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: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Reference: Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I and is based on the temple architecture aspects of ancient and medieval India.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the unique features of Vesara tradition of Indian Hindu temple architecture that distinguished it from Dravida and Nagara styles.
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 coming of different styles of temple architecture in India.
Body:
The Vesara Style is hybrid temple architecture. It has features of both the Nagara and Dravidian Style of Temple architecture. As we know that the Nagara Style is prevalent in North and Central India Dravidian Style is prevalent in South India. Discuss the architectural details with suitable examples; explain in detail how it differentiated itself from the other styles of temple architecture in the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of these various styles of architecture.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Reference: Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I and refers to Medieval Indian architecture and the external influences that led to its unique characters.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail how the Medieval Indian Architecture is a synthesis of indigenous styles and external influences.
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:
Give a brief introduction of medieval Indian architecture.
Body:
To start with, explain that Medieval Indian architecture accommodated the local and regional cultural traditions and social requirements, economic prosperity, and religious practice of the time. Indian architecture is a synthesis of indigenous styles and external influences which has lent it a unique characteristic of its own. The medieval period saw the synthesis of Persian and indigenous styles of architecture. List the variety of structures constructed at that time. Give examples to justify better.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the historic structures ranging from military structures, mortuary, royal courts, mosques, temples showcased the entire range of structures that catered to life in the medieval period in India.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The author talks about the current situation; that is in what way Pandemic is being used to push online education.
Key demand of the question:
One has to evaluate whether online education must supplement, not replace, physical sites of learning and justify viewpoint suitably.
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 how the pandemic situation has changed the education scenario across the world.
Body:
Student has to analyse in detail in the answer if online education is being force-fed to Indian education as a miracle cure — at all levels (school, college, university) and for all tasks (lectures, exams, admissions) — not only for pandemic conditions but for the future. Analyse if online educations is a viable alternative to traditional educational institutions in our country. Present points in favour and against.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced and fair opinion.
Topic: 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.
Reference: Live Mint
Why this question:
The author highlights the dismal picture of migrants and the crisis they are undergoing owing to the Covid situation in the country.
Key demand of the question:
Evaluate the need to identify an Aadhaar based system that would enable policy makers to design an inclusionary model and thus enable a change in the social and economic story of migrants in independent India.
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 issue of Migrants in the country.
Body:
To start with, explain that the social and economic story of independent India has been intertwined with migration. India has the world’s largest emigrant population, several hundred million domestic migrants, and a large immigrant population. Explain the idea of applying Aadhaar to manage the issue, discuss the possibilities of designing policies focusing on migrants through right data, technology for services etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions and emphasize that migrant issues should be urgently looked into in the country.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why this question:
The question is based on the current situation of super cyclone that has hit the State of West Bengal badly amidst the already existing issues of Covid situation, lockdown and the bigger migration issue.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the need to relook at the Disaster management methods in the country.
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 the current crisis situation.
Body:
To start with, one can present the case study of West Bengal, state key facts depicting the quadruple whammy of Covid-19, the lockdown, migrants’ resettlement and the cyclone. From the article take hints and explain the five points that the author presents which need immediate attention in the country with respect to disaster management.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The author of the article analyzes the trends in the domain of technology and data, and evaluates the scenario in a post-COVID phase.
Key demand of the question:
One has to analyse in detail the trends in the domain of technology and data, and evaluate the Interdependence between technology and geopolitics in a post-COVID phase.
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 start by explaining the significance of technology and data in the current times.
Body:
To start with, highlight that National governments, policymakers and healthcare researchers are using technology and data to plan and improve economic activities, social development and treat deadly diseases. Then move onto explain the Interdependence between technology and geopolitics in detail. Bring out concerns associated with it and propose solutions to address the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The article explains why locusts are being sighted in urban areas, what it can mean for crops.
Key demand of the question:
Explain problem of locust invasion that has caused an unusual threat to food security and livelihood in parts of East and West Africa, South West Asia, and India while suggesting measures that need to be taken.
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.
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 issue of Locusts in the country. The first swarms were sighted along the India-Pakistan border on April 11, months ahead of the usual time of arrival.
Body:
To start with, explain what are locusts and when are they are sighted in India. Explain the issue – These insects feed on a large variety of crops. If not controlled, locust swarms can threaten the food security of a country. At present countries in the Horn of Africa such as Ethiopia and Somalia are witnessing one of the worst locusts attacks in the last 25 years. Present the case of current locust storms that have infested north- western parts of India. Explain in what way they lead to food insecurity if not controlled. Present the case of India.
Conclusion:
Suggest measures to address the issue.
