UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 11 October 2024

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

Q1. What do you understand by “Atmospheric Rivers”? Explain its impact on regional climate and people. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question
This question is important due to the increasing role of atmospheric rivers in influencing extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and flooding, which have direct impacts on regional climates and human populations.

Key Demand of the question
The question asks for an explanation of what atmospheric rivers are and an analysis of their impact on regional climate and human life, with examples.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Define atmospheric rivers as narrow bands of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere that transport water vapor across large distances.

Body:

• Explanation of Atmospheric Rivers: Briefly explain the formation and characteristics of atmospheric rivers.
• Impact on Regional Climate: Suggest how they influence rainfall patterns, floods, and droughts in specific regions.
• Impact on People: Highlight the socio-economic and environmental impacts, such as flooding, agricultural losses, and infrastructure damage, with examples.

Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing the increasing importance of monitoring atmospheric rivers due to their growing influence on extreme weather events in a changing climate.

 

Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps

Q2. Land subsidence has become a common phenomenon around the world. Analyse the factors behind the phenomenon of land subsistence and their impacts on human life with examples. (15M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question
This question is relevant as land subsidence has emerged as a global issue with serious environmental and socio-economic consequences, affecting urban infrastructure and human settlements.

Key Demand of the question
The question asks for an analysis of the causes of land subsidence and its impact on human life, with relevant examples from across the world.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly define land subsidence and mention its growing occurrence globally due to natural and human-induced factors.

Body

1. Factors Behind Land Subsidence: Suggest natural and anthropogenic causes such as groundwater extraction, mining, tectonic activities, etc., without listing them.
2. Impacts on Human Life: Highlight the environmental, economic, and social consequences, including loss of property, infrastructure damage, and displacement, supported by examples.

Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing the need for sustainable land and resource management to mitigate the risks of land subsidence globally.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Q3. “The Indian judiciary’s case management and scheduling practices are the primary causes of delays in the justice delivery system”. Discuss. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Reference: TH

Why the Question

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, highlighted the issue of court delays.

Key Demand of the Question

The question demands an analysis of how the judiciary’s case management and scheduling practices contribute to delays, while also considering other factors that may affect timely justice delivery.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Start with a brief mention of the current backlog in Indian courts and the importance of judicial efficiency in ensuring timely justice.

Body

• Impact of Case Management and Scheduling: Discuss how poor scheduling, frequent adjournments, and lack of strict timelines impact the speed of case disposal.
• Challenges within the Judiciary: Briefly mention systemic pressures on judges, the unit-based performance evaluation, and directives from higher courts that disrupt case flow.
• Role of Other Factors: Touch upon how lawyer strategies, adjournments, and interim stays also contribute to delays.
• Potential Reforms: Suggest measures like reforming the unit system, using technology for better case management, and improving transparency in scheduling.

Conclusion

Conclude by emphasizing the need for a holistic reform approach that addresses not only procedural inefficiencies but also incentives for all stakeholders in the justice delivery system.

Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Q4. Examine the powers and functions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). How effective has it been in addressing issues of human rights violations in recent years? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: NIE

Why the Question:

NHRC warns Centre over delay in Social Security Code report

Key Demand of the Question:

The question demands an examination of NHRC’s statutory powers and functions, followed by an assessment of its effectiveness in addressing human rights issues in recent years.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Briefly introduce the NHRC its role as a statutory body for the protection of human rights.

Body

• Powers and Functions of NHRC: Cover its authority to investigate complaints, conduct inquiries, visit jails, make recommendations, and review legal provisions.
• Effectiveness in Recent Years: Analyze NHRC’s recent actions in addressing human rights violations, mentioning both its achievements and limitations, including challenges like lack of enforcement powers and delays in action.
• Challenges: Briefly indicate operational constraints, political interference, and resource limitations.

Conclusion

Conclude by suggesting reforms for strengthening NHRC’s role, emphasizing the need for better enforcement powers and proactive measures to address human rights violations effectively.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Indian economy and planning, Inclusive growth

Q5. What is the middle-income trap, and to what extent is India at risk of falling into it? Discuss the measures that can be adopted to help India overcome the middle-income trap while maintaining sustainable growth. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the Question:

The World Development Report 2024 — authored by the World Bank — calls attention to the phenomenon of the “middle-income” trap.

Key Demand of the Question:

The question requires an explanation of the middle-income trap, an assessment of India’s current economic situation in relation to it, and a discussion of strategies to overcome this challenge while balancing economic and environmental sustainability.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Define the middle-income trap briefly and explain its significance in the context of global economic development.

