[MISSION 2022] Insights SECURE 2022 : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 21 January 2022

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Social empowerment

1. Our law keeps changing according to the society’s needs and requirements. There should be laws to protect the victims of marital rape as this issue is reaching its peak at an alarming rate. Comment. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The Delhi High Court is hearing a challenge to the validity of the IPC provision for marital rape immunity.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the need for criminalization of marital rape in India.

Directive word: 

Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

First, mention the need to criminalize marital rape in India – loss od dignity, abuse, constitutional rights of women, marital rape as a symbol of oppressions of women.

Next, write about impediments to criminalization of marital rape – investigation, fake cases, burden on police and judiciary etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

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.

2. Whatever be the criticism of judicial activism, it cannot be disputed that judicial activism has done a great deal to improve the conditions of the masses in the country. Substantiate with examples. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate.

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about pros and cons of judicial activism in India.

Directive word: 

Substantiate – When you are asked to Substantiate, you must pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence.  You must appraise the worth of the statement in question using suitable case studies or/ and examples.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining judicial activism in India. Cite examples of substanatiate.

Body:

First, explain the various criticism of judicial activism in India – overreach, not defined in constitution, judges acting as lawmakers etc. Cite examples to substantiate.

Next, write the role of judicial activism in India to improve the conditions of the masses in the country. Use various examples to substantive your points.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving a balanced opinion.

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.

3. Tribunals were envisaged as an integral part of the justice delivery mechanism in India. However, performance of these tribunals has been far from satisfactory. Is National Tribunal Commission the way forward? Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: India Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write analyze the issues with tribunals in India and suggest measures to overcome them.

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 writing about Article 323(A) and Article 323(B) which set up tribunals in India.

Body:

First, explain the various objectives behind setting up of tribunals in India. Give examples.

Next, issues and limitations of parliamentary tribunals in India – Executive influence, dependent on the sponsoring ministry for finances and resources, infrastructure, and even physical space for functioning, huge pendency and backlog of cases etc

Next, explain about the features of e National Tribunals Commission (NTC) and its ability to overcome the above issues. Mention the SC guidelines in L. Chandra Kumar case.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

4. Ukraine continues to live in the cold war era as tensions continue to soar between U.S and Russia over it. How does the Ukraine issue impact India? Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

It’s not surprising that with several other issues facing India, the Russian military build-up near Ukraine — one of its largest recent mobilisations — is not getting much attention. But it should. What happens in Europe will not stay in Europe. In 2014, the Russian annexation of Crimea created problems for India.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the potential impact of crisis in Ukraine, in complicating India’s objectives vis-à-vis Russia, China, the US, Europe, and even Ukraine.

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: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

First, trace how the developments post cold war ear leading to present day crisis. Give special emphasis on 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Next, write about the potential impact of this crisis on India and its relationship with major stakeholders – U.S and Russia major and also with China, EU and Ukraine.

Nest, suggest steps India should take in this regard.

Conclusion:

Conclude by stressing on striking a balance in relations with major power while maintaining its multilateral alignment.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.;

5. What is the inflation? Differentiate between demand pull and cost push inflation? Highlight the supply-side factors behind recent inflationary trends in India.  (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

With the Union Budget 10 days away, many economic observers are now focused on what support the Centre can offer the economy, which is still struggling to recover from the pandemic.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the differences between demand pull and cost push inflation and the factors causing inflation in India off late.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining inflation.

Body:

First, in detail bring the comparison between demand pull and cost push inflation. Nature, factors causing it, effects etc.

Next, write about the reasons for increasing trends of inflation in India off late and its impact.

Next, suggest steps to overcome the same.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 4

Topic: case study.

6. An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state. You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is to complete the project in the next two years by 30 June 2021, since the project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by the inspecting team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that a minimum of three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of the inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack that will not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of the inspecting team and continue working with the same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the Chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is a far relative of the minister and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave you a hint that your further promotion as an additional chief engineer is under consideration by the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pier in the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor. (250 words)

a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager?

b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges?

c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges?

d) What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team?

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: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

1. In brief, outline 3-4 options available to the project manager.
2. Write about various ethical dilemmas faces by the project manager in the above case and an appropriate ethical response to the above dilemmas
3. Write about the various professional challenges that arise from this issues and steps to tackle the same.
4. Write about the multitude of consequences of overlooking concerns.

Conclusion:

Mention the way to overcome the above concers.

Topic: case study.

7. A reputed food product company based in India developed a food product for the international market and started exporting the same after getting necessary approvals. The company announced this achievement and also indicated that soon the product will be made available for domestic consumers with almost the same quality and health benefits. Accordingly, the company got its product approved by the domestic competent authority and launched the product in the Indian market. The company could increase its market share over a period of time and earned substantial profit both domestically and internationally. However, the random sample test conducted by the inspecting team found the product being sold domestically in variance with the approval obtained from the competent authority. On further investigation, it was also discovered that the food company was not only selling products that were not meeting the health standard of the country but also selling the rejected export products in the domestic market. This episode adversely affected the reputation and profitability of the food company. (250 words)

a) What action do you visualize should be taken by the competent authority against the food company for violating the laid down domestic food standard and selling rejected export products in the domestic market?

b) What course of action is available with the food company to resolve the crisis and bring back its lost reputation?

c) Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case.

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: 

Begin by giving context.

Body:

1. Outline all the action that the competent authority should take on the food company. Write rational and punitive measures.
2. Write about the steps that food company can take to avert its damage to reputation and build back its credibility.
3. Write about the various ethical dilemmas in this case.

Conclusion:

Mention way to overcome the dilemmas.

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