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General Studies – 1
Topic: Case Study
(a) Identify the stakeholders and their interests in the situation.
(b) What are the dilemmas that a recruiting manager may face in such a scenario?
(c) What are the different options available to you? Which one will you pursue and why? Explain,
Why the question:
The question is a case study based on ethical concerns associated with gender inequality.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse the nuances and answer the questions that follow the case study.
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 brief understanding of the case in question.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
- List stakeholders like the hiring manager, the company, female candidates, Government and the society.
- List their interests.
- Discuss the dilemma(s) you are facing.
- List the available options, analyze each in the light of given circumstances and ethical conduct. Choose the one which you may pursue.
Conclusion:
Conclude with fair and balanced opinion.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Supreme Court
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant , The Print
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper II.
Key Demand of the question:
The fact that too much transparency can affect the independence of the judiciary, the office of CJI has been brought under the domain of RTI. One has to bring out the significance of such a move.
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:
Talk about the importance of balancing transparency and judicial independence.
Body:
The Supreme Court of India upheld the Delhi High Court judgment of 2010 which stated that the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) would come under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act), as CJI is a ‘public authority’ under the RTI Act.
Explain how such a decision has opened up the doors for enhanced transparency in the judiciary as earlier higher judiciary in India has been criticized for its opaqueness under the doctrine of judicial independence.
Present the significance of the verdict in detail.
Account for associated concerns/challenges any.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such a decision.
Topic: Tribunals
Reference: Indian polity by Lakshmikant
Why the question:
The question is based on the concept of Tribunals and there contribution in justice delivery.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the contributions of tribunal in justice delivery and the challenges associated with them.
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:
Briefly mention the concept of tribunals.
Body:
To start with, the original constitution did not contain provisions with respect to tribunals. However, the 42nd amendment Act, 1976 added a new part XIV A to the constitution. The Administrative tribunals are formed under the Article 323A of the Indian Constitution. However, tribunals for other matters are formed under the Article 323B of the Indian Constitution.
Then discuss whether tribunals promote judicial efficiency. Present both sides of the argument.
Later, analyze as to how tribunalisation of justice undermine ideas/principles set out in our constitution.
Conclusion:
Conclude that despite such challenges, tribunals are an excellent instrument of speedy dispute resolution and have become agents of good governance. In the interest of better justice delivery, the institutions like tribunals cannot be dispensed with altogether.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article talks about the need and opportunity for India to forge stronger ties with the European Union to revitalize its exports, in the backdrop of BREXIT and India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the need and opportunity for India to forge stronger ties with the European Union to revitalize its exports, in the backdrop of BREXIT and India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
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 explaining India’s vision for self-reliance.
Body:
The Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and the Budget 2021-22 have set the tone and tenor to bolster supply chains and achieve self-reliance. However, it does not mean that India looks at being economically insular.
Then with some data discuss the export potential of India.
Explain the concerns associated. Talk about the FTAs; India’s negotiation for a Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement, which commenced in 2007, is yet to materialize due to lack of concurrence in areas like automotive and dairy and marine products. India’s cautious approach to FTAs is due to its past experience of an unequal exchange of benefits in several FTAs signed by the country.
Conclusion:
Post-Brexit EU finds itself in the midst of a growing need for recalibrating ties with its partner countries. Forging stronger ties with the EU through a mutually beneficial agreement could help strengthen Indian manufacturing and revitalize exports.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Government Budgeting
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Based on the theme of participatory budgeting and its relevance for local self-governments in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
One must explain the concept of participatory budgeting and its relevance to local self governments.
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:
Define what Participatory budgeting is.
Body:
Participatory budgeting (PB) is a process of democratic deliberation and decision-making, in which ordinary people decide how to allocate part of a municipal or public budget. Participatory budgeting allows citizens to identify, discuss, and prioritize public spending projects, and gives them the power to make real decisions about how money is spent.
Explain the advantages of such a system – PB processes are typically designed to involve those left out of traditional methods of public engagement, such as low-income residents, non-citizens, and youth.
Participatory budgeting refers to the active involvement of people in the processes of budget priority setting and management. According to this approach, citizens and civil society along with the relevant organs of the Government and legislature, deliberate and negotiate over the distribution of public resources. In contrast to the techno-bureaucratic administration which is limited in its ability to achieve equitable development, participatory budgeting has the potential to maximize equity in policy choices and effect better policy outcomes.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
6. Explain and assess India’s potential to be the “pharmacy of the world”. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Economic Survey analysis shows that India has the potential to be the ‘pharmacy of the world’. The provision of COVID-19 vaccine to other countries has made India the epicenter for its manufacturing.
Key Demand of the question:
One is
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 some key data on current status of Indian pharmaceuticals.
Body:
Indian pharmaceutical sector has high value of trade specialization coefficient (TSC), closer to one, consistently from 2014-15. The value of TSC lies between -1 and 1, wherein a higher TSC value denotes stronger export competitiveness of the country.
Discuss the facts that make India a strong pharmaceutical hub for the entire world such as – significant raw material base and availability of a skilled workforce, one of the lowest manufacturing costs in the world etc.
Then present some data to provide for comparison with other leading countries and explain how still India holds a better place.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to focus and emphasize on the need for govt. to recognise its significance and take necessary steps in this direction.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of Administrative ethics.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the issues marring the administrative ethics and suggest measures to overcome the problems especially in the Indian context.
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:
Start with the definition of Administrative ethics.
Body:
Administrative ethics involves the application of moral principles to the conduct of officials in organizations. Broadly speaking, moral principles specify (a) the rights and duties that individuals should respect when they act in ways that seriously affect the well-being of other individuals and society; and (b) the conditions that collective practices and policies should satisfy when they similarly affect the well-being of individuals and society.
Administrative ethics assumes that individuals in organizations can make moral judgments and can be the objects of moral judgments.
The challenge is that by its very nature administration precludes the exercise of moral judgment.
Conclusion:
Conclude with measures.
