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General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Reference: Indian art and culture by Nitin Singhania
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I , theme – Buddhism and Jainism.
Key Demand of the question:
Compare and contrast the core philosophies of Buddhism and Jainism.
Directive:
Compare and contrast – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Introduce about Buddhism and Jainism.
Body:
Buddhism and Jainism are the two ancient Indian religions that developed in Magadha (Bihar) in the post-Vedic period (Sixth century BC- Fifth century BC). These religions emerged as the most significant religious reform movements in ancient India. While the proponent of Jainism is believed to be Mahavira Jain, the 24th Jain tirthankar, Buddhism regards Siddhartha Gautama as its founder.
Discuss the similarities in the two faiths such as values like peace and righteous conduct.
Bring out the differences between them like concept of soul, non-violence, sacrifice etc.
Conclusion:
In spite of differences, both the religious philosophies helped in enriching the culture, literature, architecture and art of India by contributing in respective capacities. More importantly, as religious reform movements, Buddhism and Jainism offered the people, especially the downtrodden ones, liberation from suffering and oppression by the rigid caste system.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article explains in what way India has a key role to play in the hyper-connected world.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse the role of changing global order in shaping India’s aspirations to be the leader of the Digital Data Revolution.
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 understanding of the question.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Firstly, talk about the nuances of digital data revolution.
Then explain the current conditions of data and the associated global order.
Discuss the strategic groupings in this new global order, Explain how India alone straddles both U.S. and China-led strategic groupings, providing an equity-based perspective to competing visions.
Conclude the benefits India has and the role it must play to become a leader.
Conclusion:
It must be prepared to play a key role in moulding rules for the hyper-connected world, facing off both the U.S. and China to realize its potential of becoming the second-largest economy.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Reference: Times of India
Why the question:
The article explains that deepened India-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ties are essential to deal with global challenges.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the significance of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). And explain the factors that necessitate deepened India- NATO dialogue.
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 background of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Significance of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – Represents 30 nations, one billion people, and half of the world’s economic and military might. Provided unprecedented peace and security for the Euro-Atlantic area; Acts as fundamental pillar of the international order being the most successful alliance in history.
Explain the factors pushing for deepened India- NATO dialogue.
Conclusion:
A successful India- NATO dialogues shall include sharing information and expertise, coordinating common approaches on shared interests.
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 explains an overview of the pandemic impact on school education and necessary steps to be taken to equip the system to adapt to the new reality.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss how COVID-19 impacted digital learning in India has. Explain what measures have been taken by government in this regard.
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 background of the question.
Body:
Discuss first the impact of the pandemic on school education – Academic regression, Ineffectiveness of alternatives, Limited scope, bureaucratic mismanagement etc.
Explain the above factors in detail.
Discuss the measures that have been taken by government in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Reference: tribuneindia.com
Why the question:
The article explains the perspective that to achieve growth, India must revive the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the importance of reviving growth and its interconnections with entrepreneurship.
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
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss the factors responsible for low economic growth/low income in India.
Take hints from the article and give examples.
Explain ways and means to revive the spirit of entrepreneurship to increase growth/income.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The government, which plans a law to ban private digital currencies, favours a digital currency backed by the Reserve Bank of India.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain what you understand by digital currency backed by Central bank.
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 Digital currency.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Explain what you understand by RBI backed digital currency.
Discuss the current challenges associated with regulation of digital currency in India, discuss the efforts of the government in this direction.
Elucidate upon the potential applications of it in the economy.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
General Studies – 4
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: mkgandhi.org
Why the question:
The question is based on the importance of Gandhian values in the Post-truth world.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse the statement in detail and explain its relevance even in today’s times.
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 is meant by the post truth world and what did Gandhi stood for.
Body:
Discuss the Gandhian values that are highly relevant in today’s post truth era –
The ‘post truth’ world is a phenomenon used to describe political scenario in recent times that is characterized by circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief. In today’s world, factual truth that goes against the interests of a particular political group will be received with greater hostility than ever before.
Explain that we are living in a post truth world which is divided increasingly day by day by global unrest, fear, anger, hatred, discontent, despair, immorality etc., and the number and intensity of ethnic and religious conflicts seem to grow, gaining higher and higher intensity all around the world.
Conclusion:
In an era when scientific facts aren’t the ultimate “truth”, and emotion and personal belief seem to dominate the public discourse, Gandhi’s stance on nationhood and inclusiveness, and his fears for the environment, remain as pertinent today as they did in his own time. Even in our globalized world the Gandhian spiritual heritage still has its actuality and relevance.
