NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
The Uttaramerur inscription is excellent inscriptional evidence of local democracy and administration during the time of the Cholas.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the Chola local self-governing villages.
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:
Start by giving context of Uttaramerur inscription.
Body:
First, write in detail, the features of Chola local self-governing villages – various qualifications, disqualifications, committees and their natures of responsibilities.
Next, write about the level of autonomy enjoyed by these Chola local self-governing villages.
Next, write about the significance of Chola local self-governing villages.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
India is the world’s oldest democracy; it is the mother of democracy. There are numerous historical references to this. An 1,100 years old inscription from Tamil Nadu, called Uttiramerur inscription, is an excellent inscriptional evidence of local democracy and administration during the time of the Cholas. The inscription issued by Paranthaka Chola gives details of election to local self governance bodies.
Prime Minister Modi recently referred to the Uttaramerur inscription in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, while discussing India’s democratic history.
Body
Uttarameruru inscription
There were two types of villages at the local in the Chola empire. One type of village consisted of people from different caste and the assembly which ran this type of village was called ‘ur’. The second type of village was ‘agrahara’ types of village which were settled by Brahmins in which most of the land was rent-free.
The assembly of this agrahara type of village was a gathering of the adult men in brahmana villages called ‘Sabha’ or ‘mahasabha’. These villages enjoyed a large measure of autonomy. The affairs of the village were managed by an executive committee to which educated person owning property were elected by drawing lots or by rotation.
The system of village autonomy with sabhas and their committees developed through the ages and reached its culmination during the Chola rule. Two inscriptions belonging to the period of Parantaka I found at Uttiramerur provide details of the formation and functions of village councils.
That village was divided into thirty wards and each was to nominate its members to the village council. The qualifications to become a ward member were:
- Ownership of at least one fourth veli of land.
- Own residence.
- Above thirty years and below seventy years of age.
- Knowledge of Vedas.
However, certain norms of disqualification were also mentioned in the inscriptions. They were:
- Those who had been members of the committees for the past three years.
- Those who had failed to submit accounts as committee members.
- Those who had committed sins.
- Those who had stolen the property of others.
From the persons duly nominated, one was to be chosen for each ward by kudavolai system for a year. The names of eligible persons were written on palm-leaves and put into a pot. A young boy or girl would take out thirty names each for one ward.
The inscription outlines various important committees in the sabha, each with its specific duties. They were divided into six variyams such as samvatsaravariyam, erivariyam, thotta variyam, pancha variyam, pon variyam and puravuvari variyam to take up six different functions of the village administration. The committee members were called variyapperumakkal. They usually met in the temple or under a tree and passed resolutions. The number of committees and ward members varied from village to village.
Committee members served for 360 days before retiring. Any member implicated in wrongdoing or discrepancies in accounts would be immediately removed from the committee, including those who committed crimes such as forgery, or rode a donkey as punishment.
Conclusion
Hence, Chola administration gave a lot of autonomy to village councils and committees. This local decentralization shows the acumen for good governance back in the ancient and medieval period which was indigenously developed.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
The article argues that the Basic Structure Doctrine, which holds that certain fundamental features of the Constitution cannot be amended, played a crucial role in preventing the erosion of fundamental rights during the Emergency in India in the 1970s.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of doctrine of basic structure and its criticism.
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:
To write about the importance of doctrine of basic structure.
Body:
First, write about the various features of doctrine of basic structure – rule of law, parliamentary form of government, secularism etc.
Next, write about how the above is important in upholding the supremacy of the Constitution and preventing authoritarian rule by a single party.
Next, write a critique of the basic structure doctrine.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion.
Introduction
The Doctrine of Basic structure, one of the most important examples of judicial activism is the result of the creative interpretation of the constitution by the judiciary. It was given by the 13-judges bench of the Supreme Court in the Keshavananda Bharti case (1973), and was aimed at defining the scope of the amending power of the Parliament. It is a doctrine to examine the constitutional validity of constitutional amendment.
Body
Interpretation and relevance of Basic Structure Doctrine
- The emergence of doctrine of ‘Basic structure’ marked asignificant shift in the role of judiciary from practice of constitutional interpretation to a creative role where judiciary go beyond the written provisions of the constitution.
- As per the Indian constitution, Parliament has been given the constituent power to amend the constitution according to the changing needs & aspirations.
- Being a dynamic or organic constitution, aimed at achieving a certain goal of social revolution the Indian constitution mentions special procedure for its amendment.
