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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. Effects of globalization on Indian society.
Reference: Business World
Why this question:
The question is amidst the pandemic facing the world and in one has to analyse if India can reboot its rural landscape.
Key demand of the question:
Explain how and why in the middle of COVID-19 adversity lays a massive opportunity for India to reboot its rural landscape.
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 context of the question, quote facts to highlight how the COVID outbreak has hit the urban centres badly.
Body:
To start with, explain the key services that rural regions in the country provide. Take hints from the article and explain in what ways India can boost its rural economy, Incentivize Rural Manufacturing and services sector, De-clutter the Mega Cities and incentivize migration into Smart Cities, focus on reskilling and up skilling etc. Discuss why India should focus on rural India amidst such adversities.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a futuristic and positive opinion.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
2. Discuss the Constitutional Status of Separation of Power in India.(250 words)
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and from the static portions of GS paper II.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the Constitutional Status of Separation of Power in 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 define what you understand by Separation of power.
Body:
- The doctrine of separation of powers is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, although not specifically mentioned. The legislature cannot pass a law violating this principle. The functions of the three organs are specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
- Then discuss articles of the Constitution which suggest separation of powers; Article 50, Article 123, Articles 121 and 211, Article 361 etc.
- Discuss how it is different from the western notion of separation of power.
- Highlight the significance using examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the importance of these concepts in the Indian constitution.
Topic: Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question aims to analyse the concept of separation of power from the sense of its applicability.
Key demand of the question:
One must deliberate whether separation of power in India, as provided by the constitution, is rigorous and whether it is more of a separation of functions rather than separation of power.
Directive:
Discuss – Here in your discussion, you need to explain what it meant by rigorous separation of power and separation of function rather than power. Keeping the constitution and political system of India in mind we need to provide answers to the nature of SoP in India in theory and in practice.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly define separation of power in the Indian context.
Body:
To start with, explain that by rigorous separation of power, we mean that whether each wing of government i.e. executive, legislature, and judiciary function in silos or whether there are linkages between their functioning. By separation of function rather than of power, we mean the linkage between the executive and legislative where the minister derive their legitimacy from legislature. The question expects us to discuss these issues.
Discuss the nature of SoP in India. In the first part, discuss the checks and balances in practice and in theory which ensure that the three wings do not work in silos. Thus the nature of SoP in India is not rigorous.
In the second part, discuss the judgment of SC in Ram Jawaya Case and mention that the executive derives its legitimacy from Parliament and are a part of Parliament. This it is more like separation of function.
Conclusion:
Summarize your answer based on arguments provided above.
Topic: Role of civil services in a democracy. India and its neighborhood- relations. 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.
Reference: The Hindu
Key demand of the question:
The article highlights the growing deep void in global leadership amidst the corona crisis and the possible role India should play in collective global action to overcome 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:
Discuss in short the current conditions across the world owing to the epidemic and the failure of global systems to tackle and foresee it.
Body:
Explain the fact in detail that the coronavirus’s flight across the world at lightning speed, has exposed the total void in collective leadership at the global level.
The outbreak that is rapidly gobbling up human lives, regardless of citizenship and race, and contemptuously ravaging economies across continents, there is as yet no comprehensive, concerted plan of action, orchestrated by global leaders, to combat this terror.
Present as to what role can and India should play in catalyzing the collective action against the pandemic.
List down the possible role India can play.
Conclusion:
Conclude that India has the power to awaken the conscience of the Superpowers and catalyze collective global action and it is time for it to take steps in the right direction.
Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The article analyses critically the role played by the planning body – NITI Aayog amidst the corona crisis.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in what way A planning institution must be a systems reformer and a force of persuasion, not just a control centre.
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 narrate the situation in question alongside the efforts being made by the NITI Aayog.
Body:
To start with, explain what are the ideal roles and responsibilities that a national planning body must render to its country. Highlight the fundamental issues a national plan must address- such as the condition of the environment, the shape of the economy, and pace of human development, need consistent action over decades. Discuss in brief the role of NITI Aayog, bring out the lacunae. Suggest measures to address the challenges before it.
Conclusion:
Conclude that democratic governance is the need of the hour and the planning body must become a systems reformer and a force of persuasion and not just a control centre.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth.
Reference: The Hindu
Key demand of the question:
According to latest estimates released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the Indian defence exports have increased and defence imports have decreased during the period between 2009-13 and 2014-18.Thus the question.
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 put forth the background of the question.
Body:
To start with, discuss why India’s defence model faces challenges despite the positive trends generated by ‘Make in India’. Discuss the positives and negatives of Make in India drive. Explain the factors contributing to falling imports apart from the make in India concept; Indian defence acquisitions have also fallen due to the cancellation of big-ticket items. SMEs still face stunted growth because India’s defence industrial model is at odds with global trends in that it tends to create disincentives for the private sector. Suggest upon the current export trends. Thus, from a volume and value standpoint, Indian defence exports, while showing a promising upward trend has failed to meet desired success globally. To help ideas meet action, there is a need to create an environment for greater participation of private industry.
Conclusion:
Conclude that to ensure that ‘Make in India’ initiative reaches its full potential, focus should be laid on export promotion/facilitation and export regulation.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
Recently, many state governments have invoked the National Security Act (NSA) to detain people on doubtful offenses. The Act has stringent provisions against the arrested. The Usage of NSA by States is being seen as the misuse of these provisions. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the key features of National Security Act and elucidate upon the criticisms and concerns over its misuse, comment on the need for its review.
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:
Start by explaining What is the NSA Act?
Body:
List down the key features –
- National Security Act allows Central or State governments to prevent any person from acting as a threat to national security.
- The Act also allows the government to preventively detain any person from disrupting supply or maintenance of essential commodities and services to the community or disrupting public order.
- As per the act, a person can be detained for a maximum of 12 months but can be extended when fresh evidence is produced by the government.
Explain the concerns associated in detail and highlight the possibilities of its misuse.
Conclusion:
In a democracy often acts such as this hampers the progress of the nation. Already, the act is 40 years old and reconsidering it is the need of the hour. Arbitrary detention for personal goals becomes the norm which does not augur well for the country.
