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General Studies – 2
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article explains that Women need greater representation across the judiciary, including the Supreme Court. But the appointment of the first woman CJI must not overlook seniority and merit.
Key Demand of the question:
One is
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:
Start with in general status of women in the country.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Point out to facts that paint a grim picture of the representation of women in the judiciary.
Discuss the underlying factors responsible for such a situation.
Explain that the entry of women judges into spaces from which they had historically been excluded has been a positive step in the direction of judiciaries being perceived as being more transparent, inclusive, and representative.
By their mere presence, women judges enhance the legitimacy of courts, sending a powerful signal that they are open and accessible to those who seek recourse to justice.
They could contribute far more to justice than improving its appearance: they also contribute significantly to the quality of decision-making, and thus to the quality of justice itself.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Women judges could bring a more comprehensive and empathetic perspective of gender sensitivity in the judiciary.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
2. Critically analyse the continuing pandemic impact on rising food insecurity in India. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article explains how the inability of those already on the brink of subsistence to absorb a second economic shock cannot be overlooked.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically analyse the continuing pandemic impact on rising food insecurity in India.
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 brief background of the question.
Body:
Discuss the inter relation of pandemic and rising food insecurity in India.
The loss in nutrition may have come as a consequence of people losing their jobs and/or being pushed into lower income brackets over time due to the nature and handling of the pandemic.
Account for underlying reasons.
Suggest what needs to be done to address these concerns.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Reference: nap.edu
Why the question:
The question is based on the analysis of nuclear energy and its possible contributions to the energy mix in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in what way Nuclear energy although has potential to solve India’s energy problems cannot be the panacea for the energy problem.
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 background of the context of the question.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss nuclear energy potential and need of utilisation of nuclear power in India.
Mention risks associated with nuclear energy.
Highlight why we shouldn’t depend completely on nuclear.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has thrown the weight of the U.S. government behind a push for a global corporate minimum tax rate.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically examine in what way the bid for a minimum global corporate income tax could be a game-changer.
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 what you understand by global corporate income tax.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Explain why a global minimum tax? – Major economies are aiming to discourage multinational companies from shifting profits – and tax revenues – to low-tax countries regardless of where their sales are made. Increasingly, income from intangible sources such as drug patents, software and royalties on intellectual property has migrated to these jurisdictions, allowing companies to avoid paying higher taxes in their traditional home countries.
Discuss the necessity for a minimum global corporate income tax.
Highlight the limitations with alternative policy options.
Discuss the concerns associated with the idea.
Conclusion:
The impact of the policy will be far-reaching impacting inequalities, provision of public services, and reduction of flight of capital from developing countries including India and that will impact poverty, thus it is worth giving a try despite the challenges and concerns.
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: The Hindu
Why the question:
A recent study has found that Groundwater depletion may reduce winter cropping intensity by 20% in India. Thus, the context of the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Account for the reasons for accelerated depletion of groundwater in our country, discuss its relation with irrigation and cropping intensity.
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 some key data related to groundwater depletion in the country, one can quote some recent report.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
What is groundwater and why is it so crucial for irrigation in India?
What are the reasons for accelerated depletion of groundwater? – Intensive agriculture, Recharge Problem, Groundwater not prioritized in policies, issue with estimation of ground water resources, agricultural crop pricing and water intensive crops etc.
Discuss possible solutions to address the problem.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article from Indian Express brings to us detailed analysis of the Maoist problem in the country.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse in what way the Maoist insurgency is more of a law and order problem than an ideological one in India.
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 some data on recent insurgencies witnessed in the country.
Body:
First discuss in what way the problem is more of an ideological one. The Maoist insurgency is more of a law and order problem than an ideological one. It is always so in areas in the throes of insurgency of any kind. The tribal support for Maoists being ideological rather than being a largely forced one or one that has to do with their daily struggles of life during which the state hardly plays an assuaging role.
Give examples to support your answer.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions to address the problem.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7. Elucidate upon the contributions of Plato in the evolution of the theory of virtue. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper IV , part Theory of Virtue.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to discuss in detail the contributions of Plato in the evolution of the theory of virtue.
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 what you understand by Theory of Virtue in brief.
Body:
Explain that Virtue can be defined as the moral character of the person carrying out an action, irrespective of ethical duties or the consequences of particular actions.
Plato’s theory of virtue follows the Socratic doctrine, he identifies virtue with knowledge. According to him, virtue is teachable, and that humans can learn morality just as they can learn any other subject. Thus, moral beings are not born but made through education.
Discuss its importance and relevance as of today.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of the idea of Plato with respect to theory of virtue.
