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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.
Reference: Art and culture by Nitin Singhania
Why the question:
Explain in what ways Sanskrit Literature has imparted diversity and richness to Indian Literature.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail in what ways Sanskrit Literature has imparted diversity and richness to Indian Literature.
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 briefly talking about the evolution of Sanskrit literature in the country.
Body:
Sanskrit literature refers to texts composed in Sanskrit language since the 2nd-millennium BCE. Many of the prominent texts are associated with Indian religions, i.e., Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and were composed in ancient India.
One has to explain in detail in what ways the literature has imparted diversity and richness to Indian Literature.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting its importance.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Reference: Deccan Herald
Why the question:
The article presents to us a detailed picture of electoral system around the world, and the faults in it.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to bring out the lacunae present in the electoral system, the issues arising out of them and give examples from the Indian context.
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 first how Indian electoral system is based on elections and not on selections.
Body:
List down the issues involved in the electoral systems in general, explain with specific examples.
Provide for Indian context – elected representatives never visit their constituencies after being elected, let alone improving the plight of the people who voted them to power. In India, a substantial proportion of voters belong to economically backward classes.
Suggest what needs to be done, give few suggestions, and hint at the developments that have happened recently to address these issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
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 is based on the theme of custodial violence.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss what custodial violence is, explain and present its status in India and discuss the challenges faced in curbing it.
Directive:
Elaborate – 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:
Custodial violence primarily refers to violence in police custody and judicial custody. It may be mental or physical in nature.
Body:
First present statistics and data representing state of custodial violence in India. According to the data published by The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), between 2001 and 2018, a total of 1,727 persons have died in police custody including those in judicial remand and those who have been arrested but not yet produced before the court.
List down the challenges in curbing the same.
Explain how the available safeguards have proved insufficient to deal with issues of custodial violence.
Conclusion:
Suggest solutions and conclude the same.
General Studies – 3
Topic : Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Reference: Chapter 4: Food Processing: Potential Driver of Agri-Business, Kurukshetra August 2020 Issue
Why the question:
The article from Kurukshetra explains how Food processing sector is on the pathway of building a New India where the rural economy is as bright as its urban counterpart.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain with suitable substantiation how food processing sector is on the pathway of building a New India where the rural economy is as bright as its urban counterpart.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the importance of FPI.
Body:
Food processing industry is a rising sector in India. The Simultaneous growth in the agricultural sector has provided due leverage to processing industries by maintaining a regular supply of raw materials (agricultural produce) in desired quantity and quality.
Present the significance of the food processing sector. Discuss its potential; explain in what ways it holds greater potential in the rural parts of India too.
Explain the efforts of the government in this direction, Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme, ASPIRE (A Scheme for promoting innovation, rural industry and entrepreneurship) and SFURTI (Scheme for regeneration of traditional industries) are some of the specific schemes to address capital needs of agri-entrepreneurs. Food processing sector has been identified as one of the key priority sector of the Government’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ campaign.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Food processing sector is on the pathway of building a New India where the rural economy is as bright as its urban counterpart.
Topic : Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article discusses the changes that the Atmanirbhar Bharat can bring and address the economic challenges faced by India.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the role that the Atmanirbhar Bharat can play in accounting for current economic challenges faced by 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.
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:
Start by quoting the present conditions of economy and the distress caused due to the pandemic.
Body:
The supply chain disruption due to national and localized lockdowns has led to supply side and demand side contraction. Slowdown of aggregate demand due to low, private final consumption expenditure (PFCE), investment and exports. Even, the consumption demand of the rest of the demography from agriculture, small-scale manufacturing and self-employed is stagnant due to low income growth etc.
Discuss the opportunities that India has before it owing to its potential on various fronts of economy.
Take hints from the article and explain. Discuss the role of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and aptitude by Lexicon publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of Aptitude.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the characteristics of aptitude that is essential for effective functioning of civil services.
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:
Define what Aptitude is.
Body:
Define aptitude and briefly explain difference in aptitude and attitude. Aptitude deals with ability, capability of a person, which is inborn, innate based on nature not nurture. It is related to future potential of a person.
Explain the main characteristics of aptitude; talk about Professional competence, Social competence, Ethical competence, Emotional competence etc.
Discuss its importance in overall.
Conclusion:
Potential for civil servants are not only related with knowledge & skill but also values & ethics that they should have ability to with stand values in difficult time. i.e. civil servant can be considered competent if his aptitude consists of Holistic competence.
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: Ethics, Integrity and aptitude by Lexicon publications
Why the question:
The question talks about adapting to Deontology and Teleology.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss which philosophy is ideal for people to practice, Give your opinion with suitable examples.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain the meaning of deontology and give contribution of Kant.
Body:
Immanuel Kant, German Philosopher is most important philosopher of Deontology. His popular work ‘Foundation of Metaphysics’ in which he has propounded his ethical principles based on rationality. Therefore, Deontology is also known as ‘Rational Approach’.
Explain why deontology cannot work as golden rule. Give examples and form your opinion.
Conclusion:
Kantian philosophy of deontology is useful but consequences of action, purpose of action also needs to be included while determining ethicality of the action.
