[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 18 November 2022

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General Studies – 1

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

1. The tribal revolts and rebellions represent the sacrifices of unsung heroes who increased the moral quotient of the national movement in their shared experience of colonial oppression. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian Express Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper –1.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about how various forms of oppression resulted in various tribal revolts and its significance.

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:

Start by mentioning that eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries witnessed many tribal uprisings against the oppression of ruling class.

Body:

Mention about the various issues faced by tribals such as imposition of a high land revenue demand by the state, corrupt practices, the colonial policies further aggravating their hardships such as destruction of Indian handloom and handicraft industries eviction of peasants from their lands, encroachment on tribal lands etc, money lenders, eviction etc. Cite a few instances of peasant and tribal revolts such as Bhil, Mappila, Santhal etc to substantiate your points.

Next, Write about its significance of these tribal revolts.

Conclusion:

Conclude by mentioning that the legacy of the tribal movements in the present day.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

2. The discourse around political finance in India usually revolves around the issue of corruption. Do you agree with the view that the electoral bond scheme has ‘institutionalised corruption’? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

It is important that independent institutions check the growing black hole of electoral bonds with a minimum level of institutional safeguards.

Key Demand of the question:

To critically analyse the performance of electoral bonds in improving transparency or acting as a mode of institutionalised corruption.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving aims and objectives of introduction of electoral bonds.

Body:

In the first part, mention the functioning and features of electoral bond scheme – can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India. The scheme allows parties to receive these bonds. Trace changes introduced by it.

Next, write about how this new instrument of political party funding is aimed to ensure greater transparency by addressing the issue of anonymous financing. It sought to eliminate black money from the system.

Next, write about how they have increased opacity instead of increasing transparency and has the potential to be used as mechanism of institutionalised corruption.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

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

3. Critically analyse the performance of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana scheme (PMGKAY) in addressing the food needs of the poor by distributing free foodgrains. Do you think the further extension of the scheme is a prudent move or an electoral freebie? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

The extension of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), a scheme to distribute free foodgrains to the poor, for another three months, comes as a surprise for many reasons.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the performance PMGKAY and the comment on the decision of its extension.

Directive word: 

Critically analyze – 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by writing about the aims and the objectives of PMGKAY.

Body:

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

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

Next, write about the limitations of PMGKAY and suggest ways to improve it.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a balanced view on the extension of PMGKAY.

General Studies – 3

Topic: changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

4. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are considered to be the backbone of the economy. They are also pivotal to the nation’s growth as they employ lakh of unskilled and semi-skilled individuals. Evaluate the impact of e-commerce on MSMEs. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India

Why the question:

The issue of co-existence of organized and unorganized sectors in a developing country like India is not new. While the debate persists, specifically in the services sector, a relatively new (though related) variant of the problem now concerns the co-existence of traditional brick-and-mortar sellers with online marketplaces (so-called e-commerce aggregators), such as Flipkart and Amazon.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about contribution of MSME in India’s growth and how e-commerce has affected MSMEs.

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 giving factual status of proportion of MSME vis-à-vis the population dependent on it also adding the dimension of the demographic demand of India.

Body:

Elaborate upon the importance of MSMEs in socio-economic development of the country. GDP growth, Job creation, exports and entrepreneurship etc.

Mention about the challenges created by e-commerce platforms with respect to MSMEs such as – competition, discounts, imports etc.

Next, suggest ways in which they both can co-exist.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward and summarising the overall impact of MSMEs in socio-economic development of India.

Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

5. Considerable success has been achieved in containing terrorism and terror financing over the past few years. But it requires better understanding of the modes used by terror financiers in India for the security forces, enforcement and intelligence agencies to design processes for prevention, adequate due diligence and put an end to terror financing. Examine. (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 measures taken against terrorism and terror financing, their successes and limitation, and further measures that are needed.

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 giving statistics related the latest trends in containing terrorism.

Body:

First, write about the counter-terrorism measures taken in the recent past and evaluate their successes and limitations.

Next, write about the need to have a better understanding of terror funding and measures that are needed to overcome the above-mentioned limitations.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a forward.

Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

6. The long-drawn armed conflict in Kashmir has claimed thousands of lives and made the economy bleed, and has posed grave threats to the country’s security. The abrogation of Article 370 has added fuel to the fire. What measures are needed to find a long-term peaceful resolution to the conflict in Kashmir? (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 impact of insurgency in Kashmir and measures need to put an end to it.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by giving context.

Body:

First, write about the reasons for the long-drawn-out conflict in Kashmir and its impact over the security and economy of the region.

Next, write about the impact of abrogation of Article 370 on the security scenario in the country.

Next, write about the measures that are needed to be taken in order to find a solution to the Kashmir issue in the long run.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a forward.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study

7. You are working as the Quality Control Officer in a major pharmaceutical company which known for making major drugs. During a routine inspection you come across the information that the company has been using sub-standard materials to manufacture a syrup used for treatment of diseases in children, which is by and large exported to many poor African countries. Upon bringing this to the notice of your CEO, he mentions that it being done as per agreement with the governments of the respective countries to make the syrup affordable and assures that the material used has no known adverse effects.

A few days later, reports emerge that many children who had taken that syrup have died and it has become a major international news with African nations demanding accountability of the manufacturer. Your CEO has denied any wrongdoing and has issued a statement that no substandard materials were used. He calls you in his chamber and asks you to corroborate his statement and if you fail to do so, all the blame will be shifted on you. If you agree to do it, then you will receive a ‘handsome’ bonus and salary hike with a promotion.

1. 1. What are the options available to you in this situation? Discuss their merits and demerits.
   2. What option will you chose? Justify.
   3. What can be done to prevent such incidents from happening in the future?

Difficulty Level: tough

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 you and their pros and cons.

Next, write about the option you will take in the above scenario and justify ethically.

Next, write about your suggestions to prevent such incidents from happening again.

Conclusion:

Conclude by stressing on the importance of transparency and accountability in above such cases.

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