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General Studies – 1
Topic: political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The COVID19 vaccine crisis is another tragic instance of a clash between the needs of Humanity and the principles of Capitalism. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically analyse the clash between the needs of Humanity and the principles of Capitalism amidst the ongoing pandemic.
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 what you understand by capitalism in brief.
Body:
The answer body must discuss the various ways in which Capitalism is against Humanity – Focused on profit, immorally converts the “commons” to private goods, tries to establish monopoly etc.
Give examples amidst the current covid crisis.
One can present the case study of impact of Capitalism on welfare nature of State through the Intellectual Property regime.
Suggest what needs to be done to address the problem.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the governments must create more public-spirited enterprises to provide public goods equitably to all citizens. Companies must rethink the purpose of their existence. It is imperative now that more human and fewer money values are adopted.
Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
Germany for the first time has recognized that it committed genocide against the Herero and Nama people in present-day Namibia during its colonial rule over a century ago. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the impact of recognition of genocide that Germany had committed against the Herero and Nama people of the present-day Namibia.
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:
Briefly discuss the history of the genocide committed by the Germany in the past.
Between 1904 and 1908, German colonial settlers killed tens of thousands of men, women and children from the Herero and Nama tribes after they rebelled against colonial rule in what was then called German South West Africa. Between 1884 and 1890, Germany formally colonized parts of present-day Namibia. The Germans continued to rule the region till 1915, following which it fell under South Africa’s control for 75 years.
The atrocities committed have been described by some historians as the first genocide of the 20th century.
Now, after the announcement, a declaration will be signed by Germany, following which it will be ratified by the parliaments of both countries.
Discuss the impact and significance of such recognition.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: Times of India
Why the question:
The slew of regulations to be brought up by the Administrator of UT of Lakshadweep, on the account of pushing developmental measures, has raised environmental concerns in the region.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss and analyse in what way struggles to divert part of tourism from Maldives towards Lakshadweep overlooking it in the Indian Ocean Region has the obvious potential to challenge the sovereignty of our nation amidst rising separatist movements throughout the country.
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:
Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Khoda Patel is facing opposition from the people of the union territory and politicians — both from within Lakshadweep and neighboring Kerala — over policies introduced by him since his appointment in December 2020.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Discuss the current issue in detail, talk about the contentious regulations made in the recent times.
Account for issues with the recently created Lakshadweep Development Authority (LDA).
Explain how such aspects can be potential enough to challenge the sovereignty of our nation amidst rising separatist movements throughout the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions to the issue and need for a relook at the new slew of measures about to be undertaken.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article highlights how data played an important role in decision-making in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to elucidate the role played by data in decision making especially in the context of current pandemic crisis facing the world.
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:
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted globally how important data is to governments in decision-making.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Importance of data in decision making; Epidemiological data is of paramount significance for targeting and implementing control measures for public health in a timely manner. Such data was used effectively in the evidence-based response and decision-making in countries like South Korea. Modern response to pandemics has focused on exploiting all the available data to inform policy action in real time.
Explain how data analysis helped during pandemic. Give examples to assert the importance.
Highlight the challenges if any.
Conclusion:
Suggest way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment. 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.
Reference: Indian Express.
Why the question:
The article explains that the edible oil prices have risen sharply in recent months. It provides for a look at the reasons, and the options before the government for price control.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss why India needs to import edible oils, discuss its burden to the exchequer and what needs to be done to make India self-reliant in edible oils.
Directive:
Elaborate – 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 some key facts related to the context of the question such as – The prices of six edible oils — groundnut oil, mustard oil, vanaspati, soya oil, sunflower oil, and palm oil — have risen between 20% and 56% at all-India levels in the last year.
Body:
Briefly first discuss the trends of oil consumption in India; with rising incomes and changing food habits, consumption of edible oils has been rising over the years.
Explain how much is produced domestically and how much is imported?
Explain that the increase in domestic prices is basically a reflection of international prices because India meets 56% of its domestic demand through imports. In the international market, prices of edible oils have jumped sharply in recent months due to various factors.
Discuss what we can do to boost the domestic production of edible oils.
Conclusion:
Conclude with policy measures and solutions to make India self-reliant in edible oils.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: Economic Times
Why the question:
Bill Gates and Harvard University are planning to back solar geoengineering to fight global warming. Thus the question.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the concept of solar geoengineering and account for its merits and demerits.
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 solar geoengineering.
Body:
Solar geoengineering is a specific form of albedo modification in which highly reflective particles are introduced into the atmosphere to increase Earth’s albedo. This would reduce incoming light (radiation) from the sun, and thereby decrease the amount of energy (heat) reaching Earth’s surface.
Explain why is it needed: Adverse effects of global warming threatens public health, food security, housing and water availability, and national security. So, the need for actions with quick effects like geoengineering becomes pertinent in the short term, along with long term plans of emissions reduction and forest conservation.
Discuss the potential of such a technology.
Present the challenges in its implementation.
Conclusion:
Conclude by highlighting its importance.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Reference: ETHICS INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE SUBBARAO
Why the question:
The question is based on the professional integrity of civil servants.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in detail if the Professional Integrity of the civil servants been systematically Eroded in our country in the backdrop of the issue of political interference in the civil services.
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 you understand by professional integrity.
Body:
One has to explain how political pressures are a fact of life and every public servant, in particular, a member of an All-India Service, is subjected to it in one form or another.
Highlight the issue of political interference to civil servants in the country.
Explain that for a politician, civil servants are like tools to be used, misused and, on occasion, even abused. If an officer lets her guard down, she could be in trouble.
Discuss in detail the effects of political interference in Administration.
Opine if the Professional Integrity of the civil servants has been systematically eroded in our country.
Conclusion:
Suggest solutions to address the issue.
