UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 21 February 2025

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice

 

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General Studies – 1


 

Topic: Society

Q1. How do changing food habits and globalization impact India’s traditional dietary patterns and cultural identity? Discuss the socio-economic implications of this shift. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question:
The transformation of India’s dietary habits due to globalization, its impact on cultural identity, and the broader socio-economic consequences, making it relevant to changing societal trends.

Key Demand of the Question:
The answer must analyze how globalization and shifting food habits are altering India’s traditional dietary patterns, affecting cultural identity, and leading to socio-economic changes, including health and economic aspects.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
A brief statement on the significance of food in cultural identity and how globalization has influenced dietary habits in India.

Body:

  • Impact on traditional dietary patterns: Discuss how changing food habits are replacing traditional foods with processed and globalized options.
  • Impact on cultural identity: Explain how food-related customs, rituals, and social dining practices are being affected.
  • Socio-economic implications: Highlight health concerns, economic shifts in agriculture and food industries, and emerging sustainable food movements.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for balancing modernization with the preservation of traditional food diversity, promoting sustainable diets, and safeguarding cultural identity.

 

Topic: Society

Q2. Examine the role of pop culture and entertainment media in shaping gender norms and societal attitudes in India. How does it contribute to both social reform and reinforcement of stereotypes? (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question
Pop culture and entertainment media play a crucial role in shaping societal values, including gender norms. The question examines both their progressive and regressive impacts on gender roles in India.

Key demand of the question
The answer must analyze how entertainment media influences gender perceptions in Indian society, contributing to both social reform and reinforcement of stereotypes. It should provide relevant examples, legal references, and contemporary developments.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly highlight the significance of pop culture in shaping societal attitudes and gender norms, mentioning its dual role in transformation and perpetuation of stereotypes.

Body

  • Role of pop culture and entertainment media in shaping gender norms and societal attitudes – Explain how films, TV, music, and digital media shape gender expectations, influence behavior, and impact public discourse.
  • Contribution to social reform – Discuss how media has challenged patriarchal norms, empowered marginalized genders, influenced laws, and promoted gender equity.
  • Reinforcement of stereotypes – Highlight how media perpetuates gender biases, including objectification, toxic masculinity, unrealistic beauty standards, and rigid gender roles.

Conclusion
Summarize the dual impact of media and emphasize the need for responsible storytelling, regulatory reforms, and inclusive representation to reshape gender norms positively.

 


General Studies – 2


 

Topic: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.

Q3. Evaluate the role of remission in reducing the burden on the criminal justice system. Examine the possible risks of arbitrary or en masse remission. Suggest measures to ensure a fair and transparent remission process. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the Question

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed states with remission policies to consider the premature release of prisoners even if they don’t apply for remission beforehand.

Key Demand of the Question

The question demands an evaluation of how remission helps reduce the burden on the criminal justice system, an examination of the risks associated with arbitrary or en masse remission, and the measures required to ensure fairness and transparency in the remission process.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly explain remission as a legal provision and its role in balancing punitive justice with rehabilitation. Mention the constitutional and legal basis and reference the latest Supreme Court ruling.

Body:

  • Role of remission in reducing the burden on the criminal justice system: Discuss prison decongestion, judicial efficiency, and rehabilitation while citing relevant data and case laws.
  • Risks of arbitrary or en masse remission: Highlight public safety concerns, potential political misuse, and legal inconsistencies with real-life examples.
  • Measures for a fair and transparent remission process: Suggest uniform remission policies, judicial oversight, structured eligibility criteria, and post-release monitoring as essential safeguards.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for a structured, accountable, and transparent remission process that ensures justice, public safety, and rehabilitation, aligning with constitutional principles and global best practices.

 

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Q4. The increasing participation of women in the teaching workforce is not just about gender equity but a fundamental reform in education. Comment. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: NIE

Why the Question?

The rising proportion of female teachers in India and its impact on education quality, gender inclusivity, and societal progress, making it more than just an issue of representation.

Key Demand of the Question

The answer must critically analyze how women’s participation in teaching is not just about gender equity but a larger educational transformation, discuss challenges that hinder their impact, and suggest ways to enhance their contribution.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly highlight the increasing female representation in education with relevant data and explain why it signifies a broader reform beyond just gender parity.

Body:

  • Women in teaching as an educational reform – Explain how female teachers contribute to inclusive learning, better student engagement, breaking gender biases, and improving education outcomes.
  • Challenges – Discuss key hurdles like limited leadership roles, wage disparity, workplace safety issues, and domestic responsibilities that restrict their full impact.
  • Way forward – Suggest policy measures such as pay parity, leadership opportunities, workplace safety improvements, and institutional reforms to strengthen women’s role in education.

