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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The question is based on the fact that a recent study has pointed out to importance of collective conscience of society in the death penalty cases in the country.
Key demand of the question:
Explain what you understand by collective conscience of the society; explain its effects in general with suitable examples.
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:
Coined by David Emile Durkheim – a famed French sociologist, collective consciousness referred to the shared beliefs and moral attitudes which operate as a unifying force within society.
Body:
It is a fundamental sociological concept that refers to the set of shared beliefs, ideas, attitudes, and knowledge that are common to a social group or society. Then one should explain how collective consciousness holds society together. Discuss the factors that induce collective conscience in a society. Give suitable examples to explain its effect on the society. Take hints from the article explain the case of death penalty.
Conclusion:
Conclude with its importance to the society in general.
Topic: population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies. 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. Issues relating to poverty and hunger
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
A migrant Adivasi girl died of hunger and dehydration in Chhattisgarh. Thus the context of the question.
Key demand of the question:
One must bring out issues associated with migrant tribals and the effect of the COVID pandemic on their lives and livelihoods.
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:
Firstly present the gist of the question.
Body:
The government’s declared war on the novel coronavirus is turning out to be an undeclared war against the workers of India. Among them are workers from Adivasi communities. State some key facts justifying the stand of the question – The last National Sample Survey Office migration survey, which was published more than two Decades ago, showed that between 1992-93 to 2007–08, the proportion of migrant households among Scheduled Tribes (STs) was higher than among all other communities. The same data showed that STs were the single largest group among female migrants. With 45.5% of rural Adivasis below the poverty line, Adivasis usually do multiple kinds of work through the year. State the reason for increasing number of migrant workers. Explain the effects inflicted by the pandemic on their lives and livelihoods.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions to address the problems.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The article talks about the issues facing the manufacturing industry in the country. It highlights the sectors dependent on imports and issues concerning them.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the issues involved in import dependent manufacturing industries, suggest solutions to address their concerns and elaborate on what needs to be done to tread the path of self-reliance.
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 current state of manufacturing sector in the country.
Body:
To start with, highlight the sectors that are import dependent. Talk about manufacturing sectors like – electrical and electronic industry, pharmaceutical industry etc. Discuss specific issues in these sectors – lack of flexibility in labour laws, high costs and low availability of land and high cost of electricity etc. Suggest solutions to address the problems.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Reference: Indian Geography by Majid Hussain
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and is from the static portions of GS paper III.
Key demand of the question:
Explain key determinants of cropping pattern in India while presenting a spatial analysis.
Directive:
Elaborate – 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 define what you understand by cropping pattern.
Body:
To start with, explain that the cropping patterns may be affected by several factors and interplay of these factors. Some of these include physical and technical factors, economic factors, government agrarian policy, improvements in technology, availability of agricultural inputs and facilities etc. Discuss the physical factors affecting cropping pattern, technical factors and input availability affecting cropping pattern, Economic Factors etc. Draw a map of India and present the spatial aspects of the pattern.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suggestions to address the issues.
Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Reference: Indian Geography by Majid Hussain
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and is from the static portions of GS paper III.
Key demand of the question:
The question aims to analyse the important role played by transportation in the agriculture sector and the issues associated with it.
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 quote the significance of transport in the agri sector in general.
Body:
When analyzing transport of agriculture produce, it is identified that transport costs has critical role in recognizing the link between accessibility and agricultural development. Good transport system is critically important to competent agricultural marketing. For distribution of agriculture produce, road transport has vital role because it is the major means of transporting agricultural produce from the farms to the markets as well as to various urban communities. It is the only means by which food produced at farm location is transported to different homes as well as markets. Transport creates market for agricultural produce, improves interaction among geographical and economic regions and opens up new areas to economic focus. Explain the associated concerns or challenges. Suggest what needs to be done to overcome it.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
6. “Moral values and administrative realities are far apart.” Discuss.(250 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by G Subba Rao and P N Roy Chowdhury
Why this question:
The question is based on the application of moral values to the administration.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the harsh realities that exist in the public administration that create a wide gap between the moral values and its realities, explain the issues and suggest way forward to address the same.
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 what you understand by moral values.
Body:
In rapidly changing society, there is a need of good public administration. Ethics and values has key role in smooth functioning of public administration system. Highlight the reasons that make it difficult for the administration to install moral values in the system.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suggestions to address such a scenario.
Topic: ethical dilemmas
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by G Subba Rao and P N Roy Chowdhury
Why this question:
The question is based on the ethical dilemmas and how they differ from theoretical perspectives and real administrative situations.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the gaps in addressing the ethical dilemmas that exist in reality and those explained and analyzed by the philosophers..
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:
First explain what ethical dilemmas are.
Body:
Such answers are best explained with examples, one can explain various philosophers and their approach to resolve ethical dilemmas and highlight why often their approach cannot be simulated as is in real public administration scenario. Give examples and suggest what should be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a fair and balanced opinion.