- It means that there is no explicit limitation on the amending power of the Parliament; expect procedural limitations as given in Art 360.
- However, in the Keshvananda Bharti Case (1973), on the question whether the amending power of the Parliament isunlimited and absolute,the Supreme Court held that the amending power is limited to the extent that it doesn’t alter the ‘Basic Structure’ of the constitution.
- The court held that the word ‘amend’ under Art 368 means only changes other than altering the basic features of the constitution,which would amount to making or writing a new constitution.
- In this way, the Supreme Court, whilegiving primacy to the unwritten feature of the constitution introduced a ‘substantive limitation’ on the amending power of the Parliament.
- However, the judgment of the Supreme Court inventing a new doctrine of the ‘basic structure’ has been subjected to intense academic debate.
- The opponents of the judgement claimsthat the judiciary has gone for the metaphysical approach rather than the legal approach of what is written.
- They argue that if the government was destroying the constitution, the judiciary has gone to the extent of creating the constitution.
- On the other hand, the proponents of the decision argue that judiciary has protected the sanctity of the constitution.
Significance of Basic Structure Doctrine
- The basic structure doctrine is a testimony to the theory of Constitutionalismto prevent the damage to essence of COI by brute majority of the ruling majority.
- The basic doctrine saved the Indian democracyas it acts as a limitation of constituent power or else unlimited power of parliament might have turned India into a totalitarian
- It helps us to retain the basic tenets of our constitutionso meticulously framed by the founding fathers of our Constitution.
- It strengthens our democracy by delineating a true separation of power where Judiciary is independent of other two organs. It has also given immense untold unbridled power to Supreme Court and made it the most powerful court in the world
- By restraining the amending powers of legislative organ of State,it provided basic Rights to Citizens which no organ of State can overrule.
- Being dynamic in nature,it is more progressive and open to changes in time unlike the rigid nature of earlier judgements.
Conclusion
Zia Modi, in her book ‘The Ten Judgments that changed India’, has given following arguments- Although the judiciary was wrong from the academic point of view, but from the practical point of view, it was the need of the time in the Indian context. (ii) It has proved to be a blessing in disguise as it has checked authoritarianism of the government. This has stopped India from going on the path of the other Third World countries.
Value addition
Evolution
- Origin of debate: The question whetherFundamental Rights can be amended by the Parliament underArticle 368 came for consideration of the Supreme Court within a year of the Constitution coming into force.
- Shankari Prasad case (1951): The constitutional validity of theFirst Amendment Act (1951), whichcurtailed the right to property, was challenged. The Supreme Court ruled that the power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution under Article 368 also includes the power to amend Fundamental Rights. The word ‘law’ in Article 13 includes only ordinary laws and not the constitutional amendment acts (constituent laws).
- Therefore, the Parliament can abridge or take away any of the Fundamental Rights by enacting a constitutional amendment act and such a law will not be void under Article 13.
- Golak Nath case (1967): The Supreme Court reversed its earlier stand. In that case, the constitutional validity of theSeventeenth Amendment Act (1964), which inserted certain state acts in the Ninth Schedule, was challenged.
- The Supreme Court ruled that the Fundamental Rights are given a ‘transcendental and immutable’ position and hence, the Parliament cannot abridge or take away any of these rights.
- A constitutional amendment act is also a law within the meaning of Article 13 and hence, would be void for violating any of the Fundamental Rights.
- 24thAmendment Act 1971: The Parliament reacted to the Supreme Court’s judgement in the Golak Nath case (1967) by enacting the 24 th Amendment Act (1971). This Actamended Articles 13 and 368.
- It declared that the Parliament has the power to abridge or take away any of theFundamental Rights under Article 368 and such an act will not be a law under the meaning of Article 13.
- Kesavananda Bharati case: However, in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the SupremeCourt overruled its judgement in the Golak Nath case (1967).It upheld the validity of the 24th Amendment Act (1971) and stated that Parliament is empowered to abridge or take away any of the Fundamental Rights.
- At the same time, it laid down a new doctrine of the ‘basic structure’ (or ‘basic features’) of the Constitution.
- It ruled that the constituent power ofParliament under Article 368 does not enable it to alter the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
- This means that the Parliamentcannot abridge or take away a Fundamental Right that forms a part of the‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
As India’s “Operation Kaveri”, launched to evacuate Indians stuck inside war-torn Sudan is underway, the government is making the most of a 72-hour ceasefire window to bring out about 3,000 civilians.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about India’s reputation in rescuing its citizens from conflict and measures needed to further strengthen 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 context.