Body:

• India’s Risk of Falling into the Middle-Income Trap: Analyze India’s current economic indicators (GDP growth, industrial stagnation, wage growth) and factors contributing to the potential risk, such as premature deindustrialization, inequality, and limited innovation.
• Challenges India Faces: Touch upon issues like low investment in technology, lack of diversification in the economy, income disparities, and the state of the manufacturing sector.
• Measures to Overcome the Trap: Suggest reforms like boosting innovation, encouraging manufacturing and service sectors, improving education and skills, promoting R&D, increasing investments, and enhancing state intervention to ensure inclusive growth without compromising democracy.

Conclusion

Summarize the key points and conclude with the importance of adopting a long-term strategy focused on both economic growth and sustainability to ensure that India avoids the middle-income trap.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management

Q6. “Stampedes during religious and public events have led to significant loss of life in India”. Identify the key challenges in managing large crowds and suggest disaster management protocols to minimize the risk of stampedes. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question

In Hathras stampede incident case ‘Godman’ Narayan Sakar appears for questioning by judicial panel.

Key demand of the question

The question requires an analysis of the key challenges in managing large crowds in India and asks for specific disaster management protocols to minimize the risk of stampedes.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Briefly highlight the recurring issue of stampedes in India, referencing recent events or statistics to establish the severity of the problem.

Body

• Key Challenges in Managing Large Crowds: Touch on factors like inadequate infrastructure, poor crowd control measures, lack of coordination among agencies, and socio-cultural factors that complicate crowd management during religious and public events.
• Disaster Management Protocols: Suggest strategies such as real-time monitoring, use of technology (e.g., drones, CCTV), better coordination between organizers and authorities, training of personnel, emergency exits, and public awareness programs.

Conclusion

Conclude by emphasizing the importance of adopting a comprehensive disaster management approach to ensure public safety during large gatherings, with a focus on proactive planning and real-time response.

General Studies – 4

Q7. Prasad Foods Pvt. Ltd., a company based in the place called Suryadesh, has been accused of adulterating the ghee used in the preparation of laddus offered at the famous Rathnagarh Temple. These laddus are regarded as sacred prasadam by millions of devotees, and any adulteration in its preparation is viewed as not just a violation of consumer rights but also an attack on the religious sentiments of the people. This case has created significant public outrage, with political parties taking opposing stances. Accusations of communal bias, political favoritism, and a lack of transparency in the inquiry process have surfaced.

The state government, led by Chief Minister Rajeshwar Rao, has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of state police officers and food safety experts. However, opposition parties and civil society groups have expressed concerns about the neutrality of the SIT due to the political affiliations of some of its members. There have also been demands from religious leaders for a declaration of faith by certain public officials involved in the case, adding a communal dimension to the controversy.

The DC of the Rathnagarh district, Mr. Arun Sharma, an IAS officer known for his integrity, has been tasked with ensuring the fairness of the investigation while maintaining public order. Arun is facing pressure from multiple sides—political leaders, religious groups, media, and the public. He must navigate this situation with utmost care, ensuring that justice is done without succumbing to political or communal pressures. (20 M)

1. What are the ethical issues involved in the case
2. Discuss the role of neutrality and objectivity in public administration. How can Arun Sharma ensure that the investigation remains impartial and free from communal or political biases?
3. The demand for a “declaration of faith” adds a communal dimension to the controversy. Discuss the ethical and constitutional implications of such demands in a secular public administration system.
4. What measures should Arun Sharma take to ensure communal harmony and public trust while addressing this sensitive issue?  

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
This question tests your understanding of ethical dilemmas in public administration, especially involving communal tensions, impartiality, and governance in sensitive issues.

Key Demand of the question
The question requires analyzing the ethical issues, the importance of neutrality and objectivity in public service, addressing communal bias in governance, and ensuring public trust and harmony.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly highlight the nature of the situation, mentioning the significance of the laddus, the alleged adulteration, and the communal and political pressures involved.

Body

1. Ethical Issues Involved: Outline the key ethical dilemmas such as integrity, impartiality, communalism, and political favoritism.
2. Role of Neutrality and Objectivity in Public Administration: Discuss the importance of neutrality and objectivity in resolving sensitive issues, and how Arun Sharma can maintain these principles.
3. Communal Dimension and Constitutional Implications: Explain the ethical and constitutional concerns raised by the demand for a “declaration of faith,” and how it violates secular values in public administration.
4. Measures for Ensuring Communal Harmony and Public Trust: Suggest measures Arun Sharma could take, such as transparency in the investigation, stakeholder communication, and adherence to constitutional principles.

Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing the importance of ethical governance, upholding the values of secularism, and ensuring justice without communal or political bias.

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice-11-Oct-2024

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