[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 28 April 2020

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General Studies – 1

Topic:  The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.

1. Who were the Khudai Khidmatgars? analyse the aftermath of the Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre.(250 words)

Reference:  Indian Express 

Why this question:

Its 90 years for Peshawar’s Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre. The massacre was perpetrated by British soldiers against non-violent protesters of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement on April 23, 1930.

 Key demand of the question:

Explain who the Khudai Khidmatgars were and what was the Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre; present a detailed analysis of its aftermath.

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:

Explain about who Khudai Khidmatgars were.

Body:

To start with, talk about the contributions of Khudai Khidmatgars. a non-violent movement against British occupation of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss why did the Qissa Khwani Bazaar massacre happen? What was it. Explain the aftermath of the incident.

Conclusion:

Conclude with significance of the event in the modern Indian history of the country.

General Studies – 2

Topic:  Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

2. Discuss the shortcomings of citizen’s charter in India and suggest reforms to make it more effective.(250 words)

Reference:  Governance by Lakshmikant

Why this question:

The question is straightforward from the static portions of GS paper II.

Key demand of the question:

Explain the drawbacks of the citizen’s charter in India and suggest reforms to make it more effective.

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 a citizen’s charter is.

Body:

To start with, present the case of citizen’s charter in India, highlight the shortcomings such as – Devoid of participative mechanisms, Poor design and content, Lack of public awareness, Charters are rarely updated etc. Suggest reforms to make the citizen charter more effective such as – One size does not fit all, Wide consultation process, Firm commitments to be made etc.  

Conclusion:

Conclude that a Citizens’ Charter cannot be an end in itself; it is rather a means to an end – a tool to ensure that the citizen is always at the heart of any service delivery mechanism.

Topic:  Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

3.Discuss the contributions of Sevottam model in improving the quality of public service delivery in the country. (250 words)

Reference:  darpg.gov.in 

Why this question:

The question is straightforward from the static portions of GS paper II.

Key demand of the question:

Explain the contributions of Sevottam model in improving the quality of public service delivery in 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 explain Sevottam model.

Body:

The Sevottam model has been developed with the overarching objective of improving the quality of public service delivery in the country. It is a combination of two words Seva (service), Uttam (excellence). Explain the concept in detail. Discuss the contributions of it in the country’s public service delivery.

Conclusion:

Conclude with way forward.

Topic:  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.

4. Examine India’s stand with respect to the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).(250 words)

Reference:   The Hindu 

Why this question:

A recent report by the U.S. State Department claimed that China has been carrying out nuclear testing against the provisions of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Thus the question.

Key demand of the question:

One has to analyse India’s stand with respect to the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

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 narrate the background of the question context.

Body:

To start with, explain the coming of Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) into action. Highlight the concerns associated with CTBT. Bring out the challenges and threats associated with possibility of new nuclear arms race. Discuss in detail India’s stand with respect to the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

Conclusion:

Conclude with way ahead.

General Studies – 3

Topic:  issues relating to intellectual property rights.

5. An efficient and equitable intellectual property system can help India to realize intellectual property’s potential as a catalyst for economic development and social & cultural well-being. Discuss. (250 words)

Reference:    Business Standard 

Why this question:

The question is premised on the importance and relevance of efficient and equitable intellectual property system for our country and in what way it can act as a catalyst for economic development and social & cultural well-being.

Key demand of the question:

Explain the importance of intellectual property system to the country and draw its relations to economic development and social & cultural well-being 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:

Explain IPR – Intellectual property rights (IPR) are the rights given to persons over the creations of their minds: inventions, literary and artistic works, and symbols, names and images used in commerce. They usually give the creator an exclusive right over the use of his/her creation for a certain period of time.

Body:

To start with, explain why there is need of IPRs. Present the case of India and the rule and regulations available with it in respect of IPR regimen. Discuss the national IPR policy. Highlight the challenges and concerns associated.

Conclusion:

Draw a balanced conclusion justifying how an effective IPR system can act as a catalyst for economic development and social & cultural well-being.

Topic:  Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

6. What is direct monetization of deficit? Do you think it could be a comprehensive solution for the government to prevent the looming financial crisis? Critically examine.(250 words)

Reference:  Indian Express 

Why this question:

The article highlights that with the economy stalled; there isn’t enough money in the market for the government to borrow. It explains if it can ask the RBI to print more money and in such a case how does the process work, and what are the arguments against it.

Key demand of the question:

Explain the concept of direct monetization of deficit and present arguments for and against it.

Directive:

Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to 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. 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 define the idea of direct monetization of deficit in the preset context.

Body:

Explain first the current scenario, discuss as to what triggers a demand for direct monetization. Discuss the scope and feasibility of “Direct” Monetization by the government for Deficit Financing as an option of the last resort. Explain if India has done this in the past. Highlight the issues involved.

Conclusion:

Conclude with what should be the way forward.

General Studies – 4

Topic:  Case Study

7.  Aparna recently landed a well-paying software job in a reputed company in Bangalore. She has an ambition to become a civil servant. She is working hard towards it. Recently she wrote the entrance for Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship (PMRDF) and got selected as its Fellow. Though she received better salary in the present job, she wanted to accept the PMRD Fellowship and work for it. She will be posted in a faraway state from her present location. The district where she will be posted is a sensitive region severely affected by Naxal problem. Few days ago, few civil servants and policemen were killed by Naxals in an ambush. Aparna’s parents do not want her to leave the present job. She thinks that this fellowship would equip her with skills needed to work as an IAS officer in case she gets selected in future.

 If you are in Aparna’s place, what decision will you take? Give reasons.(250 words)

Reference:  case study

Why this question:

The question is premised on a situation involving ethical perspectives.

Key demand of the question:

One must provide for a detailed examination of the case study and identify the ethical dimensions in it and suggest suitable solution to address it.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Briefly explain the situation in question.

Body:

To start with, bring out the ethical dilemmas involved in the present case. Discuss the aspects of personal ambition, family needs and wishes; in what way they may not all is in alignment with each other. Explain the need to balance such a situation. Highlight the genuine concerns of the family, wishes and aspirations of Aparna. Suggest how escaping from the situation may not be apt and that there needs to be a concrete decision with respect to the situation.

Conclusion:

Suggest a fair and balanced opinion.