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General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country
1. Compare and contrast Non-cooperation movement from the civil disobedience movement. (250 words)
Reference: Modern Indian history by Bipin Chandra
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I , part modern Indian history.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to differentiate the Non-cooperation movement from the civil disobedience movement.
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:
Start the answer by briefly describing the philosophy behind both the movements.
Body:
The answer body must compare and contrast the two movements in detail. Non-cooperation movement was launched to unify Hindu and Muslims and to attain Swaraj. On the other hand Civil disobedience movement was launched to attain ‘Purna Swaraj’ or complete independence.
Discuss the mode of operation, methodology, ambition, level mass participation etc. in the two movements.
Conclusion:
Conclude that though both the Non-cooperation movement and civil disobedience movement had many differences, they helped break the myth of benevolent despotism of British raj and unifying masses for future movement for independence.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article highlights the challenges in the success of a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict and suggests the one-state solution instead.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse the Israel-Palestine conflict in detail and analyse the amicability of the one-State solution.
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 two-state solution.
Body:
It involves dividing Palestine between the state of Israel and the indigenous population of Palestine. It was first offered by the British in 1937 and rejected by the Palestinians already then. In 1947 the United Nations insisted that the Palestinians should give half of their homeland to the settler movement of Zionism. The two-state solution, offered for the first time by liberal Zionists and the United States in the 1980s, is seen by some Palestinians as the best way of ending of the occupation of the West Bank.
Detail upon the interpretation of two-state solution. Highlight the issues associated.
Throw light upon one-state solution.
Conclusion:
Thus, the one-state solution is the way forward in Palestine and that should be the state for all citizens.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
‘The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021’ would come into effect soon. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the objectives of new Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021. And analyse the concerns associated with non-compliance.
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.
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:
The government has notified guidelines: The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, that seek to provide a grievance redressal mechanism for users of digital platforms of all kinds — social media sites, messaging apps, over-the-top (OTT) streaming services, and digital news publishers.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss first in detail the objectives of the rules.
Broadly, explain what the new rules require digital platforms to do.
Explain the context in which these rules have been framed.
Discuss the concerns around non-compliance.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article reflects upon the concerns around rural distress owing to the pandemic situation and the ways to overcome it.
Key Demand of the question:
Examine the urgent need to strengthen the public distribution system and the MGNREGS to deal with the pandemic induced distress in the rural areas.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must 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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with brief background of the context of the question.
Body:
Highlight the details of the issue with some supporting facts (Take hints from the article).
Explain why there is an urgent need to strengthen the public distribution system (PDS) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
Suggest policies needed for higher growth and reduction in inequality of rural areas. Discuss possible solutions in detail.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Vaccination, expansion in rural healthcare and cash transfers should be part of the strategy to boost demand and address inequalities.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why the question:
The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has recommended that India should have Integrated Law Enforcement Centres (ILECs) on all its borders to deal with cross-border crimes.
Key Demand of the question:
Account for the need and importance of recently proposed Integrated Law Enforcement Centres (ILECs) for dealing cross-border crimes.
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 first reflect upon the Cross-border and trans-national crimes on Indian borders.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Explain first, Issues with current border security mechanism.
Then talk about the Integrated Law Enforcement Centres (ILECs); India should have ILECs on all its borders on the lines of the United States’ Department of Homeland Security and the European Union’s Frontex to deal with cross-border crimes including infiltration, terrorism, smuggling etc.
Account for the advantages of ILECs.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Law and Order is a ‘State subject’. Given the federal balance of power between the Centre and States, an overarching institutional arrangement would require strong political will at the Central level as well as accommodation by the states.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: Financial Express
Why the question:
Article highlights the importance of data driven approach in dealing with the future disruptions and suggests the reforms in the system. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain how data driven approach possibly will help India deal with the future disruptions from climate change and suggest reforms desirable in India’s data ecosystem.
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 context of the question.
Body:
Explain that the data-driven tools were used for managing pandemic induced disruption. This offers an opportunity to restructure the data ecosystem for managing the disruptions of the future that are more likely to be driven by climate change.
Throw light upon the policies for data sharing in India; National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), 2012, government portal, data.gov.in etc.
Discuss the challenges associated with it. And suggest reforms needed in data-ecosystem.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of developing green intellectual property.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss development of green intellectual property and explain its significance in achieving environmental sustainability in India.
Directive:
Deliberate – 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 agree with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with what you understand by Green intellectual property.
Body:
The term ‘Green Intellectual Property’ refers to the protection of innovations in the field of green technology. It is a concept where innovations which are helpful to environment in one or the other way are legally protected.
India has slowly begun to realize pollution is not only an inconvenient by-product causing environmental degradation but it is also a fundamental threat to growth and development. If not taken seriously and contained, it will have a deep impact on the economy.
This led to a significant change in the mindset of people and political will. Major developments in clean energy technology have paved the way for business opportunities from the ‘green economy transition’
Discuss the benefits in detail, give examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude that robust IP protection facilitates green technology creation, adaptation and distribution. Depletion of non-renewable resources is taking place at a very fast pace and the availability of the same is finite. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a change towards a more sustainable lifestyle based on green technologies, which is part of the development of new global environmental policies and a stronger protection of IP rights is an integral part of this process.
