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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: Indian art and culture by Nitin Singhania.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
A straightforward question to write about the main style and themes of Rajasthani School and its main centers.
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:
Write in brief about aesthetics of Rajasthani paintings and their origins.
Body:
In the first part, write about the main style and themes that are depicted in the paintings. Elements depicted, colors used, notable genre and any other important features.
Next, write about the major centers where it flourished – Mewar School, Bundi school and Kishangarh school. Write about their important features.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting their special place in the artistic history of India.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2. During Jahangir and Shahjahan, Mughal paintings achieved its zenith. Elucidate. (250 words)
Reference: Indian art and culture by Nitin Singhania.
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 development of paintings under Jahangir and Shahjahan.
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:
Begin by writing about development of Mughal paintings.
Body:
In the first part, in brief, trace the development of Mughal Paintings till Akbar.
Next, write about the development of paintings under Jahangir and Shahjahan. He maintained his own studio apart from Akbar’s large atelier. Jahangir’s preference was for paintings of hunting scenes, birds and flowers. He also continued the tradition of Portraits. Under Shahjahan the colours of the paintings between more decorative and gold was more frequently used for embellishment.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting their special place in the cultural history of India.
General Studies – 2
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
India and China have reached an agreement on disengagement in the Pangong lake area to cease their forward deployments in a phased, coordinated and verified manner and it would substantially restore the situation to that existed prior to the commencement of the stand-off last year.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how talks are need to be followed by implementation on ground in order to restore a long lasting peace in Ladakh.
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:
Begin by giving the talks of disengagement between Indian and Chinese forces.
Body:
In the first part, write about the various reasons that led to Ladakh stand off and the subsequent escalation of the conflict. Write about its detailed Impact on both India and China.
In the next part, write about the recent talks towards disengagement and the terms of that have been discussed. Write about unless implemented in spirit, the letter of the disengagement will not resolve the crisis. Mention the long term measures that should be taken for permanent resolution after disengagement.
Write about the advantages the both countries have in resolving the border dispute.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward for long-lasting peace in the Ladakh.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: The Hindu , Insights IAS
Why the question:
The government’s statement about bringing in a law on cryptocurrencies is welcome, as it could put an end to the existing ambiguity over the legality of these currencies in India.
Key Demand of the question:
To make a case for the smart regulation of cryptocurrencies than outright ban.
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:
Define crypto currencies and give the context where it seems the government is inclined on brining a new law to regulate it.
Body:
Cite facts and figures that encompass the good performance of crypto currencies and the benefits it can accrue to the Indian financial sector.
Mention the developments so far in India with respect to crypto currencies: the revocation of banking ban in March 2020. Mention about the possibility of a draft law which the government is considering.
Bring out the potential challenges in implementation of large scale crypto currency based assets. Also, highlight the inadequacies in the Indian financial system pertaining to crypto currencies.
State reasons why India should to be more accepting of crypto currencies and the need to move to regulate the sector than resisting.
Conclusion:
Conclude with balanced way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Reference: The Hindu ,The Hindu
Why the question:
Days after a glacier burst in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand caused flash floods, the scientific community is still struggling to understand what triggered the disaster.
Key Demand of the question:
To bring out the factors that contributed for Uttarakhand to emerge as a site of Hindu pilgrimage and to suggest steps to overcome the ecological frailties of the region.
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 tracing the journey from Borderland to sacred place.
Body:
In first part, using the article, bring out the early developments and linkages to the development of pilgrimage circuit in Uttarakhand.
In the next part, write about the ecological frailties of Uttarakhand as witnessed in the Kedarnath floods of 2013 and recent floods in Chamoli. Account the reasons therefor.
Suggest short terms and long terms steps in order to overcome those and to make Uttarakhand a sustainable place for livelihood, pilgrimage and tourism.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
General Studies – 4
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 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 importance of impartiality in developing public in civil servants.
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 defining impartiality.
Body:
Explain the importance of Impartiality as an attribute for a civil servant; in upholding the constitutional values, in practicing good work culture, in handling tough and challenging situations, in tackling corruption etc. Develop link how this will lead to building of trust.
Conclusion:
Conclude with others values that are needed along with impartiality.
Topic: corporate governance.
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 benefits of good corporate governance.
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 corporate governance.
Body:
Explain that corporate governance is about enabling organizations to achieve their goals, control risks and assuring compliance. Good corporate governance incorporates a set of rules that define the relationship between stakeholders, management and the board of directors of a company and influence how the company is operating.
Explain in detail the advantages of having high ethical standards of corporate governance. Improved Operational Performances, Competitive Advantages, Improved Profitability, Reduced Corporate Investment Risk and Scams, Amplified Faith among Corporate Investors and Higher Firm Valuation etc.
Conclusion:
Summarize the above benefits and stress on the need of corporates to aim at better standards of corporate governance.
