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General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Reference: The Wire
Why the question:
The question is premised on the issue of child marriages in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the issue of child marriage in detail and explain what should be done to do away with the problems.
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 facts related to child marriage and the definition of it.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Explain first the underlying factors that lead to Child marriages in India; discuss the historical factors, societal reasons, Poverty, Insecurity, Political and financial reasons, Lack of education, Patriarchy and gender inequalities, Inadequate implementation of the law etc.
Then discuss the impact of it; Child marriage violates children’s rights and places them at high risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse. Child marriage affects both girls and boys, but it affects girls disproportionately.
Suggest solutions to address – Empower girls with information, skills and support networks. Provide economic support and incentives to girls and their families. Educate and rally parents and community members. Enhance girls’ access to a high-quality education. Encourage supportive laws and policies.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 2
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: The Hindu
Why the question:
The editorial presents a case for a law to accord an ex post facto pardon to those who were convicted under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the importance of enacting a ‘Siras Act’ on the lines of the Alan Turing law.
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 brief narration of Article 377.
Body:
Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code is a section of the Indian Penal Code introduced in 1861 during the British rule of India. It makes sexual activities “against the order of nature” illegal.
On 6 September 2018, the Supreme Court of India ruled that the application of Section 377 to consensual homosexual sex between adults was unconstitutional, “irrational, indefensible and manifestly arbitrary”, but that Section 377 remains in force relating to sex with minors, non-consensual sexual acts, and bestiality.
Then present an overview of judicial interventions.
Account for the arguments for pardon law.
Conclusion:
Conclude that to make amends for the excesses committed against the LGBTQ+ community in the past and present, the Indian state should enact a ‘Siras Act’ on the lines of the Alan Turing law.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
The article from Livemint explains how the third tier of government can bolster urban health.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the issues with the urban healthcare system in India. Explain how greater role for local bodies can boost urban healthcare provided administrative challenges are addressed.
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:
Brief about the urban healthcare system in India.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
First explain the issues with urban healthcare system in the country. Less focus on urban health, Lack of primary health infrastructure, Absence of urban sub-centres (SCs): Most states do not have urban sub-centres (SCs), people’s first point of access for healthcare services. ‘Over-hospitalization’: Urban areas suffer from ‘over-hospitalization’ of basic care etc.
Discuss the Government initiatives to improve urban healthcare.
Then explain the need of decentralized healthcare through ULBs.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc
4. Discuss the contributions of Auto Industry in India’s economic growth. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article brings to us the importance of Auto industry to the economic growth of the country.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the contributions of Auto Industry in India’s economic growth.
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:
The Auto industry has the potential to compete with global leaders. It must work with the government to grow by 10-12 per cent per year for the next 10 years, and more importantly, grow responsibly.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
- Explain how the automobile industry contributed to the Indian economy? – The automobile sector is a key player in the global and Indian economy. The global motor vehicle industry (four-wheelers) contributes 5 per cent directly to the total manufacturing employment,12.9 per cent to the total manufacturing production value and 8.3 per cent to the total industrial investment.
- What is the present position of automobile industry in India?
- Why is the automobile industry important?
Conclusion:
Conclude with efforts of the government in this direction.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: Business standard
Why the question:
The question is about the impact of worsening wildfires in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss mainly the need to ramp up the firefighting capabilities in order to save our forests from the wildfires.
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:
According to the Forest Survey of India, there is an upswing in forest fires.
Body:
Discuss first what wildfires in the forests are, what their impact are.
Increased frequency of forest blazes: Around 30,000 jungle fires were recorded across the country in 2019. Increased vulnerable area: Two-third of the country’s forests is now vulnerable to fires.
Discuss the factors responsible for the upswing in forest fires. Talk about both human and natural factors.
Explain the importance of ramping up firefighting capabilities.
Conclusion:
Suggest solutions and conclude with way forward.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: researchgate.net
Why the question:
Explain the correlation of man-animal conflict and habitat conservation.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in what way devoid of a focus on habitat conservation, success of project Elephant may tip to more man-animal conflict.
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 importance of habitat conservation.
Body:
Discuss first the project Elephant and the current situation of elephants in India.
Explain the issue of Human-Animal conflict due to decreasing habitat and increasing Elephant population. Man animal conflict leads to crop damage, animal deaths, loss of human life, injuries to people, and injuries to wildlife, livestock depredation, and low compensation for such incidents further leads to degraded living standards of the affected population.
Briefly discuss the other reasons for habitat loss and challenges of its conservation.
Conclusion:
The Elephant population seems to be growing in various states which is a positive sign but as the country celebrates its conservation success, policymakers and scientists will have to put their heads together to devise more creative solutions and find homes for the increasing number of Elephants, because without the focus on habitat conservation, the human-animal conflict is bound to rise.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Case study
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is a case study based on ethical issues like political apathy, insensitivity and lack of values.
Key Demand of the question:
Identify the issues in the case study and analyse it while giving your course of action.
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 nuances of the case study .
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss issues such as political apathy, insensitivity and lack of values.
Highlight the duties as an ethical journalist and a responsible citizen.
Discuss the action which you would take.
Conclusion:
Present your course of action and reason it.
