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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.
1. Discuss the key features and significance of folk dance of North Eastern India. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Art and culture by Nitin Singhania , www.culturalindia.net
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I. theme Art and Culture.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the key features and significance of folk dance of North Eastern India.
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 dance and festivals are manifestation of creativity and are among the oldest art forms practised in India.
Body:
The seven sister states of India are known for their cultural extensity. These multilingual states are very much intricate in exhibiting their culture through their folk dance, the key features range from thanking nature, harvest festivals, animal representations etc. Explain with examples that the folk dances capture the movements of everyday life as well as animals and birds.
One can draw a map and show different forms of folk dance of all sister states.
Conclusion:
Conclude with their significance.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Reference: fao.org
Why the question:
The question is based on the concept of nutrition gardens and their contributions in sustainable nutritional security.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain what Nutrition Gardens are and explain their possible positive role at the grassroots levels to ensure food security and nutritional security.
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:
Define first what you understand by Nutrition Gardens.
Body:
Broadly state the conditions of food and nutrition security in the country. India may be the world’s second largest producer of food, but it has its second largest undernourished population. Further, more than half of women in India suffer from anemia, which is one of the reasons for the high rate of low-birth weight babies. An unbalanced diet and lack of food is directly linked to high rates of stunting, excessive weight, and death in children fewer than five years of age.
Then move on to discuss the concept and in what way Community and nutrition gardens can play an important role in enhancing national food security and dietary diversity to combat malnutrition.
Discuss the importance of having then at grassroots, quote case studies if possible.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
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: Deccan Herald
Why the question:
The article brings to us the numbers related to youth participation in the Indian parliament and the concerns associated.
Key Demand of the question:
One must critically examine the youth under-representation in Indian parliament and discuss the underlying causes for it. And also suggest solutions to address the same.
Directive:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to 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. 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:
Start by discussing key statistics that show the lower participation of youth in the Indian parliament and legislatures.
Body:
Start by discussing the need to get more youth in parliament and legislatures.
Explain that India is young. Its leaders are not. The country’s median age is 29. The average parliamentarian is 55. This is the directly elected Lok Sabha (LS) member. Indirectly elected Rajya Sabha members are still older, average age 63. About 65% of our population is below 35. Only 22% of the LS members are under 45.
Discuss what are the possible hurdles for youth participation in our country and how do we overcome it.
Conclusion:
Suggest way forward and conclude with the need to address the challenge of youth under representation.
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 aims to analyse the positives of the Indian Anganwadi system.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss in what way India’s Anganwadi system is getting some things right despite its many flaws.
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:
Briefly narrate the background of Indian Anganwadi system.
Body:
Anganwadi is a type of rural child care centre in India. They were started by the Indian government in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services program to combat child hunger and malnutrition. Anganwadi means “courtyard shelter” in Hindi and other Indian languages.
Discuss their importance and significance in the development of children. Explain their positives over time.
Conclusion:
Conclude with their importance.
General Studies – 3
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.
5. What is Human Challenge Trials (HCT)? Are human challenge trials ethical? Explain. (250 words)
Reference: Deccan Herald
Why the question:
The article presents to us a detailed analysis of HCTs and their ethicality.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain what Human challenge trials are; discuss the ethical issues involved in it.
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 defining what HCTs are.
Body:
Explain that in HCT, volunteers are deliberately exposed to the virus. This shortens the time frame by eliminating the chance factor of infection. The participant’s body is ‘challenged’ by the pathogen in controlled situations. HCTs have been conducted for diseases like malaria, dengue, etc. and WHO has already published an ethical framework. The controversy in the Covid-19 vaccine is that, unlike malaria, there is no available treatment. The dilemma is ethical i.e. deliberately infecting a participant with a virus and the ability of the participant to consent to it, if done voluntarily.
Discuss the pros and cons, elaborate on the ethical angles involved and suggest your opinion.
Conclusion:
Conclude with fair and balanced approach.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The scheduled meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) council is the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to discuss in detail the role of GST council.
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 the fact that many states have accepted the proposal made by the Central Government while many others have rejected it. In this background, the GST compensation issue could be put to vote in the GST Council meeting.
Body:
In the answer body elaborate upon the functions of GST council.
As per Article 279A (1) of the amended Constitution, the GST Council had to be constituted by the President within 60 days of the commencement of Article 279A.
As per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council would be a joint forum of the Centre and the States. Discuss the mandate of it in detail.
Conclusion:
Conclude as to how the issues can be resolved and the threat to federalism can be overcome.
Topic: Case study
(a) What should Ravi do in consonance with moral quality in this situation?
(b) Discuss limitations of various possible actions that Ravi is supposed to take.
Why the question:
The question is a case study based on ethical dilemma involving the factor of child labour.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the issue of child labour in general, discuss the grave concerns associated with it and suggest what needs to be done to overcome it.
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 and identifying the key stakeholders in the case study.
Body:
Child labour has become a common problem in society. Many children are forced to work because of poverty. Especially where adult unemployment is very high and there is no social security, families are forced to push their children to work in order to survive.
Explain the available options; pros and cons – By seeing the pathetic condition of the child naturally one will take firm action against the employee as per the Child Labour Prevention Act but this action has many limitations.
Due to applicability of laws the employee will remove the child from job and he will end up in vicious cycle of poverty again. The parents may force him to work in more hazardous place for earning which may not be as visible as the shop.
Secondly, if he takes legal action then police may take action against his parents, which may deteriorate the situation further. Thirdly providing better employment to parents and schooling to child may not be feasible for the individual.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions that may range from special govt. programs to schemes that focus on doing away with child labour and help ensure betterment of such poor children.
