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General Studies – 1
Topic: Social empowerment
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Reference: New Indian Express
Why the question:
The government recognised the toll the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has been taking on the mental health of a large section of the population and addressed it by announcing the rollout of a national tele-mental health programme for people of all ages, during FInance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the national tele-mental health programme and need to destigmatise mental health 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 an overview of mental health set up in India and trends in mental health disroders.
Body:
First, write about the national tele-mental health programme, its features and the potential benefits from it.
Next, write about the need to reach masses and destigmatise mental disorders in the society – mention the steps that must be taken in this regard – creating awareness, accessible treatment, promoting well-being, harnessing AYUSH etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward of measures needed to further strengthen mental health in India.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Difficulty level: Moderate.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
In her budget speech, the Finance Minister talked of land resource management. Any reform or initiative that strengthens land governance, impacts the economy positively and has a ripple effect across sectors.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the benefits of digitisation of land records.
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 giving context regarding land resource management.
Body:
Frist, write about the various steps taken towards digitisation of land records – Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), National Generic Document Registry System (NGDRS) and transliterating the land records in any language under Schedule VIII of the Constitution etc.
Next, write about how these steps will provide substantial advantages in land use and economic benefits. Also, write about limitations of the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , Live Mint
Why the question:
The Chinese yuan rose after Dow Jones reported that Saudi Arabia was in talks with Beijing to price some of its oil sales in that currency, instead of the greenback. At a time when the world appears to be splitting into rival democratic and authoritarian blocs, it’s inevitable that chatter about a yuan challenge to the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency should return.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about phenomenon of ‘de-dollarisation’, its possible impact on India and steps need to in this regard.
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 defining ‘de-dollarisation’.
Body:
First, write about the various attempts at ‘de-dollarisation’ in the recent years – a new Russia-China payment system, bypassing SWIFT and combining the Russian SPFS (System for Transfer of Financial Messages) with the Chinese CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System), Saudi Arabia decision to sell oil for Yuan etc.
Next, write about how this could impact India and steps that India must take in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To debate on including petroleum products under the ambit of GST.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into 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. 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:
Begin by mentioning about GST and the rationale behind its introduction.
Body:
In the first part, write about the various issues with respect to the performance of GST – Technical GST Issues, Credit Reversal, Issues for Small Traders, Revenue loss compensation etc.
mention many economists supporting the proposal as the effective rate under GST regime would be lesser than the current prices, benefit of input credit to certain industries, and equitable revenue distribution between Centre and states etc.
In the next part, Mention about the debate surrounding the topic on lines of states’ apprehension, loss or revenue and autonomy, disgruntlement with the current GST sharing of revenue, GST compensation.
Conclusion:
Pass a comment on whether or not the move is welcome in the current scenario and suggest a way forward.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Easy
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the jobless growth, concerns surrounding it and steps that policy makers must take to avoid jobless growth.
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 explaining jobless growth.
Body:
First, mention that the model of economic growth prioritises capital over labour and is unlikely to resolve the unemployment crisis. Mention about labour replacement technologies such as 3D printers, AI etc that is replacing human labour.
Next, write about various concerns with respect to jobless growth in the economy.
Next, stress on the fact that the unorganised sector contributes highly to employment creation. Further mention the need for high end skill training of our existing labour force and planned training coupled with placements along with social security needs, more focus on services sector etc is the need of the hour.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker- sections.
6. Elaborate on the importance of impartiality as a core value of civil service. (150 Words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Directive:
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 defining impartiality.
Body:
Write about the importance of impartiality as a core value of civil service – upholding equality, achieving equity, avoiding conflict of interest, eliminating bias and welfare for all etc,
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by suggesting ways practising impartiality in public administration.
Topic: Case Study
(a) Identify the various actions that you could take
(b) Evaluate the pros and cons of each of your actions (250 Words) (UPSC Mains 2015)
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:
Start with giving the facts of the case and the dilemma between profit making and altruism.
Body:
First, enumerate the various course of actions that could be taken by you as the CEO in the above case.
Next, one by one evaluate the different options in front of that are provided. Using logic and various ethical theories to analyse their pros and cons of each option.
Next, write the course of action which you will take in the above situations. Analyse the pros and cons of that action. If there are any cons, write about how you will overcome/deal with those. Cite reasons for taking such path.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising about the need to balance both commercial interests as well public welfare.
