UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 24 February 2025

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice

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General Studies – 1


 

Topic: Society

Q1. The changing aspirations of India’s youth pose both challenges and opportunities for societal development. Comment. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question

India’s youth, forming the largest demographic group, are reshaping societal structures through evolving aspirations. This question examines both the challenges and opportunities their changing ambitions bring to societal development.

Key Demand of the Question

The answer must analyze how shifting youth aspirations impact Indian society. It should discuss the challenges arising from these changes and the potential benefits they bring, maintaining a balanced perspective.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly highlight the role of India’s youth in societal transformation, supported by a relevant statistic or trend.

Body

  • The changing aspirations of India’s youth – Discuss how globalization, digitalization, and socio-economic mobility are driving new ambitions in careers, lifestyle, and activism.
  • Challenges posed by these aspirations – Explain the societal risks, such as job-market mismatches, social inequalities, and cultural shifts, that arise from these evolving goals.
  • Opportunities for societal development – Highlight how these aspirations can contribute to economic growth, innovation, and governance improvements.

Conclusion
Suggest the need for policies that harness youth potential while addressing emerging societal gaps, ensuring an inclusive and progressive future.

 

Topic: Society

Q2. The growing trend of ‘neo-local’ families in India is altering traditional kinship patterns. Discuss its implications on intergenerational relationships and social support systems. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question?
The rise of neo-local families in India is significantly altering traditional kinship structures, affecting intergenerational relationships and weakening social support systems. This trend has implications for elderly care, social cohesion, and state welfare policies, making it a crucial sociological issue.

Key demand of the question
The question requires an analysis of how neo-local families are changing traditional kinship patterns and their impact on intergenerational relationships (such as emotional bonds, caregiving, and value transmission) and social support systems (such as elderly care, childcare, and dependence on state mechanisms).

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Define neo-local families and briefly mention how their rise is a shift from traditional patrilocal/matrilocal systems, driven by urbanization and economic factors.

Body

  • How neo-local families are altering traditional kinship patterns – Discuss how shifting from joint to nuclear households is changing family dynamics, weakening extended family ties, and reducing traditional obligations.
  • Implications on intergenerational relationships – Examine the impact on elderly care, emotional detachment, increasing generational gaps, and challenges in value transmission.
  • Implications on social support systems – Discuss rising dependence on government welfare, growth of the elderly care industry, changing childcare patterns, and emerging mental health concerns.

Conclusion
Highlight the need for balanced family structures and policy interventions to address the challenges posed by neo-local families while ensuring social cohesion and intergenerational support.

 


General Studies – 2


 

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

Q3. Discuss the historical context and rationale behind the creation of Zonal Councils in India. How have they contributed to mitigating linguistic and inter-state tensions? (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the question
Recently Union Home Minister chaired the 27th meeting of the Western Zonal Council in Pune.

Key demand of the question
The question requires discussing the historical context and rationale behind the creation of Zonal Councils, evaluating their role in addressing linguistic and inter-state tensions, and identifying challenges associated with their functioning, followed by a solution-oriented conclusion.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly mention the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, highlighting the necessity of Zonal Councils to prevent linguistic hostilities and foster regional cooperation.

Body

  • Historical context and rationale – Explain the post-independence linguistic reorganization challenges, Nehru’s vision, and the need for institutional mechanisms to maintain unity.
  • How they mitigated linguistic and inter-state tensions – Discuss their role in resolving border disputes, economic cooperation, linguistic minority protection, and fostering Centre-State dialogue.
  • Challenges associated – Highlight issues like advisory nature, irregular meetings, political conflicts, financial constraints, and overlap with other federal bodies.

Conclusion
Suggest strengthening Zonal Councils through legal backing, regular meetings, financial autonomy, and leveraging them as problem-solving institutions for better Centre-State relations.

 

Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

Q4. India has been a cornerstone of UN peacekeeping but faces emerging challenges in modern conflict zones. Examine these challenges and suggest measures to enhance India’s effectiveness in UN peacekeeping operations. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question

India’s significant contributions to UN peacekeeping and the increasing challenges in modern conflict zones make this a relevant topic, particularly in the context of evolving threats and India’s global aspirations.

Key demand of the question

The question requires examining the emerging challenges India faces in UN peacekeeping missions and suggesting measures to enhance its effectiveness. It demands both analytical assessment of current challenges and practical solutions to improve India’s role.

