[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 27 March 2018
Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.
How to Follow Secure Initiative?
How to Self-evaluate your answer?
LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
Henceforth, we will cover MORE issues in Secure, and provide explanations/directions/hints to 4-5 most important questions. We will also post Secure bit early.
General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Bipan Chandra India’s Struggle for Independence, Page 90, Chapter – 6
Why this question?
Topic is from our Topics list.
Key demand of the question:
The key demand of the question is that you should analyse how socio-religious reform movements helped in the evolution of national consciousness though their fight against cultural and ideological hegemony of the West (the British). Put simply, prove with valid points that struggle against ideological hegemony of the British resulted in awakening of national consciousness.
Directive Word:
Analyse– Break answer into parts, and within them analyse the nature, causes, consequences.
Structure of Answer:
In the introduction write 2-3 lines how various movements contributed to the national movement and how the contribution of socio-religious movements was profound in this regard.
In the body, divide answer into 5-6 parts (categories). For example, revival of india’s past tradition as an anti-dote to the British ideological hegemony – can be categorised as ‘Revival of the Past’. Under this category, write 2-3 lines in point format about the nature, causes and consequences (within the scope of question i.e. countering the British ideology and resulting in awakening of national consciousness). Likewise, identify and create more parts.
Make sure to provide examples of personalities and events.
In the conclusion, write how the evolution of national consciousness was crucial in winning India its freedom later. socio religious movements
General Studies – 2
Topic: Functioning of judiciary
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
Topic: Agriculture
Topic: Environmental pollution
5) What is mottainai principle? Can India adopt mottainai and succeed? Examine. (250 Words)
Topic: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology; Awareness in biotechnology
Topic: Agriculture – cropping pattern
Why this question?
Very important question for Mains. Related to syllabus (in two topics). It’s in news.
Key demand of the question:
There are two demands: One, explain why India is the only Bt cotton-growing country facing the problem of pink bollworm infestation, and Second demand is examining ISSUES related to use of Bt-Cotton in India (issues such as monopoly, resistance, government policy, seeds, farmer suicides etc)
Directive Word:
Examine– Present relevant facts from article to meet question’s demand. No opinion required.
Structure of Answer:
In the introduction write 2-3 lines about the paradox of increase in cotton production in India by using BG cotton and how it has resulted in crisis also (resistance, super-weeds, suicides etc).
In the body, divide answer into TWO main parts: First part for to explain why India is facing pink-bollworm infestation whereas China and other countries are not facing. Write reasons (given in article) in point-format. Try to categorise them (such as hybrids related, saving and selling of seeds etc)
In the Second part, write about issues. Categorise into 4-5 such as monopoly, resistance, government policy, seeds, farmer suicides etc. Within each provide data, facts and examples.
Please refer to this ARTICLE for more points (to add in issues).
In the conclusion write why sound policies matter in reducing woes of farmers and how Bt cotton saga is a sound example for this.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions;
Why this question?
It is an issue related to practical ethics. Quota in sports is an issue that is debated worldwide, especially in countries such as South Africa which are victims of racism.
Key demand of the question:
Justify why you agree or disagree that it’s ethical to provide quotas in cricket.
Directive Word:
Justify– Based on sound arguments, you should prove that it’s either ethical or unethical to provide quotas in sports.
Structure of Answer:
In the introduction write 1-2 lines about need for providing equal opportunities in sports to all sections of population and take a stand whether it’s ethical/unethical/or both.
In the body, with the help of 4-5 arguments that are based on rights, duties, fairness, equity, equality etc, argue with suitable examples why providing quota is ethical or unethical.
Here, make sure that some data is provided to prove underrepresentation/over-representation /equal-representation of weaker sections in sports.
In support of your argument(if say it’s ethical) provide supporting facts such as quota policy Cricket South Africa (CSA).
Write all arguments in small paragraphs.
In the conclusion, reiterate your stand and write a line that how even the constitution seeks to provide equality in all fields, and cricket or any other sports should not be an exception.
Tip: For questions like this, argue that it’s ethical/right to provide quotas (be pro-poor and weaker sections)
Other IMPORTANT issues that are NOT covered Today in Secure/Covered Previously:
