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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: News on Air
Why this question:
The Home Ministry issued Standard Operating Procedures for the movement of stranded migrant laborers for their engagement in industrial, manufacturing, construction, farming and MNREGA works within States and Union Territories where they are currently located. Under it, they have been allowed to go to places of work within a state with certain conditions.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss the issue of distress-induced migration in the country and issues associated with it and also explain the need of a nation policy to address the Migration issue in detail.
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:
Firstly, explain the recent happenings across the country with respect to migration aspects.
Body:
To start with, discuss the issue of internal migrants in the country. Explain the policy measures of the past that are in place already to address the issue, bring out the concerns that still exist. Discuss briefly problems faced by internal migrants. Explain then, why there is need for a national policy; The need for a national policy towards internal migration is underscored by the fact that less than 20% of urban migrants had prearranged jobs. Nearly two-thirds managed to find jobs within a week of their entry into the city.
Conclusion:
Conclude with What should a national policy contain and suggest way forward.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Reference: Economic Times
Why this question:
The Aarogya Setu app was recently designed to enable users who have come in contact with COVID-19 positive patients to be notified, traced and suitably supported.
Key demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and one must assess the concerns against the Arogya Setu app and the arguments in favour of it and suggest measures to address the concerns.
Directive:
Assess– When you are asked to assess, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidences. You have to appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming a personal opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the coming of the Arogya Setu – contact tracing app in India into existence.
Body:
To start with, explain the background circumstances under which this app was developed; Governments around the world are using contact-tracing as a means to improve their situational awareness to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian Government’s Aarogya Setu App follows the same trajectory. Discuss the concerns highlighted by the article such as – app has been criticized for not complying with data protection principles of data minimization, purpose limitation, transparency and accountability, all of which are crucial to protecting the privacy of its users. Discuss the arguments in favour of the app.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced and just solution to address the concerns involved.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered educational institutions across the globe. Closure of schools, colleges and universities, shutdown of routine life of students and teachers, disruptions in education and the education ministry remaining incommunicado, have created an unprecedented situation and thrown many unexpected challenges to administrators, educators, teachers, parents and students. The situation has created the new normal. How to cope with the new normal is the question that everyone is now asking.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the need for SWOT analysis amidst the pandemic with respect to the e-learning tools and resources.
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 discuss the impact of the pandemic on the education system across the world.
Body:
Explain that it is good to carry out a SWOT — Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats — analysis of the COVID-19 situation and its impact on education. This exercise can help us set new goals and objectives and move forward. Discuss different dimensions involved – Can everyone in the country afford e-learning? Is online education an elite concept in India? Will the digital divide further cement inequality and create an academic divide in the country? Explain the opportunities, weaknesses and strengths.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
Bangalore blue grape is a variety of fox grape grown in districts around Bengaluru, Bengaluru rural, Chikkaballapur and Kolar districts. It has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2013. Almost all the growers of Bangalore Blue grapes are now in dire straits as their crops have started drying up with no buyers due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the role of Geographical indication (GI) tags play in Rural Development of the country.
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 GI is.
Body:
A GI or Geographical Indication is a name or a sign given to certain products that relate to a specific geographical location or origins like a region, town or country. Using Geographical Indications may be regarded as a certification that the particular product is produced as per traditional methods, has certain specific qualities, or has a particular reputation because of its geographical origin. List down the positives of the GI. Discuss the role of GI in Rural Development – Geographical indications are mostly traditional products, produced by rural communities over generations that have gained prominence on the markets for their precise qualities. Some benefit are – The supply chain is structured around a common product reputation Increased and stabilized prices for the GI product Distributed through all the levels of the supply chain adds value Natural resources can be preserved on which the product is based Preservation of traditions and traditional expertise.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy has said that, India’s recent policy to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic companies goes against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) principles.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the effect of the government’s ban on Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) through the automatic route from land border sharing neighboring countries, also discuss the associated consequences.
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 state the context of the question.
Body:
To start with, discuss the changes in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy. Under the revised FDI policy, prior government approval is mandatory for FDI from countries which share a land border with India. The new policy states that when an entity of a country, which shares land border with India or where the beneficial owner of an investment into India is situated in or is a citizen of any such country, can invest only under the Government route. India shares land borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Discuss the possible advantages and disadvantages associated with the policy.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why this question:
The question is based on fall in Oil prices and what opportunities do the sudden crash in crude oil prices offers for India, How the country should make the most of a second oil windfall.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the fall in oil prices, and examine the factors that contribute to the fall apart from mere demand supply equation.
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 talks about the impact of recent oil prices crash in general and its causes.
Body:
Explain that It’s not just Demand and Supply, there’s more to the story of Crude Oil prices. Four major factors help determine the price of oil: Supply & consumption, government policies, Geopolitics and financial markets. Elaborate on the above factors with suitable examples. Discuss what opportunities the current situation holds for India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be India’s role amidst the oil shocks across the world and how should it benefit from it.
Topic: Case Study
Why this question:
The question is based on the current pandemic and imitates the same in a smaller situation and analyses the possible ethical dilemmas involved.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the ethical perspectives and challenges involved in the case, present your opinion as to what should ideally be done to resolve the scenario..
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the nuances involved in the case.
Body:
This case involves a conflict between beneficence and autonomy. A quarantine would severely restrict the lives of the people within the building (violating the principle of autonomy), but this action is supported by the principle of beneficence, since it would safeguard the health of the general public. One might be tempted to appeal to the principle of no maleficence in this case: if Cheryl does not impose quarantine, she is thereby allowing the public to be harmed by the virus. But typically failing to prevent harm (rather than directly causing harm) is understood by ethicists as a violation of the principle of beneficence.
Conclusion:
Finally, conclude that the principle of equality is involved, since Cheryl must consider the interests of each occupant of the building and each person outside the building who might be in danger of being infected by the virus on an equal basis and take necessary actions.
