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General Studies – 1
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues;
Reference: India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To explain in detail as to how non-cooperation movement manifested across India and to reasons for its withdrawal.
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:
Write in brief about non-cooperation movement and the context it was launched in.
Body:
Non-cooperation included, the surrender of titles and honours, boycott of government affiliated schools and colleges, law courts, foreign cloth, and could be extended to include resignation from government service, non-payment of taxes. National schools and colleges were to be set up, panchayats were to be established for settling disputes, hand-spinning and weaving was to be encouraged and people were asked to maintain Hindu-Muslim unity, give up untouchability and observe strict non-violence.
Mention how the above manifested in various parts of India such a Bombay, Bengal, U.P, Andhra, Assam and Punjab etc.
Then give out the reasons for withdrawal of NCM, first mention about certain theories which wrongly criticizes Gandhi as trying protecting the interests of Zamindars. The write about the actual reason, that is, Chauri-Chaura incident and the anticipation of huge repression from the government which made Gandhi call the movement off.
Mention the reaction of the nationalists and the impact of abrupt shut down in contemporary politics of the national movement.
Conclusion:
Write about the significance of the movement despite it sudden withdrawal
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues;
Reference: India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
one is expected to evaluate whether Gandhiji’s secular credentials got diluted with Khilafat; by discussing the critiques and providing for the arguments that prove it otherwise.
Directive:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, 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. There is scope for forming a personal opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Introduce by stating the backdrop of Khilafat movement and how Gandhiji came to support the cause of it.
Body
Such questions should be addressed through a narration, the body of the answer should preferably first discuss as to why his support to the Khilafat movement seemed to have unsecular colors to it, why was he criticized by some under this pretext. Then move on to explain that though the movement was based on religious issue, for Gandhiji was neither communal nor pro-Muslim nor an opportunistic leader but was a pragmatic statesman who had to make best use of the opportunities and resources available to him to attain independence from the British rule.
Conclusion
Conclude with his purity of means, how the Chauri chaura incidence made him call off the movement depicting his only true religion was humanity.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources;
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Union Education Ministry’s directive to the States to launch a mission to avoid large-scale dropouts in schools in the coming year, partly by relaxing the detention policy,
Key Demand of the question:
to bring out the impact of Covid-19 on school education in India and to find a way forward to prevent large scale drop outs.
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 giving the context regarding the impact of covid-19 on education sector.
Body:
Elaborate on the disruptions caused and present some statistics and figures that captures the gravity of the situation.
Write about the potential consequences of the above.
In detail, explain the steps that are needed to prevent it. Relaxing the detention policy is a welcome step but much more is needed. Prioritizing students who are unable to return, negating the negative economic consequences on the families, achieving convergence in various government schemes and special emphasis on the girl child education etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
The European Union (EU) announced the ‘in principle’ conclusion of an agreement with China to open the Chinese market further to its investors, bringing to an end a process that began way back in 2013.
Key Demand of the question:
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 the nature of the deal and how it has been portrayed that the agreement is of major economic significance” as China has committed to an unprecedented level of market access for EU investors, giving European businesses certainty and predictability for their operations.
Body:
In the first part of the body, write about the key elements and important details of the agreement between EU and China.
Bring about the detailed analysis of the treaty. The China-EU Investment Treaty which saw Europe capitulating to China’s brandishments is an indication that Europe values its economy more than its politics, sidelining of the U.S, the extent of implementing the agreements made as a part of the deal and overall instability related to the deal.
Mention how this could impact EU-India relations.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the approach that India needs to take in the wake of the recent developments between EU and China.
General Studies – 4
Topic: 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 do you understand by this quote:
‘To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society’.
1. Theodore Roosevelt (150 words)
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To mention how the education system without values can be a bane to the society.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by elaborating and describing the meaning of the quote briefly.
Body:
Use examples to substantiate the quote. Such as educated people indulging in unethical activities, doing morally wrong things and causing harm to the society. E.g.: Scientists who aided in Holocaust, Educated person taking dowry etc.
Inculcation of discipline, honesty, being sensitive to the feelings of others, respect for teachers, engaging in debates without grudging the contrary view, inculcating team spirit , respecting the rules and code of conduct, cheering for the success of others must be made an integral part of value based educational system.
Conclusion:
Summarize as how the educated men and women of various streams and young students must assert their responsibility to take back control over our value systems.
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
6. Explain the relationship between attitude and behaviour. How are attitudes formed? (150 words)
Reference: Ethics 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 the relation between attitude and behavior and to explain how are attitudes formed.
Directive:
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining attitude and behavior.
Body:
In the first part of the body, bring out the relationship between attitude and behavior. Attitude can be defined as what a person internalizes as its values and beliefs, what it carries to be disposed and what generally forms a character of a person. Behavior finely abuts attitude. It’s a sum total summary of a person’s actions.
In the next part, write about the nature as to how attitudes are formed. Attitude formation occurs through either direct experience or the persuasion of others or the media. Attitudes have three foundations: affect or emotion, behavior, and cognitions. Sensory Reactions, Values, Operant Conditioning and Classical Conditioning etc. aid in the formation of attitude.
Conclusion:
Finish by mentioning about the need to develop the right attitude.
