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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: culturalindia.net ,The Hindu
Why this question
Painting forms in India are dwindling due to the lack of awareness among the new generations. This has a double whammy of losing the cultural forms as a whole and loss of livelihoods for the artists’ dependent on it.
Directive word
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.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to explain in detail the salient features of the Madhubani (Mithila) paintings. Further one must find in detail why the art forms are dwindling in India and what measures can be undertaken to strengthen them.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
Start the answer by introducing about the Madhubani (Mithila) paintings.
Body-
Discuss in points the salient features of the Madhubani (Mithila) paintings.
In the second part, one must discuss as to why India’s art industry is not advanced as it’s in the West and China (govt policy, cultural factors etc). Write all parts in point-format.
Conclusion:
Give a way forward with how we can encourage the art forms thereby helping flourish the culture as well as the livelihoods of the people dependent on it.
Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Reference: Down to Earth
Why this question:
The recent heavy rain and subsequent waterlogging in several parts of Delhi has put the spotlight on urban floods — often ignored as sporadic, once-in-a-while events. Some of the biggest metropolises in India — including Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi — face waterlogging during heavy rain.
Demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine the frequent occurrence of Urban floods. One is expected to establish How various causes have led to such occurrences. Discuss the various impacts of the urban floods and how we can overcome it.
Directive word:
analyze – When asked to analyze, 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
highlight why frequent occurrence of urban floods is also socio-political phenomenon. You may give certain stat or mention recent events.
Body:
Analyse the causes and consequences of urban floods.
Causes can be divided under the natural and anthropogenic factors. Substantiate using examples from various cities which experienced the deluge.
Discuss the consequences in detail.
Provide the mitigation measures need to control the urban floods.
Conclusion
Argue that floods have become complex phenomenon and Conclude with a balanced way forward.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Parliament and State legislatures— structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Reference: Hindustan Times , Indian Express
Why the question:
The article talks about the misuse of anti-defection law. Former Congress deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, Sachin Pilot and his companions, who are revolting with the possible objective to bring down the government of the political party that had set them up as candidates in the last legislative election, stand automatically disqualified as such by virtue of Article 191(2), read with the Tenth Schedule. This is the mandate of the Constitution and no one can hold otherwise. It is time to revisit the issue.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to narrate the recent incidents that are clear evidences of misuse of anti-defection law. And suggest measures to make the law more effective.
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:
Recent incidents in Rajasthan reflect state of Indian democracy in general and violation of anti- defection law in specific.
Body:
One can start by presenting the case of Rajasthan – explain the course of events that happened and highlight the misuse of anti-defection law.
Talk about the features of the anti-defection law in the country; The Tenth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution in 1985 by the 52nd Amendment Act. It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on grounds of defection by the Presiding Officer of a legislature based on a petition by any other member of the House etc.
Then present the loopholes in it. Highlight the lacuna and challenges associated.
Suggest measures to overcome the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why this question:
In order to de-clutter SC of unnecessary burden and make justice affordable and accessible, it needs to be ensured that the high courts, being equally effective constitutional courts, practically become the last and final court in most litigation. Recent rules enhance the power of the executive and erode the independence of tribunals
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the importance of the tribunals in strengthening the judiciary. Discuss the new rules that erode the independence of tribunals and implications of the same. Provide measures to ensure the independence of tribunals.
Directive:
analyze – When asked to analyze, 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:
Start with an explanation and origin of the tribunals in India. Explain the importance of setting up tribunals in brief.
Body:
Discuss how the new rules are affecting the working of tribunals.
- The new rules do not remove the control of parent administrative ministries over tribunals, that is, those ministries against which the tribunals have to pass orders.
- This majorly affects certain tribunals such as the Armed Forces Tribunal wherein it functions under the same ministry which is the first opposite party in litigation and which also wields rule-making powers and controls finances, infrastructure and manpower.
Discuss the implications of the new rules.
Provide the measures to overcome the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: Down to Earth
Why this question:
Debates and discussions on racism splashed on social media and new channels following the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African-American man who died of police brutality in Minneapolis in May, 2020. The incident served as a springboard for conversations on other aspects of racism. While it emboldened protests in the United States, the racism experienced by people in the North East India also came under scrutiny. But environmental racism did not get its moment.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the various dimensions of Environmental Racism affecting the various vulnerable sections in India. The fact that the environmental laws like FRA, Indian Forest Act, Environmental Impact Assessment and others are not able to serve Environmental Justice to all has led to discrimination of the sections like Tribals, urban poor, migrants etc. Thus, discuss the measures to tackle the ill-effects and wipe out the environmental racism in India.
Directive word:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion there upon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Give a brief definition of environmental racism, its origin and its applicability in India.
Body:
Discuss the various dimensions of environmental racism in India.
- Tribals – displacement due to hydro-electrical projects, declaration of national parks etc.
- Urban poor – air-pollution, drinking water and sanitary issues etc.
- Migrants – slum living, ghettos etc.
- And so on.
Discuss in brief how the laws have failed to stop the environmental racism.
Provide measures to overcome the side-effects and measures to eliminate Environmental Racism.
Conclusion:
based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
The third unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) in Gujarat achieved its ‘first criticality’ — a term that signifies the initiation of a controlled but sustained nuclear fission reaction — recently. This is a landmark event in India’s domestic civilian nuclear programme given that KAPP-3 is the country’s first 700 MWe (megawatt electric) unit, and the biggest indigenously developed variant of the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR).
Key demand of the question:
This is a straightforward question where One must discuss in detail the working principle of Pressurised Heavy water reactors and “Achieving Criticality”. One must also discuss the importance of PHWRs in India’s nuclear energy program.
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 that The third unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3) in Gujarat achieved its ‘first criticality’ — a term that signifies the initiation of a controlled but sustained nuclear fission reaction — recently.
Body:
Discuss the working principle of PHWR.
Explain the term achieving criticality.
Discuss the significance of PHWRs in India’s nuclear energy program.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
Reference: legalserviceindia.com
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the meaning of the term constitutional morality. We also have to write about the importance and in detail about how an individual can uphold the constitutional morality.
Structure of the answer
Introduction-
Define the term Constitutional morality.
Body-
Highlight the importance of Upholding Constitutional Morality.
Provide the steps as to how to uphold the constitutional morality.
Conclusion–
based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
