Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.
How to Follow Secure Initiative?
How to Self-evaluate your answer?
STHIR – 2021: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Join IPM 3.0 to get an assured review of 2 secure answers everyday
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Reference: Class-XI NCERT: India Physical Environment.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To identify the factors that impact the climate in India and explain them.
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:
Briefly mention the important and defining features of Indian climate like temperature, rainfall and seasonality etc.
Body:
The main demand of the first part of the body is to mention the factors which influence Indain climate. Mention the factors such as Location, Distance from sea, Influence of the Himalayas, Monsoon, Cyclones etc. Cite examples along with explanation.
In the next part, mention about crops sown in India in the winter (Rabi) with a few examples. Then outline its importance in agriculture, food security, crop diversity, nutrition and farmers income etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by overall importance of winter crops to India.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Reference: Class-XI NCERT: India Physical Environment.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
Bring out the seasonal variations in the monsoon and to analyse the impact of too much monsoonal rain on Indian farmers.
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 by introducing Indian monsoon and its importance briefly.
Body:
Start by briefly mentioning about mechanism of the monsoon and the reasons for fluctuations in Indian monsoon according to the seasons.
Divide the answer in to various months and how monsoon varies with it. Use a diagram to explain it more systematically. Do include the Western Disturbances, Somali Jet Streams, Easterly Jet streams etc.
In the next part, start by mention how both monsoon deficit and too much monsoon in counterproductive in the Indian scenario. Mention the drawbacks of the too much surplus in monsoon such as floods, crop damage, increased pest infestation and disease, low outputs etc with supporting examples. Also, include the indirect costs incurred such as increased imports and reduced exports.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to deal with excess and surplus of monsoonal rain.
Topic: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
As we recover from the pandemic, we are seeing disparities in women freedom and social independence get worse. This article captures
Key Demand of the question:
To capture how the pandemic has affected the freedom and social independence of Indian women and suggest remedies.
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:
Mention about the harsh realities and disparities that has been exposed by the pandemic to begin your answer. Quote a relevant statistic as well.
Body:
In the body bring out how the pandemic has affected the economic independence of women. Use various aspect such as Job losses, Lack of savings, loss of bargaining power, unequal divisions of household labor and low labor participation rate etc. Use relevant facts and figures to substantiate you answer.
In the next part, bring out the impact of pandemic on the social independence of women. Mention about over dependence on men for finances, reduced choices and culturally burdened with high family expectations etc.
In the final mention some possible remedies for the above issues like effective utilization of SHG’s, upskilling and reskilling for woman workforce, recouping the lost jobs etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward
General Studies – 2
Topic: Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Supreme Court on Friday quite rightly stayed an Andhra Pradesh High Court order that sought to convene a judicial inquiry into whether there is a “constitutional breakdown”
Key Demand of the question:
To explain about constitutional breakdown and its feature and to examine the recent order of the HC, if that makes it a case of judicial over-reach.
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:
Start by writing about article 356 and defining constitutional breakdown.
Body:
In the body, elaborate up on, the expression “breakdown of constitutional machinery” has not been defined in the Constitution and can happen due to political reasons such as hung assembly, the government losing majority in the assembly, failure of any political grouping to form a government, defections and break-up of coalition or because of insurgency etc.
Analyse the recent judgement of the A.P High Court order and subsequent stay by the SC on it. Make a case for it being judicial over-reach on the part of the HC.
Conclusion:
Suggest measures to have proper separation of powers between the executive and judiciary.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
On Saturday, Apple placed all fresh production orders on hold for its Taiwanese supplier Wistron. The trigger was one of the biggest expressions of industrial unrest in India in recent years — at a new facility set up by the firm in Kolar, Karnataka,
Key Demand of the question:
To identify the major causes industrial disputes in India and bring out the impact of recent unrest on India.
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:
Start by giving context to you answer about the recent violence at the Wistron Plant in Karnataka and the losses accrued the premium suppliers.
Body:
In the body, mention about the major causes of Industrial disputes in India such as Demand for Wages and Allowances, Demand for Bonus, Personnel and Retrenchment, Demand for Improved Working Conditions, demand for improved working conditions such as leave, lesser hours of work, better working conditions like better safe measures, canteen facilities etc, employers’ apathy to recognise trade unions, strikes of political nature and Lock-Outs etc. Mention some examples of major industrial disputes such as violence at Maruti’s Manesar Plant etc.
In the next part bring out the impact of such disputes on Indian economy, ease of doing business, invest sentiment and employment opportunities etc.
Suggest solution to the above problems both on the industry side as well as the workers side. Bring out how the new labor laws can help prevent such disputes
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
6. You can change your behavior by changing your attitude. Elucidate. (150 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To develop a link between changing your attitude and changing your behavior.
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:
In the introduction, define attitude and behavior. Mention the difference between attitude and behavior.
Body:
With relevant examples elaborate on how attitude can be change and that change in the resultant behavior.
How behavior and attitude affect us and the need to adopt behaviors which are of empathy, compassion, fortitude and integrity.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by stressing how changing to right behaviors and attitude can impact our life positively.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information;
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
This question is part of your static GS-4.
Key Demand of the question:
Bring out the key issues regarding the balance between transparency and secrecy, the right of the public to know and touch upon the recent amendments to RTI act, 2005.
Directive:
Debate –
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 agree with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by right of citizen that the information and data that the government holds.
Body:
In the first part of the body, mention importance of transparency in public records. The right of the public to know the affairs of the government.
Weigh down the balance between transparency and need to maintain the secrecy for the functioning of the government.
Bring out the recent changes to RTI act, 2005 and debate upon Amendments adopted with haste and without much scrutiny and discussion have diluted the RTI Act and reduced transparency in public dealing. At the same time, the amended Act has hit at citizens’ rights and have strengthened hands of the government of the day. Officials, now, are going to be reluctant to give information about the ruling dispensation.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a balanced way forward.
