[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 28 October 2022

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General Studies – 1

Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.— their forms and effect on the society.

1. What was the Cold War? How did it manifest across different dimensions and conflicts around the world? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

It is time to revisit the sobering lessons of the Cuban Missile crisis (October 1962) during the Cold War that brought the world to the edge of nuclear Armageddon, as the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. engaged in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation

Key Demand of the question:

There were different arenas (Korea, Vietnam, etc.) of the cold war. Apart from these different arenas, mention the different fields (ex: space race, sports) in which the cold war played out.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin your answer by defining cold war.

Body:

First write about the different fields in which the cold war ended up playing out – diplomacy, espionage, space race and propaganda etc.

Next, write about weaponised aspects of the cold war – weapons race, the different places where the two superpowers technically battled each other (Korea, Vietnam etc.).

Write about the impact of the above.

Conclusion:

Conclude by Summarising.

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

2. Human-caused climate change is affecting hazards now, such as decreasing the frequency of tropical cyclones while increasing their intensity. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Why the question:

A tropical cyclone has formed in the Bay of Bengal over the weekend and is due to hit the Indian state of Odisha. If the past is any guide, Cyclone Sitrang may bring flooding, destroyed crops, collapsed buildings and loss of life.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the causes for increasing frequency of Tropical Cyclones, and their possible negative effects and role of climate change in 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 giving context.

Body:

First, write about the various causes behind the decreasing frequency of cyclones and rising intensity – Surface temperatures intensification of cyclones, conducive wind shear for cyclones, climate change etc.

Next, write about the role of climate change in regards to this Also, write about its impact.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward to address this issue.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

3. The country is characterised by the coexistence of agricultural bounty and widespread hunger and malnutrition. Examine the reasons for the same and its impact on various socio-economic indicators. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India.

Why the question:

The sensational use of the word hunger is abhorrent given the facts. But there is no denying that in India, nutrition, particularly child nutrition, continues to be problematic. Unlike the GHI, the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) does a good job of providing comparative state-level data including the main pointers that determine health and nutrition

Key Demand of the question:

To write about causes of hunger and malnutrition despite agricultural surplus and impact and ways to tackle it.

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 a statistic regarding Hunger and malnutrition in India.

Body:

First, write about the causes of hunger and malnutrition despite agricultural surplus- inequalities, poverty, there are social factors like early marriage etc all of which contribute to the undernourishment, stunting and wasting of children.

Next, describe the impact of hunger and malnutrition in India – status of child mortality, stunting and wasting in India, loss of demographic dividend, extreme poverty etc.

Next, write about the measures that are needed to overcome hunger and malnutrition in the country.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

4.  In the ongoing conflict between the military junta and the resistance in Myanmar, the U.N is pre-occupied with Ukraine, the ASEAN has been ineffectual, and India is treading a fine line. Russia and China have rushed in. Critically examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

ASEAN foreign ministers were meeting in Jakarta on Thursday to discuss their options in Myanmar, where the military is using increasingly violent methods to suppress the armed resistance against its February 2021 takeover.

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 giving context regarding Indo-Myanmar relations.

Body:

In the first part, mention about the importance of Myanmar to India’s Act East Policy.

Next, write the various options to ensure the return of democracy in Myanmar. Using U.N and ASEAN, Bilateral diplomacy etc. Throw light on the role of Russia and China.

Next, write about the other measures of outreach that must be explored by India for a successful Act east policy.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

5. The electronic waste, or e-waste, is becoming major a domestic and a global issue. Discuss the steps that must be taken to ensure safe disposal of e-wate in the country. (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 mention the cause for the exponential growth of e waste across the world and effective measures to check 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 giving few facts regarding the rising number of e waste production every year.

Body:

Firstly, highlight the various factors leading to high amount of e waste generation such as low product life cycle, technology getting redundant very quickly, low opportunities for repairs and recycles etc and impact of this on developing countries like India wand environment.

Next, suggest various measures to control and minimise the cause of e waste production, highlight some of the provisions of e waste management rules,2016 and also the benefits of recycling e waste.

Conclusion:

Conclude by stressing on the need for a quick and effective approach by the government highlighting the fact that recycling is a great way to extract precious metals and also curb burning of hazardous materials in the landfills.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

6. India faces major environmental challenges associated with waste generation and inadequate waste collection, transport and its treatment. Evaluate the various measures that are aimed at tackling it. (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 need for Solid waste management and successes and limitations of the various measures aimed towards it.

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 defining solid waste management.

Body:

First, write about the need for solid waste management in the country.

Next, write about the various issues in the solid waste management – funds crunch, low sectoral development & lack of know-how.

Next, write about the various measures to tackle it – Solid waste management rules, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0 etc. Write their and successes and limitations.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study

7. Pawan is working as an officer in the State Government for the last ten years. As a part of routine transfer, he was posted to another department. He joined in a new office along with five other colleagues. The head of the office was a senior officer conversant with the functioning of the office. As a part of general inquiry, Pawan gathered that his senior officer carries the reputation of being difficult and insensitive person having his own disturbed family life. Initially, all seem to go well. However, after some time Pawan felt that the senior officer was belittling him and at times unreasonable. Whatever suggestions given or views expressed by Pawan in the meetings were summarily rejected and the senior officer would express displeasure in the presence of others. It became a pattern of boss’s style of functioning to show him in bad light highlighting his shortcomings and humiliating publically. It became apparent that though there are no serious work-related problems/shortcomings, the senior officer was always on one pretext or the other and would scold and shout at him. The continuous harassment and public criticism of Pawan resulted in loss of confidence, self-esteem and equanimity. Pawan realized that his relations with his senior officer are becoming more toxic and due to this, he felt perpetually tensed, anxious and stressed. His mind was occupied with negativity and caused him mental torture, anguish and agony. Eventually, it badly affected his personal and family life. He was no longer joyous, happy and contented even t home. Rather without any reason he would loose his temper with his wife and other family members. The family environment was no longer pleasant and congenial. His wife who was always supportive to him also became a victim of his negativity and hostile behaviour. Due to harassment and humiliation suffering by him in the office, comfort and happiness virtually vanished from his life. Thus it damaged his physical and mental health.

1. 1. What are the options available with Pawan to cope with the situation?
   2. What approach Pawan should adopt for bringing peace, tranquillity and congenial environment in the office and home?
   3. As an outsider, what are your Suggestions for both boss and subordinate to overcome this situation and for improving the work performance, mental and emotional hygiene?
   4. In the above scenario, what type of training would you suggest for at various levels in the government offices?

(250 words) (UPSC 2021)

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 various options available to Pawan and their pros and cons.

Next, Write about the measures that Pawan can take to ensure cordial atmosphere at home

Next, write about your suggestions as an outsider to rectify the above-mentioned issues.

Next, write about type of training that are needed in government offices for the same.

Conclusion:

Conclude by stressing on the importance of kindness and compassion in such cases.

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