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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 based on the working class movement of the 18th century.
Key Demand of the question:
Account for the journey of working-class movement in India since the advent of modern industries and discuss their emergence as an organized class in the later phase.
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 with the advent of working class.
Body:
Trace the development of all India class consciousness in various phases. The modern worker made their appearance in India in the second half of 19th century with the slow beginnings of Railways and modern industries. Before the nationalists began to associate with working class agitations towards the end of 19th century, there were several strikes, agitations.
Explain the phases – (1850s -1900), coming of Swadeshi movement, late 1920s onwards.
Then discuss how this process of emergence of working class as an organized all India class is inextricably linked with the growth of national movement as Indian working class could not exist before the notion of ‘Indian’ people had begun to take root.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of it.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of electoral bonds.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the concept of electoral bonds and examine its role in ensuring transparency in electoral financing.
Directive:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to 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. 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:
Start with the concept of electoral bonds.
Body:
Under the electoral bond scheme, an electoral bond, issued in the nature of a promissory note, can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India. The scheme allows parties to receive these bonds.
This new instrument of political party funding is aimed to ensure greater transparency by addressing the issue of anonymous financing. It sought to eliminate black money from the system.
Present their merits and demerits. Discuss its role in ensuring transparency in electoral financing.
Conclusion:
Conclude with its significance.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Haryana Governor’s assent to The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act of 2020 , thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically analyse the nativist labor laws brought out by the two states.
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:
Start with details of the laws established by the State of Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.
Body:
First explain the favorable reasons for such laws – Most migration for work in India happens within state borders. The Census 2011 data revealed that in almost all Indian districts, less than 10% of the urban workforce comprised of inter- state migrants.
Then present the evolution of nativist labour laws in India, and then discuss the problems associated with nativist labour laws; their unconstitutionality, how they curtail the employer’s choice, they can be anti-migrant in nature and how they can promote subnational nativism.
Conclusion:
Conclude with ideal solutions and suggest the need for balance in bringing such laws into force.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is is based on the nuances of Swachh Bharat mission 2.0.
Key Demand of the question:
Elaborate on the features and utility of Swachh Bharat mission 2.0.
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 with brief introduction on what SBM is.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss the agenda and focus of the mission – It will focus on Open Defecation Free Plus (ODF Plus), which includes ODF sustainability and Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM).
SBM (G) Phase-II will be implemented from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in a mission mode with a total outlay of Rs. 1,40,881 crores.
Elaborate on how it speaks of sustained behavioral change while embarking on the newer agendas of sustainable solid waste management and safe disposal of wastewater and reuse.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The question is from the portions of GS paper III, part internal security and challenges therein.
Key Demand of the question:
One has to analyse critically how under each new regime, UAPA grants greater powers to the state and has fewer safeguards for individual rights.
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 brief introduction of the recent amendments made to the Acts.
Body:
The answer body must explain that there is an imbalance between the fundamental freedoms of citizens and interests of the State through the Act in the name of security.
It is primarily meant to combat terror and proscribe known terrorist organisations. Parliament, in the latest amendment to UAPA in July 2019, chose to proscribe individuals and their activities by paving the way to name individuals as terrorists even though they may have no affiliation with any of the 36 terrorist organisations referred to in the First Schedule of the Act. The government seeks to justify this amendment consistent with its alleged desire to effectively deal with terrorists and terrorist organisations who threaten security.
Unfortunately, the provisions of UAPA have, in the recent past, been used against those known to speak up for the oppressed, those who foster the cause of civil rights, and others who oppose the government and its policies.
Present examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done.
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: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article brings to us measures for the enhancement of Indian bureaucracy for effective public administration.
Key Demand of the question:
Present some measures for the enhancement of Indian bureaucracy for effective public administration in the country.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly first account for the status of Indian bureaucracy.
Body:
The question is straightforward and there isn’t much to deliberate. One should suggest measures like – recruiting at a younger age, training frequency, Sectorial specializations within broad generalization,
Use big data to measure governance quality, Discourage the practice of appointing retiring/retired officers etc.
Elaborate each point and substantiate with examples wherever possible.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
Why the question:
The question is from the subject of ethics, theme- morality.
Key Demand of the question:
Clarify as to how circumstances can often decide morality and that human action also needs to be considered.
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 the definition of Morality.
Body:
The answer should contain the following parts:
• Identify the elements of human action (nature/object, circumstances, and purpose) that are analyzed for judging the morality of human action.
• Further, explain that though circumstances are a criterion but they are not the sole criterion since the object, as well as, purpose of human action should also be considered in deciding the morality of human action.
• To justify your point, give examples/illustrations to show that circumstances can’t make an action, whose object is bad, ethical, give suitable examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
