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General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The opinion from the Indian express explains that the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021, discounts women’s bodily autonomy and reeks of ableism.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically analyse the shortcomings of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
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 brief background of the context in question.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss the progressive steps in MTP Bill, 2021: compared to the MTP Act, 1971; Destigmatizing pregnancies outside marriage, Increased the legally terminable time limit.
Then present the concerns associated with MTP Bill, 2021 – Potential for executive overreach, Does not provide right to abortion at will, Promotes societal prejudices (ableism) against persons with special needs, Ignores to address the limited access to abortion facilities etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suggestions as to what needs to be done.
Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article explains the surge of geopolitics in South Asia’s power trade.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the concerns in India’s newly released rules governing trade of electricity across its borders.
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 background of the question.
Body:
The guidelines place clear limits on who can buy from and sell into India. This is supposed to be because of India’s attempt to neutralize China’s influence in the South Asian region. They discourage participation of plants owned by a company situated in “a third country with whom India shares a land border” (read China) and “does not have a bilateral agreement on power sector with India.”
Discuss the key concerns with the guidelines.
Exclusive Rules on ownership, Undermines private sector partnerships, the rules establish elaborate surveillance procedures.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article explains that the post-lockdown misery of India’s migrant workers warrants some urgent measures.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the effects of lockdown on India’s migrant workers; also explain how Post-lockdown misery of India’s migrant workers warrants some urgent measures.
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:
One year since the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed; there’s been little change in the hunger levels and unemployment rate among migrant workers, especially women.
Body:
Explain the effects of lockdown on the migrants first. Distress migration: due to non-existent social security and unilateral decisions. Loss of livelihoods, Paradox of hunger despite having plenty, Devastating impact on women and children’s nutrition etc.
Discuss the policies and initiatives of the government in this direction.
Suggest what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: Indian Express/
Why the question:
According to the World Bank, the phenomenon of trade-led catch-up growth is petering out; thus, Atmanirbharta is the way that can help India bounce back from the effects of Covid-19.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the possible role that Atmanirbharta can play for India to bounce back from the effects of Covid-19.
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 current disruption in the economy caused due to covid-19 pandemic.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss India’s growth strategy before the policy of self-reliance (Atmanirbharta); Import substituting growth strategy of the 1960s, Trade-led catch-up growth strategy of the 1990s. Explain that this strategy is petering out due to the process of de-globalization, reduction in the demand for exports, and reduced service exports from the tourism, travel and hospitality sector due to COVID.
Then explain the intended benefits of achieving Atmanirbharta in various sectors; take cues from the article.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward as to what needs to be done to realize the full potential of Atmanirbharta.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing. Land reforms in India.
5. Discuss the need and challenges of digitization of land records in India. (250 words)
Reference: The Print
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of digitization of land records in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Account for the need and challenges of digitization of land records 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 what is digitisation of land records and its general importance. Digitization of land records was introduced to computerize all land record to have greater transparency in land records maintenance system. It is not just important for record keeping, but extremely important for the welfare of farmers and to further expedite the process of land reforms.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
- Introduce the answer with the importance and need for land digitization.
- Discuss the challenges in digitization of land records.
- Present the policies and programs by the government in this direction. Present case study of States that have successfully carried digitisation of land records.
- Conclude on the basis of above points.
Conclusion:
In order to successfully, digitize and modernize land records, several changes in existing laws that govern registration and transfer of land will be required, keeping in mind problems of the poor and the gendered aspect of land ownership.
Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Reference: advances.sciencemag.org
Why the question:
The question is based on the issues concerning the cropping pattern in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss why the cropping pattern in India is highly skewed towards water intensive crops and thus discuss the need to shift the focus from land productivity to irrigation water productivity.
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 mention the issues related to cropping pattern in India.
Body:
Highlight the reasons for the highly skewed crop pattern towards water intensive crops. India’s cropping pattern highlights the rampant cultivation of water intensive crops such as sugarcane production in Maharashtra, paddy in North-West India, which are amongst the water stressed regions of India.
Explain the reasons behind such a shift; Government’s incentive structure, Minimum Support Prices (MSPs), Demand for water intensive crops, Increased water demand by crops, Lack of sensitization etc.
Discuss the need to shift the focus from land productivity to irrigation water productivity. Conclusion:
Conclude that in order to bring this shift, governments need to focus on crop diversification, sustainable practices like Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF), nudging farmers to use micro-irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and micro-sprinklers. The focus should be on growing crops, which are climatically suitable for any region.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Case Study
Why the question:
The question is based on the concerns associated with deteriorating position of farmers as a potential profession in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
One must bring out the ethical and moral concerns associated and answer the questions that follow.
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 identifying the issues in the question.
Body:
Focus must be given on deliberations on ethical angle involved in the case.
First identify the current conditions in the case – Farmers economic situation deteriorating, the social status of farming going down, the attitude in general towards farming is changing, aspirational value of farming decreasing etc.
Then discuss the values that are involved in the above case study; Empathy and Compassion – to be able to understand the farmers’ situation and act upon it, Dignity of labour, respect from society.
Elaborate on what is your stand.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a fair and balanced opinion.
