UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 16 October 2024

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc

Q1. Explain the concept of IMD’s color-coded weather warnings. How effective has this system been in ensuring timely responses to extreme weather events. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question.

IMD issues red alert for South Coastal A.P. and Rayalaseema

Key Demand of the question:

Explain the color-coded warning system by IMD.Evaluate its effectiveness in ensuring timely and adequate responses to extreme weather events.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Briefly define IMD’s color-coded warning system (mention the different colors: green, yellow, orange, red, and their significance).

Body

• Explanation of the system: Discuss the purpose and how each color reflects the severity of weather conditions.
• Effectiveness: Highlight the role of IMD’s warnings in enhancing preparedness (mention recent examples of heavy rains, floods, or cyclones).
• Challenges and areas for improvement: Briefly indicate any shortcomings in implementation or response mechanisms.

Conclusion

Sum up by emphasizing the importance of this system in mitigating weather-related disasters and suggest ways to strengthen its impact, such as improving communication and awareness.

Topic: Population and associated issues

Q2. “Demographic disorder can significantly influence democratic processes in a country”. Discuss the implications of demographic shifts on India’s democracy and suggest measures to manage these changes while maintaining social and cultural diversity”. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the question

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar said that Demographic disorder is no less severe in consequences than a nuclear bomb.

Key Demand of the question

Explain the concept of demographic disorder and how it affects democratic processes. Analyze the implications and suggest strategies to address demographic changes while ensuring cultural inclusivity.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Briefly define demographic disorder and explain its relevance in the context of democracy.

Body:

• Implications of demographic shifts on democracy: Discuss electoral consequences, regional imbalances, and threats to social cohesion.
• Challenges and risks: Touch on issues such as political fortresses, divisive politics, and marginalization of certain groups.
• Measures to manage these changes: Suggest solutions like inclusive policies, electoral reforms, community engagement, and promoting national unity.

Conclusion

Emphasize the need for balanced demographic policies to uphold democratic values while preserving India’s cultural diversity.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Fundamental duties

Q3. “The Fundamental Duties, though non-justiciable, serve as a vital tool for achieving constitutional goals”. Discuss (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question
To assess how non-justiciable Fundamental Duties contribute to achieving the constitutional goals of justice, equality, and integrity.

Key Demand of the Question:

Explain how Fundamental Duties aid constitutional objectives.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction

Define Fundamental Duties and their non-enforceable nature, emphasizing their role in civic responsibility.

Body

• Briefly discuss how they complement Fundamental Rights and help promote values like environmental protection and national integrity.
• Mention their influence on public policies and societal behavior through non-legal means.

Conclusion

Conclude by stating that while non-justiciable, they are essential in reinforcing constitutional values.

Topic: Directive Principles

Q4. “The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) provide a moral framework for governance in India”. Critically evaluate their impact on shaping social justice and welfare policies in post-independent India. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium     

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question
This question seeks to explore how the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) have influenced social justice and welfare policies since India’s independence

Key Demand of the Question:

To critically evaluate the impact of DPSPs on India’s policy-making in areas like social justice, welfare, and inclusive development.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Briefly introduce DPSPs as guiding principles for governance, focusing on their purpose to promote social and economic justice.

Body:

• Positive Impact: Discuss how DPSPs have influenced major social justice and welfare policies (e.g., MGNREGA, right to education, healthcare reforms).
• Limitations: Briefly mention the challenges in implementation, such as resource constraints and lack of enforceability.
• Provide a balanced analysis by showing both successes and gaps in achieving the DPSPs’ objectives.

Conclusion

Emphasize that while DPSPs have been instrumental in shaping welfare policies, effective implementation remains key to fully realizing their potential.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country,

Q5. How has the focus on high-yield crops affected India’s agricultural biodiversity and sustainability? Suggest measures to promote a more holistic approach to agriculture. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question

The question seeks to evaluate the impact of high-yield crop focus on agricultural biodiversity and sustainability.

Key Demand of the question:

Analyze the effects of high-yield crops on biodiversity and sustainability in Indian agriculture.Suggest measures to transition toward a holistic agricultural approach.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:

Briefly define high-yield crop focus and mention the Green Revolution’s role in shaping agricultural practices in India.

Body:

• Impact on Biodiversity and Sustainability: Discuss the reduction in crop diversity, loss of local varieties, and increased dependence on chemical inputs leading to environmental degradation.
• Measures for Holistic Agriculture: Propose solutions like crop diversification, promoting traditional and resilient varieties, organic farming, and integrating sustainability metrics into agricultural policies.

Conclusion:

Emphasize the need for a balanced agricultural model that ensures both productivity and environmental sustainability.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation,

Q6. “Greenwashing undermines genuine environmental efforts”. Discuss the concept of greenwashing and its impact on sustainable business practices in India. How do the new guidelines by Central Consumer Protection Authority aim to address this issue? (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: FE

Why the question

Central Consumer Protection Authority Issues Guidelines for ‘Prevention and Regulation of Greenwashing and Misleading Environmental Claims’

Key Demand of the question:

Explanation of the concept of greenwashing. Analyze its impact on sustainable business practices in India.Evaluate how the new guidelines under the Consumer Protection Act address the issue.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Define greenwashing and briefly mention its rise with growing environmental awareness among consumers.

Body

• Write in brief about Green washing
• Impact on Sustainable Business Practices: Discuss how greenwashing misleads consumers, affects genuine eco-friendly businesses, and undermines trust in sustainability claims.
• New Guidelines under Consumer Protection Act: Explain the key features of the guidelines (such as transparency requirements, third-party certification, penalties) aimed at curbing greenwashing.

Conclusion

Write about the significance of the guidelines in promoting transparency, protecting consumer interests, and fostering genuine environmental responsibility.

General Studies – 4

Q7. When faced with large-scale human suffering, is inaction by states an ethical failure? Discuss the moral responsibility of governments in addressing global humanitarian crises. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question:
Israel’s brutality in Gaza, have hardly provoked any reaction in India.

Key Demand of the Question:

To discuss whether inaction in the face of large-scale suffering constitutes an ethical failure.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Define the concept of ethical responsibility of states towards humanitarian crises.

Body

• Discuss the ethical principles such as duty of care, universal human rights, and justice, which should guide state actions during crises.
• Explore the moral implications of inaction and the ethical duty to act, referencing the global responsibility governments hold.
• Consider counterarguments such as national sovereignty, resource constraints, or strategic interests that may affect state action.

Conclusion

Summarize by emphasizing that while practical considerations exist, moral leadership demands that governments take responsibility in addressing humanitarian crises, highlighting the ethical failure of inaction.

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice-16-Oct-2024

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