Structure of the answer

Introduction:
Briefly introduce India’s role as a key contributor to UN peacekeeping, highlighting its leadership and impact. Mention recent data on troop contributions to establish context.

Body:

  • Challenges in modern conflict zones: Discuss the increasing threats to peacekeepers, geopolitical constraints, technological and cyber threats, operational limitations due to UN mandates, and gender imbalances in leadership.
  • Measures to enhance effectiveness: Suggest solutions such as advocating for stronger mandates, leveraging technology for security, enhancing women’s role in leadership, pushing for greater decision-making authority, and expanding training and capacity-building initiatives.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for India to evolve its peacekeeping strategies in response to modern challenges while reinforcing its global leadership through diplomatic, technological, and strategic measures.

 


General Studies – 3


 

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

Q5. Examine how new materials like topoconductors are improving quantum computing. Discuss their role in making quantum processors more stable. Evaluate the potential of these materials for large-scale quantum computing. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the Question?

Microsoft’s Majorana 1 breakthrough was met with divided responses from experts who hailed it as a “significant achievement” but said “there’s a lot of unknowns.”

Key Demand of the Question

The question requires an explanation of how topoconductors enhance quantum computing, their role in stabilizing qubits, and their potential for scaling quantum systems to industrial-level applications. It demands an analytical approach to understanding material innovations in quantum computing.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:

Briefly explain the challenge of stability and scalability in quantum computing and introduce topoconductors as a solution for improving qubit performance.

Body:

  • How new materials like topoconductors are improving quantum computing: Discuss their unique properties, such as error resistance, improved coherence, and better quantum gate operations.
  • Role of topoconductors in making quantum processors more stable: Explain how they reduce decoherence, minimize external interference, and enable better qubit connectivity, leading to more reliable quantum operations.
  • Potential of topoconductors for large-scale quantum computing: Analyze their role in scaling up quantum systems, enabling large-scale quantum architectures, and integrating quantum with classical computing for real-world applications.

Conclusion:

Conclude with  the significance of topoconductors in overcoming quantum computing limitations and highlight their potential in accelerating practical, error-free quantum systems for industrial use.

 

Topic: Disaster and disaster management

Q6. A disaster is rarely the result of a single factor; rather, it is an outcome of multiple vulnerabilities converging at a point. Discuss. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question

Portion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel near Domalapenta reportedly collapsed in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.

Key demand of the question

The question demands an analysis of how disasters emerge from the convergence of various vulnerabilities, including environmental, structural, institutional, and socio-economic factors. It also requires suggesting measures to address these vulnerabilities for better disaster mitigation and response.

Structure of the answer

Introduction:
Briefly introduce disasters as outcomes of interconnected vulnerabilities rather than standalone events. Mention relevant frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) to set the context.

Body:

  • Convergence of multiple vulnerabilities: Explain how disasters are triggered by the intersection of geophysical risks, poor infrastructure, governance failures, socio-economic disparities, and technological gaps with recent examples.
  • Need for robust disaster management: Highlight the role of risk assessment, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, governance reforms, and community-based preparedness in mitigating disaster risks.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the shift from a reactive to a proactive disaster risk management approach, integrating multi-sectoral coordination and climate adaptation for long-term resilience.

 


General Studies – 4


 

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

“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle stand like a rock”. – Thomas Jefferson

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question
The quote highlights the balance between adaptability and steadfastness in ethical decision-making, which is crucial in governance, leadership, and policymaking. It is relevant in the context of contemporary challenges where principles and pragmatism often collide.

Key demand of the question
The question demands an explanation of the meaning of the quote and its significance in the present context, particularly in governance, ethics, and leadership, with relevant examples.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction
Briefly introduce the idea that while methods and strategies may evolve, ethical principles should remain unwavering. Mention its relevance in today’s rapidly changing socio-political landscape.

Body

  • Meaning of the quote: Explain how flexibility in approach is necessary, but core ethical values must remain firm. Illustrate with examples from governance, judiciary, or leadership.
  • Relevance in the present context: Discuss its application in contemporary issues such as policymaking, judiciary, social media regulation, and bureaucratic ethics, using recent examples.

Conclusion
Emphasize that true leadership and ethical governance lie in adapting to change while standing firm on fundamental principles. Offer a forward-looking perspective.

Tags:- Principle, Integrity

 


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