[MISSION 2023] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 5 May 2023

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Post-Independent Agrarian Reforms in India

1. How effective have the post-independent agrarian reforms been in remedying the harm caused by British agrarian policies? Briefly explain. (250 Words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: BS

Why the question:

The question is part of the static topic for Post-Independence History

Key Demand of the Question:

Evaluate the effectiveness of post-independent agrarian reforms in remedying the harm caused by British agrarian policies.

Directive: Briefly Explain – This directive requires you to provide a concise answer while covering all the essential points.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: Begin with a brief overview of the importance of agrarian policies in India and mention the significance of post-independent agrarian reforms.

Body:

Firstly, provide an overview of the British agrarian policies in India and how they negatively impacted Indian agriculture and farmers.

Next, discuss the post-independent agrarian reforms introduced by the government, such as the Land Ceiling Act, abolition of intermediaries, and green revolution.

Explain the aims of these reforms, and highlight how they intended to address the harm caused by British agrarian policies.

Evaluate the effectiveness of post-independent agrarian reforms in remedying the harm caused by British agrarian policies.

Provide evidence to support your argument, including any successes or limitations of these reforms.

Additionally, discuss any criticisms of post-independent agrarian reforms and any alternative measures suggested to address agrarian issues.

Conclusion:

Conclude by providing a final opinion on the effectiveness of post-independent agrarian reforms in remedying the harm caused by British agrarian policies. 

Topic: Salient features of the world’s physical geography.

2. Explaining the phenomenon of El Nino, discuss its impact on the world climate, including the Indian monsoon. (150 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference:  Hindustan Times

Why the question: 

A recent report has highlighted that “There is a 93% likelihood of at least one year until 2026 being the warmest on record, and a 50:50 chance of the global temperature temporarily reaching 1.5°C above the pre-industrial era—WMO”

Key Demand of the Question:

This question demands the candidate to provide a comprehensive explanation of the El-Nino phenomenon and its impact on the world climate, including the Indian monsoon. The candidate needs to elaborate on the factors leading to El Nino and its consequences.

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 them with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction: Start by providing a brief overview of El Nino and its occurrence.

Body:

Explain the El Nino phenomenon – its definition, causes, and the science behind it.

Discuss the impact of El-Nino on global climate – changes in temperature, weather patterns, and the occurrence of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.

Elaborate on the impact of El Nino on the Indian monsoon season – changes in rainfall patterns, temperatures, and the overall effect on the agricultural sector.

Provide examples from the recent WMO report.

Briefly discuss the measures taken by countries to mitigate the impact of El Nino on their economies and the environment.

Conclusion:

Conclude by highlighting the importance of understanding the El-Nino phenomenon and its impact on the world climate, including the Indian monsoon, and the measures that need to be taken to mitigate its impact.

General Studies – 2

 

Topic: Bilateral relations between countries

3. Examine the benefits of the India – UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) for  both economies as well as for the wider Gulf region. (250 Words)

Difficulty level: Difficult

Reference: IE Today’s Editorial

Why the question:

The question is taken from the article written by the UAE minister in the Indian Express editorial.

Key Demand of the Question:

This question asks one to write the major provisions of CEPA and how it will benefit both the countries and the wider region.

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 providing an overview of the India-UAE CEPA and its key provisions.

Body:

Examine the benefits of CEPA for both India and the UAE. This could include factors such as increased trade, investment, job creation, and economic growth.

Analyze the impact of CEPA on the wider Gulf region. You could consider how the agreement might impact other countries in the region, as well as its potential effects on regional economic integration and development.

Evaluate the potential drawbacks or challenges associated with CEPA.

Conclude:

You can mention any potential future developments and the role of CEPA in promoting regional economic cooperation and integration.

General Studies – 3

 

Topic: Liberalization of Economy: De-dollarisation and India’s interests.

4: What is meant by ‘de-dollarisation’? Discuss its pros and cons and steps taken by India in this regard. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: TH

Why the question: 

This is taken from The Hindu Article. While countries have tried to dethrone the dollar as the global reserve currency for many decades now for various reasons, of late such attempts have picked up pace in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year

Key demand:

The question demands an explanation of the concept of de-dollarisation, along with an analysis of its advantages and disadvantages. The answer should also highlight the steps taken by India to deal with this phenomenon. Structure of the answer:

Introduction: Start with a brief explanation of de-dollarisation and its growing relevance in the current global scenario.

Body:

Discuss the pros and cons of de-dollarisation. Pros could include reduced dependence on the US dollar, diversification of global reserve currencies, and increased sovereignty for countries. Cons could include currency instability, uncertainty in global markets, and potential geopolitical risks.

Explain the steps taken by India to deal with de-dollarisation, such as increasing its gold reserves, promoting the use of local currencies in trade, and signing currency swap agreements with other countries.

