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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: Modern Indian history by Spectrum Publications
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I , part Modern history.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to elaborate on the statement and present opinion.
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:
Briefly explain about the socio-religious reforms of the 19-20th century.
Body:
Write a line about the difference between modernization and westernization.
Discuss how such socio-religious reforms aimed at modernisation rather than westernization.
Conclude with the positive impacts of the reforms on Indian society.
Conclusion:
Conclude how In the evolution of modern India the reform movements of the 19-20th century have made very significant contributions. They stood for the democratization of society, removal of superstition and abhorrent customs, spread of enlightenment and the development of a rational and modern outlook.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Prime Minister
Reference: Indian Polity by Lakshmikant
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the powers and functions of the Prime minister and expand the significance of the statement in the question.
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 with the brief introduction highlighting the role of PM in Indian polity.
Body:
The question is straight forward and doesn’t require much deliberation.
Firstly, discuss the functions and powers of the Prime Minister in detail, one can have the following aspects covered:
- He recommends persons who can be appointed as ministers by the president. The President can appoint only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Prime Minister.
- He allocates and reshuffles various portfolios among the ministers.
- He can ask a minister to resign or advise the President to dismiss him in case of difference of opinion.
- He presides over the meeting of council of ministers and influences its decisions.
- He guides, directs, controls, and coordinates the activities of all the ministers.
- He can bring about the collapse of the council of ministers by resigning from office.
Discuss other functions too.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the role of the Prime Minister in the parliamentary government is so significant and crucial that observers like to call it a „Prime Ministerial government.
Topic: cabinet committees
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I.
Key Demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail purpose of a cabinet committee while explaining the types and their composition.
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:
In a few lines explain what are cabinet committees, The Cabinet Committee are organizations which are instrumental in reducing the workload of the Cabinet. These committees are extra-constitutional in nature and are nowhere mentioned in the Constitution.
Body:
The answer must discuss the following:
- Types and Composition of Cabinet Committees:
üStanding Cabinet Committee: These are permanent in nature with a specific job. The Cabinet Ministers are called its ‘members’ while the people without the rank of Cabinet Committee are called ‘special invitees’.
üAd-hoc Cabinet Committee: These are temporary in nature and are formed time to time to deal with specific tasks.
- Composition: The composition of a Cabinet Committee varies from 3 to 8 people. Even Ministers who are not the part of the Cabinet can be added to a Cabinet Committee. Usually, each cabinet committee has at least one Cabinet Minister. The members of the Cabinet Committee can be from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
- Suggest significance of the committees.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting significance of these committees.
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Biden administration’s attempts to revive the Iran deal have turned the spotlight on the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Thus the question.
.Key Demand of the question:
Account for the role of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in enhancing nuclear accountability of the world Also, bring out the associated concerns.
Directive:
Account – 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 are in agreement with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with brief introduction of IAEA.
Body:
IAEA played a key role in enforcing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action from which Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018.
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or the Iran nuclear deal, proved that the IAEA can emerge beyond its mandate of being a monitoring and inspection agency and, in fact, play a key role in finding solutions to tense international crises.
Explain the associated concerns.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
The article explains how we should ease private participation and nudge India towards a scientific pursuit of space exploration driven by economic aims.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the challenges and limitations being faced by private sector in space exploration in India.
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:
First set the context of the question with some relevant facts./data such as – The current global space economy is pegged at USD 360 billion. The Indian space economy is valued at USD 7 billion, which is around 2% of the global space economy. The Indian space sector needs to grow at ~approximately 48% CAGR over the next five years to reach its target of USD 50 billion.
Body:
Explain that there has not been much emphasis on enhancing commercial activities in the Indian space sector, and as a result, the participation of the private sector in the Indian space industry has been minimal in space activities. However, there is huge scope for the commercialization of the ground operations like mission support, satellite broadband gateways and 5G backhauling.
Then move onto list the challenges for the Indian space sector such as –
- The absence of a national space legislation leads to a lack of clarity on conducting space-related business activities in the country.
- There is a lack of awareness about the demands of the global space industry.
- Lack of established regulatory framework and guidelines for technology commercialization and funding in the Indian space sector result in a dearth of private investment.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done and suggest way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Objectivity
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of importance of Objectivity in decision-making.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the statement “While individual beliefs and values determine one’s subjective responsibility, it is the operational environment which guides/shapes the objective responsibility” in detail and discuss role of objectivity in administration.
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 with definition of objectivity; Objectivity in decision-making relates to actions being taken with due regard to the known valid evidence (relevant facts, accurate assessment, logical implications and viewpoints).
Body:
Since the overall theme of the question is regarding Objectivity in decision-making,
Firstly bring out why objectivity is required in administrative decision. Then, elaborate on its constituents and argue how a complementarity will lead to objective decision making.
Give suitable examples to justify.
Finally suggest some measures for ensuring the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
Topic: regions
(a) Identify the ethical issues which arise during clinical trials.
(b) Given the above situation, would you prefer to shift human trials to a third country where regulations are lax? Explain and give reasons in support of your choice.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is a case study based on human clinical trials.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to identify the ethical issues involved in clinical trials and address the subsequent ethical questions involved.
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:
Start with identification of core issue in the case.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Give a brief introduction about human clinical trials and identify the ethical issues in clinical trials.
- Discuss the merits and demerits of shifting lab location and state your final stand on shifting the lab from the home country.
- Give a framework of standard procedure to minimize ethical conflicts and speed-up the approval process of new medicines.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions.
