[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 7 October 2022

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General Studies – 1

Topic: population and associated issues

1. The demographic dividend has transformational potential but inconsistent and incoherent policies aimed at realising it may result in a lost opportunity. Analyse.  (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

Too often, India’s demographic dividend conversations have focused much on the dependency ratio and not enough on the policies and other factors involved.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about demographic dividend, impediments to achieving and ways to overcome it.

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 demographic dividend and its various features.

Body:

First, write about the various impediments to achieving the dividend – demographic dividend may turn into a liability in the absence of enough jobs and the required skilled workforce etc.

Next, suggest ways to overcome the limitations.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

2. The National Food Security Act (NFSA) with the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) add-on during the pandemic is a star achievement of our 75 years of independence. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India

Why the question:

At a time when central banks all over the world are into a round robin of interest rates hikes, in a context of impending recession in several major world economies, an unending war, and uncertainty about energy availability and pricing going into the northern hemisphere winter, the only cheering news was India’s further extension for three months upto the end of December 2022 of free food under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the achievements of NFSA and the PMGKAY.

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 writing about the aims and the objectives of NFSA and PMGKAY.

Body:

First, in brief, write about the major features of NFSA and PMGKAY.

Next, write about the achievements of NFSA and PMGKAY since its inception. Cite statistics to substantiate. Highlight the role of PMGKAY in the pandemic times.

Next, write a few limitations of NFSA and PMGKAY and suggest ways to improve it.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

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.

3. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) though may have increased in terms spending but there remain many issues which restrict it from achieving its full potential. Suggest measures to ensure CSR funds are impactful across the country. (250 words)

Difficulty: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

Ever since the establishment of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regime in India under Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, CSR spending in India has risen from ₹10,065 crore in 2014-15 to ₹24,865 crore in 2020-21. But there is no data to verify whether this increase is commensurate with the increase in profits of Indian and foreign (having a registered arm in India) companies.

Key Demand of the question:

To wrote about the issues with CSR and steps needed to make it more effective.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by defining CSR and its evolution in India.

Body:

First, write about the various aims and objectives behind CSR in India.

In the next part, write about the various issues in CSR – lack of community participation in CSR activities, need to build local capacities, issues of transparency and non-availability of clear CSR guidelines.

Next, write about the various measures that are needed to make CSR more effective.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Government Budgeting.

4. Examine the issues that undermine the implementation of objectives proposed in the union budget. (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 the weaknesses in the budgetary system and measures to overcome 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: 

Begin by defining budget and major objectives of budgeting.

Body:

First, elaborate up on how budget provide framework of achieving annual objectives.

Next, write about the weaknesses in the budgetary system and its implementation – budget estimates, Skewed expenditure pattern, Poor planning and lack of long-term perspective etc.

Next, suggest measures to overcome the above weaknesses in order to ensure that budgetary objectives are achieved.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Government Budgeting.

5. How might India avoid the twin deficit issue in the face of growing commodity prices and the weight of subsidy payments? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The finance ministry on Monday cautioned the re-emergence of the twin deficit problem in the economy, with higher commodity prices and rising subsidy burden leading to an increase in both fiscal deficit and current account deficit. It’s also the first time the government has explicitly talked about the possibility of fiscal slippage in the current fiscal year.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about twin deficit, concerns associated with it and measures needed to avoid the problem.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by defining twin deficit.

Body:

First, write about the concerns associated with it and how it impacts various macro-economic parameters.

Next, write about the ways in which it could be avoided – write about various Fiscal, Monetary and other policy measures that are needed to avoid the twin deficit problem.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

6. The electronic industry is critically dependent on semiconductors and they are strategically important for India. Evaluate India’s strengths and weaknesses in achieving self-sufficiency in semiconductor production. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

India’s National Policy on Electronics (NPE) 2019 aims for the electronics industry to achieve a turnover of about Rs 33 lakh crore by 2025. But the industry is critically dependent on semiconductors, which are also used in high-demand consumer electronics like mobile phones, laptops, gaming consoles, refrigerators and microwaves. These use semiconductor components like integrated chips, diodes and transistors.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about importance of Semiconductors and its strategic significance. India’s strengths and weaknesses in this regard.

Directive word: 

Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence.  You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by mentioning the aims and objectives of India Semiconductor Mission.

Body:

In the first part, mention the various applications of Semiconductors and reasons for their shortage.

Next, write about various steps taken in the recent past aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in semiconductors.

Next, write about the India’s strengths and weaknesses in this regard.

Conclusion:

Conclude by way forward to overcome weakness.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study

7. A software company has a goal set to positively impact majority of India people by the year 2025 using CSR funds. The software company uses their resources to contribute to disaster relief around the country, healthcare system efficiency, and education in disadvantaged communities which has yielded tangible results and positive response from the public. They were awarded for their excellent use of CSR funds.

But it was recently revealed by an investigative journalist report that they engage in crony capitalism and offering high kickbacks to government officials to get government tenders and projects. They even try to stifle competitors using nefarious trade practises.

The report also revealed that they have lot of off-shore black money and that means they are not spending the actual amount of CSR that should be spent.

(a) What are the ethical dilemmas in the above case?

(b) What action should be taken against the software company by the government? Why?

Difficulty level: Moderate

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by giving the context. Bring out the key stakeholders in the above case study.

Body:

In the body, write about the ethical dilemmas present in the case.

Next, write about the action that should government must take to resolve the issues and the justify the course of action

Conclusion:

Conclude by stressing on the importance of accountability.

Summarise by highlighting the importance contentment.

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