[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 3 October 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. Durga Puja was included in UNESCO’s ‘Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ last year. But like most major festivals, Durga Puja is not just a cultural extravaganza; it is also an economic lifeline. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

There is added enthusiasm in the celebration of Kolkata’s Durga Puja after its inclusion as the 14th entry from India in UNESCO’s ‘Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’ last December.

Key Demand of the question:

To explain sea floor spreading and its relation with global warming.

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.

Body:

First, write about the cultural significance of Durga Puja – its origins, evolution, nature of celebration etc.

Next, write about the economic importance of the festival of Durga Puja – festivity, artistry, culture, entertainment, shopping, and food and drink.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

2. In the changing global situation and rising global issues, Gandhi’s vision may be the panacea for the planet. Critically examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint , The Hindu

Why the question:

Mahatma Gandhi was attentive of the fact that world peace is not possible without the spiritual growth of humanity. So far, the 22 years of the 21st century have not been peaceful. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine represents the biggest threat to peace in the world since the end of the Cold War.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the importance and present day relevance of Gandhian thought and ideas as well as their limitations.

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 giving a brief orientation to Gandhian vision.

Body:

First, write about the key features of the Gandhian core philosophy.

Next, write about the ways in which Gandhian ideals and teachings could be applied to present day global politics and they could be used to solve major global issues. Substantiate with examples.

Next, write about the shortcomings of Gandhian philosophy.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising the importance of Gandhian philosophy.

General Studies – 2

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

3. The government has taken various measures towards achieving Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Analyse their performance. What course corrections are required to meet the targets?

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

The underlying statistics for assessing global progress of SDGs across a wide range of very fuzzy goals and targets is less than perfect, but the Jeffery Sachs-lead data is the most consistent, global and long-term coverage that the world has.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about India’s performance with respect to SDG’s and changes required to achieve the target.

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 about 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that are to be achieved by 2030.

Body:

First, mention the important SDGs in brief and write about the various measures taken in order to achieve them.

Next, evaluate India’s performance toward achieving various SDGs by 2030 and mention the shortfalls.

Next, write about the various course corrections that are required in order to ensure that SGDs are achieved by 2030.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

General Studies – 3

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

4. What is national income? What is its importance? Explain the various methods of national income computation.  (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

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-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about national income, its importance and methods to compute it.

Directive word: 

Explain – Clarify the topic by giving 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 national income.

Body:

First, write about the importance of national income as a macroeconomic parameter and it indicates.

Next, write about the various methods of computation of national income – Product Method, Income Method and Expenditure Method.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

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

5. The limitation of GDP in this area prevents it from measuring the economic welfare people get. What are the alternatives to GDP to overcome the limitations it poses? (250 words)

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-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the limitations to GDP and alternatives to it.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining GDP

Body:

First, write about the limitations of GDP as macroeconomic indicator – doesn’t capture: welfare, Environmental Abuses, Increases in Product Quality, Non-Market Production and Underground Economy.

Next, write about the alternatives to GDP to overcome the above limitations – Gross National Income (GNI), Green Gross Domestic Product (GGDP) etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

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

6. India has made impressive progress towards clean energy. It has, however, a long way to go before it can fully wean itself off fossil fuels. During this transitional phase, natural gas producers should be granted unfettered marketing and pricing freedom. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

India has natural gas reserves. Of that, there is no doubt. IHS CERA has estimated India has undiscovered gas resources of approximately 64 TCF.  The bulk of this is, however, in harsh topography and complex geology. These reserves are difficult to locate.

Key Demand of the question: 

To write about significance of natural gas of India’s energy security and clean energy transition.

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 with a brief background of the context in the question.

Body:

Firstly, write about the potential and importance natural gas for India for its energy security especially in the wake of rising global supply chain disruptions.

Next, write about the role natural gas can play in energy transition of India towards clean energy.

Next, write about the shortcomings of natural gas.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward to sustainably and strategically harness clean energy.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

7. Rawls believed that inequalities can be justified as inequality could be attributed to rational human beings who are ignorant of their status, place and potential in the society. Examine.  (150 words)

Difficulty Level: Tough

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about Rawls views on inequalities and its criticism.

Directive:

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 explaining the Rawls view on inequalities.

Body:

First, write about how according to Rawls the inequalities are a result of human ignorance. Cite examples to substantiate.

Next, write the criticism for Rawls view on inequalities.

Conclusion:

Conclude the answer by giving a balanced opinion.

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