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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 the question:
The question is based on the art and architecture of Hindu temples in the country and the difference between the North and south variants of the same.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the basic features of the Hindu temples in India and differentiate the two variants of it across the North and south.
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 the basic forms of Hindu temple in the country.
Body:
Draw a diagram and explain the key features of a temple especially built by the Hindus. One way to bring out specific features is to provide a contrast with the temples built by others such as Jains, Sikhs etc. North – South is a very broad distinction. India has three types of temple architectures (broadly speaking). Nagara (between Himalayas and Vindyas), Dravida (South of Deccan) and Vesara (Deccan region). Differentiate the North and South styles. Give examples across the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Reference: pib.gov.in
Why the question:
Prime Minister addressed the nation on the occasion of International Day of Yoga via video conference.
Key Demand of the question:
The question demands the benefits of Yoga to health and humanity in general.
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.
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:
Body:
Discuss in detail the benefits of Yoga – Benefits of Yoga: Boost the immunity, Increase the strength of our body and strengthen our metabolism. Boost our confidence and morale so that we can overcome crises and win , Force for unity and deepens the bonds of humanity. Yoga is giving us not only the physical strength, but also mental balance and emotional stability to Confidently negotiate the challenges before us.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance and quote examples to suggest in what way it aids the humanity physically, psychologically and emotionally.
Topic : Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora. India and its neighborhood- relations.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article captures the views expressed by Gautam Bambawale, former Indian Ambassador to China on the evolving situation along the LAC.
Key Demand of the question:
One must critically analyse in what way China’s present goal may not be chiefly to acquire territory, but to force on India a political settlement which will involve India re-orienting its policies to suit the pattern of Chinese global policies.
Directive:
Critically 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Gautam Bambawale has stated that the June 15 clash at Galwan Valley, which claimed 20 Indian soldiers has caused irreparable damage to the border architecture, carefully built by India and China to maintain peace.
Body:
Discuss the inflection points between India and China. Unlike previously, where despite the instances of border skirmishes along the LAC, relationship between India and China continued in some sense, the current situation would act as an inflection point in the broader bilateral relation because of the following reasons. Discuss the various points in past where China violated the past agreements. Explain the options available with India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why the question:
The article presents to us the dismal affair of biomedical waste management in the country. And point out the fact that sanitation workers are contracting Covid-19.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the biomedical waste management system that exists in the country; bring out how the Covid-19 is inducing the crisis further.
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:
Introduction of answer can be either definition based or statistics based.
Body:
Discuss the reasons for the current biomedical waste management crisis. Present the case of COVID-19 waste mismanagement, lack of realization of rules meant for the waste management. Present an example say any metro city or Delhi. Where sanitation workers are suffering and reporting more positive cases. Explain what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
Reference: Financial Express .
Why the question:
KVIC distributed electric potter wheels to 80 families under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana, Thus the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the Kumahar Sashaktikaran Yojana while highlighting the role of role of Khadi and village Industries Commission.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana: It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for empowerment of potter’s community.
Body:
Discuss the objectives of the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana. Explain the benefits of the scheme. Training for advanced pottery products, providing new technology pottery equipment like the electric Chaak, Market linkages and visibility through KVIC exhibitions.
Then discuss the role of Khadi and village Industries Commission, present its key roles and responsibilities. Discuss its objectives. Plan, promote, facilitate, organize and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
Topic : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: The Print
Why the question:
The question is amidst the rising incidents of human-wildlife conflicts being witnessed across the country.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the major reasons for increase in man-animal conflict in India in recent years. Also discuss the major steps undertaken by the government for mitigation of conflict.
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:
Give some statistics about human-wildlife conflict in India.
Body:
Enumerate and explain (in brief because of word limit constraint) reasons for increasing human-wildlife conflict. Then mention the steps taken by the government for conflict mitigation. The question has 2 parts- reasons and solutions. Both of these demand equal weightage in your discussion.
Conclusion:
Conclude with efforts of the government that have been successful.
Topic : Case study/Previous year question
Reference: UPSC CSE Mains 2019 GS paper IV.
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of professional competence and professional values.
Key Demand of the question:
The question is in the form of a case study and requires close evaluation of the themes involved, examination of challenges and concerns and solutions to the same.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
List the facts of the case in detail – alleged sexual harassment at workplace by the marketing executive, Marketing executive important resource for the company, management’s indifference etc.
Body:
Identify first the stakeholders involved. List the ethical issues applied to the case, suggest what measures and options are available to resolve and fix the concerns. Suggest the possible options available to all the stakeholders. And conclude with best suitable solution.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of ethics in such situation.
