UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 22 October 2024

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General Studies – 1

Topic : Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present

Q1. “The Battle of Buxar marked a turning point in British colonial ambitions in India”. Analyze this statement in the context of the political and economic consequences of the battle. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question:
Battle of Buxar was started on 22^nd October 1964 and played a very decisive role in Indian history.

Key Demand of the Question:

Analyze the political and economic consequences  of the Battle of Buxar.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:

Provide a brief introduction to the Battle of Buxar, its context, and its significance in Indian history, emphasizing why it was a turning point for the British.

Body:

• Political Consequences: Briefly discuss the treaties and shifts in governance (e.g., Treaty of Allahabad), establishment of British political supremacy over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, and weakening of local rulers.
• Economic Consequences: Highlight changes in revenue collection, the establishment of British control over Bengal’s economic resources (Diwani rights), and its impact on the local economy and administrative structures.

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarizing how the battle set the foundation for British colonial policies and territorial ambitions, marking a key phase in the establishment of British control in India.

Topic: Population and associated issues

Q2. “The aging population in South India poses both socio-economic challenges and opportunities”. Discuss (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the question:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has said his government is working on a law to incentivise residents of the state to have more children.

Key Demand of the Question:

To examine the challenges related to an aging population, focusing on socio-economic aspects. To discuss the opportunities that arise from this demographic trend.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:

Provide a brief overview of the demographic shift in South India, with a focus on the aging population trend and its potential socio-economic effects.

Body:

• Challenges: Mention how an aging population can strain labor markets (reduced workforce), healthcare (higher demand), and social security systems (increased dependency ratios).
• Opportunities: Highlight potential advantages such as demand for new industries (elder care, healthcare innovations), and ways in which the region can benefit from human capital shifts, internal migration, or even policy reforms.
•  Write about what measures are needed to be taken to deal with the present situation.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a forward-looking statement on how South India can turn these challenges into opportunities with effective policies and planning for sustainable development in the future.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Supreme Court

Q3. “The Supreme Court of India plays a pivotal role in protecting constitutional values and ensuring democratic governance”. Critically examine the role of the Supreme Court in safeguarding fundamental rights and enforcing the rule of law in India. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question:
The question explores the Supreme Court’s crucial role in maintaining constitutional values and the democratic framework, particularly by safeguarding fundamental rights and ensuring adherence to the rule of law.

Key Demand of the question:

Analysis of the Supreme Court’s role in protecting fundamental rights. Examination of how the Court enforces the rule of law in India. Critical assessment of its effectiveness and limitations in ensuring democratic governance.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Briefly mention the Supreme Court as the custodian of the Constitution and its mandate to protect fundamental rights and uphold the rule of law in India.

Body:

• Role in Safeguarding Fundamental Rights: Explain how the Court uses its powers of judicial review, writ jurisdiction, and landmark judgments to protect constitutional values.
• Enforcing Rule of Law: Discuss its intervention in upholding accountability, maintaining checks and balances, and ensuring executive actions align with constitutional principles.
• Critical Examination: Highlight any challenges, including judicial overreach, delays, or limitations in enforcing its directives.

Conclusion
Conclude with the Supreme Court’s pivotal role in ensuring democratic governance while balancing judicial activism with restraint to maintain the integrity of the rule of law.

Topic: Subordinate Judiciary

Q4. Analyze the challenges to the effective functioning of the Subordinate Courts in India. How can judicial reforms be initiated at the grassroots level to ensure timely justice delivery? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question:

The ongoing issues of delays, backlogs, and inefficiencies in the Subordinate Courts, which hinder timely justice delivery. Addressing these challenges is crucial for improving the overall judicial system.

Key Demand of the question:

Identification of key challenges faced by Subordinate Courts. Suggestions for judicial reforms to improve grassroots-level functioning.Focus on timely justice delivery.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly highlight the significance of Subordinate Courts in the Indian judicial system, and mention the scale of challenges, particularly judicial delays and backlog.

Body:

• Challenges faced by Subordinate Courts: Discuss broad categories such as infrastructure, personnel shortages, procedural inefficiencies, and lack of technology integration.
• Judicial Reforms at the Grassroots Level: Suggest reforms focusing on digital solutions, capacity building, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and simplifying court procedures.

Conclusion
Emphasize the importance of grassroots reforms for the judicial system’s health, ensuring justice is accessible and timely for all citizens.

General Studies – 3

Topic : Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation

Q5. “Nature-based solutions are increasingly seen as a key strategy to combat biodiversity loss and climate change”. Critically analyze the potential and limitations of nature-based solutions in achieving global conservation goals. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference:  TH

Why the question
World lags on 2030 nature goals headed into UN COP16 talks. Nature based solutions can play significant role in this regard.

Key Demand of the Question
To analyze both the potential and limitations of nature-based solutions in addressing biodiversity and climate challenges, while linking it to global conservation targets.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Briefly introduce the concept of nature-based solutions and their relevance in combating both biodiversity loss and climate change.

Body:

• Potential of Nature-Based Solutions: Suggest key areas where NbS can contribute effectively to conservation and climate mitigation, like ecosystem restoration or carbon sequestration.
• Limitations: Highlight the challenges, such as scalability, funding, or ecological impacts, and how they might hinder achieving global goals.
• Global Conservation Goals Link: Briefly mention how NbS align or fall short of international agreements like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Conclusion:
Summarize by emphasizing the need for a balanced approach, integrating NbS with other strategies to maximize global environmental outcomes.

Topic: Challenges to internal security through communication networks

Q6. “As AI systems advance, the risk of their misuse for military purposes is increasing”. Evaluate the risk posed by AI in creating security challenges for the nation. Also propose ways to neutralise this threat. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
This year’s Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton raised concerns about AI’s potential misuse

Key Demand of the Question

To evaluate the security risks posed by advanced AI systems in the military domain and to propose practical solutions to mitigate these threats.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Define AI’s increasing role in the military and briefly introduce the potential security risks it poses. Mention the urgency of addressing these risks as AI technology progresses.

Body:

• Risks posed by AI in security: Outline the risks related to autonomous weapons, cyber warfare, intelligence manipulation, and surveillance.
• Neutralizing the threat: Suggest strategies like regulation, ethical AI frameworks, international cooperation, and improving AI governance and defense mechanisms.

Conclusion:
Conclude with the need for proactive measures to balance AI’s benefits with the risks and ensure national and global security. Highlight the importance of responsible AI development and policy frameworks.

General Studies – 4

Q7. “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”. In light of this statement, critically analyze the ethical concerns associated with monopolistic practices in digital marketplaces. (10M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question:
U.S. judge ordered the tech giant Google to open up its Play Store to third-party apps

Key Demand of the question:

Critical analysis of ethical concerns linked to monopolistic behaviour. Examination of how absolute control in digital marketplaces can lead to unethical practices. Connect with broader themes of power, corruption, and fairness.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Start by explaining the essence of the quote in terms of power and corruption, linking it to the context of monopolistic practices in the digital economy.

Body:

• Ethical Concerns of Monopolistic Practices: Discuss issues like exploitation, lack of competition, stifling innovation, unfair pricing, and control over market access.
• Impact on Stakeholders: Address the ethical implications for small developers, consumers, and market fairness.
• The Role of Power: Explore how concentration of power can lead to unethical decisions, violating principles of justice and equity in digital marketplaces.

Conclusion
Emphasize the need for checks and balances in the digital economy to prevent abuse of power, emphasizing the importance of ethical corporate behavior and fair competition for a healthy marketplace.

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