[Insights Secure – 2018] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 28 JUNE 2018
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LIST of TOPICS (Static)
REVISION TIMETABLE FOR PRELIMS – 2018
General Studies – 1
Topic – part of Static series under the heading “Rights of minorities enshrined in article 29 and 30”
Key demand of the question
The question basically expects us to discuss the rights and protection accorded to MEI and the debate surrounding the status of MEI like Jamia Millia and AMU.
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 that constitution award fundamental rights to protect community rights in article 29 and 30
Body
- Discuss the content of article 29 and 30 wrt MEI
- Examine the debate over the status of AMU and why in that case the constitutional protections accorded to MEI is not sufficient.
Conclusion – Mention that the question needs quick resolution to ensure that the confusion over who MEI is gets resolved sooner rather than later.
General Studies – 2
Topic:Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Key demand of the question.
India has one of the most successful DDT programs in the world in the form of DDT programme of Tamil Nadu. However, the issue has been in news recently for various reasons. It is important to know about the legal context, performance and various issues affecting the programme. 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.
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the country’s most successful DDT programme, and discuss the changes required in such programmes along with proper arguments justifying it. We also have to write in detail about the legal mechanism in place in India to regulate organ transplantation.
Directive word
Comment- we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an opinion on whether some policy changes are required to be made by India in the context of the controversy arising out of the country’s most successful DDT program.
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the legal mechanism in place in India to regulate organ transplantation.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- mention that Tamil Nadu’s DDT program is one of the most successful DDT programs in the world. Also, briefly discuss the recent controversy arising out of the program.
Body-
- Discuss the issues arising from organ transplantation like Tamilnadu’s DDT program and discuss why India needs to bring in some policy changes to solve the problem. E.g more subscription of wealthy, foreign donors; commercial transplantation scandals, high costs of transplantation, high demand for organs but limited capacity to pay etc.
- Then highlight the required policy changes. e.g building the capacity of public hospitals, subsidising transplantation, enabling affirmative action in the allocation process in favour of public hospitals etc.
- Mention that health is a state subject then many states have ratified the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994 and the Transplantation of Human Organs Rules – 1995. Also, discuss the salient provisions of this legal mechanism.
Conclusion– draw a fair, balanced and concise conclusion on the given issue.
General Studies – 3
Topic –Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question
The question is related to GS-3 syllabus under the following heading –
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to look deeply into the issue of the goals and plans to increase electrical mobility in India. We have to look into all the aspects of the issue and discuss what precautions should be taken before moving forward.
Directive word
Critically analyse- we have to dig deep into the issue and identify, briefly discuss the key aspects of the question. We have to bring out the need to take certain precautions before deciding and pursuing our goals in relation to increase electrical mobility in India.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– mention the recent targets as indicated by NITI Aayog i.e 40% of personal vehicles and public transportation in the country should go completely electric by 2030.
Body-
- Discuss why precautions need to be taken before pursuing such a target.E.g lack of infrastructure, the dominance of public transport as a source of air pollution, a high number of two-wheelers in the country, high cost of EVs etc.
- Discuss in points what precautions should be taken.
e.g prioritize public transport and two-wheelers, need to provide some subsidy, adopting swap battery model instead of charging model which is more suited to Indian conditions, demonstrate and learn from the experience in selected smart cities and then increase the ambit of the programme etc.
Conclusion– mention that a step-by-step approach is required as the ecosystem for electric vehicles develops gradually, alternative models are pursued, and learnings from experience accrue. You can also better make your own conclusion based on your discussion and arguments.
Topic– Environmental impact assessment
Why this question
The article explores two important threads of thought – the changed nature of environmental movements where urban citizens are taking the lead and the lax EIA norms for construction activities. Since EIA is a topic in GS3, this question becomes important.
Key demand of the question
The question first asks us to mention the EIA guidelines, particularly the lacunae in them. Examine whether the kind of changes being proposed would aggravate or address the problem. Discuss the need of a paradigm shift to take environmental concerns seriously by strengthening eia procedure.
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 protests in Delhi and the questions that it raises.
Body
- Mention that clearances for such projects were given. Discuss the EIA guidelines regarding construction projects
- Examine whether the changes under consideration would aggravate or address the issue. Bring out the perspective of need of construction for building low cost houses etc and the impact it has on environment.
- Discuss how can the norms be strengthened to reconcile both objectives.
Conclusion – Conclude your answer by emphasizing on the importance of tackling this in light of the heightened citizen awareness regarding environmental concerns.
Topic – environmental pollution and degradation
Why this question
The article highlights this new issue in groundwater which has serious implications. Niti Aayog’s recent report on the situation of groundwater has already painted a bleak picture and uranium poisoning is the concern.
Key demand of the question
The question is fairly straightforward in its demand. It expects us to discuss what the issue is about, examine the causes behind uranium contamination of groundwater, the impact in health etc and the ways in which this problem can be nipped in its bud.
Directive word
Discuss – Here one has to mention the specific details asked in the question in their discussion.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Discuss the findings of the report in Environmental Science and Technology Letters.
Body
- Explain the problem – safe limit for uranium, how this increases the severity of groundwater crisis, in the past arsenic crisis was also a huge issue.
- Explain the causes such as naturally found in rocks, excessive pumping for groundwater, overuse of acquifers etc
- Discuss the impact it would have in health as well as add to water woes
- Examine how the problem can be addressed
Conclusion – Emphasize on the seriousness of the issue and the need to take preemptive active before the problem gets out of hand.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Case Studies
6)Three teenagers and two adults are arrested on burglary and stolen goods charges.
The goods: $23,000 in computer equipment. The victim: Their high school.
The youths used a stolen key to enter the school and one later tells the newspaper that the burglary started out as fun, but the sight of the computers made grand larceny “just too easy.”
Among the suspects are the son of your newspaper’s general manager, the son of an elementary school principal in the same district as the burglarized school and the son of a state government division manager.
Will you mention the name of your general manager in the related news of burglary by his son? Discuss why/why not.(250 words)
Why this question
The question is a part of GS-4 syllabus ( Case Studies).
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring out the issues arising out of including the name of the father in the news of his son being caught in a burglary incident. We have to present our opinion and write in support of the opinion.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. Here we have to write about the ethical issues involved, what should be done and why so should be done.
Structure of the answer
Take the help of the article attached to the question to frame your answer.
Discuss
- The Ethical issues involved here. E.g Reputation of the father, close relation of the agents (father-son), son is adult etc.
- Mention your opinion on whether you would mention the name of your general manager in the related news. Support your opinion with proper justification.
