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General Studies – 2
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Reference: The Print
Why the question:
The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission of India (EC) on a PIL seeking that an election result should be nullified if NOTA (‘None of the above’ option) gets the most votes.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the concept of Right to reject and explain in what way Right to reject a candidate in elections promises systemic political reforms in India.
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:
Start with the definition of right to reject.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Briefly explain the evolution of NOTA system in India.
Discuss the benefits of right to reject a candidate; Empower voters to express their discontent, Bring Systemic Changes in Political culture, Right to reject will check corruption, criminalization, casteism, communalism, linguisim, and regionalism etc.
Then move onto tracing the progress made on nota leading to right to reject.
Explain in what way Right to reject a candidate in elections promises systemic political reforms in India.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the existing NOTA system is not the same as the right to reject. The current PIL over NOTA, thus is part of a wider debate about the voters’ ‘right to reject’ — and the form that it should take. It is a necessary precondition to ensure Good governance, which is the motivating factor behind the right to reject.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
2. Account for the role of geopolitical forces in India-USA defence partnerships. (250 words)
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why the question:
The article explains the centrality of defence in India-US ties.
Key Demand of the question:
One must discuss the role of geopolitical forces in India-USA defence partnerships.
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:
Briefly present background of India- U.S. defence co-operations so far.
Body:
India and the U.S. have been involved in a number of bilateral and multilateral military exercises.
The foundational agreements, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA have also been signed between India and the U.S.
Recently the Leaders’ Summit of India, U.S., Japan and Australia was held under the Quadrilateral Framework.
Discuss the significance of India-US defence cooperation.
Explain in detail the role of geopolitical forces in India-USA defence partnerships.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: Financial Express , Indian Express
Why the question:
The article explains – Three decades after the start of the inflation targeting (IT) policy in New Zealand (1990), a question worth asking is whether it has succeeded in its primary objective of reducing inflation.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse in the given conditions whether India is in a position of continuing with inflation targeting.
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 basics of Inflation and related policies in India.
Body:
Firstly, explain the major tools to control Inflation: Monetary Tools – Inflation Targeting through Monetary Policy Committee in India. Fiscal Tools – through the enactment of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM).
Then trace the methods of Inflation targeting in India from past to present in the recent times.
Discuss the Issues with Inflation targeting in India such as – Decline in the growth due to high repo rates: from 8% (pre- IT) to 5% (post IT) etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that considering the low growth associated with IT policy, we can conclude that India is not in a position for continuing with Inflation targeting.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Recently, India’s growth rate had decelerated sharply to a six-year low. The rate of Inflation remained persistently high until Covid disruption made worse situation for government as well as RBI in the recent times.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse in detail how persistent high inflation in the recent times has undermined RBI’s effort to revive growth in the country.
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 some key data or stats showing persistent inflation in the country.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Firstly, discuss the underlying factors of inflation.
Then move on to discuss the concerns before RBI ; for central government and RBI, it is not just a matter of core inflation but also maintain enough liquidity in the market. Now, even the core inflation rate has continued to climb all through the year and is now threatening to breach the levels set for headline inflation. The ongoing inflation spiral is being fuelled by supply chain disruptions, excessive margins and indirect taxes. Increase of repo rate is not sufficed to raise indirect taxes, decrease fuel prices etc. Capacity utilisation in firms is low and they are laying off employees to cut back costs.
Suggest what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions to address the issue.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: Indian economy by Uma Kapila
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper III and aims to assess the nature and extent of unemployment problem in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the nature and extent of unemployment problem in India and account for the underlying reasons and suggest measures that need to be undertaken to address the issues.
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 definition of unemployment or present some shocking facts related to unemployment in India.
Body:
Unemployment is found both in its rural and urban areas. There is seasonal and disguised unemployment in its rural areas. People here are dependent on agriculture. Certain months do not provide much work to the people depending upon agriculture.
Discuss the different types of unemployment and its prevalence. Bring out the underlying reasons.
Suggest what needs to be done to address the challenges pertaining to it.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper IV, theme – Attitude.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to elaborate upon the fact that attitude has a bigger role in deciding one’s conduct along with the positive and negative attributes of attitude held by people in India.
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 definition of Attitude in general and its importance.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss the way in which attitude influence conduct of people –
Attitude is a learned/acquired predisposition or state of mind to behave/react to a given object. Object means all those living and non-living things that we face. Attitude has three aspects in its content i.e. Affect, Behaviour and Cognition. Explain then how these 3 components influence the conduct of people.
Then move onto enumerate positive and negative attributes of attitude in India at all the levels – Individual, societal and government level.
Conclusion:
Conclude by hinting at its relevance to civil services; the civil servants require more of a behavioural competence to approach towards a situation. This has been the contentious issue with the young civil servants. The growing complexities of issue in the governance process, newly evolved problems need appropriate orientation, knowledge with civil servants to deal with such situations.
Topic: Case Study – Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
(a) Analyse the reasons behind such an attitude.
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The case study is based on the theme of “Attitude and its importance”.
Key Demand of the question:
One must identify the key ethical issues in the case study and suggest solutions to address the same.
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 background of the case in question.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Brief case analysis in the introduction including stakeholders as well as issues faced in education. The given case presents a dilemma of development in violence affected areas. For example – education in such areas are not just dependent on the availability of whole infrastructure and affordability and distance of school from home. Ensuring safety is equally important. Further, this is a case where the output, in form of infrastructure is already there, but the outcome in form of education is missing.
- Analyse the reasons for such an attitude.
- Discuss the steps that should be taken by the DEO. Suggest effective measures that can resolve the issue both shot term and long term.
Conclusion:
These measures when dovetailed with good governance and efficient utilization of funds will ensure attitudinal and behavioral shift towards education.
