UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 30 December 2024

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice

 

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General Studies – 1


 

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

Q1. Explain the difference between primary, secondary, and surface waves generated during an earthquake. How do these waves contribute to the damage caused? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: NIE

Why the Question
A tremor of 3.2 magnitude jolted Gujarat’s Kutch district on Sunday morning as per the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR)

Key Demand of the Question
Explain the distinctions between primary, secondary, and surface waves in terms of speed, motion, medium, and impact, and analyze how each type contributes to earthquake damage.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly introduce seismic waves as energy released during earthquakes, emphasizing their role in determining the extent and nature of damage.

Body

  • Differences between the three waves: Discuss primary, secondary, and surface waves in terms of their characteristics like speed, motion, medium, and destruction potential.
  • Damage contribution: Analyze how P-waves act as a warning, S-waves cause structural damage, and surface waves lead to extensive destruction.

Conclusion
Conclude by emphasizing the importance of understanding seismic waves for early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and resilient infrastructure planning.

 

Topic: Role of women and women’s organization

Q2. “Honour killings are a brutal reflection of a society unwilling to accept change”. Analyze the social and cultural causes behind this practice in India, and suggest effective measures to address it. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the Question
The recent murders of two women — one in Kerala and the other in Tamil Nadu — underscore the pervasive and horrifying nature of gender-based violence in India.

Key Demand of the Question
Analyze the underlying social and cultural factors contributing to honour killings in India and suggest effective measures, both legal and societal, to address them comprehensively.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly explain how honour killings represent the resistance to societal change, rooted in patriarchal and caste-based systems.

Body

  • Social and cultural causes: Discuss factors like caste rigidity, patriarchal control, community enforcement of tradition, and the role of khap panchayats in perpetuating honour killings.
  • Measures to address honour killings: Highlight solutions like legal reforms, police sensitization, education campaigns, support for survivors, and community-driven initiatives to challenge traditional norms.

Conclusion
Emphasize the need for a combined legal and social approach to eradicate honour killings, fostering a society that respects individual freedoms and equality.

 


General Studies – 2


 

Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive

Q3. Explain the constitutional provisions regarding the appointment of Governors in India. How can the process be reformed to ensure impartiality and adherence to federal principles? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the Question
The question is relevant as it highlights the constitutional provisions regarding Governors’ appointments, issues arising from their political neutrality, and the need for reforms to strengthen India’s federal structure.

Key Demand of the Question
Explain the constitutional provisions for appointing Governors, discuss associated challenges, and suggest reforms to ensure impartiality and federal adherence.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly outline the role of Governors as constitutional heads of States and their significance in India’s federal setup.

Body

  • Constitutional provisions: Explain Articles 155 and 156, qualifications, and discretionary powers of the Governor.
  • Challenges: Discuss political appointments, ambiguity in removals, lack of State consultation, and issues with discretionary powers.
  • Reforms: Suggest measures like State consultation, judicial safeguards, merit-based selection, and implementation of Sarkaria and Punchhi Commission recommendations.

Conclusion
Conclude with the need for reforms to strengthen the impartiality and efficiency of the Governor’s role, ensuring balance in India’s federal structure.

 

Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Q4. “The recent downturn in India-Canada relations highlights vulnerabilities in diaspora diplomacy”. Discuss the implications for bilateral ties and India’s foreign policy objectives. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the Question
To evaluate the challenges posed by recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, focusing on vulnerabilities in diaspora diplomacy and its implications for bilateral and global relations.

Key Demand of the Question
Analyze how the recent downturn in India-Canada relations highlights the limitations of diaspora diplomacy, discuss its broader implications for bilateral ties and India’s foreign policy, and suggest actionable solutions.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly highlight the recent strain in India-Canada relations and its connection to diaspora diplomacy. Set the stage for discussing its challenges and impacts.

Body

  • Vulnerabilities in diaspora diplomacy: Discuss how reliance on the diaspora has exposed political, social, and security challenges in bilateral relations.
  • Implications for bilateral ties: Explain the economic, geopolitical, and people-to-people impact of strained relations.
  • Implications for India’s foreign policy objectives: Address its effects on regional stability, global image, and multilateral engagements.
  • Way forward: Suggest measures to strengthen state-to-state diplomacy, manage diaspora narratives, and decouple economic ties from political tensions.

Conclusion
Conclude with he need for a balanced approach to diaspora diplomacy, emphasizing state engagement and long-term strategies to safeguard bilateral and foreign policy goals.

 


General Studies – 3


 

Topic: International Conventions, Laws, Summits, NGO’s and measures

Q5. Analyze the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in providing a scientific basis for global climate action. How have its reports influenced policy decisions? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the Question
The role of the IPCC in shaping global climate action and seeks to assess its influence on policy decisions at various levels.

Key Demand of the Question
Analyze how the IPCC provides a scientific foundation for global climate action, and critically examine the extent to which its reports influence international and national policy decisions.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly state the role of IPCC as a scientific body that bridges climate research and policymaking, and its significance in global climate governance.

Body

  • Role of IPCC: Highlight its contributions, such as providing scientific data, informing global frameworks, and developing actionable strategies for mitigation and adaptation.
  • Policy Influence: Discuss how IPCC reports shape global agreements like UNFCCC, national climate action plans, and sectoral policies.

Conclusion
Conclude with the IPCC’s pivotal role in climate action and emphasize the need to bridge science and localized implementation for effective policy outcomes.

 

Topic: Topic: International Conventions, Laws, Summits, NGO’s and measures

Q6. “Global summits like the UN Climate Change Conference are significant but insufficient in addressing local climate change issues”. Discuss. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the Question
The global-local dynamics of climate change governance, testing the ability to analyze international frameworks and their practical implementation challenges at the local level.

Key Demand of the Question
Critically evaluate the role of global summits in addressing climate change while identifying their limitations and discussing steps to bridge the gap between global frameworks and local needs.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly mention the role of global summits like UN Climate Change Conferences in fostering international cooperation and set the tone for analyzing their efficacy.

Body

  • Significance of global summits: Discuss how these summits contribute to global consensus, climate finance, and technology sharing.
  • Insufficiency for local issues: Explain gaps in addressing localized impacts such as finance inaccessibility, enforcement issues, and ecosystem-specific concerns.
  • Counterview: Highlight how some initiatives under global frameworks focus on localized adaptation and capacity-building.
  • Way forward: Suggest steps like localization of frameworks, equitable finance mechanisms, and integration of traditional knowledge.

Conclusion
Emphasize the need for strong global-local synergies to ensure actionable and inclusive climate solutions.

 


General Studies – 4


 

Q7. What does the following quotation convey to you in the present context? (10 M)

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius

Difficulty Level: Medium

Why the Question
The ethical virtue of resilience and its relevance in individual and societal contexts, encouraging critical thinking on values and their practical application.

Key Demand of the Question
Explain the meaning of the given quotation in the context of ethics and connect its relevance to personal, professional, and societal dimensions in contemporary times.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly highlight the significance of resilience as an ethical principle and its timeless relevance to personal and societal growth.

Body

  • Meaning of the quote: Explain how the quote reflects resilience and continuous learning as a moral and ethical value.
  • Relevance in personal ethics: Discuss its importance in building integrity and moral strength in individuals.
  • Relevance in governance: Highlight how resilience helps policymakers and administrators overcome challenges for public welfare.
  • Relevance in global issues: Illustrate how resilience aids in addressing large-scale challenges like climate change and pandemics.

Conclusion
End by underscoring how perseverance shapes ethical conduct and drives sustainable progress for a just society.

 


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