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

Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.

Join IPM 4.0 to get an assured review of 2 secure answers everyday

General Studies – 1

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

1. Recognising inequity in urban settlements and identifying priority actions are needed to address gaps in water supply, wastewater and drainage for unserved areas and populations of a city or rural area. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Why the question:

There is an urgent need to address the emerging crisis of urban water supply, wastewater and stormwater management — from an inclusion, rights and justice perspective.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the various issues with respect to water in urban India and to suggest steps 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:

Start by giving statistic regarding the status of water utilisation in India.

Body:

Frist, write about various issues regarding water in India – Depletion of water tables, saltwater encroachment, drying of aquifers, groundwater pollution, water logging and salinity, etc. are major consequences of overexploitation. Substantiate with examples and facts

Next, write about the measures that are needed to promote sustainable and equitable utilisation management of water.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 2

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

2. The significance of public health has been widely acknowledged. Despite this recognition, the progress towards establishing a primary healthcare system centred on affordable and accessible public health has been sluggish. Could the fundamental right to healthcare be a solution to this issue? Critically 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 – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the need to implement Health as a Right in India and its feasibility.

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 about health care in India and cite statistics to substantiate.

Body:

First, write about the various issues plaguing the health care system in India.

Next, mention the need for Right to Health that would promote the health of various weaker sections of the society and also boost economic development. Further link the benefits of better healthcare systems to that of various existing schemes like Ayushman Bharath.

Next, bring out the impediments to declare health care a Fundamental Right.

Conclusion:

Conclude by highlighting that Right to Health is only a detailed interpretation of Right to life that is already a constitutional right.

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

3. The most pertinent challenges currently facing the Indian human resources sector are skill shortages, labour market rigidities, and gender inequality. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

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:

To write about the challenges in the human resource sector 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:

Start by giving context.

Body:

First, write about the various challenges facing the human resource sector – Throw light on how skill shortages, labour market rigidities, and gender inequality are adversely impacting or constraining the human resource in it. Cite statistic to substantiate.

Next, write about the measures that are needed to overcome the above challenges – a combination of government policies, industry initiatives, and social reforms etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

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

4. The primary objective of the Anti-Defection Law is to promote stability and prevent political defections, which can lead to horse-trading and opportunistic alliances. But the law has been ineffective and at times even counterproductive in preventing defections. Critically examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question:

A five-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India is presently hearing a set of cases popularly known as the “Maharashtra political controversy cases”. These cases arose out of the events in June last year, when the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition (the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and Congress) lost power after an internal splintering of the Shiv Sena party.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the shortcomings of the anti-defection law and measures needed to fix them.

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:

Write about objectives of anti-defection law.

Body:

First, write about various features of anti-defection pertaining to disqualification.

Next, write as to why the anti-defection has been ineffective in preventing defection and horse trading. Substantiate with examples.

Next, suggest measures needed to rectify this.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

General Studies – 3

Topic:Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

5. Examine the various obstacles in the renewable energy sector of India. How can the government ensure energy security while honouring its net zero commitments? (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

India’s push towards decarbonisation has to be backed with adequate storage facilities, without which it clearly cannot go forward beyond a point.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the various obstacles to energy security in India and ways to ensure energy security.

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 context regarding the energy security in the country.

Body:

First, write about the various impediments to India’s renewable energy sector – High capital costs, Lack of transmission infrastructure, Land acquisition, Storage, Financing challenges etc.

Next, write about ways to balance between clean energy commitments while balancing energy security.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

6. What are stem cells? Throw light on various types of stem cells and discuss the applications of stem cell technology. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Why the question:

A 53-year-old man from Germany, referred to as the Dusseldorf patient, has become at least the third person to have been “cured of HIV” with the virus not being detectable in his body even four years after stopping the medicine. This was achieved with a bone-marrow transplant from people carrying a specific HIV-resistant genetic mutation.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about stem cells, its types and applications.

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 defining stem cells.

Body:

First, in detail write about the various types of stem cells and their features – Embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.

Next, write about the myriad of applications of the stem cell technology and various programmes and initiatives to boost research on stem cells.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.