[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 05 MAY 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 1
TOPIC: salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Why this question
The recognition of the importance of upholding the core value of Indian state ie unity in diversity is a core concern today. An analysis of the art and culture of medieval India will go well to show that the society and polity of India has always been inclusive and should continue to be so.
Key demand of the question
Following points are to be highlighted in your answer
- What do you mean by cultural syncretism in society and polity
- How does literature, religion, art and architecture , music of the time imbibe the ideal of syncretism to present an organic whole
Directive word
Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any . You are required to discuss the main points discussed above.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight the need of revising the lesson of unity in diversity in the present situation where caste, religion and gender based violence are being highlighted more.
Body
- Mention the one core value of India which had remained constant through time – unity in diversity as a result of cultural syncretism
- Highlight the presence of this value in medieval India – give examples from social situation to the effort made by Mughal rulers to introduce secular laws
- Examine the art and culture of the era to support this argument
- Literature – system of administration in Ain I Akbar
- Literature of bhakti and Sufi saints
- Religion – bhakti and Sufi movements
- Architecture – Indo Islamic style
- Painting – intermingling of provincial and royal school
- Etc
Conclusion – Highlight the need of continuing with this tradition of cultural syncretism for it leads to enrichment of our culture like it happened in medieval times.
General Studies – 2
Topic – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes; Environmental pollution and degradation
Why this question
India is catching up on providing access to basic services like clean water, electricity to all sections of population which would help alleviate poverty as defined under MPI. Access to clean cooking fuel is a major service whose access so far has been limited in India. Hence this issue needs examination.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the following issues
- What are the benefits accrued on account of Saubhagya scheme
- What are issues related to access to clean cooking fuel
- What steps are being taken to provide access to clean cooking fuel
- How can benefits accrued through Saubhagya scheme help
Directive word
Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any . You are required to discuss the main points discussed above.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention the criticality of providing access to clean cooking fuel and also explain Saubhagya scheme in brief.
Body
- Benefits of Saubhagya scheme
- Access to electricity
- Latest figures
- Issues faced due to lack of access to cooking fuel
- Health
- Pollution
- Gender issue
- Etc
- Steps taken by government so far
- Ujjwala scheme
- Issues with this step
- How can Saubhagya scheme help – take ideas from the article
Conclusion – Mention the need of solving this issue by highlighting its impacts . End with a way forward.
Topic – India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Why this question
Despite recent hints (like Wuhan Summit) from both India and China for greater cooperation in their mutual interest, OBOR remains the key issue of contention between the two countries. The main reason behind India’s opposition of the project is CPEC. The question is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading-
India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring forward reasons, why India should not join OBOR until the issue of CPEC is resolved. It also demands us to talk about the disadvantages of not joining CPEC and OBOR.
Directive word
Critically analyse- we have to dig deep into the question and identify the key issues involved. We have to justify why India should not join OBOR unless concerns around CPEC are allayed. And it wants us to discuss the repercussions of not joining OBOR, CPEC.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- Briefly describe CPEC project and relate it to the broader OBOR initiative.
Body–
- Discuss the key issues involved in CPEC-
E.g sovereignty and territorial integrity issues, investment issues etc.
- Discuss the cons of not joining CPEC and OBOR
E.g development of J and K could be better by joining CPEC, development in PoK will legitimise Pakistan’s stand, furtherance of China-India rivalry and Pak-China friendship, pressure from other countries joining OBOR etc.
Conclusion– give a clear, justified and balanced opinion on India’s joining of CPEC and mention India’s initiatives like Sagarmala project etc.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,Education, Human Resources.
Why this question
The incumbent government recently suggested its plan to reform higher education in India by forming a common higher education authority, Higher Education Evaluation and Regulation Authority. The draft guidelines define the aims and functioning of the authority. The proposed changes in higher education will bring sweeping reforms. The issue is related to GS-2 syllabus under the following heading-
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,Education, Human Resources.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to discuss the powers and functioning of the newly proposed Higher Education Evaluation and Regulation Authority and discuss in detail how it will transform the higher education sector in India.
Directive word
Discuss- we have to write in detail about all the key aspects of the Higher Education Evaluation and Regulation Authority which enable it to act as an engine of transformation in India’s higher education sector.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention the committees which suggested forming an authority on the lines of Higher Education Evaluation and Regulation Authority. E.g Yashpal committee, National Knowledge Commission.
Body– discuss in points the structure, functioning and powers of the Higher Education Evaluation and Regulation Authority. Compare them with the present authorities viz. UGC, AICTE etc wherever required. The attached article would help in collecting those points, but organize them into following heads- structure, functioning and powers.
Conclusion- briefly discuss the need of reforms in higher education in India and to what extent the Higher Education Evaluation and Regulation Authority will solve the problem.
General Studies – 3
Topic:Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources ; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
5) Discuss whether priority sector lending norms need to be done away with?(250 words)
Why this question
Banking sector in India is reeling under several challenges. Access to credit for certain sectors is a huge challenge too. This makes the issue of PSL slightly complicated. In this backdrop, the decision of RBI to tighten PSL norms for foreign banks in India makes it imperative for us to discuss the issue.
Key demand of the question
The question is fairly straightforward. We have to analyze the pros and cons of PSL and evaluate whether the scheme needs to continue in its present form , needs to be scrapped or modified.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – 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 – Explain the move of RBI which necessitates an evaluation of the effectiveness of PSL norms.
Body
- Explain PSL norms in detail along with the sub categories and the reforms brought in over the course of last three years. The aim has been to address credit woes of vulnerable section
- Mention the benefits of the scheme
- boosts inclusive growth reducing inequality and helps in capacity building of masses
- Etc
- Mention the disadvantages
- Accentuate the banking crisis – bad loans
- Role of specialist agencies in giving loans to sector like agriculture. Eg nabard
- IMF report
- Etc
- Discuss what should be the way forward. What kind of reforms are required should be mentioned here
Conclusion – mention the advantages that access to credit would have for Indian economy and inclusive growth and the need to re-examine PSL norms to make it more effective.
General Studies – 4
TOPIC : Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values. Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
6)“Indian philosophy is essentially a philosophy of values.” Comment.(250 words)
Why this question
Indian philosophies is one of the oldest philosophies in the world with certain peculiar traits and lines of thought. Indian philosophy has a lot to share with the western and eastern philosophies but also differs from them in certain key respects. The issue is related to GS-4 syllabus under the following heading-
Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
Key demand of the question.
The question simply wants us to brainstorm on the above statement and decide whether Indian philosophy is essentially a philosophy of values. Whatever our stand, we have to justify it with proper and valid arguments/ facts/ examples.
Directive word
Comment-we have to present our personal opinion on the given statement and bring-out justifications in support of our answer.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- briefly discuss Indian philosophies roots in vedas and their link with morality.
Body –
- Discuss main schools of Indian Philosophy and differentiate between orthodox and heterodox schools of thought.
- Discuss the similarities of Indian philosophies and their stress on linking philosophy with practice. E.g Indian ethics is based on Purusarthas i.e. ultimate goal of life. The Indian conception of values- viz the four connote as the goals of human life to be achieved through activities or practice, Indian philosophy is mainly axiological and additionally, cosmological and epistemological etc.
Conclusion– present a balanced and fair opinion on the given statement and mention lack of attention towards scientific study of ethics
