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General Studies – 1
Topic: Post-Independence
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights Ias
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyze the uneven impact of the Green Revolution on different regions of India, as well as the socio-economic inequalities that it reinforced or created, especially in terms of landholding patterns, access to technology, and social stratification.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Introduce the Green Revolution as a policy initiative aimed at increasing agricultural productivity through the use of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers, irrigation, and modern farming techniques.
Body:
- Firstly, write the regional disparities created due to effects of green revolution- Concentration in Certain Regions, largely focused on wheat and rice crops, Limited Impact in Rain-fed Areas, etc.
- Next mention the about the Socio-economic Inequalities created – Benefit to Large Landholders, Marginalization of Small and Marginal Farmers, Exclusion of Non-cereal Farmers, etc.
- Next, write the way forward.
Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for inclusive agricultural policies that address the disparities created by the Green Revolution, focusing on small and marginal farmers, rain-fed areas, and crops beyond wheat and rice.
Topic: Post-Independence
Q2. Discuss the causes and consequences of the Indo-Pak war of 1971. 10M
Difficulty level: easy
Reference: Insights ias
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To examine the causes and consequences of the Indo-Pak War of 1971, including the domestic, regional, and international factors that led to the conflict and the outcomes that followed.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Introduce the Indo-Pak War of 1971 as a defining moment in South Asian history, leading to the creation of Bangladesh and fundamentally altering the political dynamics between India and Pakistan.
Body:
- In first part, mention the Causes of the Indo-Pak War of 1971 – Ethnic and Linguistic Discrimination in East Pakistan, Ethnic and Linguistic Discrimination in East Pakistan, Ethnic and Linguistic Discrimination in East Pakistan, etc.
- Secondly, write the Consequences of the Indo-Pak War of 1971- Creation of Bangladesh, Humanitarian and Refugee Crisis, Indo-Pak Relations and Militarization, etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by noting that the 1971 war left a lasting impact on Indo-Pak relations, contributing to the continued rivalry and militarization between the two nations.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
For India’s Critical Minerals Mission to succeed, New Delhi will have to find ways to leverage its existing partnerships with countries in Africa.
Key Demand of the Question:
Identify the unique advantages that India can leverage to build partnerships in Africa amid the shifting geopolitical landscape, with a focus on critical minerals.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly set the context of Africa’s search for alternative partnerships in a geopolitically complex environment.
Body:
Unique Advantages India Can Leverage:
Historical Ties and Shared Values, Development Cooperation, Economic Complementarities, South-South Cooperation
Critical Minerals Mission: Access to Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.
Conclusion:
Emphasize India’s potential to strengthen its partnerships in Africa aligning with African aspirations for growth, self-reliance, and sustainable development.
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures—Structure, Functioning
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Economic Times
Why the question:
The parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is set to look into allegations against Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chief.
Key Demand of the Question:
Examine the role of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in ensuring financial accountability of the executive to the Parliament and identify the challenges it faces.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly introduce the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and its mandate to uphold financial accountability.
Body:
First part: Role of PAC in Upholding Financial Accountability:
Scrutiny of Government Expenditure, Ensuring Transparency, Recommendations for Reforms
Second part: Challenges Faced by PAC:
Limited Enforcement Powers, Dependence on CAG Reports, Political Influence
Conclusion:
Suggest the need for strengthening its powers and autonomy to enhance its effectiveness.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Internal Security
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the Question:
The ongoing anti-Naxalite operations have dealt severe blows to Maoist cadres, but concerns about the collateral impact on tribal communities and activists remain. It’s critical to analyze how India can sustain security efforts without alienating vulnerable populations.
Key Demand of the Question:
Analyze the dual challenge of countering Maoist insurgency while ensuring that security operations do not trample on tribal rights and civil liberties.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Introduce the recent success of anti-Naxalite operations, such as “Operation Prahar,” and the associated concerns regarding the potential repression of tribal communities.Body:
First part: Challenges in Combating Maoist Insurgency:
- Persistent Maoist presence in forested regions of south Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
- The strain on intelligence gathering and coordination among paramilitary and police forces.
- Balancing the aggressive operations with the need to prevent alienation of tribal communities.
Second part: Protection of Tribal Rights and Ensuring Fair Governance:
- Reports of peaceful activists and tribals being targeted alongside insurgents.
- Civil society’s concerns about human rights violations and repression.
- Importance of development and inclusion in underdeveloped regions to address root causes of insurgency.
Conclusion:
Highlight the need for a balanced approach, where security operations are coupled with governance reforms and protection of tribal rights to ensure long-term peace and stability.
Topic: Public Distribution System (PDS) Reforms
Difficulty Level: Tough
Reference: The Hindu
Why the Question:
The article highlights how reforms under the NFSA have significantly reduced leakages in the PDS, improving its role in ensuring food security. It also outlines the ongoing challenges, such as exclusion errors and inefficiencies caused by inappropriate innovations like biometric authentication.
Key Demand of the Question:
Analyze the positive impacts of PDS reforms under the NFSA, including reduced leakages and expanded coverage, while discussing the persistent challenges that hinder its full effectiveness.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly introduce the NFSA and its mandate to ensure food security through reforms in the PDS. Mention the initial concerns regarding PDS efficiency and the high leakage rates prior to the NFSA.Body:
- Impact of NFSA Reforms:
- Reduction in Leakages: The NSS Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022-23 shows a drop in leakages from 41.7% in 2011-12 to 22%, with states like Chhattisgarh and Odisha achieving impressive reductions.
- Expanded Coverage: The NFSA expanded PDS coverage to 66% of the population, which has increased access to food grains for vulnerable groups. The proportion of households accessing PDS has risen to 70% by 2022-23.
- Reform Measures: Key measures such as digitization, doorstep delivery, and deprivatization of PDS outlets have contributed to improved efficiency and access.
- Challenges to PDS Effectiveness:
- Exclusion Errors: Delays in census data and the exclusion of over 100 million people remain major concerns. A significant proportion of the population still lacks NFSA ration cards.
- Technological Issues: The imposition of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication (ABBA) has not yielded significant improvements in some states and has, in fact, increased leakages in traditionally efficient states like Tamil Nadu.
- Innovative Experiments: The introduction of cash transfers and other “innovations” could potentially derail the PDS, undermining its stability as a social safety net.
Conclusion:
While the NFSA has successfully revamped the PDS, making it more efficient and expansive, challenges such as exclusion errors and the misuse of technology need to be addressed. To further strengthen the PDS, the focus should be on better census data collection and the inclusion of more nutritious food items.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethical philosophies.
Difficulty level: Medium
Reference: Times of India
Why the question:
Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), the state’s primary recruitment body, has been plagued by allegations of corruption, political favoritism, and a lack of transparency for many years.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction: Begin with a context or definition of corruption.
Body:
- First agree with the statement and explain why corruption is socially accepted.
- Then explain how sometimes corruption acts as an aspiration to achieve the desired goal.
- Lastly suggest some measures to reduce corruption.
Conclusion:
Use a quote and conclude the answer.
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