Conclusion:

Emphasize the importance of monitoring the de-dollarisation trend for countries’ economic stability and growth.

Topic: Environment Conservation

5. What is the EU’s Carbon Border Tax Mechanism and why is it worrying other countries, including India? (250 Words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: TH

Why the question: 

EU voted to approve a sweeping deal to reform the EU’s carbon market to cut emissions by 62% from 2005 levels by 2030. It has an impact on other countries, including India.

Key demand:

The question seeks to explain what the EU’s Carbon Border Tax Mechanism is, why it has raised concerns among other countries, and specifically, why it is worrying India.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: Provide a brief overview of the EU’s proposed Carbon Border Tax Mechanism and why it has been in the news lately. Body:

Definition of Carbon Border Tax Mechanism: Explain what CBAM is and how it works.

Objectives of CBAM: Discuss the goals and objectives of CBAM, such as reducing carbon leakage and promoting climate neutrality.

Concerns raised by other countries: Discuss the concerns raised by other countries, including India, such as the potential impact on trade and the need for fair and non-discriminatory implementation.

Why is India worried about CBAM?: Explain the specific reasons why India is worried about CBAM, such as the potential increase in the cost of exports and the need for adequate transitional measures.

Impact on India: Analyze the potential impact of CBAM on India’s economy, especially its exports to the EU.

Conclusion:

Provide a concluding remark on the potential implications of CBAM for the global economy and climate change.

General Studies – 4

 

Topic: Ethics in Public Administration

6. “When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property.” Thomas Jefferson. Examine in the context of public service. (150 Words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

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

Key Demand of the Question:

This question demands the candidate to analyze and explain the given quote by Thomas Jefferson in the context of public service. It requires the candidate to highlight the importance of considering oneself as public property after assuming public trust.

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 the concept of public trust and how it is related to public service.

Body:

Start with a brief introduction of the quote given by Thomas Jefferson.

Explain the significance of the quote in the context of public service.

Analyze the quote and discuss its implications for public officials in terms of accountability and responsibility towards the public.

Provide examples of instances where public officials who did not consider themselves as public property had to face severe criticism.

Discuss the role of public officials in maintaining public trust and how the lack of trust can hamper the growth of society.

Discuss how the government can ensure that public officials act in the public interest and are accountable for their actions.

Conclusion:

Summarize the main points discussed in the answer.

Topic: Case Study

7. Consider the following write-up titled “Polarisation of Social Media”: 1.49 billion people on average log onto Facebook daily; around 6,000 tweets are tweeted on Twitter every second. We become creators of data and information; our experiences in social media are dictated by algorithms. Social media drifted from its promise of exposing use to diverse opinions and expressions from miles beyond our location. Instead, we find ourselves to be more rigid versions of our former selves.
In 1950 Asch Conformity Experiments found that an individual was willing to go to the extent of giving a wrong answer just to conform to the majority view. The respondents gave wrong answers either because they did not want to be ridiculed or because they believed that the group was better informed than them. This continues even today and especially in case of fake news online, which is said to contribute to a polarised society.
In social media people get information only from people they trust and look for news that confirms their worldview. This results in people cultivating rigid opinions of issues that they would have probably been more willing to discuss in the past. Social media sites are responsible for encouraging this behaviour. Twitter, for example, will routinely prompt you to follow people who hold a viewpoint that is similar to yours. This just strengthens our biases.
A study this year on increasing social media polarisation found that algorithmic filtering has created this cycle of enforcing and reinforcing belief systems and ensuring that we don’t open our minds to diverse opinions.
While the democratisation of discourse that social media has brought about is undeniable and most welcome, we are getting trapped in narrower world views that are seeping into not only voter behaviour but everyday personal interactions. This is something we must be alarmed about.

Answer the following questions:
a. Define tolerance. What are the determinants that lead to the cultivation of tolerance in
one’s personality?
b. Do you agree with the author that social media has made us more intolerant than
before? (20 Marks, 250 Words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.

Introduction:

Start with a brief explanation of social media and its purpose of exposing people to diverse opinions and expressions. Discuss how social media has evolved from its original purpose to something that reinforces our existing beliefs and biases.

Body:

For Question a:

Define the concept of tolerance and discuss how it is an essential trait for a person to possess, especially in the current social and political climate.
Highlight the determinants that lead to the cultivation of tolerance in one’s personality. Use relevant examples from the case study to explain how social media affects the level of tolerance in individuals.

For Question b:

Discuss the author’s viewpoint on whether social media has made us more intolerant than before. Analyze the reasons behind this opinion, including the role of algorithms, information filtering, and echo chambers. Use relevant statistics and studies to support your argument. Provide counter-arguments if necessary and explain your stance on whether social media has contributed to increased intolerance.

Conclusion:

Suggest ways to mitigate the negative impact of social media on tolerance and encourage people to engage in more diverse opinions and open-minded discussions.

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