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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: A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum Publishers
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To bring out the major differences between Permanent settlement and Mahalwari settlement and to write about the overall impact of Permanent, Ryotwari and Mahawlari settlement on Indian agriculture.
Directive:
Compare and contrast – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by briefly writing about the nature of the two settlements.
Body:
In detail, bring out the differences between both the settlement systems – context of introduction, areas of introduction, fixation of Land revenue, collection of revenue and revision of land revenue etc.
Next, write about the overall impact these Land Revenue systems on Indian agriculture – Commercialization of Agriculture, Fragmentation of Lands, Absentee Landlordism, indebtedness of peasants and depressing effect upon the rural economy etc.
Conclusion:
Write about how these impacts led to mobilization of peasants and over a period of time, the peasant issues became a part of mainstream national movement.
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues;
Reference: A Brief History of Modern India by Spectrum Publishers
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the various reforms of William Bentick and the comment on their achievements.
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 writing about the various reforms of Bentick in brief.
Body:
In the first part, elaborate up on the reforms of Bentick. Financial Reforms, Administrative reforms, Social Reforms and Educational reforms.
In the next part, in detail bring out the relative successes and limitations of Bentick’s Reforms. Eg: Sati was ended gradually, female infanticide continued in some parts, if financial reforms reduced pressure on government coffers but it caused discontent among Sepoys, his educational reforms only benefitted very few etc.
Conclusion:
Give an overall estimate about the reforms of Bentick.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
President Biden’s 17 acts of rolling back prominent Trump policies on the very first day could send some awkward signals about the way the new administration may view the outcome of the last four years of US policies.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how the new administration will impact various facets on India’s strategic security.
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:
Begin the answer by giving the context regarding the regime change in U.S.
Body:
In detail, discuss one by one, the various contours of India’s strategic security and how the new regime will impact. You need write about what might change and what might continue the same.
Start by, Indo-US bilateral relations – immigration, Diaspora, security etc. Then explore, U.S-China, U.S-EU, QUAD, U.S-Pakistan, Middle East especially Iran deal, U.S-Russia and analyze all these vis-a-vis Indian strategic security perspective.
Conclusion:
Stress on how India should prepare itself to handle the changes that might forth come.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Joe Biden assumed office as President of the United States on January 20, 2021, and among the first orders he signed was one to restore America’s participation in the United Nations Paris Agreement on climate change.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of U.S.A rejoining the Paris Climate Deal after a hiatus of 4 years and to make a case that the superpower should do much more that merely re-join the deal.
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:
Give a brief of the mandate that was set by the ambitious Paris Agreement of 2015.
Body:
In the first part, given the context with regards to changed witnessed under Trump presidency.
Next in detail, bring out the implication of U.S rejoining the climate deal. Emission cuts, net-zero emissions, Federal investments, Funding, Research and Development, Strong support for multilateralism and accountability from other countries etc.
Finally, write how U.S.A being the global leader must to do much more than to return to the Paris fold. Renewed focus on foreign aid, regaining political legitimacy, take responsibility, commit to technology and funds for poorer countries and clean up the role of lobbyists etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward on the U.S can make use of the this opportunity of change of administration to take concrete steps to save the planet.
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
On Monday, it was reported regarding India’s eagerness to become lead member of the World Solar Bank (WSB), a multilateral lender proposed by the International Solar Alliance (ISA), by making an equity commitment of $600 million for a 30% stake in it.
Key Demand of the question: To write about India strengths and weaknesses in India’s solar energy sector in India’s quest for global leadership in the sector and suggest measure to improve its performance.
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 context regarding the World Solar Bank (WSB).
Body:
In the first part, write about India’s scope and opportunities in this regard. Progress and increase post 2014, abundance of sunlight and solar farms are cheaper than ever to set up and operate, geographic location and its potential, International Solar Alliance and various government initiatives to promote solar energy etc.
In the next part, mention various challenges that the solar energy faces. Disruptions caused by the pandemic, inefficient conversion technologies, high cost of solar farms, too much surface area to generate too little and over-reliance on solar imports etc.
Suggest ways to overcome the above challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward which will make India a global leader in the solar sector.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Reference: stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the relevance of Plato’s cardinal virtues in the present times.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning about the Plato’s 4 cardinal virtues – Wisdom, Courage, Justice and Moderation.
Body:
In brief, describe the virtues of Plato and what they meant according to him. Four cardinal virtues on which rest all the remaining moral virtues.
Next, one by one, bring out the relevance of these virtues in present. Cite examples as to show how these virtues are still important.
For e.g. – Courage in times pandemic etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stressing on the overall importance of the virtues.
Topic: role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
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 write about the role of society in forming values in an individual.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining social institutions and how they play role in forming the values.
Body:
In detail establish the role of social institutions, significant customs and habits, social institutions sanctioned, systematized and established by the authorities, territory, culture, language and educational system that play role inculcating in values.
Conclusion:
Stress on the importance of having right knowledge of social institutions for building right values and character.