Body:
In brief, write about the major achievements of India in rescue operations. Cite examples from current conflict in Sudan and previous conflicts and operations launched in order to rescue citizens.
Next, write about the various issues faced in the above and the need to modernise rescue operations. Write about the steps that are needed in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
As India’s “Operation Kaveri”, launched to evacuate Indians stuck inside war-torn Sudan is underway, the government is making the most of a 72-hour ceasefire window to bring out about 3,000 civilians. The operation, which involves the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, is being coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs. Given the heavy fighting in Khartoum between forces loyal to the head of the ruling council, General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, who also heads the Sudanese Armed Forces, and his former deputy, Gen. Mohammed “Hemeti” Hamdan Dagalo of the paramilitary group, RSF, most civilians are being brought by road to Port Sudan, a perilous journey, to be evacuated by air and sea.
Body
Background
- India has been coordinating efforts with other countries that have the most civilians and resources in Sudan, including the U.S., the U.K., the UAE and Saudi Arabia, on logistics, timing the evacuation operations, and even using Saudi and French planes.
- En route to the Caribbean for a scheduled visit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met with the UN Secretary General in New York to seek help.
- It is clear that military personnel, officials and diplomats will have a difficult few day ahead given that even humanitarian workers and ambulances have been attacked.
- They have no doubt been assisted by the cumulative experience of similar operations over the decades, beginning with the largest such single civilian evacuation during the Gulf war, in 1991.
Successful rescue operations by India
- Operation Poomalai, also known as Eagle Mission 4, was a mission undertaken by the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1987 to airdrop supplies over the besieged town of Jaffna in Sri Lanka to support the Tamil Tigers during the Sri Lankan Civil War.
- Kuwait Airlift (1990): When 1,00,000 Iraqi soldiers armed with 700 tanks marched into Kuwait, the royals and VIPs fled to Saudi Arabia. The general public was left behind to fend for themselves. Over 1,70,000 of those stranded in Kuwait were Indians. India kicked off the evacuation process in which over 1,70,000 Indians were airlifted and repatriated to India.
- Operation Sukoon (2006): As Israel and Lebanon broke into military conflict in July 2006, India rescued its stranded citizens by launching this operation, which is now famously known as the ‘Beirut Sealift’. It was the largest naval rescue mission since the ‘Dunkirk’ evacuation.
- Operation Safe Homecoming (2011): To bring back Indian citizens stranded in conflict-torn Libya.
- Operation Maitri (2015): It is the joint relief and rescue operation by the Indian government and the Indian Armed forces in the aftershock of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. The joint Army-Air Force operation brought over 5,000 Indians back from Nepal by Air Force and civilian planes. The Indian army successfully evacuated 170 foreign nationals from the US, the UK, Russia, and Germany.
- Operation Raahat (2015): In 2015, a conflict raged between the Yemeni govt and Houthi rebels. Thousands of Indians were stranded, and Yemen was not accessible by air due to a no-fly zone announced by Saudi Arabia. Under Operation Raahat, India evacuated nearly 5,600 people from Yemen.
- Operation Samudra Setu (2020): It was a naval operation as part of the national effort to bring home Indian citizens from overseas during the Covid-19 pandemic. It successfully brought back 3,992 Indian citizens to their homeland by sea. Indian Naval ships Jalashwa (Landing Platform Dock), Airavat, Shardul, and Magar (Landing Ship Tanks) participated in this operation which lasted over 55 days and involved traversing more than 23,000 km by sea.
- Vande Bharat (2020): When the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world, the Centre launched the Vande Bharat Mission to bring back Indian citizens stranded in foreign countries. In the multiple phases of the operation, about 60 lahks Indians were brought back as of 30th April 2021.
- Operation Devi Shakti (2021): An evacuation operation by the IAF was kicked off in August 2021 to safely bring back Indian nationals from Afghanistan after the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul, the capital city of the Taliban.
- Operation Ganga (2022): It is an evacuation mission to bring back all the Indian nationals who are currently stranded in Ukraine. The tensions between Russia and Ukraine are currently heightened.
