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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.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The question is based on the significance of knowledge centric developments amidst current times.
Key demand of the question:
Explain what you understand by knowledge- centric development in detail and in what way it can it be a leveler for urban and rural areas.
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 define what knowledge- centric development is.
Body:
- To start with, explain the situations of the current times, its impact on urban and rural regions of the country.
- Discuss the effect of pandemic on the distress migration in the country.
- Explain the significance of Knowledge-era; explain that with technologies like additive manufacturing, internet of things, and artificial intelligence, well-trained people can address needs in both urban and rural areas from wherever they are.
- Discuss – with emphasis on capability and capacity building of rural youth in terms of holistic education, appropriate technology and enhanced livelihood, there is a possibility for a more balanced distribution of income as well as population.
Conclusion:
Conclude that bridging the knowledge gap between a city and a village would also bridge the income gap between the two, and lead to a faster bridging of the gap between the average individual income in India and that in industrially advanced countries.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
2. Non-Governmental Organisations often play the role of a Social Safety-Valve, however there aren’t free of challenges. Elucidate.(250 words)
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question is with reference to the key role played by NGOs in the society.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in what way NGOs play the role of safety valve and also explain the possible challenges they face.
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:
In short explain what NGOs are. NGOs refers to not-for-profit organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development.
Body:
Explain the key role played by NGOs in general. Discuss their need; explain that Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) act as the operational arm of the civil society and thus have an important role in the development processes. Non-profit organisations play vital role in mobilizing public attention to societal problems and needs. They are the principal vehicle through which communities can give voice to their concerns. Discuss the issues and challenges associated.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. 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.
Reference: pib.gov.in
Why this question:
Recently Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi directed senior officials of more than 30 state waqf boards to ensure strict and honest implementation of lockdown.
Key demand of the question:
The question demands the necessary reasons that justify the need of creation of ‘Waqf’, in the context of India being a “Secular” State.
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 define what ‘Waqf’ are.
Body:
Waqf is a property given in the name of God for religious and charitable purposes. A non-Muslim can also create a waqf but the individual must profess Islam and the objective of creating the waqf has to be Islamic. Then present the case of Secularism and the Indian Constitution. Explain the pros and cons of creating Waqf. Discuss the key objectives of it.
Conclusion:
Conclude that in a pluralistic society, the best approach to nurture secularism is to expand religious freedom rather than strictly practicing state neutrality.
Topic: Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Reference: Indian Polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question aims to ascertain the role of Self-help groups as a necessity in rural development of the country.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the role of Self-help groups as a necessity in rural development of the country in detail.
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 SHGs are.
Body:
Self Help Groups are groups of 10-20 people in a locality formed for any social or economic purpose. Most of the SHGs are formed for the purpose of better financial security among its members. SHGs can exist with or without registration. SHGs in India often work in association with Banks (SHG – Bank Linkage Programme). Briefly explain their benefits to the society in general. Then explain why SHG are a necessity in rural development?
- In India there is a substantial percentage of rural and urban poor, who if tried individually cannot break their chains of poverty, and hence collective action is required.
- For self-employment and financial independence, poor sections need credit.
- Bank credits are not easily accessible to individual poor, but by forming a SHG, there are make better prospects for bank credits. (Often without collateral).
- The chance of successful income generation is high with SHGs than individual attempts.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Disaster and disaster management.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The article explain How the American President’s suspension of funds to the World Health Organization in the middle of a pandemic impact its work. Thus the context of the question.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the role of WHO in global health efforts and the inherent challenges faced by it and also suggest measures to empower 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 the background of the question.
Body:
To start with, explain that The U.S. President has criticized World Health Organization (WHO) for its handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic and has alleged that the organisation was “very China centric”. The WHO has been accused of mismanaging the COVID-19 crisis and failing to vet information and share it in a timely and transparent manner. Discuss the role of WHO in global health efforts. List down the criticism of WHO’s handling of the Pandemic. Present the counter arguments if any. Suggest measures to address its challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude that WHO would have to work with its partners to fill any financial gaps that arise to ensure that its work continues uninterrupted.
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The article presents a narration of effects of COVID-19 outbreak on the elections in the country.
Key demand of the question:
One has to analyse and examine in detail the possible effect that the Pandemic will have on the electoral democracy of the country.
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:
Briefly explain the background of the question by presenting some key facts.
Body:
To start with, highlight in what way the COVID-19 outbreak has put India’s electoral calendar on the back burner. Explain in what way the recent national election in South Korea sets an example with lessons to learn and that conduct of elections should not be completely written off in India either. Discuss the effect on the electoral democracy. Highlight the possible challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The article presents the relevance of Gandhian principles of swadeshi, swachhata and sarvodaya in the contemporary times. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the relevance of Gandhian principles of swadeshi, swachhata and sarvodaya in the contemporary times with suitable examples.
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 in what way COVID-19 is a wake-up call for the postmodern world.
Body:
To start with, first explain the Gandhian principles of swadeshi, swachhata and sarvodaya. The question is pretty much straightforward and there isn’t much to deliberate, students must present suitable examples to justify the relevance of Gandhian principles in the current times.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting significance of these principles.