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General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian Art
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The New Indian Express
Why the question:
As Vidhushini Prasad, founder of Madhubani Arts India exhibits her collection at Aakruthi Vastra 2024 at N Convention, Madhapur, she provides insights into this traditional art form.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyze the impact of modernization and globalization on traditional folk arts in India and propose measures to protect these art forms from decline.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly introduce traditional folk arts in India and their cultural significance.
Body:
- Firstly, mention the Impact of Modernization on Traditional Folk Arts: Changing Lifestyles and Preferences, technological advancements leading to mass production, and economic impact on traditional artists.
- In the second part, mention the Impact of Globalization on Traditional Folk Arts: Cultural Homogenization, commercialization and competition. Also provides positive impacts like – opportunities to reach a global audience and gain international recognition, fusion and revival of traditional arts in new, innovative forms.
- At last, write the measures that can be taken to Protect Traditional Folk Arts from Decline- policy support, community engagement, economic incentives, use of technology etc.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, mention the importance of preserving traditional folk arts as a vital component of India’s cultural heritage and identity.
Topic: Modern Indian History
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Frontline
Why the question:
In ‘Circles of Freedom’, T.C.A. Raghavan profiles the forgotten freedom fighter and his friends, set against the independence movement and Partition.
Key Demand of the question:To analyze the role of Aruna Asaf Ali in the 1942 Quit India Movement and discuss how her participation symbolized the broader involvement and contributions of women in India’s struggle for independence.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Introduce Aruna Asaf Ali and her notable role in the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Body:
- Firstly, Discuss Aruna Asaf Ali’s Role in the 1942 Quit India Movement: leading the movement hoisting the Indian National flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan, role in organizing and leading protests and demonstrations against British rule during the movement. Defiance against British, and Underground activities.
- Next, mention the Broader Involvement of Women in India’s Independence Struggle: like the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) and the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-34) and their active role in QIM. Role of women in education and social reforms etc.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, emphasizes the lasting impact of women’s participation in the independence movement on gender equality and social reforms in post-independence India.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Difficulty level: Moderate
References: The Hindu, Insights on India
Why the question:
With India being the only country common to both Quad and BRICS and a founding member of both, it cannot afford to downplay one for the other. The question is based on the recent article published in The Hindu -“The importance of both Quad and BRICS”.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyse the contrasting dilemmas India faces as a member of plurilateral groups on both sides of the geo-strategic divide and the implications of such memberships.
Directive:
Analyse – This requires a detailed examination of the contrasting dilemmas and their implications, supported by relevant facts and examples.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Introduce India’s membership in key plurilateral groups such as Quad and BRICS.
Body:
First part: Contrasting Dilemmas
Discuss the strategic and economic objectives of groups like Quad and BRICS.
Highlight the conflicting interests and alignments of these groups. (e.g., aligning with Western powers in Quad vs. maintaining strategic autonomy in BRICS).
Second part: Discuss the balancing act India needs to perform to leverage benefits from both groups without antagonising any side.
Mention India’s diplomatic strategies to navigate these dilemmas effectively.
Conclusion:
Emphasise the need for a nuanced and balanced foreign policy approach to manage these contrasting dilemmas.
Topic: Indian Constitution- Amendments and various interpretations of Judiciary.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static theme of the GS-2 paper syllabus.
Key Demand of the question:
To explain how the Indian Constitution adapts and evolves over time to meet contemporary needs and reflect the current spirit of the nation.
Directive:
Elucidate – Provide a detailed explanation with examples.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly introduce the Indian Constitution as a dynamic and evolving framework.
Body:
First part: Adaptability and Amendments
Discuss the amendment process and how it allows the Constitution to evolve (e.g., various amendments like the 73rd and 74th Amendments for Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies).
Highlight significant amendments that reflect changing societal values and needs.
Second Part: Judicial Interpretation
Explain how judicial review and interpretation by the Supreme Court help in keeping the Constitution relevant (e.g., the Basic Structure Doctrine, progressive judgments on privacy and LGBTQ+ rights).
Third part: Legislative Changes
Describe how new laws and policies are framed in accordance with the constitutional spirit to address contemporary issues (e.g., Right to Information Act, 2005, Goods and Services Tax (GST)).
Conclusion:
Summarise the adaptability and evolving nature of the Indian Constitution. Emphasise its role as a living document that continues to guide and reflect the aspirations of the nation.
General Studies – 3
Topic-Indian Economy: Unemployment
Difficulty level: Moderate
Source: The Hindu
Why this question:
The India Employment Report (IER) 2024, published by the Institute for Human Development and the International Labour Organization, shows that there was a steep and steady upward trend of female LFPR from 24.6% in 2018 to 36.6% in 2022 in rural India. It also increased by around 3.5% from 20.4% in 2018 in urban areas. This is in contrast with male LFPR, which rose marginally by 2% in rural areas and almost stagnant in urban areas.
Key demands of the question:
The question must analyse the factors supporting the increase in Female LFPR in rural India, its benefits and challenges and strategies to address them.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
A good start can be made through some facts highlighting the importance of the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) among females in India, and its increase in rural India.
Body
The body of the answer addresses the following dimensions:
Reasons behind the increase in female LFPR, in comparison with other countries.
Opportunities and benefits due to this
Mention the challenges in further increasing female LFPR.
Next, mention how to address them.
Conclusion
In conclusion – unlocking the potential of women definitely requires an increase and shift in the composition of overall employment opportunities as well as the questioning of societal strictures. As the country commends itself on world-leading economic growth and aspires towards a trillion economy, it becomes necessary to take women along to make this goal a reality.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Microsoft CrowdStrike outage: On July 19, supermarkets, banks, hospitals, airports, and many other services in between suffered a simultaneous blackout after a common software solution using Microsoft, glitched.
Key Demand of the question: To write about the impact of the outage and how to safeguard against such events.
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 presenting them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving context about the recent outage.
Body:
First, write about the impact of the outage on various sectors.
Next, explain the importance of preventing such outages. Then, mention what are the challenges in protecting critical infrastructure, against cyberattacks such as ransomware and phishing.
Next, suggest global and India measures to protect and build deep technology in cyber security systems
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
General Studies – 4
Difficulty level: Medium
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Recently several issues regarding the utilization of service have been in the news including the Karnataka Valmiki Development Corporation case issue.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction: Begin by linking the context of the question with a recent example.
Body:
- First, mention about utilization of funds.
- Then explain how it faces various ethical challenges in utilization using examples.
- Lastly, mention strategies that can be used to resolve the challenges.
Conclusion: Summarize the above discussion in brief.
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