UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 6 December 2024

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General Studies – 1

Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Q1. Discuss the challenges in preserving India’s intangible cultural heritage and how the National Mission on Cultural Mapping aims to overcome them. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: PIB

Why the question
To assess the significance of the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) in addressing the challenges faced by India’s intangible cultural heritage and the measures taken to resolve these issues.

Key demand of the question
Highlight the challenges in preserving India’s intangible cultural heritage and explain how the NMCM provides targeted solutions for these challenges.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly introduce India’s intangible cultural heritage, emphasizing its diversity and the threats it faces, leading to the relevance of the NMCM.

Body

• Challenges in preserving intangible cultural heritage: Mention issues like lack of documentation, globalization’s impact, endangered languages, economic insecurity of artists, and environmental factors.
• How NMCM addresses these challenges: Suggest measures like comprehensive documentation, financial support for artists, promotion of endangered traditions, use of digital platforms, and data-driven policymaking.

Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing NMCM’s role in bridging cultural preservation with modern governance, ensuring India’s diverse heritage thrives sustainably.

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present significant events, personalities, issues

Q2. What were Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s major contributions to Indian society during the colonial period, and how did they influence his work in independent India? (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: PIB

Why the question
Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed annually on December 6 to commemorate the death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.

Key demand of the question
Discuss Ambedkar’s contributions during the colonial period and explain how they influenced his role in independent India, addressing both parts comprehensively.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly introduce Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contributions as a transformative leader bridging colonial struggles and post-independence nation-building.

Body

• Colonial period contributions: Suggest how Ambedkar’s work in social reform, labour rights, and Dalit empowerment created a framework for systemic change.
• Influence on independent India: Highlight how these efforts shaped his approach to drafting the Constitution and policies for equality, justice, and governance.

Conclusion
End with a futuristic note on Ambedkar’s relevance in addressing contemporary challenges related to social justice and inclusion.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances

Q3. “States being closer to the people bear the brunt of developmental expenditures, yet their fiscal autonomy is increasingly constrained”. Examine the role of the Finance Commission in addressing this issue. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
The Government of Tamil Nadu recently hosted the Sixteenth Finance Commission, which was chaired by Arvind Panagariya. The Commission is uniquely positioned to address the critical fiscal challenges facing India and rectifying the skewness in the relationship between the States and the Union.

Key Demand of the question
Explain the developmental expenditure burden on states, analyze the factors constraining their fiscal autonomy, and examine how the Finance Commission can address these challenges.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly introduce the importance of states in India’s federal structure and their role in developmental responsibilities, while highlighting the fiscal constraints they face.

Body

• States and developmental expenditures: Highlight key areas like health, education, and infrastructure where states bear significant financial responsibilities.
• Constraints on fiscal autonomy: Explain issues like reduced devolution, rigid centrally sponsored schemes, and dependence on Union transfers.
• Role of the Finance Commission: Suggest measures like increasing vertical devolution, rationalizing cess and surcharge use, and reforming horizontal devolution criteria.

Conclusion
Conclude with the need for the Finance Commission to strike a balance between fiscal equity and autonomy to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth across states.

Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary

Q4. How does the independence of the judiciary intersect with the need for a formal code of conduct for judges in India? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: PIB

Why the question
Focuses on the interplay between judicial independence and accountability in the context of introducing a formal code of conduct for judges.

Key Demand of the question
Explain the importance of judicial independence, highlight the need for a formal code of conduct, and analyze how the two intersect to ensure accountability without compromising autonomy.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly introduce the significance of judicial independence as a safeguard for democracy while highlighting concerns about judicial accountability.

Body

• Importance of judicial independence: Mention its role in protecting against external influences, upholding constitutional values, and building public trust.
• Need for a formal code of conduct: Highlight gaps in ethical governance, the need for transparency, and the advantages of codified standards for judicial behavior.
• Intersection of independence and code of conduct: Explain how a formal code ensures accountability while safeguarding independence through balanced oversight mechanisms.

Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing that a well-designed code of conduct can strengthen judicial accountability while preserving its autonomy, ensuring a credible and effective judiciary.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Cropping System and Pattern

Q5. Discuss the role of cropping systems in enhancing agricultural sustainability in India. Highlight key challenges in transitioning to sustainable cropping patterns. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question

The question explores the significance of cropping systems in enhancing agricultural sustainability and examines the obstacles in shifting to sustainable patterns, which is crucial for addressing ecological and economic challenges in Indian agriculture.

