[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 07 MAY 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 Pg 263
Key demand of the question
Two terms are important in the question which needs to be analysed. Firstly we have to explain how breaking the salt law was a deceptively innocuous move. Here we have to explain why Gandhi ji chose to break the seemingly innocuous salt law. Secondly, we have to analyze how the move proved to be effective – the impact of Dandi March. Analyze both the hits and the misses.
Directive word
Analyze – When asked to analyze, you 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.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – explain the context in which Dandi March took placeBody
- Mention about the 11 demands submitted by Gandhiji, how a specific demand for granting independence was not there. Breaking the salt law was a relatively innocuous law to break, the reasons why it was chosen.
- Discuss the impact of Dandi March
- Hits like enormous publicity, boycott of foreign goods which was one of the most visible display of support, local revolts etc
- Misses like lack of support of intelligentsia, lack of Hindu Muslim unity, no major labour participation etc
Conclusion – present the whole summary by summing up the two parts. Mention how breaking the salt law took forward the national movement.
Topic: Events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
Why this question
This is a general socialism vs capitalism question demanding a sharp understanding and clear opinion on the issue. The twist here is the focus on the present global capitalist system rather than the historical narrative. The question is related to GS-1 syllabus under the following heading-
Events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
Key demand of the question.
the question wants us to dig deeper into the present globalist capital system and see how it is related to the peripheral and semi-peripheral bodies ( countries, international and regional organizations/ bodies/ unions). we have to present a personal opinion on the given statement.
Directive word
Critically comment- we have to form an opinion on the issue/ statement and give justifications in support of our opinion. But we also have to see the other side of the question and highlight the blessings of capitalist system, particularly the present global capitalist system.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– give a general description of present global capitalist system and their spread- e.g google, amazon, facebook, Apple, Alibaba, Samsung, Lockheed martin, adidas, etc.
Body- divide the body into main parts. Take the help of the comprehensive article attached as the link.
- discuss the economic share of such corporations in the world economy and highlight the unequal distribution of revenue and difference in labour wages between central ( America, Europe, China) and peripheral economies (most of developing and underdeveloped world.
- Discuss their power to shape and alter political decisions in the peripheral countries and how they have shaped the global military conflicts and weaponization programmes.
Conclusion– Form a personal opinion on the given issue and mention the good points about capitalism and reasons why it is still surviving and more accepted than socialism.
General Studies – 2
Topic – Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
Why this question
NHPS is a critical step in achieving the vision of universal healthcare in India. In light of the challenges associated with poor healthcare, out of pocket expenditure etc, the idea of health insurance to deal with these issues is a long debated one. Now that we are moving ahead on this, it becomes imperative to be aware of the challenges and discuss a way forward.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the following issues
- Details of NHPS and what advantages it will bring
- The challenges in the implementation of the scheme and the impacts it is likely to have in the effectiveness of NHPS
- Learn from global experiences, experiences of states like TN etc, reports etc in writing a way forward
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 .
In the case of above question on challenges in implementation of NHPS, we have to examine different aspects like finances , regulations, capacity building etc and the impact those challenges are likely to have on the future of NHPS.Suggest measures – Suggestions should be based on reports, opinion pieces, global and state’s experiences.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Write details about NHPS and how implementation of such a scheme is fraught with challenges.
Body
- Discuss why NHPS is important
- Universal healthcare
- Out of pocket expenditure
- Improving hdi etc
- Examine the challenges. Discuss challenges under broadheads like
- Financing
- Regulatory architecture
- Infrastructural shortcomings particularly at primary and secondary level
- Capacity building
- Etc
- Also mention the impact that these challenges would have on the future of NHPS , if left unresolved
- Suggest way forward based on experiences of South East Asian countries in providing healthcare, quote from the opinions expressed in the articles , along with your own views
Conclusion – Give the issue a larger context by linking it to question of socio economic justice and the role of government in providing a better life to the citizens to establish that the issue deserves utmost importance.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question
Education is a critical indicator of human development and an important issue for policymakers and academics alike. Indian education including the higher education is in poor form as can be assessed from our performance in world rankings. There are demands for various reforms and the government has taken several initiatives to address the issue, including the present decision to provide more autonomy to more than 60 institutions of eminence. However the malaise affecting the higher education in India is much worse than to be solved by band-aid solutions. 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 highlight and briefly describe all the major problems affecting India’s higher education. We have to trace the historical evolution of India’s higher education sector and analyse how the problem has worsened with time despite many attempts to reform it.
Directive word
Analyse- we have to look into the key aspects of the question (crisis has deepened with time and ills plaguing India’s higher education) and discuss in detail about them. We have to provide justifications and examples wherever required.
Structure of the answer
introduction- Mention the change in higher education sought before independence, and the priorities and vision of the newly independent India.
