[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 10 March 2023

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General Studies – 1

Topic: geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

1. Throw light of distribution of grasslands in India. What are the threats faced by grasslands? Discuss steps that are needed to protect them. (250 words).

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

Since September 2022, India has translocated eight African cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa. This is part of a long-term conservation plan to re-introduce the wild cat into the country after it became extinct in the 1950s, primarily due to hunting. The aim is to be able to build a self-sustaining population, centred at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park, which will also contribute to the global survival of the cheetah as a species. Can the cheetahs thrive in India and help India’s grasslands?

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the distribution of grasslands in India, threats faced by them and steps needed to protect them.

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 mentioning the types of grassland in India.

Body:

First, with a small representative map, show the distribution of grasslands in India – Deccan Plateau, Western Ghats, and Himalayan foothills. Mention their major features in brief.

Next, write about the threats faced by grasslands and its impact – conversion into agricultural land, overgrazing by livestock, deforestation, invasive species, climate change, and infrastructure development. These threats are leading to habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity, and displacement of wildlife species.

Next, suggest steps that are needed to protect grasslands in the country.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 2

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

2. What is the “safe harbour” clause in the Information Technology Act, 2000? Enumerate the challenges posed by the clause. Do you think the time has come to reconsider the clause and remove it? Comment. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The Union government on Thursday formally outlined the Digital India Act, 2023 which is a broad overhaul of the decades-old Information Technology Act, 2000. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, announced the changes in a presentation in Bengaluru.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about safe harbour clause, challenges associated with the and need to remove the clause.

Directive word:

Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Start by explaining about the safe harbour clause and objective behind it.

Body:

First, write about the challenges posed by the safe harbour clause – defining objectionable content, enforcing the law, uneven distribution of responsibility, and differences in international laws.

Next, write about the need to remove the clause and write about the implication it will have on the intermediaries.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a balanced opinion.

Topic: citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.

3. Corruption is a serious problem in India, affecting both the public and private sectors. Reducing corruption requires a multi-faceted approach that involves strengthening laws and enforcement mechanisms, promoting transparency and accountability. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:

The problem of corruption is complex and there cannot be a “one size fits all” solution.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about how corruption affects the country and steps needed to reduce it.

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 giving a brief context.

Body:

First, in brief, write about the causes and impact of corruption – complex regulations, lack of transparency, poverty, and political influence.

Next, write about the steps that are needed to reduce corruption in the country – strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms, simplify regulations, increase transparency, promote education and awareness, encourage public participation, strengthen anti-corruption agencies, and increase accountability for public officials and politicians.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

4. India’s issues with the World Trade Organization (WTO), reflect broader debates about the balance between free trade and development, as well as the role of international organizations in setting global trade rules. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

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 issues of India with WTO, reforms that are needed in the WTO.

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 the aims and objectives of WTO.

Body:

First, Explain the factors that have led to India’s chequered relationship with the World Trade Organisation (WTO). – disagreements over agricultural subsidies, intellectual property, services trade, special and differential treatment for developing countries, and the functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism.

Next, suggest reforms that are needed to overcome the above – Appellate body reform, clarity on Special and differential treatment and Sustainable Development Goal-oriented trade negotiation etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic:  Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.

5. While foreign direct investment (FDI) can bring significant benefits to the countries, there are also several challenges associated with it. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Investopedia

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 role played by FDI in the Indian economy and challenges associated with 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 defining Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Body:

First, Write the various aspects of FDI – international flows of capital, diversification of lending and investment, global integration of capital markets, allows the transfer of technology and can also promote competition in the domestic input market etc. Substantiate with examples.

Next, regulatory barriers, political risk, cultural differences, economic risk, nationalistic sentiments, infrastructure challenges, and labour issues.

Next, write about the steps that are needed mitigate the above issues maximize the benefits of FDI.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

6. Forest fires can be caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. To mitigate forest fires, steps need to be taken to prevent them from starting, detect them early if they do occur, respond rapidly, and manage the forest in a way that reduces their risk and severity. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Why the question:

Forest fires continue to rage in Odisha after the state recorded 642 large fire incidents from March 2-9, 2023 — the highest in the country during the period, according to the Forest Survey of India (FSI) data.

Key Demand of the question:

 write about natural and anthropogenic causes of forest fires in India and measures need to mitigate them.

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 forest fires and statistic regarding rising instances of forest fires in India.

Body:

First, write about the natural reasons of forest fires – lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, and spontaneous combustion etc.

Next, write about the anthropogenic reasons of forest fires – intentional fires, accidental fires, and climate change etc.

Next, write about the steps that are needed to mitigate them – prevention measures, early detection, controlled burns, forest management, and collaboration among different agencies and communities.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Case Study

7. Raja had always wanted to become an IPS officer. He was thrilled when he was selected for the job after years of hard work and dedication. He was posted to a small town in his home state and was excited to start his new job.

In the first month of his work, Raja received a phone call from an anonymous caller. The caller informed him that a notorious gangster, who had been terrorizing the town, was planning a major robbery in a few days. Raja was grateful for the information and immediately started to investigate the matter.

Over the next few days, Raja worked tirelessly to gather evidence against the gangster. He interviewed witnesses, analysed surveillance footage, and even went undercover to gather information. Finally, he was able to get a warrant to search the gangster’s hideout.

One day before the raid, he got another anonymous call in which he was threatened with dire consequences to him and his family if he pursued investigating the gangster, who has lot of connections with various powerful ministers.

Raja was faced with a dilemma. He could either cancel the raid and protect his own safety, or he could arrest him and risk his own safety while enforcing the law. Raja was torn between his duty as an IPS officer and his own personal safety.

1. 1. Identify the ethical issues in the above case.
   2. What are the options available to Raja?
   3. Critically analyse all the above options.
   4. What course of action should Raja take in the above case?

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