[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 19 August 2022

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

1. Aeolian processes create a number of distinct features, through both erosion and deposition of sediment. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

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 in detail about the Aeolian landforms with suitable examples.

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: 

Aeolian landforms refer to the Landforms that are formed by the winds. There are two types of the Aeolian Landforms viz. Erosional and Depositional.

Body:

Such questions are best explained with various landforms that are a result of such elements.

Explain both erosional and depositional landforms caused by the wind action.

Take examples – Zeugen or Rock Mushrooms, Yardangs, Blow Outs, Inselbergs, Desert pavement, Erg  or Sand Sea, Ripples, Barchan, Longitudinal dunes, Transverse Dunes, Star Dunes etc.

Use suitable diagrams and explain the effect of wind on them.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

2. The continental shelf contains valuable minerals and marine organisms which makes it suitable for exploration and commercial exploitation. Discuss. Also, trace the bottom reliefs feature of the Indian ocean. (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 the resources present in continental shelves and reasons for it as well as to trace the bottom relief of India ocean.

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 briefly mentioning about relief of the ocean floor and its divisions. 

Body:

First, mention certain figures/stats regarding the economic resources of continental shelves with examples.

Next, discuss in detail the reasons for high productivity of the continental shelves like high nutrient loads, vertical stability and shallowness etc. 

Next, trace the bottom relief features of India ocean.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising the overall economic importance of continental shelves. 

General Studies – 2

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

3. Gender equity has been the centrepiece of inheritance law, but gender bias and inequalities persist in the succession law. The existence of bias against women’s land ownership can constitute a serious limitation for their status in the family and society and their economic and professional choices. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked for an attitudinal shift across the country in favour of ‘Nari Shakti’—or women’s power—in his national address on 15 August. “Respect for women,” he said, “is an important pillar for India’s growth.” For women’s empowerment to prove substantive from an economic point of view, what matters are not just avenues of income defined by job opportunities, but also control over assets.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the gender bias in India’s property succession law and its implication on women empowerment.

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 statistic regarding the women ownership of land in India.

Body:

First, write about the gender bias and inequalities in the succession laws of India.

Next, explain as to how the above hinders women’s status, their economic growth and professional choices. Substantiate with facts and examples.

Next, write about the measures that are needed to rectify the above and achieve equity in inheritance.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 3

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

4. Accelerating environmental crisis is without doubt the most urgent. At the same time, rapid technological change is transforming many aspects of our economies. In the above-mentioned context, reinventing the economic growth model is the need of the hour. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Down to Earth

Why the question:

Climate change is an existential threat, we know that. But what we continue to deny is the need for drastic emission reduction, that too in a world where millions still need the right to development.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the need to reinvent economic the growth model to achieve sustainable development and mitigate the climate crisis.

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 the giving context.

Body:

First, write about the major changes happening due to the climate crisis and substantiate the impact by facts and examples.

Next, write about the technological change that are transforming economies and also offering hope to overcome the climate crisis.

Next, write about the issues in the current economic growth model.

Next, write about the changes that are needed in the growth model to achieve sustainable development.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

5. Improvements in the ease of earning, better livelihoods for all citizens and with more dignity must be the key pillars behind labour reforms in India. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

While the numbers of Indian billionaires increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions of Indians lost their incomes when the country locked down during the pandemic. They struggled to find shelter, food, and even drinking water for their families.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the need and nature of labour reforms in the country in the present situation.

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 and extent of labour force in the country.

Body:

First, in brief, give the various labour reforms that have been introduced in the recent times and cite their limitations.

Next, write about the making Improvements in the ease of earning, better livelihoods for all citizen the key pillars of labour reforms in the country and suggest steps to do so. Cite various reports/ recommendations from committees.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management

6. The attribution of extreme weather events to climate change must not lead us to overlook ground-level environmental degradation that’s no less to blame and can be acted against. Examine the role that local communities can play in flood adaptation and mitigation. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate.

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

The Odisha government on August 18 declared 15 days of relief for flood-affected population in five districts. The declaration was made after Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made an aerial survey of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Khordha district.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the importance of involving and empowering local communities in flood management strategy.

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 the context of recent floods and rising trends of flood across India.

Body:

First, write about the role of climate change and local degradation in recurring floods. write about the how floods impact the local communities and their livelihoods.

Next, write about the benefits of involving local communities in planning, preparation, adaptation, mitigation and rehabilitation process of flood risk management. Also, speak on the limitations of centralised approach to flood management.

Next, write about the need to address the long terms causes like climate change, unplanned development, destruction of fragile ecosystems etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward

General Studies – 1

Topic: Case Study

7. Suppose you are the CEO of a company that manufactures specialized electronic equipment used by a government department. You have submitted your bid for the supply of this equipment to the department. Both the quality and cost of your offer are better than those of the competitors. Yet the concerned officer is demanding a hefty bribe for approving the tender Getting the order is important both for you and your company. Not getting the order would mean closing a production line. It may also affect your own career. However, as a value-conscious person, You do not want to give bribe. Valid arguments can be advanced both for giving the bribe and getting the order, and for refusing to pay the bribe and risking the loss of the order. What those arguments could be, Could there be any better way to get out of this dilemma? If so, outline the main elements of this third way, pointing out its merits. (250 Words) (20 M) (UPSC 2014)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by giving the context. Bring out the key stakeholders in the above case study and major ethical dilemmas present.

Body:

In the body, give valid arguments for the both the above mentioned courses of action to pay bribe and get order and not to pay bribe and lose the order. Analyse both the courses of action ethically.

Next, mention the third way of action to resolve this ethical dilemma without compromising your morals. Evaluate the merits and demerits of such a course of action.

Conclusion:

Follow this up with ethical reasoning and justify.

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