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General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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 compare and contrast the tenets of Buddhism and Jainism.
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:
Highlight a fact such as – Numerous religious sects arouse in the middle of Gangetic plains in the second half of the sixth century B.C. Of these sects, Buddhism and Jainism were the most important and they emerged as the most potent religious reform movement.
Body:
First, write about the similarities in the two religious philosophies such as – both were inspired by Upanishads, ideas of misery, caste, rituals etc.
Next, write about the differences such as in the aspects of – Moksha and means of its attainment, ahimsa, concept of soul etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
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 nature of architecture under Sultans of Delhi, its evolution and influence of earlier Indian architecture on them.
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 the with arrival of Turks, new form of architecture got introduced in India.
Body:
First, mention the major religious and secular structures constructed under the various dynasties of the Sultanate with a special reference to Tughlaq dynasty.
Next, write about significant and new changes in construction technologies introduced by the Sultans. Give examples of few monuments.
Next, mention the influences of earlier Indian architecture which was adopted by Sultans of Delhi. Cite examples by substantiating.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
President Draupadi Murmu administered oaths to the Central Council of Ministers of the new NDA government.
Key Demand of the question:
To write compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State in the Indian Parliament.
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 of Article 74 of the constitution.
Body:
Compare and contrast the roles and responsibilities of Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State in the Indian Parliament on the following parameters – position and rank, role and responsibilities, policy making, authority and decision-making, reporting and responsibility, leadership, powers, budget control, and meeting participation etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
Gender Gap Report 2024: India fares worse than Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the causes of gender gap prevalent in India, its impact, and role of improving political participation of women to bridge gender gap
Directive:
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 background of the issue and relevant statistics.
Body:
First, write about the Factors leading to gender gap viz. – low female labour force participation, significant wage disparity, and high dropout rates among girls, skewed sex ratio, gender-based violence etc.
Next, write about role of improving political participation of women to bridge gender gap – promotes inclusive governance, empowers women, and leads to more equitable policy-making.
Next, write about the steps that are needed to overcome the above issues and address the gender gap.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
The ongoing spell of extreme heat in many parts of the country has once again reopened discussions on the inclusion of heatwaves as one of the notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about heat waves and their increasing incidence and the need to include them in DM act, 2005.
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:
Start by defining a heat wave.
Body:
In the first part of the body, mention the causes behind increasing incidence heat waves in India. Write about the climatic factors and anthropogenic factors.
Next, write about the need to include heatwaves under DM act, 2005 – formal recognition would lead to better preparedness, resource allocation, and coordinated response efforts, ultimately reducing the health, economic, and social burdens of heatwaves etc.
Next, write about the bottlenecks to include heatwaves under DM act, 2005 etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing about measures that must be taken to tackle heatwaves in India.
Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The government on Tuesday unveiled its new Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers across the three services. The new defence recruitment reform, which has been cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security, will come into effect immediately, and the soldiers recruited under the scheme will be called Agniveers.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about Agnipath scheme, its benefits and risks; refroms needed in it.
Directive:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the writing about aims and objectives of Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers
Body:
Frist, discuss the key features of the scheme – recruitment, salary, duration and post tenure etc.
Next, write about the major benefits from the scheme.
Next, write about various concerns associated with the scheme in the short term and long term. Cite examples to substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to address these shortcomings.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;
Difficulty level: Tough
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:
First, explain moral indignation and substantiate with examples.
Next, write about the correlation of moral indignation with that of Jealousy with halo. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Summarise by highlighting the importance of the quote in the present day.
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