Conclusion and way forward
- With about 14 million non-resident Indians and more than seven million tourists and travellers each year, there is practically no conflict today that does not affect an Indian citizen. Given that many work in the most dangerous environments — examples being students in Ukraine, nurses in Iraq or Yemen, or labourers in Libya, Syria and Lebanon — the responsibility of the government to help those without the means to return to safety is greater.
- As a result, a standard operating procedure, and even possibly a special force to deal with such crises — as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee for External Affairs, in 2022 — must be considered by the government.
- It is also essential that crises like this, be devoid of political grand-standing or finger-pointing, and that unseemly public spats over the evacuation, or unnecessary controversies over garnering domestic political mileage be avoided.
- India is admired for its reputation and ability to harness all its resources in rescuing every single citizen in any corner of the world, every time they are in need. That reputation must remain intact.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
According to a report, the out-of-pocket expenditure as a percentage of total health costs in India decreased from around 62% in 2014-15 to 47% in 2019-2020. This indicates a positive trend towards decreasing financial burden on individuals for healthcare expenses.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons for decline in out-of-pocket expenditure and further measures needed to reduce the financial burden.
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:
Start by giving statistics related to reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure.
Body:
First, write about the reasons for decline in out-of-pocket expenditure – implementation of government-funded health insurance schemes and increased public spending on healthcare, equitable healthcare system etc.
Next, write about further steps that can be taken in this regard – improving the quality and accessibility of public healthcare services, exploring innovative financing mechanisms, and focusing on preventive healthcare measures etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a forward.
Introduction
Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) is the money paid directly by households, at the point of receiving health care. This occurs when services are neither provided free of cost through a government health facility, nor is the individual covered under any public or private insurance or social protection scheme.
According to a report, the out-of-pocket expenditure as a percentage of total health costs in India decreased from around 62% in 2014-15 to 47% in 2019-2020. This indicates a positive trend towards decreasing financial burden on individuals for healthcare expenses.
Factors responsible for the decline of out-of-pocket expenditure
- Reduced cost of health services
- The fall in OOPE is attributed to theincreased utilisation of government health facilities and reduction in the cost of services at these facilities.
- Increased Government health spending
- Government Health Expenditure’s share in country’s total GDP increases from 1.13% (2014-15) to 1.35% (2019-20)
- Share of Government Health Expenditure in Total Health Expenditure increases from 29% (2014-15) to 41.4% (2019-20)
- Per capita Government spending on healthcare doubles
- State governments urged to move ahead in healthcare spending as percentage of their total budget
- the increased public spending in primary healthcare, which is in line with National Health policy 2017 where it states that two-thirds of public health spending must be in Primary Health systems.
- Share of Primary Health Care:
- The share of primary healthcare in current Government health expenditure has increased from 1% in 2013-14 to 54.7% in 2017-18.
- Primary and secondary care accounts for more than 80% of the current Government health expenditure.
- This is also a result of great developments/initiatives taken at grassroot level such as opening of over 1.6 lakh Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) which are providing plethora of health services to the people.
- Social Security Expenditure on Health:
- Also the share of social security expenditure on health, which includes the social health insurance programme, Government financed health insurance schemes,and medical reimbursements made to Government employees, has
Impact of this trend on the overall healthcare system in India
- The continuous decline in the OOPE in the overall health spending show progress towards ensuring financial protection and Universal Health Coverage for citizens.
- Reduces financial hardships.
- An increase in social security has a direct impact on reducing out-of-pocket payments.
- A robust social security mechanism ensures that individuals will not face financial hardship and the risk of poverty as a consequence of accessing essential healthcare services.
- Increases the disposable income of individuals leading to a push in consumption in the economy.
Further steps to reduce OOPE
- The state governments should move ahead in healthcare spending as percentage of their total budget to about 8% which is currently 4-5% for many states. This spending must be in line with the bigger picture of benefiting the citizens.
- The setting up of new facilities will have to address imbalances at three levels- Regional, specialties, and ratio of medical doctors to nurses and other healthcare professionals.
- Investments in other medical colleges shall be encouraged to possibly bring down costs and ramp up quality of health services.
- Emphasising on Public Private Partnerships (PPP)in other clinical procedures and hospitals and leveraging private sector expertise in the vaccination drive for a quicker and successful achievement of the target.
- Incentivising R&D (Research and Development) by additional tax deductionsto further support greater investments in new drug developments and reducing GST on life-saving and essential drugs.
- To prepare the existing healthcare workforce to provide the people the proposed healthcare facilities, it is important to give significant attention to their training, re-skilling, and knowledge upgradation.
