[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 19 April 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
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, Chapter 13
Key Demand of the Question
The statement has two important aspects that needs to be answered
- Congress buried at Surat – Analyze why Surat sounded the death knell for Congress
- Reborn in Lucknow – The significance of Lucknow pact and whether the rebirth lasted
Directive word
Analyze – When asked to analyze, we have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. Here, we have to analyze Surat split – whether that sounded the death knell and the Lucknow pact – whether it was rebirth in true sense.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention about the incidents being talked about in the question.
Body
- Discuss Surat Split
- WHy it sounded the death knell
- How the two factions failed to understand British design
- DIscuss Lucknow pact
- The two agreements
- How it was rebirth
- WHether it lasted
Conclusion – Summarize your arguments and mention your stand.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
NCERT Class 11, Fundamentals of Physical geography
Why this question
In GS mains exam, direct questions are usually asked from the book (NCERT, Goh Cheng Leong). This is an important topic from NCERT and is related to GS-1 syllabus- Salient features of world’s physical geography.
And, Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location
Key demand of the question
This is a straightforward question which wants us to explain the role of seismology in understanding the interior structure of the earth.
Directive word
Explain- we have to write in detail about how seismology helps us in studying the interior structure of the Earth. In geography questions, we also have to draw a diagram to our explanation.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention that the structure of Earth’s deep interior cannot be studied directly but geologists use seismic (earthquake) waves to understand the interior structure of earth.
Body-
- define what are seismic waves and their types.
- Explain how the difference in their properties helps us to understand the earth’s interior. Also draw a diagram for better presentation of your answer.
Conclusion – mention other methods to study the earth’s interior structure. e.g observations of rock in outcrop, samples brought to the surface from greater depths by volcanic activity, measurements of the gravitational and magnetic fields of the Earth, and experiments with crystalline solids at pressures and temperatures characteristic of the Earth’s deep interior.
Topic: salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
NCERT Class 11, Introduction to Art and culture
Why this question
Folk music and dance form an integral part of Indian culture and they present themselves in a wide variety of forms. The diversity can be seen even among different communities. However, they shared common themes and concerns, Indian in character. The question is related to GS-1 syllabus under the following heading- salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants to know, whether folk music and dance in India share common themes and concerns or not. If yes/ no, then justify your answer by arguments/ facts.
Directive word
Comment- we have to take a stand over the given statement. Then we have justify our stand by presenting facts/ arguments/ examples.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention how music and dance are inextricably linked to indian culture and life. Also mention your stand.
Body-
- discuss in points by giving examples which show that Indian folk music has a wide variety of forms. Eg gidha, ghoomar, tamasha, dandiya, nautanki, lavani etc. briefly describe them individually.
- Discuss in points, how folk music and dance share common themes and concerns. E.g birth, marriage, harvest, seasons etc were the common themes of celebration. Expand your lines.
Conclusion- sum up your arguments and present your conclusion in 1-2 lines.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Why this question
Simultaneous elections is an old but important topic. Recently the Law Commission in its report supported the idea of simultaneous elections and also provided a framework for amending the constitution. This topic is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
and also to- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Key demand of the question.
The question simply wants us to write about what constitutional amendments would be required in order to materialize holding of simultaneous elections in India.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the constitutional amendments that would be required before holding simultaneous elections in India. In this case, we have to take the reference of the Law commission’s report. As the question is very specific, our discussion has to be exhaustive and bring out all the legal aspects involved.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- you can introduce your answer by defining simultaneous collections and mentioning the names of committees/ bodies/ commissions which have recommended simultaneous elections in the country e.g law commission, NITI Ayog etc. Also, mention the need to amend the constitution and other laws/rules.
Body- write in points about all the amendments to the Constitution/laws/rules that would be required before holding simultaneous elections in India and what procedure is required (role of states). Also, discuss the legal concepts/terms described by the Law Commission report, e.g constructive vote of no-confidence.
Conclusion- Mention the idea of holding the upcoming elections as mooted by the Law commission report.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Why this question
Relevance and necessity of NCTC, its impact on federalism etc has been a matter of debate right since the idea was proposed. Despite efforts by subsequent governments to initiate discussion on this issue, not much has moved forward. In this context, the current report by Rajya Sabha will rekindle the debate over NCTC and hence becomes important from a GS3 perspective.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to examine in depth the pros and cons of NCTC in Indian context, its impact on federalism. Since the question mentions a “game changer”, we also have to bring out how NCTC is different from all the other intelligence and security related bodies of the past. We also have to mention the potential fallouts of NCTC.
Directive word
Examine – We have to analyze whether NCTC is a gamechanger, the impact that NCTC would have on Indian security architecture and intelligence network – both good and bad, and why consensus over NCTC is elusive.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Discuss about NCTC
Body –
- Discuss why NCTC has the potential to be a gamechanger
- Here focus on the advantages that NCTC would offer
- Explain how NCTC would be different from India’s current security architecture
- Discuss the issues with NCTC
- The apprehension of states and political opponents
- Concentration of intelligence gathering and arrest powers in a single organization
- Etc
- DIscuss what’s holding back NCTC
Conclusion – Highlight the importance or the futility of NCTC for India.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster and disaster management.
Why this question
This is an important topic as water is a precious resource and it is more true for a country like India. India faces severe water shortages in large parts of the country and floods in other parts or other seasons. But there are some long term measures that India can take to tackle the problem. The question is related to GS-3 syllabus- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, Disaster and disaster management.
And also- Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints;
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to form an opinion on whether the long-term challenge for Indian agriculture is to make the most of the rainfall it gets. If yes, then why.
Directive word
Comment – here we have to take a stand and then justify it. We also have to briefly discuss what are the solutions for the problem.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- introduce your answer by citing facts/ data from authentic sources. e.g India now uses more groundwater than China and US combined. Also, take a stand on the issue and mention it in the introduction.
Body – divide the body into parts.
1) justify your stand, by presenting your arguments in points form e.g electricity subsidy, depleting groundwater sources, water-intensive cropping pattern and agricultural practices, water pollution, encroachment of water bodies, interstate water disputes etc.
2) briefly discuss in points, how the problem can be solved. e.g mixed farming, amending electricity subsidies, rationalizing MSPs, water audit, Groundwater recharge, precise irrigation, desalination technology etc.
Conclusion- mention the Master Plan for artificial recharge of groundwater, as groundwater is the the worst and most widely affected source, with regards to agriculture.
General Studies – 4
Topic:Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics
7) Discuss whether death penalty is justified for gruesome crimes like rape?
Why this question
Each time a heinous crime occurs which shakes the conscience of society, rape penalty becomes a heavily debated topic. This issue is important both for GS4 as well as Essay.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to analyze the pros and cons of death penalty and present our opinion as the question explicitly asks whether death penalty is justified.
Directive word
Discuss – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
STructure of the answer
Introduction – Talk about how gruesome crimes shakes the conscience of the society and renews debate over death penalty.
Body – First discuss the points in favour, thereafter points against death penalty. Quote from JS Verma committee report, LCI reports and others to bolster your stand.
Conclusion – conclusion based on well thought out reasons on what should be the future of death penalty.
