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[MISSION 2023] SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 24 January 2023

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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. Evaluate the role played by the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) countries, especially India during the Cold war era. Did India remain truly non-aligned? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India ,  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:

Highlight nature of engagement of NAM countries with the superpowers. Evaluate the role played by India, as a member of NAM.

Directive:

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:

Introduce NAM, and the background in which it emerged.

Body:

Elaborate on the role played by NAM in easing tensions between the superpowers by citing examples. Note how NAM did not practise isolationism or neutrality.

Next, write the role played by India as part of NAM, and steps taken by it to reduce geo-political tensions.

Next, write about the nature of non-alignment by India.

Conclusion:

Conclude by giving a balanced opinion on the issue.

 

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.

2. Although the Cultural Revolution largely bypassed the vast majority of the people, who lived in rural areas, it had highly serious consequences for the Chinese system as a whole. Elucidate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Mastering World History by Norman Lowe

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:

The problems China faced following the Communist victory over KMT in 1949, and the measures introduced by Mao to address them.

Directive:

Elucidate – 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 that an important reason why the CCP had emerged victorious was that it had a large following among the masses. This itself was a result of Mao having been profoundly influenced by the thoughts of Marx and Lenin.

Body:

Write what the problems facing China and its people were, then how Mao attempted to resolve them. In the process, try relating the measures he introduced to the thoughts of Marx and Lenin. Mention the positive as well as negative impact of the same.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.


General Studies – 2


 

Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

3. Basic to democracy is the devolution of power, and with it, welfare from the elite echelons to the ground level. Elaborate on the major features of Indian democracy. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The democracy that is functional around the world today — even as it has a long history of evolution — was essentially a 19th century to 20th century western creation. Every civilisation, of course, claims to have had some form of democratic origin

Key Demand of the question: 

To write about democracy and its major features in India.

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.

Introduction: 

Begin by defining democracy.

Body:

First, write about as hot how devolution of power and overall welfare of the society are a crucial part of Indian democracy.

Next, write about the major features of Indian democracy – Popular sovereignty, Federalism, Multi-party system, Political equality, independent judiciary and constitutional supremacy etc. Substantiate with examples.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

 

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

4. Trans fats are easy to use, inexpensive to produce and last a long time. Regulating the limit of industrially produced trans- fats in food products has been enacted by many countries as they contribute to significant negative health effects. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Down to Earth

Why the question:

Five billion people globally are exposed to harmful trans fat, increasing their heart disease and death risk, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Key Demand of the question:

To write about trans fats and why are they harmful for human health and what more needs to be done for global elimination for global elimination of trans fats.

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 by defining trans fat in brief.

Body:

In the first part, outline the major impacts of trans fat on the human health. Cite relevant statistic to bring out the risk of death or disability caused by the consumption of trans-fats.

In the next part, write about various initiatives undertaken for the elimination of trans fats globally as well as in India. WHO’s REPLACE, FSSAI gradual reduction over a period of years and example of Denmark.

Write further steps that are needed for the implementation of the guidelines and gradual phasing out the trans fat from India’s food systems.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.


General Studies – 3


 

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

5. Do you think that the Ken-Betwa River Interlinking (KBRIL) Project lacks economic sense and defies ecological science? State your opinion. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The HinduInsights on India.

Why the question:

On January 18, the Steering Committee of the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) held its third meeting in New Delhi. It was chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, in the Ministry of Jal Shakti, who reiterated that KBLP was a “flagship” project of the national government and that it “is critical for the water security and socio-economic development of Bundelkhand region”.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the challenges in the Ken-Betwa River Interlinking project.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin by giving context and reasons for the approval of the Ken-Betwa River Interlinking project.

Body:

First, write about the threats to wildlife sanctuaries and national parks from habitat loss. Loss of tree cover, increased man animal conflict etc. Substantiate with examples. For e.g: Clearance of core zone of Panna national park.

Next, write about the economic issues surrounding the project.

Next, write the need of an effective Environmental Impact assessment to anticipate and mitigate the issues arising from Ken-Betwa River Interlinking project.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

 

Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

6. Discuss the strategic importance of submarines to the India’s security. What are the features of a Kalvari-class submarine? What are the reasons for India’s dependence on foreign countries for submarine design and construction? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned the fifth diesel-electric Kalvari-class submarine Vagir. It is among the six submarines being built by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, in collaboration with the French M/s Naval Group under Project 75. Four of these submarines have already been commissioned into the Navy and a sixth will be commissioned next year.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the significance of submarines, features of Kalvari-class submarine and the various bottlenecks in submarine manufacturing in India.

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.

Body:

First, write about the importance of submarines – Submarines can lay mines around enemy ports and in shipping channels. They can sink surface ships with torpedoes or with anti-ship missiles. They can fire missiles against land targets. And they can insert and recover special forces for reconnaissance missions or small-scale raids ashore.

Next, write about the various features of Kalvari-Class submarine.

Next, write about the various bottlenecks to India having a state-of-the-art submarine-building facility – losing expertise, allegations of corruption, non-deliverance of contracts and highly-skilled workers etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by mentioning ways to overcome the above bottlenecks.


General Studies – 4


 

Topic: Utilization of public funds;

7. Why is transparency an important aspect in the utilisation of public funds? Explain with examples. (150 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.

Key Demand of the question:

To explain how transparency associated with utilization of public funds of the country will improve it efficacy.

Directive:

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.

sStructure of the answer:

Introduction:

Discuss the importance of transparency and accountability in public funds.

Body:

Explain the lacunae in the country with respect to utilization of public funds such as corruption, nepotism, incomplete works, bad quality work, siphoning funds etc.

Discuss the significance of Transparency and efficiency as tools for monitoring and supervising distribution of public fund.

Explain various mechanisms through which it can be done – Public Fund Management System, Auditing agencies – CAG, Budgeting – Outcome based budgeting, zero base budgeting, Participation and transparency – Social Auditing, Financial Prudence etc.

Conclusion:

Summarize of this will aid in the developmental process of the country as well as reduce corrupt practices.


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