Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.
How to Follow Secure Initiative?
How to Self-evaluate your answer?
INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
1. Discuss in detail the classification of tropical cyclones as suggested by IMD.(250 words)
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why this question:
According to the India Meteorological Department, the storm system in the Bay of Bengal, Amphan has developed into a super cyclone and is expected to make landfall along the West Bengal-Bangladesh coast. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the classification of tropical cyclones as suggested by IMD.
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 Tropical cyclones are.
Body:
The students must remember that the question is not about the concept of tropical cyclone but about the classification of tropical cyclones. Explain in detail the classification suggested by IMD, use diagrams and tabulations wherever relevant.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The article discusses in what way the proposal to reform a power tariff policy and an amendment to the Electricity act-2003 will erode the concurrent status given to the electricity in the constitution.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the DISCOM troubles already present and how the newly proposed Electricity Act 2020 can further aggravate the crisis.
Directive:
Account – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly highlight the troubles that the DISCOMS are facing in the recent past.
Body:
In the last 25 years there is an increasing cost of power purchases by the Discoms, making the costs almost 80% of the total costs of Discoms. List down the issues faced by them in detail. Then, examine the proposals in the Electricity Act 2020. Explain that the amendment to the Electricity Bill and the reforms in power tariff policy by the centre takes the power of the states on a basic necessity “electricity”, and further burden the Discoms.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way forward.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on Friday started what is being referred to as a ‘travel bubble’ to help put their economies back on track post-Covid lockdowns. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the concept of travel Bubbles and then discuss how it would help the global economies.
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:
Briefly define what Travel Bubbles are.
Body:
Creating a travel bubble involves reconnecting countries or states that have shown a good level of success in containing the novel coronavirus pandemic domestically. Such a bubble would allow the members of the group to rekindle trade ties with each other, and kick start sectors such as travel and tourism. In the Estonia-Latvia-Lithuania travel bubble, residents would be able to travel freely by rail, air, and sea without quarantine measures. Explain that to keep some parts of the global economy afloat amid the coronavirus pandemic, travel bubbles are now being recommended. Discuss the pros and cons of such a concept. Discuss its significance to India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
4. Discuss the role of Public Sector Enterprises in the Indian Economy.(250 words)
Reference: Indian economy by Dutta and Sundaram
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and is from the static portions of paper III.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the role of public sector enterprises in India and their contributions to Indian economy.
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 scenario of public sector enterprise in India.
Body:
Explain that the public sector in India is composed of a number of segments; the govt., departmental and non-departmental enterprises. Then move on to discuss the importance/presence of the Public Sector in the Indian Economy. Discuss elaborately role of the Public Sector in the Indian Economy. Highlight the Problems Associated with Public Sector while suggesting solutions to the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth
Reference: Indian economy by Dutta and Sundaram
Why this question:
The question is again from the static portions of GS paper III.
Key demand of the question:
The question aims to discuss the effects of Liberalization on various aspects of Indian economy and Society.
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 coming of liberalisation and its application to Indian economy.
Body:
To start with, explain the impact of liberalisation on Indian economy in general. Explain that we have seen landmark shift in Indian Economy since the adoption of new economic policy in 1991. This had far reaching impacts on all spheres of life in India. There can be no concrete conclusions about their impact on Indian people. Economic liberalization is the lessening of government regulations and restrictions in an economy in exchange for greater participation by private entities; the doctrine is associated with classical liberalism. Thus, liberalization in short is “the removal of controls” in order to encourage economic development. Discuss its impact on various sectors of economy – agriculture, industry, health, education, IT etc. Explain how it impacted the fabric of Indian society; highlight both positives and negatives.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Quotation based
Reference: quote based question
Why this question:
The question is based on a quotation by a moral thinker.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the inherent message that is being conveyed by the quote and its relevance to ethics and morality principles in general.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the quote; it’s meaning.
Body:
The statement puts forth a situation that represents two acts, one of child who represents innocence, unaware of the consequences of his act and the other of man who represents mature, well-developed human minds with full knowledge of consequences. Child does not know the consequence of his act; his act is all performed in innocence and hence could be forgiven. On the other hand, men are well educated, capable of making educated and well informed decisions for their act, however they are lacking valor and courage to face the light of the truth. They are afraid of the consequences of representing the truth in its absolute form. Hence they take the shade of the dark and misrepresent the truth which is unpardonable.
Conclusion:
Conclude that only when a man understands his very nature of existence he can spend a joyful life with full human potential. True nature of existence means to accept the basic realities of life and live accordingly. In order to live a joyful life one must raise his inner conciseness. An ignorant man spends full life with greed and desire which remains unfulfilled while a realized men spends life with full appreciation of its existence.
Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon Publications
Why this question:
The question is based on the theme of corruption.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss why despite several measures corrupt practices in the country are still not coming under control. One must evaluate the effectiveness of such policy measures, institutions and other mechanisms and suggest measures that are required to ensure they function more effectively.
Directive:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, 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 context of the question.
Body:
Measures against corruption are not entirely ineffective. Codes of conduct are partially effective because their breach leads to punishment. For this reason, officers fear getting into bad books of vigilance commissions. RTI mainly aims at transparency and making government information public; reducing corruption is incidental to RTI. Press investigations can unearth malpractices. But they often lack factual and Legal validity, and may be silenced. Tightening laws can help; but these get mired in procedures and in courts. Explain that many anti-corruption steps have been taken by government and then suggest what reforms can be made to make them perform better.
