UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 31 January 2025

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General Studies – 1

Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries

Q1. Assess the role of technology and warfare innovations in determining the outcome of World War II.  (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS, NIE

Why the question:
The mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have invited US President Donald Trump to visit this year for the 80th anniversary of the World War II atomic bombings

Key demand of the question:
The question requires an assessment of how technological advancements and warfare innovations influenced the outcome of World War II, demanding a structured analysis of both aspects with relevant examples.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly highlight how World War II witnessed unprecedented technological and strategic innovations, which shaped military tactics and determined the final outcome of the war.

Body:

• Role of technology in World War II: Discuss key technological advancements like nuclear weapons, radar, advanced tanks, cryptography, and aircraft carriers, explaining how they influenced battles and strategic decisions.
• Warfare innovations in World War II: Examine Blitzkrieg tactics, strategic bombing, amphibious warfare, naval blockades, and kamikaze attacks, assessing their impact on combat effectiveness and war outcomes.

Conclusion:
Summarize how technological advancements and warfare strategies reshaped military conflicts, laying the foundation for post-war geopolitical alignments and future military doctrines.

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

Q2. Examine the role of the Sun in shaping space weather. Discuss the impact of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) on Earth’s geomagnetic and upper atmospheric systems. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: PIB

Why the Question?

A novel method has been found to determine the instantaneous expansion speed and radial size of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the Sun when it passes over a spacecraft at a single-point in the interplanetary medium.

Key Demand of the Question

The question requires an explanation of the Sun’s role in shaping space weather and a discussion on how CMEs affect Earth’s geomagnetic and upper atmospheric systems, with a clear distinction between the two impacts.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:

Define space weather and CMEs, highlighting their significance in Earth-Sun interactions. Briefly mention how CMEs cause geomagnetic and ionospheric disturbances.

Body:

• Role of the Sun in shaping space weather: Explain how solar wind, solar flares, and CMEs contribute to space weather variations.
• Impact of CMEs on Earth’s geomagnetic system: Discuss geomagnetic storms, magnetosphere compression, induced currents, and auroral intensification.
• Impact of CMEs on Earth’s upper atmospheric system: Explain ionospheric disturbances, increased thermospheric drag, radio signal disruptions, and space debris displacement.

Conclusion:

Emphasize the need for space weather monitoring and global collaboration, citing initiatives like Aditya-L1 and Parker Solar Probe for improved forecasting and mitigation.

General Studies – 2

Topic: Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education

Q3. Despite consistent policy efforts, India’s foundational literacy and numeracy levels remain a concern. Critically analyze the shortcomings in India’s primary education system and suggest reforms based on global best practices. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the Question:
The ASER 2024 report highlights persistent gaps in foundational literacy and numeracy despite multiple policy efforts. Addressing these shortcomings is crucial to improving India’s primary education system and aligning it with global best practices.

Key Demand of the Question:
The question requires a critical analysis of shortcomings in India’s primary education system and the need for reforms, drawing insights from successful global models to enhance foundational literacy and numeracy.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly mention ASER 2024 findings, emphasizing low foundational literacy and numeracy despite policy interventions like NEP 2020 and NIPUN Bharat.

Body:

• Shortcomings in India’s primary education system: Discuss issues like rote learning, inadequate teacher training, high student-teacher ratio, lack of digital infrastructure, and ineffective assessment methods.
• Reforms based on global best practices: Suggest reforms inspired by Finland’s student-centered assessments, Japan’s teacher training models, Singapore’s digital learning strategies, and Cuba’s low student-teacher ratios.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for systemic reforms focusing on conceptual learning, teacher capacity building, and technology integration to bridge the FLN gap and enhance educational outcomes.

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Q4. “Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) represent not only a health challenge but also a governance failure”. Critically examine India’s approach to combating NTDs and suggest policy reforms for their effective elimination. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TheWeek

Why the Question

World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day is celebrated on January 30 every year and this year the World Health Organization (WHO) urged governments, leaders, communities and individuals to unite, act and eliminate these diseases through “bold, sustainable investments.

Key Demand of the Question

The question requires an analysis of why NTDs are not just a health issue but also a governance failure, an evaluation of India’s approach (both successes and failures), and policy recommendations for effective elimination.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly define NTDs and highlight their disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. Mention India’s global disease burden and past elimination efforts to set the context.

Body

• Why NTDs represent a governance failure: Discuss issues like poor healthcare access, weak surveillance, fragmented policies, low community participation, and funding gaps.
• India’s approach: Successes and failures: Present key achievements like disease eradication and vaccine development alongside persisting issues like rising cases, weak post-treatment monitoring, and policy implementation gaps.
• Policy reforms for effective elimination: Suggest governance-focused measures like strengthening surveillance, increasing investment in healthcare infrastructure, ensuring community participation, integrating digital technology, and improving coordination among agencies.

