The Insights IAS Secure Initiative for UPSC Mains Answer Writing practice enables you to practice daily answer writing, enhancing your skills and boosting your scores with regular feedback, expert tips, and strategies. Let consistency be the hallmark of your preparation and utilize UPSC Mains Answer Writing practice initiative wisely
Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.
How to Follow Secure Initiative?
How to Self-evaluate your answer?
MISSION – 2024: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Join IPM 4.0 to get an assured review of 2 secure answers everyday
General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Moderate
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 critically comment on as to why Partition happened and responsibility of various individuals and organisations for 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 mentioning the divisive politics played by the British leading to communal tensions in the Indian society.
Body:
Discuss various factors that led to the Partition of India such as rising religious tensions, socio-economic differences between the Hindus and Muslims, role of British, Muslim League and Congress and important personalities involved and their political strategies.
Conclusion:
Conclude by mentioning that Partition was neither a result of a planned agenda nor by chance. It was cumulative outcome of various factors at play.
Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
Difficulty level: Moderate
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 reasons for and significance of Lucknow pact.
Directive word:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by giving the context.
Body:
First, Mention the various major events prior to it – split in the Congress into different ideologies namely – moderates and extremists, the rise of Swadeshi and Boycott movements and the formation of All India Muslim League and how British were playing the politics of divide and rule.
Next, Mention the details of need for Lucknow pact and the rising sentiment of self-rule among Indians as they realised that supporting the British in the World war was only causing loss of lives and erosion of Indian revenue and the Muslim league also sensed that the British interests weren’t aligned with their interests in the World war.
Mention the joint demands of the Congress-League alliance as part of the Lucknow pact.
Conclusion:
End the answer by the impact of Lucknow pact on the national movement.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
As the 18th Lok Sabha prepares to meet, the TDP and JD(U), key allies of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), are said to be jockeying for the post of Speaker.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the powers of Speaker and importance of his office.
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 Article 93 of the Indian Constitution.
Body:
First, in detail enumerate the various roles and personalities of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha in the functioning of our parliamentary democracy – As the presiding officer, the Speaker conducts sessions, maintains order, and ensures adherence to parliamentary procedures. They manage the business of the house, including scheduling debates and prioritizing bills, while remaining impartial and fair to all members.
Next, write about its significance – impartiality, authority in procedural matters, and representational roles are essential for the effective functioning of the Lok Sabha and the broader democratic process in India.
Conclusion:
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
The article explores a year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the United States, where U.S. President Joseph Biden rolled out the red carpet and the U.S. offered to restart the decade-old plan to transfer technology for jet engines to India.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the major areas of agreements and disagreements between India and U.S and ways to navigate the disagreements.
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 regarding the growth of the India-U.S relationship in the recent past.
Body:
In the first part, write about the US as India’s most comprehensive strategic partner, and cooperation between the two extends across multiple areas such as trade, defence, multilateralism, intelligence, cyberspace, civil nuclear energy, education, and healthcare.
Next, write about how even though in all these spheres they cooperate and are parallel in ideologies but not the same as both have diverged aspirations, and are based on different ideologies. Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Why the question:
Raising ambition, accelerating action: Towards enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions for forests noted major gaps in forest protection, management and restoration in terms of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Key Demand of the question:
To write about causes, consequences, and strategies for addressing deforestation in India, considering its wide-ranging impacts.
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 giving context for the issue of deforestation in India.
Body:
First, write about the primary drivers of deforestation in India, such as agricultural expansion, logging, urbanization, and infrastructure development. Discuss any regional or local factors contributing to deforestation.
Next, write about the environmental impacts, including loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecosystems, and climate change. Social consequences, such as displacement of indigenous communities and loss of livelihoods. Economic repercussions, such as impacts on timber industries and ecosystem services etc.
Next, write about the measures that are needed to prevent deforestation.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
Multiple operations were launched on June 10 to track at least two to three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants involved in the Katra bus attack, which left nine pilgrims dead and over 33 injured.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the ways to end cross-border terrorism in India.
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 how cross-border terrorism often originates from or is supported by neighboring countries, the historical and geopolitical factors that may hinder security cooperation with certain neighbours. Discuss issues related to trust deficit, conflicting interests, and sovereignty concerns that pose challenges to regional security collaboration.
Next, write about the steps that are needed to prevent the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Difficulty level: Tough
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:
To explain how one’s duty is determined by Kant’s Categorical Imperative.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with the basics of Kantian ideology of deontological ethics.
Body:
Explain Kant’s categorical imperative in detail.
Take each maxim of the imperative and write about how one’s duty should be guided by the principles and motivated by it irrespective of the ends, with suitable illustrations. The link between the maxim and one’s duty must be clear.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the importance of duty according to Kant.
Click here to Download the SECURE Questions in PDF Format
Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelHERE
Follow our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram ID HERE
Follow us on LinkedIn : HERE
