UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 25 February 2025

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice

 

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General Studies – 1


 

Topic: Modern India

Q1. Despite its numerous ideological and political contradictions, the Indian National Army (INA) left a lasting legacy on India’s freedom struggle. Discuss. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question?

The INA remains a subject of historical debate due to its strategic choices and ideological contradictions. However, its role in India’s independence struggle and its long-term impact on nationalist sentiments make it a significant topic.

Key demand of the question

The question requires an analysis of the contradictions within INA and its enduring contributions to India’s freedom movement. A balanced discussion addressing both aspects is necessary.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly introduce the INA’s formation under Subhas Chandra Bose, its objectives, and its role in India’s nationalist movement. Mention how it diverged from mainstream political approaches.

Body:

  • Contradictions within INA: Discuss INA’s reliance on Axis powers, ideological diversity, conflicts with Congress’s non-violent approach, and operational challenges, including its military limitations and lack of mass support.
  • Lasting legacy of INA on India’s freedom struggle: Explain its impact on British perceptions, contribution to the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Mutiny, 1946, its influence on post-independence politics and foreign policy, and its continued relevance through memorialization and national recognition.

Conclusion:
Conclude with how INA, despite its contradictions, played a crucial role in accelerating India’s independence and left a legacy in India’s military, political, and historical consciousness.

 

Topic: Post Independence

Q2. The role of women in India’s post-independence social movements has been transformative yet constrained by systemic challenges. Analyze with examples. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question:
Women have played a crucial role in India’s post-independence social movements, but their participation has been shaped by both transformative contributions and systemic barriers. The question evaluates their role, impact, and challenges in a structured manner.

Key demand of the question:
The answer must analyze how women have contributed to social movements in India post-independence with relevant examples while also critically examining the systemic constraints that hinder their full participation.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Provide a concise statement on the significant role of women in post-independence social movements while hinting at the existing systemic barriers that limit their impact.

Body:

  • Transformative role of women: Highlight key movements where women led or significantly contributed to socio-political or environmental change.
  • Systemic challenges: Analyze barriers like patriarchy, legal hurdles, political underrepresentation, economic dependency, and digital threats, impacting their effectiveness in movements.

Conclusion:
End with a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the need for policy reforms, gender-sensitive leadership, and social empowerment to enable greater participation of women in future movements.

 


General Studies – 2


 

Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.

Q3. “Elections in India are free, but fairness remains a question”. In light of this statement, critically evaluate the systemic flaws in India’s electoral process and suggest comprehensive reforms. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: NIE

Why the question:
Electoral fairness is a critical component of democracy, yet systemic issues such as money power, institutional bias, and opaque political funding raise concerns about whether Indian elections truly reflect the people’s will. The question examines these challenges and seeks viable reforms.

Key demand of the question:
The answer must critically evaluate how elections in India, despite being free, are not always fair due to systemic flaws like money power, voter suppression, and biased institutions. It should also suggest comprehensive reforms to ensure electoral integrity and democratic accountability.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Provide a brief statement on the importance of fair elections in a democracy while highlighting the contrast between free electoral participation and concerns over fairness.

Body:

  • Elections are free, but fairness remains a question: Discuss factors like universal adult suffrage, an independent Election Commission, and regular election cycles that make Indian elections free.
  • Systemic flaws in India’s electoral process: Highlight issues such as money power, electoral roll manipulations, administrative bias, judicial delays, and opaque political funding.
  • Comprehensive reforms: Suggest institutional strengthening, financial transparency, stricter oversight mechanisms, and judicial efficiency to enhance electoral fairness.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for structural reforms to ensure that elections are not just free but also fair, reinforcing democratic legitimacy and public trust in the electoral process.

 

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries

Q4. The changing voting patterns in the UN General Assembly on resolutions against Russia indicate evolving global power dynamics. Analyze the factors influencing this shift and its implications for multilateral diplomacy. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question?
The vote in the 193-member world body was 93-18 with 65 abstentions, lower than previous resolutions, which saw over 140 nations condemn Russia’s aggression

Key Demand of the Question
The question requires an analysis of how evolving global power structures are influencing voting patterns at the UNGA, the factors driving this shift, and its broader implications for multilateral diplomacy and global governance.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly highlight how UNGA voting trends act as a barometer of global political alignments and indicate broader shifts in international relations.

