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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The article talks about the need for a strong health system and in what way it can lead to economic growth front.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the dimension that Investment in public health yields returns for Economic development.
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 importance of better health system.
Body:
Explain that the ₹20 lakh crore packages recently announced includes proposals to prevent and respond to future pandemics. Explain the need for identifying importance of strong health system; discuss how it leads to better outcomes on the economic growth. One can present the case of COVID 19.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting methods and policies through which it can be achieved.
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
Reference: thediplomat.com
Why this question:
An official map of Nepal claiming Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and susta as part of their sovereign territory is termed as “Artificial” and unacceptable by India.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the border disputes between India and Nepal highlight the recent flashpoints, analyse and explain.
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 explain the recent flashpoints between India and Nepal.
Body:
To start with, discuss the background of India-Nepal border issues from past to present. Both India and Nepal claim Kalapani as an integral part of their territory – India as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and Nepal as part of Dharchula district. The Lipulekh pass is a far western point near Kalapani, a disputed border area between Nepal and India. Nepali diplomatic sources maintain that the region of Kalapani and the contiguous areas to the east of the river Kali and Susta on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border are the only parts of the nearly 1,800-km boundary that remain unresolved. The area of Susta near Gorakhpur can also be noted in the new map. Kathmandu says India has encroached upon this area and wants New Delhi to evacuate its population from the location.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions to address the problem.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: geography and you
Why this question:
The question is based on the application of AI to the mining sector in the country.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the prospects of AI applications in revolutionizing the mining sector.
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 key facts of mining sector.
Body:
To start with, explain what role AI can play in aiding the mining sector in the country. List out the existing challenges facing the mining sector that AI can resolve. Give examples specifically evident of the lacunae in the mining sector.
Conclusion:
Conclude that AI can be the future enabler of mining.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
4. Discuss the problems and prospects of Hyperloop as fifth mode of transportation.(250 words)
Reference: Live Mint
Why this question:
The question is based on the applications of technology to effect everyday life.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the problems and prospects of Hyperloop as fifth mode of transportation.
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 Hyperloop.
Body:
A Hyperloop is a proposed mode of passenger and/or freight transportation which has a sealed tube or system of tubes through which a pod may travel free of air resistance or friction conveying people or objects at high speed while being very efficient. The idea was first mooted by Elon Musk,CEO of SpaceX and tesla, who gave a white paper on it in the year 2013. Discuss then what the expected benefits in detail are. Explain and elucidate upon the possible challenges involved in realizing the goal of making it the fifth mode of transport.
Conclusion:
With the rising population and increasing congestion, Transport Oriented Development (TOD) is the need of the hour in which Hyperloop like transportation can play a major role. However, much is needed to be done before it can become a reality.
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Reference: geography and you , un-spider.org
Why this question:
The question is based on the theme of disaster risk management.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the complexities associated with any disaster, bring out that the association is not always just about vulnerability or risk associated with a hazard but is also with social, cultural, economic and political forces and thus there is need to thus look beyond the conventional phases of disaster risk management.
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 explain what constitutes a disaster.
Body:
To start with, explain how the disasters are associated with social, cultural, economic and political forces. One can provide for examples to substantiate better. Explain how disasters are not linear and that they may overlap and occur simultaneously. Highlight the need to consider the fact of moving beyond the conventional definition and recognize these factors in reducing the risks associated with disasters.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance and suggest way forward.
General Studies – 4
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 need to have ethical values inculcated in implementing governance related schemes so as to ensure vulnerable sections of the society benefit from them.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the challenges of governance with regard to implementation of welfare programs.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Write in brief about welfare programmes for vulnerable sections.
Body:
Various welfare programs aimed at welfare of vulnerable sections have been launched e.g.: PMAGY, ICDS etc. But situation at the ground level hasn’t improved much due to the following governance related challenges: One at organisation level like Lack of empathy and sensitivity amongst government servants. Falling commitment towards public service values etc. At citizen level – Patriarchal mindset, lack of awareness etc. Discuss specifically with respect to the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao ” scheme.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of having ethical values inculcated in such implementation of government schemes.
Topic: Work culture
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is based on the theme of work culture and its importance to public administration.
Key demand of the question:
Explain what “work culture is”, discuss in detail aspects associated with it and bring out what measures can be taken by the government to ensure that public servants have healthy work culture at work place.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining work culture. Work Culture refers to set of collective beliefs, values, rules and behaviour which institution as a whole conforms to.
Body:
Explain its importance and relevance in general at a workplace, In Public administration, the hallmark of administrative work culture is commitment to the fulfillment of one’s official responsibilities with a spirit of dedication, efficiency, productivity and punctuality. Then move onto mention features of work culture and methods to strengthen it. Discuss the characteristics of administrative work culture. Suggest measures to strengthen work culture.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
