UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE: 15 May 2025

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General Studies – 1

Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century

Q1. Examine the role of Enlightenment ideas in shaping the political philosophies behind both the American and French Revolutions. In what ways did their outcomes differ despite ideological overlaps? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: InsightsIAS

Why the question
Both revolutions continue to influence modern democratic principles, and understanding their philosophical roots helps analyse their divergent historical legacies.

Key demand of the question
The question demands an analysis of how Enlightenment thought shaped both revolutions and a comparative assessment of their differing political and societal outcomes.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Mention Enlightenment as a radical intellectual shift that shaped modern revolutions and political legitimacy.

Body

• Show how Enlightenment ideas like natural rights, popular sovereignty, and secularism influenced both revolutions.
• Contrast the outcomes in terms of institutional stability, violence, rights inclusivity, and long-term legacy.

Conclusion
Conclude by noting that shared ideology led to distinct revolutions due to different socio-political contexts, shaping divergent global influences.

Topic: Role of women and women’s organization,

Q2. “Work-life imbalance for women is not a private failure but a systemic one”. Identify the core structural barriers to harmony. Assess how current labour and social protections address them. Suggest reforms to institutionalise support mechanisms. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question

The rise in female workforce participation and concurrent burnout reveals a systemic gap in state, societal, and institutional support for women’s dual roles.

Key demand of the question:

The question requires identifying structural causes of work-life imbalance, analysing gaps in labour and welfare protections, and proposing policy reforms for institutional support.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Mention how the gendered care economy reflects systemic inequality rather than personal inadequacy.

Body

• Identify key structural barriers such as unpaid labour, mental load, and workplace rigidity.
• Assess the current legal and welfare ecosystem like Maternity Benefit Act and social security codes.
• Suggest concrete reforms like universal care infrastructure, paternity leave, and recognition of unpaid work.

Conclusion
Emphasise that work-life balance is a developmental imperative and must be integrated into India’s social policy architecture.

General Studies – 2

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

Q3. “Regulating OTT content requires a synthesis of legal clarity, technological understanding, and social sensitivity”. Analyse the challenges in creating such a regulation. Examine the role of tripartite collaboration in policymaking. Suggest ways to ensure user protection without compromising free speech. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the question
The Supreme Court, whilst expressing concern regarding the regulation of content on Over the Top (OTT) platforms and social media, urged the Centre to do “something legislative” about the obscene and indecent nature of content streamed through such platforms

Key Demand of the question
The answer must analyse the multidimensional challenges in regulating OTT content, evaluate the role of inter-ministerial collaboration in building an effective framework, and recommend ways to protect users without curbing Article 19(1)(a) rights.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly state how OTT platforms have disrupted traditional content regulation mechanisms and now demand a distinct regulatory approach rooted in constitutional, technological, and ethical considerations.

Body

• Identify core legal and policy challenges such as regulatory overlap, outdated laws, and vague definitions of content harm.
• Examine how collaborative regulation between MeiTY (tech), MIB (content), and TRAI (infrastructure) can create a context-specific and enforceable framework.
• Recommend methods like co-regulation, appellate mechanisms for content creators, precise content classifications, and periodic review to ensure user protection without suppressing freedom of expression.

Conclusion
As India’s digital content ecosystem grows, any regulatory architecture must remain participatory, rights-based, and future-proof—striking a fine balance between innovation and accountability.

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

Q4. What are the key institutional and policy limitations in India’s palliative care ecosystem? How can decentralised health governance address these gaps? (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: IE

Why the question
India’s ageing population and NCD burden are increasing, yet palliative care remains marginalised in public health.

Key Demand of the question
To explain the structural and policy challenges in delivering palliative care and suggest how decentralised governance can help bridge those gaps.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Mention India’s palliative care coverage deficit and growing need due to demographic and disease transitions.

Body

• Identify 4–5 key institutional and policy gaps like NPPC issues, lack of integration with PHCs, and weak funding.
• Suggest how decentralised local governance (like Kerala’s panchayat model) can overcome each gap through community networks, local budgets, and integration.

Conclusion
Briefly advocate for making palliative care a public health right and embedding it in primary healthcare systems.

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. Explain the structure and functioning of India’s Social Stock Exchange. How does it differ from traditional capital markets? Examine how Social Stock Exchange can transform NGO credibility and funding transparency. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
Bengaluru-based Unnati Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation working towards making the Indian youth workforce- ready, was the first NGO to be listed on the NSE and BSE Social Stock Exchange

Key demand of the question
The question demands a detailed explanation of how the Social Stock Exchange is structured and operates, a comparison with traditional stock exchanges, and an analysis of its role in enhancing NGO transparency and credibility.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly introduce SSE as a SEBI-regulated initiative for fundraising by NGOs through innovative non-return instruments.

Body

• Structure and functioning of SSE – Mention regulatory control, eligibility, ZCZP instruments, compliance norms.
• Difference from traditional capital markets – Highlight differences in investor type, returns, instruments, and purpose.
• Impact on NGO credibility and transparency – Analyse improvements in audit trail, donor trust, compliance, and CSR alignment.

Conclusion
Assert how SSE can professionalise NGO funding and suggest the need for expanding public awareness and institutional support.

Topic: Disaster and disaster management.

Q6. Discuss how Artificial Intelligence is redefining the disaster management cycle—from risk mitigation to recovery. Examine the barriers to institutionalising AI across all stages of disaster governance. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: DTE

Why the question
The growing integration of AI in India’s disaster preparedness efforts and recent deployments in floods, cyclones, and landslides has sparked debates on long-term institutional viability and ethical challenges.

Key Demand of the question
The answer must explain AI’s application across all four stages of disaster management and then critically analyse the institutional, infrastructural, and ethical hurdles that obstruct its systemic adoption.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction

Mention AI’s transformative role in predictive governance and rapid disaster response.

Body

• Explain how AI aids in risk forecasting, mitigation, response, and recovery.
• Barriers like data silos, skill gaps, weak local infrastructure, algorithmic bias, and lack of legal frameworks.

Conclusion
Suggest future-ready governance, ethical oversight, and capacity building to unlock AI’s full potential in disaster resilience.

General Studies – 4

Q7. “When civil servants collude with criminal elements, the line between governance and lawlessness blurs”. Discuss. (10 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
Two excise officers among four arrested on charge of robbing, assaulting migrant workers in Kerala.

Key Demand of the question
The question requires analysing the consequences of civil-criminal collusion on governance and public trust, and recommending institutional and ethical measures to curb such misconduct.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly state how civil servants are expected to embody constitutional morality, and their collusion with criminals erodes legitimacy and threatens justice delivery.

Body

• Consequences of civil-criminal collusion on governance: Discuss how it weakens the rule of law, violates Articles 14 and 21, delegitimises public institutions, and disproportionately harms marginalised groups.
• Institutional and ethical safeguards to prevent such collusion: Suggest integrity audits, ethics training, vigilance mechanisms, swift disciplinary action, and community monitoring as key solutions.

Conclusion
Reinforce that ethical governance cannot coexist with moral compromise, and a culture of accountability is essential to protect the sanctity of public service.

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