Body- Discuss in points about the various problems plaguing India’s higher education ( e.g Lack of quality, adhocism, erosion of autonomy, unnecessary bureaucratization and politicization,stress on exam process, grading, rot learning, employability etc.) and highlight how the problem has worsened over time ( dilution of aims and values of higher education, over-regulation with time, adhocism, budget cuts, erosion of vital institutes or their autonomy, wrong direction of reform like rating universities/ institutes among themselves and ignoring the larger problem).
Conclusion- based on the above discussion, form a clear, fair and balanced opinion and present it as your conclusion. Also highlight the need for major reforms in India’s higher education
Topic – Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the
performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the
protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
Why this question
The rising inequality in India makes it imperative for us to ensure regional parity in development. Transformation of aspirational district initiative is a key focus area of the government as evident by the focus accorded by Niti Ayog and PMO. Hence learning about the strategy, impacts etc of the initiative becomes important.
Key demand of the question
The focus of the answer should be on bringing out the following points
- Bring out the problem of inter region inequality in India and the need of addressing this issue
- Details of the initiative. What is the initiative about etc
- Strategy of the initiative. How the initiative plans to achieve its objective of reducing inequality and achieving prosperity in districts
- Highlight the strengths and weakness of the initiative and provide your opinion on the same
Directive word
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you 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. You need to conclude with a fair judgement, after analyzing the nature of each component part and interrelationship between them.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight the problem of glaring inter regional inequality in India and how the said initiative aims to change the status quo.
Body
- Facts and figures to prove that inter regional inequality is an issue that requires intense focus
- Details of transformation of aspirational districts – what is the initiative, how it plans to achieve its aims , areas where it aims to make an impact etc
- Analyze whether the areas chosen for the projects would help achieve a transformational change. Analyze whether the baseline ranking methodology and the focus on data collection and monitoring would ho achieve development in these regions. Etc
Conclusion – Based on your arguments above, mention your stand.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to employment ; Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Why this question
The rising use of technology like AI in economy, governance etc has put the future of human labour at peril. Recently our PM has also envisioned greater use of AI in governance etc. At a time, when job creation in the economy is under the scanner, this development will make the issue more complex. Hence it needs to be examined.
Key demand of the question
Following are the points that need to be discussed in the answer
- What is the nature of post industrial ecosystem and the nature of challenges created by it
- Examine the employment scenario in India
- Examine how this development is bound to put India in a difficult spot – the need of providing jobs to reap the demographic dividend and the fast loss of traditional jobs in manufacturing and services.
- Discuss the challenges in front of India
- Suggest measures to help deal with the situation
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.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight the technological developments that have taken us in a post industrial ecosystem
Body
- Explain nature of the post industrial ecosystem and how it changes the nature of work. More automations etc
- Discuss in brief the employments situation in India – lack of jobs in manufacturing sector, lack of skills etc
- Discuss how the status quo is going to get aggravated in future with job losses occurring in even well performing sectors like IT, Banking etc
- Discuss the challenges in front of India – poor skilling, poor infrastructure , lack of human capacity development, outdated system of education etc – all of which make it more difficult and complex for us to achieve the transformation
- Suggest way forward such as the need for constantly upgrading our skills and others as mentioned in the article.
Conclusion – Bring out the need for adapting to rapidly changing technology and the need for government to recognise this challenge and work on the way forward.
General Studies – 4
TOPIC : Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Why this question
Antibiotic resistance is a serious issue and more so for India, given its poor health infrastructure, a large population of unprivileged and vulnerable people and widespread misuse of antibiotics in animal rearing. The question is related to GS-3 syllabus under the following heading-
Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions; economics of animal-rearing.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to give a proper and complete-in-meaning description of HPCIAs. Then it wants us to discuss how animal rearing is associated with antibiotic resistance among humans.
Directive word
What- we have to provide a description of the term.
Discuss- we have to look into the details and identify the prevalence of and reasons behind antibiotic abuse in livestock rearing.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- give a proper, concise and complete-in-meaning description of HPCIAs along with some examples of class of drugs.
Body– divide the body into three parts.
- discuss the prevalence of use and major uses of antibiotics in livestock rearing. e.g for treating diseases, as growth stimulators, environmental sources etc.
- discuss why there is misuse of antibiotics- e.g lack of knowledge about proper usage, over the counter sale of antibiotics, necessary for extracting decent profit from large intensive poultry and pig farms, etc.
- briefly discuss the effects of antibiotic resistance in humans.
Conclusion– briefly mention alternatives to antibiotics usage in livestock rearing- e.g better health and hygiene, scientific management, incentivization of organic products, harnessing traditional knowledge on livestock medicine etc.
