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General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Reference: Medieval Indian History Class XI NCERT by R S Sharma
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I, theme medieval history of India.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to bring out the contributions of Sufis in bringing about a positive liberal change in Islam like those of the Bhakti saints who brought liberal progressive changes in Hinduism.
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 by explaining how Bhakti and Sufi movement heralded a new outlook to otherwise orthodoxical, ritualistic religions.
Body:
Explain how the Bhakti movement uplifted the otherwise ritualistic, orthodox Hindu society. Then talk about the contributions of Sufis in bringing change.
Quote the contributions of unique and popular Bhakti and Sufi saints such as – Sheikh Nizamat Ullah, Khwaja Pir Mohammad, and Abu Wali Qalander, Miyan Bayazid Ansari etc. whose contributions hold relevance even today and justify your answer that they brought significant change in the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude by inferring on their immense contributions in bringing the right change in the society.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The question is about ascertaining reasons for sudden aggressive behaviour of China towards its neighborhood countries.
Key Demand of the question:
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 violent clashes in the Galwan Valley and the Chinese aerial incursion into the Taiwanese Air Space, has occurred on the same day recently.
Body:
Give a brief backgrounder as to what was China’s (Xi Jinping’s) “Peaceful Development Policy”?
During the first decade of 21st Century, China, though registered satisfactory growth rate, also was suffering from the problem of unemployment and many of its people still being under the Poverty Line – The Rich – poor divide. This is the core economic angle of the policy, while the security angle also, here is a significant mention. The neighborhood of China was slowly turned out to be hostile, as US, Japan, and India were a coalition.
Start explaining how as the policy of Peaceful Development, is no longer a trustworthy option for China, it has started to retain the word peace only as a decorative term.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way forward, how the situation should be resolved.
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. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The editorial points to the death of a pregnant woman in Noida after being turned away from a number of private and government hospitals, raising questions about effectiveness of welfare measures for pregnant women and the state of maternal health in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
One must account in detail for the challenges involved and measures to be taken for the provision of health services to pregnant women and mothers in the Covid times.
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:
Start by suggesting details such as – Over the last 15 years, the state has been promising maternal well-being to pregnant women provided they turn up at public hospitals during labour, and has been providing a cash incentive to those that have institutional birth.
Body:
Suggest issues that However, during lockdown, the state appeared to have missed out on charting out plans to ensure the health and well-being of those women expected to give birth. Frontline workers were pressed into community surveillance, monitoring and awareness building for COVID-19. The public health system was overburdened with handling the pandemic: most secondary and tertiary hospitals were either those designated as COVID-19 facilities or those unequipped with enough PPE kits. Though pregnant women have been identified as people being ‘high risk’, reference on the need to provide emergency services for pregnant women was lacking. Suggest what should be the way forward? – How should the state acknowledge the lacunae in the health system, present the possible role that private sector could play etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that improved maternal health was the lynchpin around which public health systems had been strengthened over the last 15 years.
Topic : Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The editorial talks about status of multilateralism after COVID19.
Key Demand of the question:
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:
COVID19 shows below par performance of multilateral institutions and shown the need of reforms in multilateralism.
Body:
Discuss the current scenario facing the world. Bring out the changing dynamics on the multilateral stage of the world. Explain the changed role of countries such as US, China and others. Discuss what should India’s stand be – India needs to avail Issue specific ‘coalitions of the willing’ but they are not holistic solutions in ensuring global acceptance of norms. India visualizes world as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, support for multilateralism will have to remain a primary pursuit. India needs to patiently promote reforms while building partnerships to avail opportunities which may arise for more fundamental change.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Multilateralism will survive despite threats from U.S. and also it is unlikely that China will take over them. India must build partnership to promote reforms.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues related to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
Reference: DD NEWS
Why the question:
The article talks about new jobs, organic products in offing as KVIC taps Indian Palm Industry.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail how food products used by tribals can be manufactured at industrial levels and thus can secure employment opportunities to the natives and tribals of the country.
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:
Explain the fact India has abundant varieties of food products used by natives and tribals which if manufactured at an industrial level can provide both employment and livelihood to tribal population.
Body:
Discuss various tribal and native pockets in the country; highlight the kind of food products that can be used, manufactured at industrial levels. Discuss the measures, suggestion in this direction being taken by the government; suggest more steps and measures that can be taken.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
Topic : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The United States has now twice indicated that it would like to secure priority access to doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Other countries, including India and Russia, have taken similar stances. This prioritization of domestic markets has become known as vaccine nationalism.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in detail the concept of Vaccine Nationalism and debate on how it is against the fundamental principles of vaccine development and global public health.
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:
Vaccine nationalism occurs when a country manages to secure doses of vaccine for its own citizens or residents before they are made available in other countries. This is done through pre-purchase agreements between a government and a vaccine manufacturer.
Body:
Discuss the experiences of past when vaccine nationalism was practiced by nations. Then move onto explain how ‘vaccine nationalism’ could block vulnerable populations’ access to COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccine nationalism is not new. During the early stages of the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, some of the wealthiest countries entered into pre-purchase agreements with several pharmaceutical companies working on H1N1 vaccines. Explain the concerns and challenges associated with it.
Conclusion:
Conclude that more needs to be done. International institutions — including the WHO — should coordinate negotiations ahead of the next pandemic to produce a framework for equitable access to vaccines during public health crises. Equity entails both, affordability of vaccines and access opportunities for populations across the world, irrespective of geography and geopolitics.
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 the question:
Explain the role of media and discuss its significance in modern day times.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the significance of ethics to Media and how it being 4th pillar of democracy owes to always stand by ethics and standards.
Directive:
Debate – 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 agree with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly highlight the growing importance of media in a democracy.
Body:
Highlight some ethical issues currently faced by the media towards jeopardising democracy. Discuss some cases to justify the significance of Media, importance of ethics and morality to be upheld by them. Explain the challenges such as manipulation of information, conflict of law, issues related to transparency, accountability etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting the need of media ethics and suggest some measures for its implementation.
