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General Studies – 1
Topic: Industrial Revolution
1. ‘Industrialisation was a mixed blessing.’ Explain by giving examples. (250 words)
Reference: Old NCERT World History Ch7 Industrial Revolution, Capitalism, Their Effect on Society, Rise of Trade Unions & Socialism
Why the question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I, part World history.
Key Demand of the question:
Elaborate with suitable examples in what way industrialisation was a mixed bag of blessings.
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 impact of Industrialisation, its significance in general.
Body:
The Industrial Revolution, otherwise known as the First Industrial Revolution, was a series of innovations in manufacturing processes that transformed rural, agrarian European and American societies into industrialised and urban ones.
Point out the blessing of the Industrial Revolution – Production by machines has met the growing need of the growing population of the world, only machines have made it possible for the mankind to meet the primary necessities of food, clothes and shelter, have relieved man of the drudgery of tiring and unpleasant jobs etc.
Discuss the harmful effects of Industrial Revolution.
Conclusion:
Conclude with its significance.
Topic: GS-1: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
GS-2: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
The question is based on the impact of child marriages and its impact on poverty.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain how the risks associated with child marriage do not end with girls married before 18: It leads to an intergenerational cycle of poverty that adversely impacts the economy.
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 marriages in India.
Body:
Recent estimates by United Nations Children’s Fund projected that an additional 10 million girls globally will be at risk of child marriages over the next decade due to COVID-19. This may be the case despite years of significant global gains.
The risks associated with child marriage do not end with girls who are married before 18: it leads to an intergenerational cycle of poverty that adversely impacts the economy. It puts girls at risk of being denied access to education, which impacts their autonomy and their access to health care.
Child marriages perpetuate gender discrimination, which in turn lead to malnutrition and reproductive health issues. The ongoing pandemic has undermined the progress made towards achieving gender rights and educational parity for girls.
Suggest what need to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suitable solutions.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The question talks about the vaccination drive and the journey India has taken so far.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in what way finally now India has reached the stage of Atmanirbharta in the journey of vaccination.
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 by highlighting the vaccination journey so far travelled by India.
Body:
Although India will not need to vaccinate its entire population, it would have to vaccinate at least 30-40% of the people to develop herd immunity fully. Even at a minimum scale, approximately 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be required, given that most vaccines need a booster dose.
Discuss the challenges before it in achieving the set targets.
Explain in what way it is finally achieving Atmanirbharta in vaccination against covid-19.
Conclusion:
Suggest upon the efforts made by government of India and 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 article deals with the issue of global minimum tax and how it matters to India in the changing digital landscape where data is the new oil.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the issues associated with global minimum tax and how it matters to India in the changing digital landscape where data is the new oil.
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 global minimum tax.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
First explain that in the just-concluded G7 summit in the UK, the leaders endorsed the global taxation reforms premised on two pillars.
Then discuss how companies monetize data; the concept of tax on electronic transmission of data across borders was expressly prohibited under multiple WTO declarations.
Account for the efforts to find solution to tax avoidance.
Present the case of India.
Conclusion:
Conclude that India must negotiate hard to come to an equitable position on the global tax and avoid as it harbors the largest user base of the social media companies.
Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS-3: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article critically analyses the use of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967 as India’s primary legal armament against terrorism.
Key Demand of the question:
Critically analyse the use and misuse of India’s primary legal armament against terrorism.
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 the context of the question.
Body:
The three orders by the Delhi High Court are perhaps the first instance of a court calling out alleged misuse of the UAPA against individuals in cases that do not necessarily fall in the category of “terrorism” cases.
Then elaborate on the crippling effect of sedition and UAPA on dissent in India.
Such answers are best explained with examples.
Conclusion:
Suggest solutions to address the issue.
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: The Hindu
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of civil services reforms.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the idea of Civil Services Board and its pros and cons.
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:
Introduce by explaining the Civil Services Board.
Body:
The Civil Services Board is a panel, headed by the cabinet secretary at the national level and chief secretaries at the state level, formed to regulate transfers and postings of higher-ranking civil services officers in the country. The Department of Personnel Rules 2016 made it mandatory for all states to setup such boards, following the recommendations of the 2nd ARC and Supreme Court directive in TSR Subramanian Case, 2013.
Briefly mention why it is widely hailed as key civil services reform.
Discuss the limitations of the Civil Service Board.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Topic: Citizen’s Charters
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of Citizen’s charter.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the issues associated with Citizen’s Charters as an effective tool for holding public servants accountable and suggest solutions to address the same.
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 definition of Citizen Charter.
Body:
Introduce the concept of Citizen Charter.
Enumerate the issues pertaining to Citizen Charter that inhibits its functioning as an effective tool of accountability; Absence of legal backing to charters, Poor design and content, Inadequate groundwork, Resistance to change, Lack of review etc.
Suggest measures that can address the mentioned issues.
Conclusion:
Conclude briefly with a way forward.
