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General Studies – 1
Topic: Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question
The Arctic tundra’s transformation from a carbon sink to a carbon source due to climate change has serious implications for the global carbon cycle and climate stability, making it a relevant in the context of climate change and physical geography.
Key demand of the question
The question demands an analysis of the role of the Arctic tundra as a natural carbon sink, its transformation into a carbon source, and the resulting impacts on the global carbon cycle and climate stability, along with possible solutions to mitigate these challenges.
Structure of the answer
Introduction
Briefly highlight the role of the Arctic tundra as a critical carbon reservoir and mention its recent shift into a carbon-emitting region due to rising global temperatures.
Body
- Role of Arctic tundra as a natural carbon sink: Discuss how the tundra has historically stored carbon in its permafrost, acting as a natural stabilizer for atmospheric greenhouse gases.
- Transformation into a carbon source: Mention the factors such as permafrost thawing, microbial activity, and Arctic wildfires that are releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
- Impact on the global carbon cycle and climate stability: Highlight the disruption of the global carbon budget, accelerated global warming, effects on oceanic systems, biodiversity loss, and sea-level rise.
- What needs to be done: Suggest solutions like reducing global emissions, enhancing climate monitoring, restoring tundra ecosystems, and promoting global cooperation for Arctic preservation.
Conclusion
Conclude with a futuristic outlook, emphasizing the urgency of global efforts to protect the Arctic ecosystem and its importance in maintaining climate stability.
Topic: Population and associated issues
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question
Two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, allegedly stabbed a man to death after he resisted their attempt to rob him.
Key demand of the question
The question requires analyzing the factors contributing to the increase in juvenile crimes, including socio-economic, emotional, and technological causes, and suggesting realistic solutions to address the issue.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Provide a brief context highlighting the rising trend of juvenile involvement in heinous crimes and its connection to changing societal dynamics.
Body
- Factors contributing to juvenile crimes: Discuss socio-economic inequality, peer pressure, family neglect, glorification of crime, and unregulated social media exposure.
- Pragmatic solutions: Suggest solutions like family interventions, stricter social media regulation, skill development programs, community policing, and judicial reforms.
Conclusion
Conclude with a forward-looking statement emphasizing the need for a holistic and multi-stakeholder approach to address the root causes and reform juvenile offenders for a safer society.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
The increasing use of AI-driven dragnet surveillance raises concerns about privacy and civil liberties in India, especially in the absence of robust legal safeguards, making this a critical issue in governance and constitutional rights.
Key demand of the question
The question requires analyzing the impact of dragnet surveillance on civil liberties, particularly the right to privacy, identifying challenges in balancing public security and individual freedoms, and suggesting effective measures to address these concerns.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Begin by briefly introducing the concept of dragnet surveillance and its rapid adoption in India, linking it to its implications for civil liberties and constitutional rights.
Body
- Impact on civil liberties: Discuss how mass surveillance affects privacy, freedom of expression, and democratic accountability.
- Challenges in balancing public security and freedoms: Highlight the conflict between national security needs and constitutional safeguards, coupled with the absence of regulatory frameworks.
- Measures to mitigate adverse effects: Suggest solutions such as risk-based AI regulation, judicial oversight, transparent data practices, and capacity-building initiatives.
Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing the importance of balancing technological progress with constitutional values and suggest the need for a robust legal framework to ensure AI-driven surveillance serves public interest without undermining civil liberties.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
The new classroom structure under NEP 2020 has sparked discussions about its potential to either enhance holistic education or perpetuate rote learning, making it a relevant topic in the context of higher education reforms.
Key demand of the question
The question requires evaluating the risks of the new classroom structure under NEP 2020, particularly how it may perpetuate rote learning, while also identifying its positive aspects and suggesting measures to foster reflective and critical thinking.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly introduce NEP 2020’s vision for higher education and the emphasis on a new classroom structure. Highlight the dual perspective of its potential benefits and risks.
Body
- Risks of perpetuating rote learning: Highlight challenges like reduced self-study time, limited assessment diversity, and over-reliance on lecture-driven learning.
- Positive aspects: Discuss how the new classroom structure supports continuous learning, inclusivity, and teacher-student engagement.
- Measures to foster critical thinking: Suggest reforms like reducing classroom hours, diversifying assessments, enhancing teacher training, and promoting blended learning.
Conclusion
Conclude with an optimistic and solution-oriented statement, emphasizing the importance of balancing structured classroom learning with reflective practices to align NEP 2020’s vision with global education standards.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Estuarine Ecosystem- importance, depletion, Indian estuaries on west and east coast
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
The growing concerns about sedimentation and altered river flows caused by human interventions and natural processes, which are threatening the ecological and economic health of estuaries in India.Key Demand of the question
The question requires an explanation of how sedimentation and changing river flows affect the health of Indian estuaries, with a clear focus on ecological consequences, water dynamics, and associated impacts.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly define estuaries and their importance as transitional zones between rivers and seas, while highlighting how they are vulnerable to sedimentation and changing river flows.Body
- Impact of sedimentation on estuaries:
Suggest how sedimentation reduces water depth, disrupts habitats, and increases turbidity, impacting biodiversity and fisheries.- Impact of changing river flows:
Indicate how dams and water diversions cause reduced sediment transport, salinity imbalances, and deltaic erosion, altering the ecological equilibrium of estuaries.Conclusion
Suggest a solution-oriented conclusion emphasizing integrated river basin management, sustainable water usage, and habitat restoration as measures to protect India’s estuaries.
Topic: Coral Reef – meaning, conditions, distribution, significance, depletion, causes, protection measures
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
The ecological importance of coral reefs and their role as indicators of oceanic and coastal health, while emphasizing the need for strategies to combat their decline, which has been accelerated by climate change and human activities.Key Demand of the question
The question requires an explanation of how coral reef health reflects ecosystem resilience, their broader ecological and economic importance, and a set of specific strategies to reverse their degradation in the Indian context.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Define coral reefs as critical marine ecosystems and briefly highlight their importance as indicators of oceanic and coastal resilience.Body
- Coral reefs as indicators of ecosystem resilience: Briefly explain how coral reefs reflect biodiversity health, climate change impacts, and pollution levels.
- Importance of coral reefs: Highlight their ecological, economic, and coastal protection roles, such as marine biodiversity support, food security, and disaster mitigation.
- Strategies to reverse coral reef decline: Suggest solutions like coral transplantation, pollution control, marine protected areas, community involvement, and addressing climate change impacts.
Conclusion
End with a solution-oriented approach emphasizing the need for sustainable management, technological interventions, and community participation to restore and conserve coral reefs in India.
General Studies – 4
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TOI
Why the question
Nagaland speaker urged the journalists of the state to be steadfast in journalistic ethics and principles and embrace new frontiers in an era of misinformation.Key Demand of the question
The question demands a discussion on the ethical responsibilities of journalists in maintaining truth and integrity while also addressing the challenges posed by modern-day media like misinformation, bias, and speed over accuracy.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Define the role of journalism as the fourth pillar of democracy, highlighting the significance of ethics in countering misinformation and ensuring public trust.Body
- Ethical responsibilities of journalists: Mention duties like adherence to truth, objectivity, accountability, and avoiding sensationalism while promoting public interest.
- Challenges in modern-day media: Highlight issues such as misinformation, commercialization, political pressures, and the digital spread of unverified news.
Conclusion
Emphasize the need for journalists to act as moral custodians of truth, balancing ethics with responsibility to uphold democracy and restore public trust.
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