Conclusion
Reduction in OOPE going hand in hand with increased public spending in healthcare showcases the right trajectory towards achieving the milestones of universal health coverage.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , education.nationalgeographic.org
Why the question:
The article argues that removing the concept of evolution from NCERT textbooks in India is a disservice to children as it denies them the opportunity to learn that change is an opportunity.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about Darwin’s theory, its significance and criticism.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by defining Darwin’s evolution theory.
Body:
Firstly, in detail, mention the various aspects of the theory and explain them with examples.
Next, write about the significance of the theory – development of complex biological structures and diverse species on Earth through gradual changes over time. It has transformed our understanding of the natural world and has practical applications in various fields etc.
Next, write the various criticism of the theory – gaps in the fossil record or religious and philosophical objections.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
Charles Darwin was a British naturalist who proposed the theory of biological evolution by natural selection. Darwin defined evolution as “descent with modification,” the idea that species change over time, give rise to new species, and share a common ancestor.
The Theory of Evolution by natural selection was first formulated in Charles Darwin’s book “On the Origin of Species published in 1859. In his book, Darwin describes how organisms evolve over generations through the inheritance of physical or behavioral traits.
Body
Postulates of Darwin’s theory
- Over-production or prodigality of over-production: Many more individuals are born each generation than will be able to survive and reproduce.
- Variation and Heredity: There is natural variation among individuals et the same species. Many of the favorable adaptations are hereditary and are passed on to the progeny of future generations. Darwin, like Lamarck believed in an incorrect theory of heredity: however, he interpreted the process in the proper context. Darwin himself was not satisfied with his blending theory of inheritance and as early as 1857 he wrote a letter to Huxley for an alternative to it.
- Struggle for existence: Organic beings increase by a geometrical ratio, while food production only increases in an arithmetic ratio. So that in a very short time, an area will be overpopulated with any one species, unless something happens to check the increase as a result there is a struggle for existence which is threefold as given below.
- Intraspecific struggle: The Intraspecific struggle is found among the Individuals of the same species. The competition is heavy in case of intraspecific struggle because the needs and requirements of the members of the same species are the same who live in the same environment. It is the most severe check on the rate of reproduction.
- Interspecific struggle: – It is found among organisms of different species living together. Members of one species struggle with other species for similar requirements i.e., food, shelter, and mating.
- Struggle with the environment: Living organisms struggle with adverse environmental conditions like floods, cold waves, heat waves, and earthquakes, etc.
- Survival of the fittest or natural selection: Individuals with certain Characteristics have a better chance of surviving and reproducing than others with less favorable ones. (This is the concept of the survival of the fittest through favorable adaptations to the conditions of life).
- Modifications of species: Gradual modification of species could have occurred over the long periods of geological time through additive processes occurring in the past in the same manner as they are occurring in the present.
Significance of the theory
- Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection is the only scientific explanation for the spectacular diversity of life on Earth.
- It provides a powerful framework for understanding nature and is one of the essential theories at the very core of science.
- Charles Darwin’s theories had a deep impact on the understanding of the evolution of human life.
- There is great importance of Darwin’s theory and its impact was not limited to science itself.
- Darwin’s theory, which combined with genetics make up the modern theory of evolution, is the theory of the evolution of life.
- Darwin was the first to describe this evolution and simultaneously explain how it took place. He did not have all the answers. But he knew that a natural explanation would suffice.
- Consequently, he established the foundation for all modern science.
- After Darwin, no scientific field has needed anything else.
Shortcomings of Darwin’s theory
- Darwin’s explanation is inadequate because selection creates nothing, merely eliminates or preserves already existing variations without indicating their cause, which is the main question.
- Individual difference that may give rise to variations affect the reproductive cells little or not at all.
- A number of useless or non-adaptive characters or organs could not have arisen by natural selection. In this connection, Darwin said that we are no sure of the non-adaptive nature of these organs.
- Overspecialized organ such as the huge antlers of the Irish deer cannot be explained on the basis of natural selections.
- There is doubt about the struggle for existence being as fierce as it had been supposed to be.
- It cannot account for degeneracy of certain characters.
- The superiority or inferiority of one individual as compared to another of the same species is apparently not the result of the development of a particular characteristic, but rather of the general capacity of the organism.
