UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 10 March 2025

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice
UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice

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General Studies – 1


 

Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

Q1. Discuss how fragmented urban governance frameworks contribute to the persistence of environmental and hygiene concerns in suburban regions. Suggest institutional reforms to improve civic management. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Reference: TH

Why the Question:
Poor waste management plagues Gerugambakkam, Kolapakkam

Key Demand of the Question:
Discuss how fragmented governance frameworks contribute to environmental and hygiene issues, followed by institutional reforms to enhance urban management.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Define fragmented urban governance and briefly explain its link to environmental and hygiene concerns in suburban areas.

Body:

  • Environmental Concerns: Highlight issues such as overlapping authorities, poor planning, and weak regulatory enforcement.
  • Hygiene Concerns: Mention challenges like irregular waste collection, sewage overflow, and poor public sanitation.
  • Institutional Reforms: Suggest measures such as a single-window governance model, municipal empowerment, decentralized committees, digital governance tools, and an urban environmental ombudsman.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for integrated governance and strategic reforms for improved civic management in suburban regions.

 

Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent

Q2. Large reservoir projects alter regional geomorphology and hydrological cycles. Discuss the geographical implications and suggest strategies for sustainable development. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question:
Officials of the Revenue and Forest departments are undertaking a survey to ascertain the extent of land that would get submerged owing to the Mekedatu balancing reservoir project proposed near Kanakapura,

Key Demand of the question:
The question requires discussing the geographical implications of reservoir projects on landforms and hydrological cycles, followed by suggesting sustainable strategies to manage these changes.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Briefly highlight how large reservoirs alter landforms, sediment flow, and regional water cycles, emphasizing their long-term environmental consequences.

Body:

  • Geographical Implications: Discuss impacts like altered river morphology, soil erosion, groundwater fluctuations, microclimatic changes, and biodiversity disruption.
  • Sustainable Development Strategies: Suggest measures like sediment management, environmental flow norms, slope stabilization, community-led conservation, and advanced monitoring systems.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for a balanced approach that integrates technological innovations with environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable reservoir development.

 


General Studies – 2


 

Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Q3. The Indian Constitution’s flexibility is its greatest strength, yet also its potential vulnerability. Comment. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question:
Explores the dual nature of constitutional flexibility, assessing how it strengthens governance yet poses risks to democratic principles.

Key demand of the question:
The answer must analyze how the Indian Constitution’s flexibility enables adaptability and resilience while also discussing the potential threats it poses, such as misuse or overreach.

Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:

Briefly explain the unique blend of rigidity and flexibility in the Indian Constitution, emphasizing its role in balancing stability and change.

Body:

  • Flexibility as a strength: Highlight its role in enabling social reforms, judicial progress, economic adaptability, crisis management, and rights expansion.
  • Flexibility as a vulnerability: Discuss risks like federal imbalances, judicial overreach, emergency misuse, politically motivated amendments, and threats to constitutional morality.

Conclusion:

Emphasize the need for vigilant checks and balances to ensure flexibility strengthens democracy without compromising constitutional values.

 

Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Q4. What factors have contributed to the increasing friction between the Union and the States in recent years? Suggest institutional measures to address these tensions. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the Question:
The question addresses the contemporary issue of Centre-State relations, highlighting recent tensions and seeking institutional reforms to mitigate them.

Key Demand of the Question:
The question requires an analysis of key reasons behind Union-State friction, followed by practical institutional measures to improve cooperative federalism.

Structure of the Answer:
Introduction: Briefly highlight the dynamic nature of India’s federalism and the rising tensions in recent years.

Body:

  • Factors Contributing to Friction: Mention issues like fiscal disputes, executive overreach, and legislative dominance.
  • Institutional Measures: Suggest reforms such as empowering the Inter-State Council, strengthening the Finance Commission, and defining the Governor’s role.

Conclusion:

Emphasize the need for cooperative dialogue and constitutional adherence to uphold India’s federal spirit.

 


General Studies – 3


 

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

Q5. How can Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives provide Indian companies a competitive advantage in the global market? Discuss the role of regulatory frameworks in promoting ESG compliance in India. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: NIE

Why the question:
ESG policies, which potentially mitigate risks, remain more relevant than ever today, especially in a country like India

Key Demand of the Question:
The question requires explaining how ESG initiatives enhance Indian companies’ global competitiveness and analyzing how Indian regulatory frameworks promote ESG compliance.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Briefly define ESG and highlight its growing importance in global trade and investment trends, linking it to India’s economic ambitions.

Body:

  • ESG and Competitive Advantage: Explain how ESG practices improve investor trust, reduce risks, and align with international standards to enhance business competitiveness.
  • Regulatory Frameworks in India: Discuss key Indian regulations like SEBI’s BRSR, Energy Conservation Act, and RBI guidelines that promote ESG integration.

Conclusion:
Emphasize that aligning corporate strategies with ESG frameworks not only improves India’s global business standing but also strengthens its path toward sustainable growth.

 

Topic: linkages of organized crime with terrorism

Q6. Gold smuggling poses a multifaceted challenge to India’s economic stability, national security, and law enforcement frameworks. Discuss. Also suggest comprehensive measures to address these concerns. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TOI

Why the question:
Concealed under his shirt’: Day after Ranya Rao arrest, visually impaired man caught for smuggling gold from Dubai at Bengaluru airport

Key Demand of the question:
The question requires examining the diverse impacts of gold smuggling on India’s economy, national security, and law enforcement frameworks, followed by suggesting comprehensive measures to mitigate these concerns.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:
Introduce gold smuggling as a growing challenge with links to organized crime, terror financing, and revenue losses, emphasizing its strategic significance for India.

Body:

  • Economic Stability Impact: Discuss revenue loss, forex risks, and market disruption.
  • National Security Impact: Highlight threats like terror financing, organized crime, and border vulnerabilities.
  • Law Enforcement Impact: Address issues like corruption, multi-agency conflicts, and legal loopholes.
  • Measures to Mitigate Concerns: Suggest improved inter-agency coordination, enhanced border security, stricter legislation, and public awareness initiatives.

Conclusion:
Emphasize the need for a multi-pronged approach involving technology, policy reforms, and robust enforcement to curb gold smuggling effectively.

 


General Studies – 4


 

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

“All persons ought to endeavour to follow what is right, and not what is established” – Aristotle

Difficulty Level: Medium

Why the question:
The ethical dilemma between conformity to tradition and pursuit of moral righteousness, which is crucial in public life, policymaking, and social reforms.

Key demand of the question:
The question requires explaining the meaning of Aristotle’s statement, its contemporary relevance, and supporting each with suitable examples.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction:

Briefly explain the essence of Aristotle’s statement, linking it to the conflict between tradition and moral progress.

Body:

  • Meaning of the statement: Discuss themes like moral courage, rational decision-making, and progressive reforms with relevant examples.
  • Relevance in present context: Highlight its role in judicial reforms, social movements, ethical governance, and policymaking.

Conclusion:

End with a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the need for principled leadership and rational reforms in modern society.

 


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