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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.
Reference: Indian Art and culture by Ntin Singhania
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I from the theme of art and culture of India.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the factors responsible for distinct architectural style of temple construction in different parts of India.
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 the prominence of different styles of architecture witnessed in temples of India.
Body:
Highlight the basic features of a Hindu temple style. Broad Orders of temples – Nagara style, Dravida style and Deccan style. Highlight different temple styles of India, listing out their characteristics as influenced by geography, ethnic, racial, historic and linguistic diversities. Then correlate how these factors had played a vital role in the architectural styles of Temple construction in the history of India.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of diversity of culture present in India and their advantages as highlighted by the architectural marvels in the temples of India.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Reference: CCRT INDIA.GOV.IN
Why this question:
The question aims to analyse the key role played by the development of the medieval literature that led to the birth of Modern Indian languages.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of the medieval literature in the Indian context and detail upon the evolution of modern Indian languages.
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 highlight the timeline of medieval literature; their origin and evolution.
Body:
Around 1000 A.D. local differences in Prakrit grew more and more pronounced Discuss that the most powerful trend of medieval Indian literature between 1000 and 1800 A.D. is devotional (bhakti) poetry which dominates almost all the major languages of the country. India’s middle ages brought about a very rich tradition of devotional literature of remarkable merit. Explain that Bhakti literature is the most important development of the medieval period; discuss the contributors to this period and how they led to development of languages like Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, and Kannada etc. Discuss apart from Bhakti tradition, the Sufi tradition also brought in many folds of improvement in languages; evolution of Urdu etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of modern Indian languages and their coming.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
3. ”Court spaces must be democratic, where Gandhi’s principle for the weakest and Ambedkar’s principle for Constitutional morality must apply.”
Analyse the statement in the light of changing modus operandi of Indian Judiciary. (250 words)
Reference:Times Of India
Why this question:
The question is based on a quote made by recently retd. Justice Muralidhar.
Key demand of the question:
The question aims to analyse the importance of the court spaces to be evidently democratic and in what way they should inculcate the principle of weakest of mahatma Gandhi and that of the constitutional Morality of Dr Ambedkar.
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the key role that Judiciary plays in maintaining the constitutionality and democratic nature of the country.
Body:
First, highlight the importance of Democracy to be prevalently maintained in the functioning of the Indian judiciary. Discuss in detail the concept of “principle of the weakest” of Gandhi and the principle of “Constitutional morality” propounded by Ambedkar. Explain why should Indian judiciary inculcate the above two aspects. Illustrate the recent verdicts that went against the above features and raised doubts about the Judiciary being democratic. Suggest solutions to the challenges posed.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of democratic values that are central to the functioning of Judiciary.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Challenges to Internal Security through Communication Networks, Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
Data on internet shutdowns in India which is available in public domain and compiled by Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC). Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss about the study and its key findings; trends in internet shutdowns in India and comment upon the laws governing it.
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 start with the key findings of the report. The number of preventive internet shutdowns enforced by the central and the state governments in India saw a major spike between 2017 and 2019, and as many as 95 of these lasted for more than 24 hours.
Body:
First discuss the recent internet shutdowns played out in many parts of the country like – Kashmir, north-east etc. Then explain that in today’s world, there are high social and economic costs for repeated and prolonged suspension of Internet connectivity. Explain the difference between Preventive and Reactive internet shutdown. Discuss rules regarding internet shutdown; Indian Telegraph Act of 1885. Highlight the Misuse of Section 144 of CrPC.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting way forward.
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights.
Reference: Live Mint
Why this question:
In April 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had barred regulated entities such as banks from dealing in bitcoins and other virtual currencies. The Supreme Court has now lifted the restriction.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss about crypto currencies: merits and demerits with special focus on the challenges that they pose as a substitute to the regular currency.
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:
Briefly explain what crypto currencies are.
Body:
- Cryptocurrencies are internet-based mediums of exchange. They are digital currencies that can be exchanged between parties without the need of a third entity, like a bank.
- Discuss the risks associated with Cryptocurrencies, explain that Cryptocurrencies are vulnerable to cyber hacking and data privacy breaches and increase the risk of money laundering. They do not have any fundamental value as they are not legal tender, and are not backed by governments, central banks or a pool of assets.
- They are a poor medium of exchange also because their valuation tends to be excessively volatile and susceptible to manipulation. They are seen as instruments of speculation and transactions that are below the radar of regulators and law enforcement agencies etc.
- Discuss the worries of RBI associated with Cryptocurrencies.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the possible future of such technology.
Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference:The Hindu
Why this question:
The launch and expansion of Ayushman Bharat-PM-JAY is a watershed moment for the Indian health-care service delivery ecosystem. The government has taken a big step by rolling out world’s largest and most ambitious publicly funded health-care assurance programme. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the possible potential available for private care providers, innovators and start-ups to partner in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
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 the – Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and its components.
Body:
Explain that as the scale of this scheme grows, a key area of focus is to expand the secondary and tertiary hospitals empanelled under PM-JAY and ensure their quality and capacity while keeping the costs down. Highlight the possible role that the private care providers, innovators and start-ups can play in notching the scheme up. In the coming years, considering 3% hospitalization of PM-JAY-covered beneficiaries, the scheme is likely to provide treatment to 1.5 crore patients annually. This means physical and human infrastructure capacity would need to be augmented vastly. Then detail upon the potential available for private care providers, innovators and start-ups to partner in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting the importance of multi stakeholders approach.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Work culture
Reference: Case study
Why this question:
The question aims to ascertain the relevance of public servants and their happiness at workplace.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of happiness at workplace for a public servant to deliver to her/his best possible.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain what happiness indicates at workplace.
Body:
Happiness is a state of mind. We have expectations and aspirations related to our lives. If these expectations are fulfilled then we are happy. For public servants to be happy in their work place it is necessary that their good work is respected, valued and appreciated.
Discuss the ways and means by which the government can contribute to the happiness of the public servants – Recognition and reward for good work which can provide them work satisfaction, timely payment of salaries and promotions, Security for women at workplace, Better work environment, free from political pressure etc.
Then move onto present your arguments for happiness, if you were posted as an administrator what would you do.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