Key Demand of the Question

Discuss how cropping systems contribute to sustainability and identify challenges in adopting sustainable patterns, addressing both aspects comprehensively.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly explain the importance of cropping systems in sustainable agriculture, linking it to environmental and economic imperatives.

Body

• Role of cropping systems: Highlight how cropping systems optimize resources, improve resilience, and reduce environmental degradation.
• Challenges in transition: Discuss economic, policy, and institutional barriers along with resource and knowledge constraints that hinder adoption.

Conclusion
Suggest a solution-oriented conclusion focusing on policy reforms, capacity building, and technological interventions for enabling sustainable transitions.

Topic: PDS

Q6. “Leakages and exclusion errors have undermined the effectiveness of PDS in India”. Examine the reforms needed to ensure efficiency and inclusivity in the system. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question

The persistent issues of leakages and exclusion errors in the Public Distribution System (PDS), which hinder food security goals, and seeks reforms to improve efficiency and inclusivity.

Key Demand of the Question

Analyze how leakages and exclusion errors affect the effectiveness of the PDS and suggest systemic reforms to address these challenges, ensuring both efficiency and inclusivity.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly explain the importance of the PDS in ensuring food security and how issues like leakages and exclusion errors compromise its effectiveness.

Body

• Leakages undermining PDS: Explain major forms of leakages, such as diversion, corruption, and storage losses.
• Exclusion errors: Highlight issues like improper identification, migration challenges, and the digital divide.
• Reforms needed: Suggest technological, policy, and community-based interventions to improve efficiency and ensure no vulnerable group is left out.

Conclusion
Focus on the need for a transparent, technology-driven, and inclusive PDS to fulfill its mandate of food security and equity for all.

General Studies – 2

Q7. As the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, you recently endorsed a visionary project aimed at enhancing national security and fostering development in the Indian Ocean region. The Great Nicobar Island Development Project, a Rs 72,000-crore initiative led by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), involves extensive infrastructure upgrades on Great Nicobar Island. Spanning 16,610 hectares, the project aims to capitalize on the island’s strategic location near the Malacca Strait and includes the development of an International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT), a Greenfield international airport, two Greenfield cities, and more. Despite the project’s ethical and rational intentions, it has sparked significant backlash. Media and NGOs argue that the development will devastate pristine forests on the island, home to critical and endangered species such as the giant leatherback turtle. Opposition leaders contend that the project will exploit the coastal eco-sensitive zone and lead to the large-scale displacement of indigenous tribal communities. As a conscientious and visionary officer, you approved the project to enhance national security and promote development. However, the widespread negative feedback raises ethical concerns about environmental sustainability and social justice.  [20 M]

In the given circumstances, address the following:

1. 1. Identify the ethical issues and dilemmas associated with the case above.
   2. Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you?
   3. What course of action should you adopt? Justify with valid reasons
   4. How can policymakers ensure that the long-term environmental consequences of the Project are adequately assessed and mitigated, balancing development goals with ecological preservation?      

Difficulty Level: Medium

Why the question

To explores the intersection of ethics, environmental sustainability, and social justice in policy-making, focusing on the balance between national security, development, and ecological preservation.

Key Demand of the Question

Identify the ethical dilemmas posed by the project, evaluate alternative courses of action, suggest the most appropriate course with justification, and recommend policy measures for balancing development with ecological sustainability.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Provide a brief context about the strategic significance of the Great Nicobar Island Development Project and the ethical concerns surrounding it, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.

Body

• Ethical issues and dilemmas: Outline the conflict between national security and development versus environmental sustainability and social justice.
• Options available: Suggest plausible alternatives, such as continuing with modifications, pausing for comprehensive reviews, or exploring alternatives to reduce environmental and social impacts.
• Course of action with justification: Recommend the most ethical and practical approach that addresses concerns of security, development, and environmental/social justice, with valid reasons supporting the decision.
• Policy measures for mitigation: Propose measures like comprehensive environmental impact assessments, stakeholder consultations, and sustainable development practices to ensure long-term ecological balance.

Conclusion
Highlight the importance of inclusive and sustainable development that respects ecological integrity and social equity while achieving strategic objectives. Advocate for a model of development that integrates ethical principles into decision-making.

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