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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic : Salient features of world’s physical geography.
1. What is permafrost, and why does its thawing pose risk to the world? Examine. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is based on the article that explains the recent incident of Russian Arctic oil leak and its association with permafrost.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the concept of permafrost; discuss in detail why the thawing of this region is posing greater risks to the world.
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 concept of Permafrost – Permafrost is ground that remains completely frozen at 0 degrees Celsius or below for at least two years. It is defined solely based on temperature and duration. The permanently frozen ground, consisting of soil, sand, and rock held together by ice, is believed to have formed during glacial periods dating several millennia.
Body:
Discuss the importance of Permafrost first in detail. Explain the incident that occurred recently posing threats to the permafrost region and pushing world to greater risks. Take hints from the article and substantiate your answer with suitable reasons that have led to thawing of the region.
Conclusion:
Conclude by what needs to be done to arrest and mitigate the ill-effect of thawing in the region and also highlight the importance of the region to the world.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is in the contextual relevance of the current conditions of the healthcare system and in what way it is in a dismal picture.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the problems in India’s health sector, comment on the aspects of affordability and its deteriorating quality.
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 comment on the current issues and challenges the health sector is facing in the country.
Body:
The health sector in India faces numerous problems. With the new national health policy, Ayushman Bharat the government aims to achieve better and inclusive health standards for all. But problems in India’s health sector ranges from deteriorating quality to unaffordable service delivery making it difficult for the government in achieving its intended outcomes. Discuss the reasons for the deteriorating quality and unaffordability. Present the case study of current pandemic and in what way it’s the poor and vulnerable who have been badly exposed to the lack of above two factors. Suggest efforts of the government in this direction.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a way forward.
Topic : Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why the question:
The question is based on the concept of federalism as enshrined in the Indian constitution and its uniqueness.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the statement in question with its contextual understanding applied to the current pandemic conditions.
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:
Start with a brief introduction about the meaning of Federalism.
Body:
The body of the answer must capture the following dimensions – Explain that Federalism is a system of government in which sovereignty is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces. A discussion on Indian Federalism and how its avoids the tight mold of Federalism having both Federal and Unitary features Examining the flexibility of Indian Federalism according to change in circumstances and time. Explain the case of federalism applied to current conditions in the country discuss various issues. And suggest measures.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such a model unique to India.
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: pib.gov.in
Why the question:
The article talks about the context of Money in hands of Tribal people during COVID-19
Pandemic. Thus the context is Tribal recovery in times of COVID pandemic
Key Demand of the question:
One has to explain the challenges in addressing the concerns of the tribal pockets in the country and in what way often the policy measures taken by both centre and state ignore them.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain the statement – Tribal people in India are largely excluded by Governments at the Centre and States by substantiating it with necessary facts.
Body:
The Van Dhan Scheme is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED. The question is amidst the welfare schemes and policies that the government is focusing at with tribal people of India as the target group. Discuss the mandate and key features of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana. Explain how the scheme is specifically aimed at the tribal population of the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done to address the situation and ensure welfare of the tribals.
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: The Hindu
Why the question:
The question talks about the significance and need of the right to food legislation to address failings in food security in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the reasons for failing food security in the country and in what way recognising the right food legislations can ensure greater food security 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 what you understand by nutritional security of the country.
Body:
First quote relevant facts about India’s current nutritional security aspects. Discuss the policies of the government in this direction, highlight why the policies don’t suffice the food security aspects of the country. Explain the importance and need for ‘next generation’ right to food legislation. List the existing policies in this direction and state what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic : Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. Important aspects of governance
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is amidst the current ongoing pandemic situation. The article throws light upon the utility of MGNREGA.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to discuss the relevance of MGNREGA in the current times of the pandemic and how it is more relevant than ever before.
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 explain the coming of MGNREGA scheme into action.
Body:
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), is Indian legislation enacted on August 25, 2005. The MGNREGA provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage. Discuss the key facts of MGNREGA. Explain why the scheme is more relevant than ever in the current conditions. Present case study if required.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic : Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
7. State the principles of morality of international politics according to John Rawls. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and aptitude by G Subba Rao and P N Chowdhary
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of principles of morality of international politics.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the principles of morality of international politics according to John Rawls
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly talk about what are the principles of morality in international politics.
Body:
Rawls orders the principles of justice lexically, as follows: 1, 2(b), 2(a). The greatest equal liberty principle takes priority, followed by the equal opportunity principle and finally the difference principle. The first principle must be satisfied before 2(b), and 2(b) must be satisfied before 2(a). Give a detailed account of John Rawls and his ideas on the principles of political morality.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
