justify the essence of tolerance.
Conclusion:
Conclude that without tolerance and harmony the lasting peace of societies cannot be maintained.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon Publications
Why this question:
The question aims to compare the idea of Empathy as practiced by Indian society and in what way it differs from the notion in that of the western societies.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must compare and contrast the concept of ‘Empathy’ as practiced in the western societies with that our society.
Directive:
Compare and contrast – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly first define what Empathy is.
Body:
Discuss the notion of empathy of the western society; explain that Western societies believe man is a rational animal to substantiate – Nolan committee doesn’t list ’empathy’ in its recommendations. On the contrary Indian society believes Man to be an emotional man; thus need of Empathy- the belief that Empathy helps us understand others’ emotion, therefore empathy required to increase your emotional intelligence. Substantiate the above notions and other significant differences and similarities with suitable examples to justify better.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of Empathy and objectivity in general to all the societies of the world.
