[MISSION 2024] Insights SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 13 December 2023

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General Studies – 1

Topic: population and associated issues

1. With Indian becoming world’s most populous nation in 2023, it offers opportunities as well as poses a lot of concerns. It will depend on how the government frames policies and strategies to effectively unleash the full potential of its young people. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about to opportunities and concerns associated with a large population and need for proper policymaking to reach the full potential of population.

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 context.

Body:

First, write about the advantages of a having a large population – demographic dividend, More working-age population, more tax revenues and high growth rate etc.

Next, write about the disadvantages of a having a large population – resource crunch, high rate of poverty and hunger, unemployment etc.

Next, write about the need to have proper policymaking and strategy to reap the full potential of India’s demographic dividend and components of policy.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

2. Assess the vulnerability of India to earthquakes. Discuss the factors that have led to an increase in the number of earthquakes in the country. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Why the question:

There has been an increase in the number of earthquakes in January to November, 2023 compared to the last three years, Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju told the Lok Sabha

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the vulnerability of India to earthquakes and reasons of the increase in the number of earthquakes

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 vulnerability of India to earthquakes. Draw a map showing different seismic zones.

Next, write about the factors that have led to an increase in the number of earthquakes in the country – activation of Almora Fault, increased dam seismicity etc.

Next, write about several measures the government needs to take mitigate their impact – building codes and standards, retrofitting old buildings, early warning systems, education and awareness, and emergency response planning.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 2

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

3. The increase in education has not led to an increase in salaried jobs for women. Examine the reasons for low Female Labour Force Participation Rate in the country. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India

Why the question:

The share of women in regular salaried jobs in urban India dropped from 54% in the first quarter (April to June 2023) to 52.8% in the second quarter (July to September), according to quarterly Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the reasons for low Female Labour Force Participation Rate and measures needed to improve 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 citing statistic regards to Female Labour Force Participation Rate in the country.

Body:

First, write about the reasons for low Female Labour Force Participation Rate in the country – educational enrolment of young women, lack of employment opportunities, effect of household income on participation etc.

Next, write about the various measures that are needed for promoting women in labour force.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

4. Public goods create a foundation for inclusive growth by ensuring that essential services, resources, and opportunities are widely available. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

The article discusses the public goods matter in the poverty debate.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the benefits and potential of Public Goods and their role in inclusive growth.

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 Public Goods with examples.

Body:

First, further elaborate on the role of Public Goods and its role in achieving inclusive growth – fostering inclusive growth by addressing market failures and promoting the well-being of the entire society etc. Cite examples to substantiate.

Next, write about limitations of the public goods in achieving inclusive growth.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a balanced opinion regarding the above.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

5. Addressing urban floods in the country requires a comprehensive approach that involves better urban planning, sustainable infrastructure development, and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of both natural and human-made factors contributing to urban floods. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:

The southern and northern areas of Chennai experienced severe flooding; the only exceptions were the central parts. The neighbouring districts of Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur were equally affected.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the various causes of urban floods and ways 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: 

Begin by explaining what is an urban flood.

Body:

Next, Mention the man-made causes of urban floods such as lake bed encroachments, deforestation etc.

Next, write about the natural causes of urban floods.

Next, write about the measures needed to mitigate urban floods – Better planning, sustainable infrastructure, city wise strategic approach and recourse in the building codes and by-laws of cities to ensure proper drainage channels and provision for perforation of rainfall into ground water to avoid urban floods.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

General Studies – 4

Topic: role of Family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

6. Family is the foundation on which values are built and a strong familial value system transforms children in to adults who contribute to an orderly and peaceful society. Discuss. (150 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of Mission-2024 Secure.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the ways to strengthen moral character among civil servants.

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 of family as foundation for value system.

Body:

Elaborate upon moral values like respect, truthfulness, tolerance, happiness, honesty, loyalty, peace, justice, responsibility, self-restraint are instilled in the thoughts, feelings and actions of the children and they function as ethics and principles that govern their actions in the life. Substantiate with examples.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing the importance of family in strengthening moral values.

Topic: Case Study

7. Titu is hesitant to talk about his work. All the 32-year-old is willing to say is that he is a cleaner. In reality, Titu and many other manual scavengers like him dive into sewer tanks to flush out stagnant filth inside. In the name of protective gear, all they have is a belt tied around their torso and attached to a rope.

Titus’s plight resonates with thousands of his brethren who continue to do this work that is prohibited by laws. Since Independence, the Indian government has adopted several measures and policies to end this practice. The Civil Rights Act of 1955 protects anyone from being forced to engage in manual scavenging. The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Con­struction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act of 1993, and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 that the Indian Parliament has pas­sed, all reaffirm its commitment to eradicating manual scavenging. Further, on March 27, 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that India’s Con­­­stitution requires the government to intervene to prohibit manual scavenging and to “reh­abilitate” all those involved.

Many manual scavengers have lost their life due to toxic fumes in the pits and this inhuman practise has continued unabated. (250 words)

1. 1. 1. As an administrator what measures will you take to combat manual scavenging?
      2. What steps will you take as administrator for successful rehabilitation of manual scavengers like Titu?

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of Mission-2024 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by giving context.

Body:

1. Write about various steps that you will take to end the practise of Manual scavenging.
   Mention the Write about various steps that you will take rehabilitate manual scavengers.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising.

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