Conclusion:
Summarize by reinforcing that women’s rising role in education is a structural reform and emphasize the need for targeted interventions to maximize their impact on the education system and society.

 


General Studies – 3


 

Topic: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology

Q5. What is a biosimilar? How do biosimilars contribute to affordable healthcare, and what are the key barriers to their large-scale adoption in India? Suggest reforms to make Indian biosimilars globally competitive. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question?

Biosimilars are emerging as a crucial alternative to expensive biologics, yet India faces regulatory and market challenges in scaling their adoption. Addressing these barriers is essential for affordable healthcare and global competitiveness.

Key demand of the question

The question demands an understanding of biosimilars, their role in making healthcare affordable, the challenges hindering their large-scale adoption in India, and necessary reforms to enhance India’s global position in the biosimilar market.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Define biosimilars concisely, highlighting their distinction from traditional generics and their significance in modern healthcare. Briefly mention India’s potential in biosimilar production.

Body:

  • What is a biosimilar? Explain the scientific basis of biosimilars, their manufacturing process, and their regulatory framework compared to generics.
  • How do biosimilars contribute to affordable healthcare? Discuss cost reduction, market competition, impact on out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, and their role in public health schemes.
  • What are the key barriers to their large-scale adoption in India? Highlight regulatory gaps, high development costs, awareness issues, and legal hurdles from multinational companies.
  • Suggest reforms to make Indian biosimilars globally competitive. Recommend a robust legal framework, faster approval mechanisms, financial incentives for R&D, and awareness programs.

Conclusion:
Summarize the need for a comprehensive biosimilar policy and proactive government intervention to position India as a leader in affordable biologics, ensuring both accessibility and economic growth.

 

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation,

Q6. Analyze why protected areas alone are insufficient for wildlife conservation. Suggest alternative strategies for effective biodiversity protection. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: DTE

Why the question?

Study finds that human activities outside protected areas are driving biodiversity loss, highlighting the need for conservation beyond borders

Key demand of the question

The question requires an analysis of why protected areas alone cannot ensure wildlife conservation, identifying the key ecological and anthropogenic limitations. It also demands alternative strategies that extend conservation efforts beyond protected zones for effective biodiversity protection.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly define protected areas and their role in conservation. Highlight the limitations of relying solely on them due to factors like habitat fragmentation, human encroachment, and climate change.

Body:

  • Why protected areas alone are insufficient for wildlife conservation? Discuss key challenges such as habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, climate change, poaching, and loss of genetic diversity.
  • Alternative strategies for effective biodiversity protection: Suggest measures like ecological corridors, sustainable land-use planning, community-led conservation, stronger legal frameworks, and technology-driven monitoring.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for an integrated conservation approach that extends beyond protected areas, ensuring long-term ecological balance and sustainable biodiversity protection.Bottom of Form

 


General Studies – 4


 

Q7. In the wake of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company R launched a product named Coronil, claiming it to be the “first evidence-based medicine for COVID-19.” Advertising materials suggested the product was certified and endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, WHO promptly clarified that it had not certified any natural medicine for curing coronavirus. Subsequently, the founder of R stirred controversy by releasing a viral video criticizing allopathic medicine as responsible for the deaths of thousands. In response, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) issued a legal notice demanding an apology and withdrawal of the statements made against allopathy. In an attempt to defend its position, R firm published advertisements in major newspapers across the country alleging, “Misconceptions Spread by Allopathy.” which projected modern medicine in a negative image and mentioned it as non-impactful. These claims blatantly contravened the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, of 1954, which strictly prohibits misleading advertisements of medical products. (20 M)

    1. Identify the stakeholders in the case.
    2. What are the ethical issues involved in the case?
    3. How should companies balance commercial interests with the responsibility to provide accurate and truthful information in public health crises? [20M]

Difficulty Level: Medium

Why the question:
This case study tests ethical issues in corporate responsibility, misinformation, and public health integrity, requiring an analysis of stakeholder interests, ethical dilemmas, and responsible business conduct.

Key Demand of the Question:
The question demands the identification of stakeholders, analysis of ethical concerns in misleading health claims, and strategies for balancing commercial interests with ethical responsibilities in public health crises.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
A relevant quote or a general statement on corporate ethics and truthfulness in public health communication.

Body:

  • Stakeholders: List and briefly explain key stakeholders affected by the case.
  • Ethical Issues: Discuss concerns such as misinformation, public trust, regulatory violations, and corporate responsibility.
  • Balancing Commercial Interests and Ethics: Suggest measures like ethical advertising, regulatory compliance, corporate responsibility, and crisis communication.

Conclusion:
Reinforce the importance of ethical corporate behaviour, especially in health-related sectors, emphasizing trust, truthfulness, and public welfare.

 


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