[MISSION 2022] Insights SECURE 2022 : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 11 February 2022

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

1. Assess the development of science and technology during the Gupta age. Can Gupta age be considered as high watermark of scientific development in ancient India? Comment. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate  

Reference: Indian art and culture – Nitin Singhania.

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To write about development of science and technology during the Gupta age and the extent of its development.

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 a brief about different aspects of science and technology during Gupta age.

Body:

First, with examples, mention the progress of science and technology during the Gupta rulers – Astronomy, Mathematics, Geometry, Medical science, Veterinary, Communication technology etc.

Next, compare the development during Gupta age vis-à-vis and determine the extent of development of science and technology.

Conclusion:

Conclude by commenting on whether Gupta age be considered as high watermark of scientific progress in ancient India.

Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

2. Elaborate the contributions of Pallava rulers towards the growth and development of temple architecture of India. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian art and culture – Nitin Singhania.

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the question:

To write about contributions of Pallava kings to temple architecture.

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: 

Begin by giving a brief about Pallavas as patrons of temple architecutres.  

Body:

First, mention that history of Dravidian style of Indian Architecture in the south began with the Pallavas. It was a gradual evolution starting from the cave temples to the monolithic Rathas and culminated in structural temples. Give examples of the same under various important Pallava rulers.

Next, mention about the sculptures associated with temple architecture.

Conclusion:

Conclude by mentioning about the glory of Pallava temples in the present day.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

3. Governor should be non-partisan and act as lynchpin for smooth federal relations between center and state rather than acting as an agent of center. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

Governor R.N. Ravi returning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) Bill passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly and the running battle between West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee underline again the problematic role that governors play in Indian politics.

Key Demand of the question:

To throw light on the role of Governor in Indian federalism and how partisan actions of the Governor cause strain in center state relationships.

Structure of the answer:

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:

Begin by mentioning article 155 and role envisaged for governor.

Body:

Mention about increasing politicization of the post of Governor and him/her acting as the ‘agent of center’. Mention the recent examples of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal.

Write about the impact it has on Center-State relations. centre-state relations have created widespread public sensitivity and opinion regarding various wrong doings of the centre through the office of the governor which have proved to be damaging for the essential federal structure in India.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward to reduce politicization of the role of the governor as suggested by various committees.

General Studies – 3

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

4. What is disguised unemployment? How does it impact the economy? Suggest steps to overcome it. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

Last month witnessed protests in several parts of north India by students who had appeared for the Non-Technical Popular Categories exam conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board. This was to fill up 35,000 posts for which 12.5 million candidates had applied. While the RRB’s decision to set up a committee to examine the issue may have pacified students for the time being, it is unlikely to offer any solution for the bigger problem of employment and earnings in the Indian economy.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about disguised unemployment and steps needed to overcome it.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining disguised unemployment. Give an example to substantiate.

Body:

First, mention the impact of disguised unemployment on the Indian economy –does not affect aggregate economic output, productivity is low and too many workers are filling too few jobs etc.

Next, suggest measures to overcome disguised unemployment – creating additional employment with proper wages, security of tenure and social protection, upskilling and reskilling of labor force etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices

5. The minimum support price (MSP) regime is fraught with limitations which affects the price realization by the farmers and thus is in need for reforms to make it more robust and effective. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The ongoing struggle of farmers is not for political power. It is a struggle to transform Indian agriculture and the livelihoods of the farming majority which are in ruins in most parts of the country.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about additional measures that are required for price realisation to make MSP more effective.

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 MSP, its aims and objectives.

Body:

Next, mention the limitations associated with MSP. Non-realisation of Price, Lack of procurement, only beneficial for selected crops, Lack of quality control and payment immediacy etc.

Next, write about the systemic measures that are needed for farmers to get remunerative prices. Increasing procurement efficacy, increasing awareness level of farmer and considering price deficiency payments etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with way forward.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

6. The issue of shortage of land to increase forest cover could be overcome by increasing tree cover outside forests. Discuss in the light of Agro-forestry and social forestry. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The recently released India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 shows the total forest and tree cover in India is 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62 per cent of the geographical area of the country. Between 2019 and 2021, the forest and tree cover rose by 2,261 sq km.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about methods to increase forest cover outside forests.

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: 

Start by mentioning context regarding India’s obligation to increase its forest cover.

Body:

Next, by citing statistic mention the progress achieved so far with respect to forest cover and limitations associated with traditional ways for forest generation.

Next, write about the scope of Agro-Forestry and Social forestry as means to increase forest cover in India. Its scope and potential to be implemented as well as its limitations.

Conclusion:

Conclude with way forward to further mainstream these concepts.

General Studies – 4

Topic: case study.

7. The second wave of the pandemic was devastating in which many people faced shortage of life saving and essential medicines like Remdesivir, Steroids and Oxygen concentrators. As the third wave spread, many hospitals had started to stock up the same to prepare for any sort of emergency.

As third wave progressed, it was seen that demand for medicines like Remdesivir, Steroids and even Oxygen was less due to less rate of hospitalizations and mild severity of symptoms. A well-known hospital is having lot of unused and underutilized medicines which will expire and waste in a few weeks.

To avoid losses to expiry, the senior medical administrator convenes a meeting of all doctors and ask them to push for hospitalization of patients even for moderate symptoms which can otherwise be treated at home. He puts that in the following way “it is the duty of doctors to save lives and not to risk the lives of the patients. Hence, better not to risk with patients having moderate symptoms and admit them in the hospital”.

But everyone present at the meeting knew the real intention behind this announcement and it is also contrary to the government guidelines for third wave which suggests home isolation for mild to moderate cases.  

You are an intern at the hospital whose exemplary work during the second wave was appreciated by all. The senior medical administrator had orally told you in case you performed well during third wave as well, you would be given a permanent position with good perks. (250 words)

1. 1. What are the options available to you as an intern? Evaluate its pros and cons.
   2. Which option will you take? Justify

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:

First, write about3-4 options which are available to the intern starting from the least viable one to the most viable. Analyze the pros and cons of all the options from ethical point of view.

Next, select the best possible action according to you and justify ethically the reasons behind its selection. Mention steps to overcome any negative ramification of the actions.

Conclusion:

Conclude by stressing on important of doing one’s duty rather being guided by profit.

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