Body:

  • Changing voting patterns and global power dynamics: Explain how the rise of multipolarity, regional powers, and economic interests is reshaping voting behavior.
  • Factors influencing this shift: Discuss key drivers such as economic dependencies, geopolitical realignments, regional security concerns, and skepticism toward Western-led resolutions.
  • Implications for multilateral diplomacy: Assess how these changes impact the legitimacy of international institutions, global consensus-building, and the effectiveness of the UN in conflict resolution.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for a more inclusive and adaptive multilateral system to address the emerging complexities of global governance and conflict resolution.

 


General Studies – 3


 

Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources,

Q5. Why does India lag behind in textile exports despite being a global leader in fibre production? How do fragmented supply chains and high production costs affect competitiveness? What measures can enhance efficiency and integration? (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the question?

In textile exports, India is behind countries like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, which benefit from vertically integrated supply chains, lower production costs, and simpler regulations.

Key Demand of the Question

The answer must analyze why India lags in textile exports despite its strong production base, explain how fragmented supply chains and high costs affect competitiveness, and suggest policy and industry measures to enhance efficiency and integration.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Briefly introduce India’s textile sector, highlighting its economic significance, global ranking in fibre production, and export performance gap compared to competitors like China and Vietnam.

Body:

  • Reasons for India’s lag in textile exports: Explain the high production costs, lack of FTAs, rigid regulations, and outdated infrastructure affecting competitiveness.
  • Impact of fragmented supply chains and high costs: Discuss logistical inefficiencies, quality inconsistencies, dependency on expensive MMF, and limited economies of scale.
  • Measures to enhance efficiency and integration: Suggest mega textile parks, trade policy reforms, domestic MMF incentives, skilling programs, and sustainability-driven strategies to improve global competitiveness.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for supply chain integration, cost optimization, and trade policy reforms to position India as a global textile leader.

 

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Q6. What is emissions intensity, and why is it critical for India’s industrial sector? Analyze the potential challenges and opportunities of implementing emissions intensity targets in carbon-intensive industries. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question?

The government is expected to announce emissions intensity targets for nine industrial sectors by the end of the month — a crucial step to operationalise India’s carbon trading scheme.

Key Demand of the Question

The answer must define emissions intensity, explain its importance for India’s industrial sector, and analyze both challenges and opportunities in implementing sector-specific emissions intensity targets, particularly in high-carbon industries.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Provide a brief definition of emissions intensity and its relevance to climate goals and industrial sustainability, mentioning India’s targets under the Paris Agreement and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Body:

  • What is emissions intensity? Define emissions intensity in terms of GHG emissions per unit of production or GDP, and highlight its role in carbon trading mechanisms and energy efficiency policies.
  • Why is it critical for India’s industrial sector? Discuss its impact on industrial competitiveness, energy security, compliance with global trade norms (e.g., EU CBAM), and cost savings through efficiency improvements.
  • Challenges in implementation: Highlight key barriers such as high upfront investment, technological gaps, fragmented supply chains, and cost implications for MSMEs.
  • Opportunities in implementation: Discuss the potential market access benefits, green energy transition, investment in clean technologies, and job creation in low-carbon industries.

Conclusion:
Summarize the need for balancing economic growth with emissions reduction, emphasizing technological innovation, regulatory support, and global alignment to make India’s industrial sector competitive and sustainable.

 


General Studies – 4


 

Q7. When an individual repeatedly compromises ethical values, their moral framework deteriorates. Small ethical lapses, if unchecked, can escalate into justifications for extreme actions like violence. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question?
A wave of shock and disbelief swept across Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s capital, following a killing spree by a youngster.

Key Demand of the Question
The question requires an analysis of how repeated ethical compromises weaken moral integrity and how small transgressions, if unchecked, can lead to extreme actions. It also demands solutions to prevent this moral decline.

Structure of the Answer

Introduction:
Define the concept of ethical deterioration and its impact on moral decision-making. Briefly mention how ethics serve as a foundation for individual and societal conduct.

Body:

  • Deterioration of moral framework due to ethical compromises: Explain how repeated ethical violations weaken personal integrity, moral reasoning, and accountability.
  • Escalation of small ethical lapses into extreme actions: Discuss the psychological and societal factors that enable minor ethical breaches to evolve into serious misconduct.
  • Measures to prevent ethical deterioration and escalation: Suggest ways to reinforce ethical conduct through education, institutional mechanisms, and accountability measures.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the importance of ethical resilience and accountability in preventing moral decline, ensuring a society governed by strong ethical foundations.

 


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