Conclusion
The theory of origin of species by natural selection is regarded as a major advancement in evolutionary thought. Darwin contributed to the modern understanding of biological evolution by documenting the variation of living forms and identifying the key process of natural selection. Like most nineteenth century scientists, however, he did not understand heredity or how specific traits are passed from one generation to the next. His theory lacked the knowledge of modern genetics. However, mutation theory explained the causes of variations among organisms.
However, Darwin’s theory of evolution helped in removing all the conventional old beliefs which said that the formation of various species was a supernatural phenomenon or act of the Almighty. Darwin’s evolutionary theory of natural selection gave a more rational explanation with respect to the formation of new species.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
6. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote.
Body:
Write about difference that people say one thing and do not follow it up with action. Mentions that practising what one preaches is the hallmark of one’s character. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
“Virtues are formed in man by his doing the actions,” Aristotle said. The writer Will Durant interpreted it thusly: “We are what we repeatedly do… therefore excellence is not an act, but a habit.”
This aphoristic observation echoes a post-Victorian meme of hard work, repetition, diligence. These are also a form of back-handed jibe against the one-off, the single flash of brilliance, the moment in the sun. Excellence, in Aristotle’s characterisation, has something of the Zen thinking of a thousand years later: repetition, honing and persistence. Indeed, one could even argue that the pursuit of excellence is as important as achieving excellence.
Body
Our character, basically, is a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, habits constantly express our character and produce our effectiveness – or our in effectiveness.
In other words, Excellence isn’t this thing you do one time. It’s a way of living. It’s foundational. It’s like an operating system and the code this system operates on is habit.
As Epictetus would later say, “capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running… therefore, if you want to do something, make a habit of it.” So if we want to be happy, if we want to be successful, if we want to be great, we have to develop the capability, we have to develop the day-to-day habits that allow this to ensue.
Excellence is what that has been continuously overcome the constraints and loopholes. It is neither a one top shot nor embracing a zenith rather its reaching to a state where you balance your deeds, duty and authority. Example: Nelson Mandela was in island jail for 27 years and then he became the president of South Africa.
Conclusion
In todays’ modern world where competition is the only means of survival good habits come in handy. Economic uncertainty, Personal adversity these things can sink you or they can be opportunities to improve. They can be obstacles you triumph over or setbacks that bring you to your knees. Habits answer that question. If you can cultivate good habits, you can survive—even thrive on—what lies ahead. If you relapse and fall to the level of your worst habits, these hard times will only be harder.
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
7. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote and highlighting its core meaning about importance of truth.
Body:
Write about facts can be manipulated and manufactures to suits the narrative. Give examples of justify your points. Mention that despite facts may point to different things generally the truth is only one.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
Introduction
A fact is something that’s indisputable, based on empirical research and quantifiable measures. Facts go beyond theories. They’re proven through calculation and experience, or they’re something that definitively occurred in the past.
Truth is entirely different; it may include fact, but it can also include belief. Oftentimes, people will accept things as true because they fall closer to their comfort zones, are assimilated easily into their comfort zones, or reflect their preconceived notions of reality.
Body
Firstly, truths are not necessarily facts and facts are not necessarily true however this does not mean that they cannot coexist. A great example of oppression where the truths and facts are worlds apart is when opposition parties use facts for their propaganda. For instance, at one point in time, 50% Indians were vaccinated with one dose while 20% were given two doses. The opposition party stated that only 20% were fully vaccinated while the government said that 50% of Indians were vaccinated. Both are facts, but the truth is based on how the facts were perceived.
The difference between fact and truth is that fact is something that exists in real form, while Truth is the true state of a particular thing or a matter like a person, place, animal or thing. Well, facts are things that can be seen visually and can be verified properly. Fact is indisputable while truth is acceptable. To call something a fact is, presumably, to make a claim that it is true. This isn’t a problem for many things, although defending such a claim can be harder than you think.
Truth used to be an absolute. In today’s world, it feels less so. While facts have always been cherry-picked to make an argument stand, the ability to see and understand the context of those facts used to be more of a constant.
In this post-truth era, perception is real, truth is not. Here, one chooses the narrative first and the facts will follow. And the data will meekly fit into the groove because, like water, it takes the shape of the container in which the narrative is served. Once you have picked your own narrative, you have chosen your own truth, a truth untainted by objective reality.
Conclusion
From an endless stream of political misinformation to inescapable lies on social media, the signs that we are living in a post-truth world are hard to ignore. Thus, there must be earnest efforts to ensure that truth is upheld despite many facts.
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