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General Studies – 2
Topic : India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Lower House of Nepal’s Parliament has unanimously voted for the Second Constitution Amendment Bill, which guarantees legal status for the new political map of the country that includes part of Indian Territory in Uttarakhand.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the ongoing issue between India and Nepal and the repercussions of the same on the bilateral relations of the two as well as upon the entire south Asian region.
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:
Discuss briefly the background of the territorial dispute between the two countries.
Body:
Explain the territorial dispute in detail , The territorial dispute stems from the fact that Nepal claims the land to the east of river Kali, which forms the country’s western border. Nepal claims right to the region and says India was allowed to station troops there in the 1950s and that India has refused to remove forces from the region ever since. Discuss India’s contention to the claims made by Nepal. The current development will lead to further complicating the Indo-Nepal border negotiations as Foreign Secretaries or senior envoys have no right to negotiate on the provisions of Nepal’s Constitution.
Conclusion:
The diplomatic fallout of the territorial dispute is likely to be serious, which could lead to difficult days ahead for Nepal-India Relations as well as for the South Asian region.
Topic : Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Reference: thewire.in
Why the question:
The question is amidst current tough times posed by Covid pandemic and the issues facing judiciary due to it.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to analyse in what way Right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses the right to timely access to justice and especially in the context of current times.
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 context of the question.
Body:
Explain that during the COVID-19 pandemic, access to justice continues to be imperiled despite the constitutional mandate and the ready access to technology. Discuss the reasons in detail; one can bring out the past experiences in times of such emergencies. Suggest what should actually be done to ensure justice is delivered timely.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference : The Hindu
Why the question:
The question is in the backdrop of increased incidences of suicide cases being witnessed in the country owing to depression and lack of mental health- its stigma and awareness.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the two key factors – stigma and awareness that are necessary to be tackled to deal with the burden of mental health illness in India.
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:
Start with some key facts/data talking about mental health illness and its burden in India.
Body:
Define first what mental health is – Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Explain the issues associated with it. Bring out the concerns around stigma associated with it and the lack of awareness. Suggest how it can be addressed, what steps need to be taken.
Conclusion:
Conclude that if individuals continue to view mental illness with apprehension and resistance, it will remain difficult for people with mental health concerns to seek the support they require due to the fear of being labeled or judged.
Topic : the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders. Disaster and disaster management.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Amidst the global agony facing every country, COVID-19 requires a new and better approach in the country to deal with the pandemic situation and that mainly involves engaging local communities and civil societies in action.
Key Demand of the question:
Bring out the need and importance of actively engage local communities and civil society for containment of pandemics like COVID-19.
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:
In short, highlight the current situation of the Covid-19 in the country and across the world.
Body:
The question is straightforward and aims to evaluate the importance of actively engaging local communities and civil society for containment of pandemics like COVID-19. Discuss and present the case of India, highlight the role being played by various NGOs, civil society organisations. Explain why they are essential – discuss the constraints of the government.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting importance of the same.
General Studies – 3
Topic : Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
5. Discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on global energy demand. (250 words)
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The question is straightforward and aims to discuss the impact of COVID-19 crisis on global energy demand.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the impact of COVID-19 crisis on global energy demand in detail.
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:
The article talks about the current global energy scenario – The US — one of the largest consumers of global energy from the 1950s till 2018 — is now emerging as a major energy supplier to the global energy market.
Body:
First, explain that the global economic slump that largely occurred in the past few months due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is also putting a severe stress on the global energy structure. Explain the reasons for such an effect; Lockdown measures are driving a major shift towards low carbon sources of electricity including wind, solar photovoltaic, hydropower and nuclear. However also explain the fact that lowdown in the conventional energy sector also provides an opportunity for growth of the renewable energy sector.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way ahead.
General Studies – 4
Topic: challenges of corruption.
Reference Ethics, Integrity and aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of Administrative corruption.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is about administrative corruption and challenges of corruption in India.
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:
Explain the given statement in detail first.
Body:
Discuss first the challenges of corruption in India. Administrative corruption is one of the biggest challenges for any society. Officials misusing authority for misappropriation of wealth for self-gratification/interest are likely to deviate if the arrangement of audit, scrutiny or probity is not very strong. Explain the mechanisms that are available to cater the needs of doing away the challenges of corruption in the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions.
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.
Reference Ethics, Integrity and aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of new public service values and their indispensability.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to in detail explain the indispensability of new public service values to the public services.
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:
Start by highlighting the change in the paradigm of governance as suggested in the question.
Body:
Explain that Public Service under the idea of Good Governance has moved from Weberian model of rule laden approach to result centric approach. Discuss in detail the causes to which the change can be attributed to. Explain the new shift in detail; one can substantiate the changes better using suitable examples.
Conclusion:
Thus, adoption of these new public service values has become imperative for success of administration in the 21st century India.
