[MISSION 2022] Insights SECURE 2022 : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 27 August 2021

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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. Bhagat Singh and his comrades redefined the scope and meaning of Revolution. Revolution was no longer equated with mere militancy or violence. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Chapter-20: India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 as mentioned in Mission-2022 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about how the scope and nature of revolution evolved under Bhagat Singh and his comrades.

Directive word: 

Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Give a brief about the ideology of Bhagat Singh and his associates.

Body:

Mention how their ideology evolved. From the belief in violence and heroic action towards national liberation and then the building of a new socialist society.

Mention the features of the new revolution they believed in. Preventing exploitation of all forms, Freedom, justice, ending communalism, scientific temper etc.

Conclusion:

Write about how these were ideals were incorporated in our constitution.

Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.

2. Despite the fact that the Indian National Congress remained in the forefront, we cannot ignore the immense contributions made by the Indian revolutionaries. Analyse the reasons for the decline revolutionary nationalist movement. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Chapter 13 & 17 – A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publishers)

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 as mentioned in Mission-2022 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

to enumerate contributions of revolutionary nationalists and analyse the reasons for the decline of revolutionary strand of national movement.

Directive word: 

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by writing about revolutionary national movement and its nature of struggle. Mention important organizations and revolutionaries.

Body:

Outline the major contributions of the revolutionary nationalists – spreading patriotism, creating fear in the minds of British, making them grant concessions, uniting the people of India, inspiring the youth.

In the next part, write the reasons for the decline of national movement – repression of the government, death/imprisonment of leaders, shift to popular struggle, joining mainstream political movement.

Conclusion:

Summarize that though the acts of individual heroism reduced but the revolutionary zeal remained and it manifested in Gandhian movements and Indian National Army of Bose.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

3. The first-past-the-post (FPTP) system is neither truly democratic nor truly representative. Time has come to introspect and re-examine it. Critically comment. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

India’s parliamentary democracy is going through a phase of intense confrontation between the dominant ruling party and a weakened but belligerent Opposition and it is a consequence of the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the limitation of the FPTP system and suggest alternatives.

Directive word:

Critically comment – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘comment’ is prefixed, we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

In the introduction, write why India’s needs electoral reforms.

Body:

Write about the FPTP system, its merits and demerits. Argue as to why FPTP is considered not truly democratic and inclusive. Back up your arguments with relevant stats and data.

Next, write about the alternatives such as Proportional Representation and German Model etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by commenting on the path India should adopt going forward.

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

4. Instruction in vernacular languages can boost inclusivity in higher education but it is not free from bottlenecks which needs addressing. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

In this year’s Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted proposed reforms under The National Education Policy (NEP) and emphasized the use of regional languages for instruction at the primary and higher education levels.

Key Demand of the question:

To examine the pros and cons of having higher education in vernacular languages.

Directive word: 

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate 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: 

Begin by giving context of NEP and its suggestions on vernacular languages.

Body:

Giver brief historical perspective of education in vernacular languages

Bring out the importance and advantages of imparting instructions in vernacular languages. Use facts to substantiate your arguments.

Next, bring out the potential bottlenecks which will hamper the prospects of the students taking higher education in regional languages. Elaborate up on the impact it will have on their career.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

General Studies – 3

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.

5. National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) may achieve the much-desired self-reliance in palm oil but it has many underlying political, socio-economic and ecological concerns. Critically Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The Union Cabinet approved National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), largely sponsored by the central government, to boost palm oil production in India and reduce its dependence on expensive imports to meet national demand.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the potential drawbacks of the National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) with respect to overzealous push on cultivation of oil palm.

Directive word: 

Critically analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them 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 balanced judgment on the topic.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Write about National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), its aims and objectives.

Body:

Mention the recent push by the government towards cultivation of palm in India. The areas chosen for its cultivation.

Next, mention benefits India will accrue from achieving self-reliance in palm oil.

Write about potential pitfalls and negative outcome of this mission with respect to Oil palm. Deforestation, damaging effects on the environment and human rights violation etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Topic: indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

6. Liberalisation of Drone Rules, 2021 marks a long overdue step towards ensuring growth in innovation & engineering and encouraging start-ups in a futuristic technology. Diligent implementation of safety, security and regulatory measures will be vital for its success. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: pib.gov.in , The Hindu

Why the question:

The central government has notified the Drone Rules 2021, a much more liberalised regime for unmanned aircraft systems than what existed previously.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the advantages of Liberalised Drone rules,2021 and how effective regulation is crucial for its success.

Directive word: 

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context of the new liberalised rules for drone operation.

Body:

First, write about the potential benefits that these new changes to the drone policy will bring. Commercial, Economical, Technological and Educational etc. You can use a bubble diagram  to write about the potential applications of drones in India

Next, write about need to have a robust security and regulatory policy. Mention the threats and check that are needed to put in place for holistic growth of drone sector in India.

Conclusion:

Conclude further steps that are need so that India emerges as a global drone hub by 2030.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study.

7. You are the Excise Commissioner of state with a high rate of narcotic abuse and you under take a potentially sweeping drug investigation with inter-State and international ramifications. You appoint a well-equipped special squad for the same.

The drug case has its provenance in intelligence generated jointly by the State Excise Enforcement Squad (SEES) and the Customs department. The Customs had intercepted at least two air cargo parcels containing a significant amount of a banned narcotic. The importers had used fake invoices and the services of a cargo agent to ship in the drug from Spain surreptitiously.

The SEES learnt a well-heeled and influential youth with association with the ruling party was the kingpin of the racket. The SEES intercepted a seven-member group, associated with the kingpin, travelling in a van acting on a tip-off. The squad seized small quantity of banned narcotics and a deer antler from the vehicle.

Based on information obtained from the gang, that the kingpin has stashed at least 2 kg of the banned drug in an apartment, you immediately dispatch a part of the special squad headed by an Additional Excise Commissioner.

However, for unknown reasons, the squad allowed the prime accused in the case to walk free and not much of the banned drug was seized from the apartment. It also did not account for the seizure of the deer antler. Moreover, the squad registered the existing case in a manner alleged to be advantageous to the accused. Some officers refused in the squad to endorse the report and registered their opposition in writing as the report was prepared nefariously.

The issue became a scandal after surveillance camera images of the accused moving the banned drugs out of the apartment during the raid went viral. The “embarrassment” prompted Excise Minister to order the internal inquiry headed by you. The opposition and media are relentless in its criticism of how this case was handled.

1. 1. As the excise commissioner, to what extent are you responsible for the failure of the operation?
   2. What are the reasons for the such lapses occurring on part of drug enforcement officials?
   3. What course of action will you take to remedy this botch up?

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Give a brief introduction regarding struggles of fight against drugs and drug menace itself.

Body:

Cite the facts of the case and ethical values involved.

1. In detail, argue reasons as to why failure of the operation is your responsibility has the head of the department. Albeit, not entirely, but you were at the helm of affairs.
2. Mention the various reasons for the lapses in drug enforcement – systemic, attitudinal and ethical factors must be mentioned.
3. Draw out a detailed course of action to right the wrong that have been committed. Emphasis should be holding the guilty accountable and solving the menace of drugs holistically in the long run.

Conclusion:

Mention long term solutions to put an end to the drug menace.

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