[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 12 August 2022

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,

1. What is floodplain ecosystem? Discuss the benefits offered by floodplains of India. What are the various threats to floodplains and ways to protect and restore them. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference:  en.wikipedia.org

Why the question: 

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the floodplain ecosystem, its benefits, threat it faces and ways to restore it.

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 defining floodplain ecosystem.

Body:

First, write the benefits offered by floodplain ecosystem – support rich ecosystems and provide critically important benefits to people, including the largest freshwater fisheries in the world. Cite examples

Next, write about the various threats faced by them.

Next, write about ways to protect and restore the flood plain ecosystem of India.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.,

2. Examine the reasons behind rising instances of forest fires in India. What measures are needed to mitigate the adverse impacts of forest fires? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question: 

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about causes of forest fires in India and measures need to mitigate 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:

Start by defining forest fires and statistic regarding rising instances of forest fires in India.

Body:

Draw a small illustrative diagram showing major forest fire prone areas.

Discuss first the reasons of forest fires; Thunderstorms are the most likely natural cause for forest fires. Slash and burn techniques etc. The reasons are mainly manmade, particularly in cases where people visit forests and leave burning bidis, cigarette stubs or other inflammable materials.

Next, explain the concerns posed by it. Explain why they are difficult to control.

Next, discuss the efforts that are needed to be taken in this direction.

Conclusion:

Conclude with way forward.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

3. The frequent promulgation of ordinances and subverting the legislative process is detrimental for a constitutional democracy. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

In PRS India’s latest report, Kerala stood out for promulgating the maximum number of ordinances in 2021. While the state passed 144 ordinances, the national average (of all states) was five. Of the 144, as many as 53 were new ordinances.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the rationale behind extension of ordinance making power of the executives in our country and how this power has been often misused, its impact.

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 the answer by citing article 123 of the constitution.

Body:

First, write about the rationale and need behind ordinances in the country.

Next, Explain the issues and concerns associated – the point of promulgation and repromulgation. Present the court judgments in this aspect to defend your side, explain the concerns in detail with recent examples.

Next, write about the negative impact of ordinance raj and ways to prevent it.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

4. What are the changes introduced by the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 for the purposes of identification and investigation of criminal matters. Do you think its violative of Right to Privacy as well as Equality? Critically Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , prsindia.org

Why the question:

The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 provides legal sanction to law enforcement agencies for “taking measurements of convicts and other persons for the purposes of identification and investigation of criminal matters”. While the legislation was enacted earlier this year, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified it to come into effect from August 4, 2022. It also repeals the existing Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022, changes introduced by it and if it is violative of right to privacy of and equality.

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: 

Start the answer by citing aims behind enactment of Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022

Body:

First, write about the major changes introduced by Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 as compared to Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.

Next, critically examine if this Act is violation of right to privacy and to what extent.

Next, critically examine if this Act is violation of right to equality and to what extent.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward to ensure rights are not violated.

General Studies – 3

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

5. In order to sustain the growth of ‘Unicorns’ in the country, it is pertinent to have a right regulatory direction and policy support to ensure they realise their potential amidst the hype. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

Five start-ups — PayTM Mall, Snapdeal, Hike, Shopclues and Quikr -are no longer unicorns, with their valuation falling below $1 billion. The total number of unicorns may, therefore, have reduced to 103 now.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about potential benefits proper regulation and policy support to sustain Unicorns to the Indian economy.

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 defining a Unicorn and give context about the rapid rise of unicorns in India in 2021-22.

Body:

First, in brief, give reasons for the unicorn boom in India.

Next, write about the need for proper regulatory mechanism – mention the issues these unicorns face, policy based, scrutiny based, compliance based etc.

Next, write about facilitating policy support for start-ups to turn Unicorns and sustain that position. Also, add the need to avoid hype and ensure that the potential is realised with respect to job creation, growth, technological advancement, valuation etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.

6. The Public Distribution System (PDS) of India plays a crucial role in reducing food insecurity by acting as a safety net by distributing essentials at a subsidised rate. Elaborate on the reforms needed to PDS supply chain in the country. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

The government on Thursday said nearly 6.83 lakh tonnes (lt) of fortified rice has been distributed under the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the second phase beginning April this year.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the PDS, its role reforms that are needed.

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 context of PDS and its role in delivery of food grains.

Body:

In the first part, mention the various bottlenecks, limitations and the shortcomings with respect to PDS in India. Cite statistics and reports to substantiate your points.

Next, write about the steps that are required to ensure a seamless supply chain to overcome hunger and malnutrition.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study

7. As the Chief Project Officer, you have been given an emergency grant for re-construction of the bridge that collapsed due to recent flash floods in the area surrounding Malgudi. Although it is a small project for you but it is vital one as it is a sole way in and out of the rural hamlet of Malgudi. After the collapse, people of Malgudi are forced to navigate the river in an un-safe means for reaching to jobs, hospitals and educational institutes etc.

The instruction from the higher ups is to get the project completed at the earliest as well as ensure highest level of quality so that bridge remains strong for a long time irrespective of the weather conditions.

As it is a small project, you need to assign, just one engineer to it. Most of the engineers under you are involved in other major projects and you have two engineers who are relatively less burdened – Mr Swami and Mr Rajam. Both are similar in the quality of work. Mr Swami is known for his honesty and uprightness in the department but his efficiency is low. He has missed many deadlines in the past. On the other hand, Mr Rajam, is a highly efficient worker and known for doing high quality work on time but in the past, he had some allegations of corruption against him and many have complained against his nexus with the contractors.

With the bridge needing to be constructed at the earliest, who will you appoint as the engineer for this project? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by giving the context of choosing between an effective but dishonest guy or an honest but ineffective individual. Bring out the key stakeholders in the above case study and major ethical dilemmas present.

Body:

In the body, analyse the case of Mr Rajam, who is highly productive but integrity is questionable. Bring forward both the short term and long-term consequences of put Mr Rajam in charge of the Malgudi bridge project.

 

Then take up the case of Mr Swami, who is known for his honesty but is not efficient and prone to missing deadlines. Bring forward both the short term and long-term consequences of put Mr Swami in charge of the Malgudi bridge project.

Conclusion:

Follow this up with ethical reasoning and justify who you will choose for the project.

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