Conclusion
Provide a forward-looking perspective on achieving NTD elimination by aligning efforts with WHO’s 2030 roadmap through robust governance, technology-driven interventions, and sustainable financing.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.

Q5. Examine the relationship between household consumption expenditure and fiscal policy. How can targeted government interventions enhance household purchasing power without fuelling inflationary pressures? (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: PIB

Why the Question?

Household consumption is a key driver of economic growth, and fiscal policy plays a crucial role in regulating demand, inflation, and public welfare. The question is relevant in the context of rising inflation, economic inequality, and the need for balanced fiscal interventions.

Key Demand of the Question

The question requires an analysis of the relationship between household consumption expenditure and fiscal policy, followed by a discussion on targeted government interventions that can enhance purchasing power without causing inflationary pressures.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:

Briefly explain the link between fiscal policy and household consumption, emphasizing its role in economic stability and inflation control.

Body:

• Impact of fiscal policy on household consumption – Discuss how taxation, subsidies, and government spending influence purchasing power and demand.
• Targeted interventions to boost purchasing power – Suggest policy measures like direct benefit transfers, progressive taxation, and supply-side reforms that can increase household spending without fuelling inflation.

Conclusion:

Highlight the need for a balanced fiscal approach that enhances consumption while maintaining price stability and sustainable economic growth.

Topic: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Q6. Discuss the significance of India’s decision to develop a domestic Large Language Model (LLM) under the India AI Mission. How can this initiative impact technological sovereignty and digital economy? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: Mint

Why the Question:
India is set to join the global AI race by launching foundational artificial intelligence (AI) models on the lines of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and China’s DeepSeek R1 over the next few months, according to the country’s IT minister.

Key Demand of the Question:
The question demands an analysis of why India is developing its own LLM, followed by its impact on technological sovereignty (data security, AI independence) and digital economy (innovation, jobs, and competitiveness).

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Mention India’s push for AI self-reliance under the ₹10,370 crore IndiaAI Mission and its strategic importance in reducing dependency on foreign AI models.

Body:

• Significance of developing a domestic LLM: Discuss how an indigenous AI model ensures data privacy, reduces foreign dependency, and promotes linguistic inclusivity in India’s digital ecosystem.
• Impact on technological sovereignty: Highlight its role in national data control, strategic autonomy, AI ethics, and alignment with India’s constitutional and policy frameworks.
• Impact on the digital economy: Explain how it boosts AI startups, lowers costs, generates employment, and enhances India’s competitiveness in global AI markets.

Conclusion:
Emphasize how a domestic LLM will strengthen India’s AI leadership, making AI affordable, accessible, and aligned with national interests, ultimately driving both economic and technological growth.

General Studies – 4

Q7. As the District Commissioner (DC) of Saran district, you are faced with a critical situation where ten bridges in north Bihar have collapsed within the past fortnight, including a 15-year-old bridge across the Gandaki River in your district. Investigations have revealed widespread corruption and mismanagement within the construction sector. It has been found that sub-standard materials were used, and there was collusion between contractors and local government engineers, driven by profit and corruption. Although there have been no casualties yet, the risk of a catastrophic failure remains high. Further investigations reveal that the construction firm responsible for the collapsed bridge is affiliated with the son-in-law of a minister. This firm has constructed ten additional bridges, including three currently under construction in various parts of the district. As media and public pressure mount regarding the quality of infrastructure funded by public money, the minister has asked you not to highlight any quality lapses to protect his professional career. In return, he offers to recommend you for the Chief Secretary post in the future.

In the given circumstances, address the following:

1. 1. What are the options available to you as a District commissioner?
   2. What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?
   3. What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by you and what will be your response to overcome such challenges?
   4. What can be the consequences of overlooking the quality issue in the construction of public infrastructure? [20M]

Difficulty Level: Medium

Why the question
The case highlights corruption in public infrastructure projects and the ethical challenges faced by a civil servant in upholding integrity amidst political pressure. It tests decision-making, administrative ethics, and governance principles.

Key Demand of the Question
The question requires an analysis of possible courses of action, ethical dilemmas, professional challenges, and the consequences of overlooking public infrastructure quality, along with a balanced ethical response.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly introduce the ethical concerns in public administration, emphasizing the need for accountability, integrity, and public welfare in infrastructure development.

Body

• Options available – Present the possible courses of action, weighing their implications on governance, ethics, and professional responsibility.
• Ethical dilemmas – Discuss conflicts between personal integrity, political pressure, public interest, and governance ethics.
• Professional challenges and responses – Identify challenges related to political interference, public scrutiny, and career risks, along with strategic ways to address them while maintaining ethical conduct.
• Consequences of ignoring quality issues – Highlight risks such as public safety hazards, financial losses, legal repercussions, and erosion of trust in governance.

Conclusion
End with a principled stance on ethical governance, referencing moral responsibility, public trust, and the role of administrators in upholding justice and transparency.

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