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General Studies – 1
Topic : Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
Reference: Post Independent India by Bipin Chandra
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I.
Key Demand of the question:
One must examine the early challenges that India faced as a newly independent country.
Directive:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Write about the prevailing conditions after independence in the introduction.
Body:
Briefly present the background of Post- Independence, integration and unification of India.
Mention how it created challenges for India- both external and internal; One can discuss these problems in phases – Phase 1 (1947- 1967), Phase 2 (1967-1977) and Phase 3 (1977- 1984).
Then explain the fact that Indian democracy is a heterogeneous model with a vast socio-religious and cultural diversity. It was predicted by western political analysts that the Indian model of democracy would not last long. However, it was due to India’s strong commitment to its constitutional principles that led India to not only survive as a nation but also to emerge as the leader of the newly independent countries.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning India’s democratic credentials which helped India to survive as a nation.
General Studies – 2
Topic : Development processes and the development industry —the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Reference: Deccan Herald
Why the question:
The article talk about the blow to NGO’s based on the report published by Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically examine in what way FCRA has increased bureaucratic control and oversight over the functioning of NGOs in India, it has deteriorated the spirit of unity and cooperation that had been ushered in by such organisations in development of social sectors in 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:
One can start with the fact that The Centre For Social Impact and Philanthropy in its report has pointed out that there will not only be an increase in school dropouts and child marriages but also a decrease in immunization and access to healthcare due to the economic downturn induced by Covid-19.
Body:
Start explaining how the amendments in FCRA pose grave concerns to the development of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in India.
The thresholds for administrative expenses of NGOs have been reduced from 50% to 20%. Imposing such a cap not only results in ‘legislative overreach’ but will also adversely affect think tanks and NGOs where the expenses for providing services to the to the social sector are counted as ‘overheads’. This will greatly hamper innovation, impact measurement, and livelihood of workers at such organisations. It is also believed that the said cap on expenses result in the closing down of multiple small-scale NGOs that are responsible for vital works among the commons.
Discuss the impact in detail.
Suggest what needs to be done to address the issue at hand.
Conclusion:
Conclude that NGOs often play a crucial role in filling the void created by the inadequacies of the government in its developmental schemes. Hence, undermining the efforts of NGOs by imposing such paralyzing restrictions on them might lead to the downfall of eco-system of NGOs in India.
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.
Reference: Deccan Herald
Why the question:
The article explains the need for political engagement of gender violence prevalent in our society.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss if gender based violence need to be politicized/engaged politically and if so explain how it needs to be done.
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:
Briefly highlight the gender based violence factor prevalent in the country.
Body:
The misogyny, casteism, and power imbalances underlying rape/gender based violence require intervention both in the social and legal domain.
Explain that given their opinion mobilisation capacities and the influence they command over lawmaking and implementation, political parties can have a key role in imagining and realizing solutions. Even if they are less proactive than they should be (a distinct possibility), there is little prospect of things shaking up without political buy-ins.
Take hints from the article and explain what needs to be done to ensure greater political engagement.
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: The Hindu
Why the question:
The podcast brings to us the discussion of Drug regulation laws in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the evolution of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA) since its inception and explain the need for a more rational approach to punishment and sentencing with respect to drug possession and quantities.
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:
Set the background of the question like how the Act has been in news recently owing to many incidences involving Drug abuse.
Body:
Explain the coming of the Act; India is a signatory to the UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs 1961, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and the Convention on Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988 which prescribe various forms of control aimed to achieve the dual objective of limiting the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances for medical and scientific purposes as well as preventing the abuse of the same.
The administrative and legislative setup in the field of Narcotics has been put in place in the country in accordance with the spirit of the UN Conventions. The basic legislative instrument of the Government of India in this regard is the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Discuss the key features; The Act provides stringent provisions for the control and regulation of operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
It also provides for forfeiture of property derived from, or used in, illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
It also provides for death penalty in some cases where a person is a repeat offender.
Comment then on the need for a more rational approach to punishment and sentencing with respect to drug possession and quantities.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way forward.
Topic : GS-2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
GS-3: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: Economic Times
Why the question:
The Union Health Ministry’s eSanjeevani OPD platform has completed five lakh tele-consultations within six-months since its launch. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to bring out the infrastructural gaps in the Health sector of the country and examine the role of Digital solutions to address them.
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:
Present the case of India’s Health infrastructure in general.
Body:
Start by giving some relevant statistics to tell the dire situation of India’s health sector.
Discuss the infrastructural problems such as poor doctor to patient ratio, less number of hospitals
and beds per one lakh population etc.
Mention the way forward for addressing the above mentioned issues.
Highlight the importance of digital services in the way forward by giving examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude on a positive note stating that Digital solutions are a welcome step to the Health sector.
General Studies – 3
Topic : Role of media
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The editorial presents to us a detailed analysis of how TRPs of today present a tyranny to the entire system in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the concept of TRP in detail and analyse the issues associated and elaborate on solutions to address them.
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:
Start with the definition of TRP; target rating point (TRP) is a metric used in marketing and advertising to indicate the percentage of the target audience reached by a campaign or advertisement through a communication medium.
Body:
Briefly explain how TRP is calculated.
Start explaining the concerns associated, quote important facts to substantiate the issue.
Take hints from the article and explain what the disadvantages of rigged TRPs are, suggest solutions to address them.
Conclusion:
One can conclude with solutions to address the issue at hand, talk about the regulatory mechanism.
General Studies – 4
7. Discuss Kautilya’s philosophical basis of governance. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper IV.
Key Demand of the question:
The aim of the question is to discuss Kautilya’s philosophical basis of governance.
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:
One can start with the definition of Governance.
Body:
Governance refers to “all of processes of governing, whether undertaken by a government, market or network, whether over a family, tribe, formal or informal organization or territory and whether through the laws, norms, power or language.
Discuss the background of Kautilya’s Arthashastra; the purpose of the Arthasashtra was to be a comprehensive guide for government in the Mauryan Empire, and to aid its ruler to increase the wealth, power and security of the kingdom.
Kautilya said that good governance and stability go hand in hand. According to him, there is stability if rulers are responsive, responsible, accountable, removable, and recallable, otherwise there would be instability. Discuss the inherent philosophies that his propositions carry and guide the good governance in a country.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
