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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Reference: Indian Society by Ram Ahuja; Secure-2019
Key demand of the question:
Bring out examples that highlight the encounter of tradition with modernity and categorise them into contradictions, adaptations and conflicts. Give suitable examples. One must explore multiple dimensions here (social, economic, political).
Directive Word:
Critically Analyse – 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 judgement.
Structure of Answer:
Introduction:
Set the context of the answer by describing the features of society and Indian society in general. Every society is bound by certain customs, followed blindly by everyone. Indian society is no exception to it. It has been the cradle of traditional beliefs and practices. Social structure and tradition in India remained impervious to major elements of modernity until the contact with the west began through the colonial regimes, which dominated India for about two centuries.
Body:
Write about how modernisation has both advantages and its own shortcomings.
Discuss in points the impacts of the modernization on Indian society leading to cultural contradictions, adaptations and in some cases situations of conflict.
Substantiate your arguments with examples and case studies.
Conclusion:
Based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra’s refusal to accept the Ashok Gehlot government’s recommendation for convening a session of the Assembly, ostensibly to go for a trial of strength to checkmate the rebels led by Sachin Pilot, has once again brought into focus controversial decisions by Governors in formation and dismissal of state governments over the years.
Key demand of the question:
One has to critically analyse the role often played by the Governor in the Indian setup.
Directive:
Critically Analyse – 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 judgement.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Give brief introduction of Governor in Indian Polity.
Body:
Highlight first the significance of the post of Governor as enshrined in the Indian constitution.
Discuss the issues related to abuse of post of Governor in federal polity failing to the functions impartially and efficiency.
Explain the misuse of Article 356, Power of Reserving bill, Partisan role in Hung assemblies etc. with examples of recent times.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Agriculture; Conservation, climate change.
Reference: downtoearth.org.in
Why this question:
The Union government on July 28, 2020, launched the Green-Ag Project in Mizoram, to reduce emissions from agriculture and ensure sustainable agricultural practices. Mizoram is one of the five states where the project will be implemented. Other states include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand. The project is designed to achieve multiple global environmental benefits in at least 1.8 million hectares (ha) of land in five landscapes, with mixed land use systems. It aims to bring at least 104,070 ha of farms under sustainable land and water management.
Key demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and aims to discuss about the newly launched Green-Ag project by the Government. Also, one must list out the other initiatives taken with regards to Sustainable Agriculture in India. Finally, one must discuss the necessity for Sustainable agriculture in India, especially with increasing climate change vagaries.
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 an introduction talking about the Green Ag project.
Body:
Taking cue from the article, explain the objectives of the Green-Ag Project.
List out the initiatives taken by Government with respect to Sustainable agriculture in India.
Discuss the need for sustainable and climate resilient agriculture and how it can be achieved?
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: The Hindu , The Hindu
Why this question:
With GST collections set to shrink, the Centre must find new ways to compensate States.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss how the contraction in the economy due to the reduced tax inflows as a consequence of halted economic activities. How this is affecting the fiscal federalism in India and what measures can be undertaken to overcome these challenges.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with what you understand by Fiscal federalism.
Body:
Discuss the following:
Discuss trends in reduced GST collections, the issues in sharing taxes and distribution of grants, the vertical fiscal imbalances, the impact of FRBM legislations, Fifteenth Finance Commission and empowering local governments (LGs), in the context of Centre–state relations.
Discuss the specific challenges.
Provide with measures to strengthen the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced way forward.
Topic: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why this question
India is the world’s largest arms importer and given our economic size and talent pool, this is a matter of grave concern for us. the importance attached to the Rafales and attempts to fast-track the subsequent batches is a reminder of the slowness of India’s procurement system and the question marks over its indigenisation drive. It is important to discuss how India can achieve indigenisation of defence technology, especially in the ongoing context of the border confrontation with China
Directive word
Critically Analyse – 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 judgement.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the India’s defence procurement policy, the challenges faced in it and as to how India can achieve indigenisation of defence technology- what are its strengths and potential vis-à-vis this aim.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the Indian defence imports. E.g mention that India is the world’s largest defence importer, talk about the recent imports of Rafales, Sukhois etc.
Body-
Discuss the various challenges that are facing the Defence Procurement policy of India.
What are the measures to overcome the same?
Discuss in points as to how India could achieve indigenisation of defence technology.
Conclusion
based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
Reference: The Hindu , downtoearth.org.in
Why this question?
From an extent of 400 acres of vast mangrove wetlands around Meghadrigedda creek located between the Visakhapatnam Port Trust and airport, the precious green cover today is less than 40 acres. For long a green lung of the city, a home to several bird and marine species, it is crumbling. Thanks to decades of industrialisation and urban development projects.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must explain the importance of Mangrove ecosystem in protection of the coastlines and minimizing disasters due to cyclones and tsunami and how mangroves store more carbon dioxide than most other forests. One has to highlight the role played by the mangroves in maintaining a balance in the ecosystem services and thus the need of preserving them and conserving them.
Directive word:
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:
Introduce with what are mangroves briefly, their role in ecosystem.
Body:
Explain what are Mangroves, their roles and functions.
How a mangrove ecosystem is the interface between terrestrial forests and aquatic marine ecosystems?
Brief upon the distribution of Mangroves in India.
Why is the need for preserving? – discuss the aspects of scientific management.
What needs to be done – policy level? Individual level and societal level.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of preserving Mangrove ecosystem.
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. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values;
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The question is statement based and is about analyzing the value of compassion.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the significance of compassion, and how it is essential in happiness of self and even for others.
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:
Define compassion in brief.
Body:
Explain that Compassion is a deep feeling of wishing to alleviate. the suffering of others, Compassion can serve as a fundamental basis for human values and ethics, precisely. because a central problem of ethics is suffering and well-being, use examples to suggest how compassion is a necessary value to profess.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting significance of the compassion.
