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General Studies – 1
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
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 the significance of Vaikom Satyagraha.
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:
Write about the Vaikom Satyagraha – peaceful civil rights movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed to challenge the practice of untouchability, committed to nonviolence and were able to overcome the opposition through their peaceful protests and demonstrations.
Next, write about the significance of the above and its legacy.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2.
Key Demand of the question:
To differentiate between a money bill and a financial Bill along with relevant constitutional provisions and contentious issue with money bill.
Directive word:
Compare and contrast – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Given context of Articles 110 and 117 of the Indian Constitution.
Body:
Compare and contrast the money bills and financial bills on the following – while both money bills and financial bills deal with financial matters, lies in their origination, the requirement of the President’s recommendation, the process of passage, the role of the Rajya Sabha, and the Speaker’s certification etc. Give examples to substantiate.
Next, throw light on the present controversy related to money bill and how often used as a tool for bypassing the Rajya Sabha, which can only make recommendations on such bills.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving your balanced opinion.
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , moneycontrol.com , Insights on India
Why the question:
With Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) merging with the NDA at the Centre following the declaration of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election results, and pledging the party’s support to the BJP, the Special Category Status (SCS) issue for Andhra Pradesh has come to the spotlight again.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about performance of SCS and changes required in SCS.
Directive word:
Critically 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by mentioning the aims and objectives behind the grant of SCS.
Body:
First, mention the various criteria on which SCS is granted to states that face geographical and socio-economic disadvantages. Mention the various benefits associated with it.
Next, analyse the performance of states granted SCS over the years. With facts and examples write as to what extent they befitted from the grant of SCS. Mention the drawbacks of grant of SCS.
Next, write about the changes needed in the SCS categorisation and steps required for the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion about SCS.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Why the question:
Elevated prices that are no longer rising fast are often seen as ‘inflation’. The US shouldn’t need to argue about standard economic metrics. Maybe it’s time to talk of the non-economic reasons for gloom in the US.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about inflation, its impact and measures needed to keep it under control.
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 inflation.
Body:
First, write about the impact of moderate and high inflation on various macroeconomic parameters – purchasing power, growth, cost of living, availability of credit and exchange rates etc.
Next, write about the measures that are taken to keep inflation under tolerable limits – the monetary policy measures, fiscal policy measures and price control measures.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
UNESCO’s State of Ocean Report highlights key knowledge gaps in research & data on spiking oceanic warming.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of ocean warming and measures needed to counter 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:
Begin by giving context and cite statistic to substantiate the same.
Body:
First, explain that covering about 70 percent of the Earth’s surface; the world’s oceans have a two-way relationship with weather and climate. The oceans influence the weather on local to global scales, while changes in climate can fundamentally alter many properties of the oceans.
Next, write about as greenhouse gases trap more energy from the sun, the oceans are absorbing more heat, resulting in an increase in sea surface temperatures and rising sea level. Changes in ocean temperatures and currents brought about by climate change will lead to alterations in climate patterns around the world.
Next, write about the impact of the above. Give examples in support of answer.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of focussing on the action and not on the outcome.
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 regarding the difference between intent and action.
Body:
Write about importance of focusing on the present moment and the action being performed, rather than worrying about the potential outcomes or rewards that may come from it. Mention as to what happens when the outcome of the action is more emphasised rather than the intent of the action. One tends to lose their path to have favourable outcomes rather than sticking to original intent. Cite examples to elaborate.
Conclusion:
Give a concise summation of your views to conclude the answer.
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7. The nature of virtues encompasses both innate and learned aspects. Analyse. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
write about the nature of virtues – if they are innate or they can be learnt.
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 that virtues are not innate but can be learned through education, reflection, and practice. He believed that individuals must be taught and trained to develop virtues, and that the development of virtues required a lifelong process of education and reflection.
Next, write a counter view to the above – the innate nature of virtues.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced view on the above issue.
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