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General Studies – 1
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc;
Reference: ndma.gov.in
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To mention about the criteria for heat wave and to examine the role of Urban Heat Island effect in heat wave condition.
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 defining a heat wave.
Body:
In the first part of the body, start by mentioning the criteria for a heat wave: in temperature for plains, coastal areas and hilly areas. The criteria for a severe heat wave.
In the next part, start by defining Urban Heat Island effect. Mention the Urban Island heat effect aggravates the heat wave conditions. The result of lower vegetation levels, higher amounts of “hardscape,” heat from buildings and vehicles, and reduced air flow between tall buildings as well as other physical alternations to the natural environment), leads to temperatures in urban areas as high as 10 degree greater than neighboring rural areas. During periods of extremely high heat these differences can be life-threatening.
Mention ways to mitigate heath wave conditions in the short term and long term: Short term measures such as issuing proper guidelines and warning, green rating of buildings, structural changes in the buildings, improving the lifestyle of people etc.
Long term measures such as combating climate change, increasing vegetation and green cities, implementing the guidelines of UN-Habitat-III etc.
Conclusion:
Stress upon the need to act with utmost urgency given the increasing instances of heat waves.
General Studies – 2
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations;
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
With the Afghan government and the Taliban preparing to resume talks in Doha next week, one of the pressing problems Afghanistan is facing remains unaddressed — the surging violence.
Key Demand of the question:
To examine the nature of peace deal and obstacles to it that is in development between The U.S, The Afghan government and The Taliban.
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 the context regarding the tri-partite peace deal that is happening between The U.S, Afghan Government and Taliban.
Body:
Elaborate upon the nature of the landmark deal with the U.S in February, 2020.
The Afghan government started negotiating with Taliban in September, 2020 to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Mention the obstacles to the peace process such as surging violence, targeted killing of journalists,the instability in the democratically elected government of Afghanistan, Lack of consensus over a ceasefire, impending withdrawal of U.S troops and regime change in America etc.
Mention the impact of the above Afghan peace process and all the stakeholders in the process as well as neighboring countries.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger;
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
According to the NFHS-5 data, while some improvement has been made in the nutritional status of the country, there still a long way to go achieve all desired targets.
Key Demand of the question:
To bring out the shortcomings of POSHAN Abhiyaan and suggest measure to make it more holistic and successful.
Directive:
Substantiate – When you are asked to Substantiate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidences. You have to appraise the worth of the statement in question using suitable case studies or/ and examples.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by writing about The Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition or POSHAN Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission (NNM), which was launched as flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes.
Body:
In the first part, mention the broad aims and objectives of the POSHAN Abhiyaan which were set at the inception the scheme.
In the next part, bring out the performance of NNM, in the various aspects such as Child stunting, child underweight and Anaemia. Mention the shortfalls from the desired outcomes as envisaged by the government.
Suggest measures which are needed in order to ensure the success of POSHAN Abhiyaan, such as, Prioritizing and close monitoring non performing districts, following a village based approach rather than district based, ensuring that the disruptions caused by the pandemic are overcome at the earliest, learning the failures and successes at local level in the past three years and making food security central to developmental agenda etc.
Conclusion:
Finish the answer by mentioning how POSHAN Abhiyaan seeks to have Jan Andolan to end malnutrition and first step towards it is the convergence of the policies of Central, State and Local Governments.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Disaster and disaster management;
Reference: ndma.gov.in
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3.
Key Demand of the question:
To develop a link between governance and risk reduction during a disaster.
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 defining roles and responsibilities in governance that guide, encourage and incentivize the public and private sectors to take action and address disaster risk.
Body:
Mention about how disaster risk governance at the national, regional and global levels is of great importance for an effective and efficient management of disaster risk. Clear vision, plans, competence, guidance and coordination within and across sectors, as well as participation of relevant stakeholders, are needed.
Elaborate upon strengthening disaster risk governance for prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation. Stress on the need for collaboration and partnership across mechanisms and institutions for the implementation of instruments relevant to disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
Substantiate the above with examples.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by highlighting the role that governance can play in mitigating disaster risk.
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas;
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
A greater likelihood of conflict along the western border possibly triggered by a major terror attack emanating from Pakistan. The Chinese intrusions in Ladakh in May this year, the resultant violence have now made the two front military threat more apparent and real.
Key Demand of the question:
To suggest measures to prepare India for two front war by augmenting its resources and re-aligning it strategy.
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:
Begin by laying context of the possibility of two front war on Western and Norther borders of India.
Body:
Highlight the issues that India is facing with Pakistan and China on the westerns and northern borders respectively. Draw a simple and representative map for better illustration.
Bring out the changes witnessed in the recent years which have the possibility of two front war more apparent – Pulwama attacks, increased cross border shelling, abrogation of article 370 and terrorist infiltration on western side. The Galwan valley clashes and confrontation between Indian army and the PLA army and failure to break the dead lock, strong jingoism in Chinese state media etc. Joint military exercise between Pakistan and China adding further fuel.
Suggest measures as to how India can mobilize it resources and develop a proper strategy to be prepared in case a war breaks out on both fronts. Managing the quantum of resources on the primary front, whether to opt for an offensive or defensive strategy, development of a doctrine and the capability to deal with this contingency, capacity building of armed forces, engaging in diplomacy with other neighbors and reaching out to Kashmir.
Conclusion:
Surmise by mentioning though the threat remains distant possibility but it is better to prepared than to be sorry in order to avoid the horrors of 1962.
General Studies – 4
Topic: laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance;
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:
Using the metaphor of the moral compass to describe conscience, our inner sense of right and wrong offers a framework to guide our actions.
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:
Start by describing what you understand by moral compass (conscience) which governs the actions you take in day to day life.
Body:
Elaborate on how the moral compass aids in deciding what right from is wrong. Use examples to substantiate your points.
One way is to treat others the way you want to be treated.
Next way, to use Rights Theory that obligates us to respect the rights of others and live up to our obligations towards them.
Another way is to utilitarian perspective to do maximum good for maximum people.
Conclusion:
Completed the answer by bring out how the moral compass prevents us acting purely from self-interest and helps us live a life of integrity.
Topic: Information sharing and transparency in government;
Why the question:
India is one of the biggest media markets in the world. However, the concentration of ownership of media shows that a handful of people own and control Indian media.
Key Demand of the question:
To bring out the impact of concertation of media power in the hands of few and to suggest measures to address it.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning how, the production of media content and its distribution are becoming increasingly combined and concentrated in the hands of a few which is leading to weakening of the fourth pillar of democracy.
Body:
Mention in detail the ramification of concertation of media in the hands of few major business houses such as biased news, one sided agenda, threats to pluralism, Patches of transparency and secrecy, Political leverage and politicization of news, rewarding or punishing media outlets through the allocation or non-allocation of advertising and violence against journalists etc.
Suggest steps to prevent such ramifications like framework law on overarching regulation on media houses, compulsory disclaimer on interests in media houses by politicians, preventing politicization of news by holding news channels accountable for their content, promoting free and fair independent journalism, protecting independent journalists from backlash from authorities or the powerful etc.
Conclusion:
Touch on the importance of free and fair media in a democracy as your conclusion.
