[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 29 NOVEMBER 2018
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Modern Indian History.
General Studies – 1
Topic -The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
India’s struggle for independence by Bipin Chandra Pal- Peasant Movements and uprisings after 1857
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the peasant movements witnessed during the 19th century in India, bring out their salient features and discuss the weakness of those movements in terms of lack of understanding of colonialism.
Structure of the answer
Introduction-
write a few introductory lines about the peasant movements of 19th century India. E.g the Indigo revolt, Pabna revolt and the Deccan revolt.
Body-
Discuss the common features of such revolts and bring out why such movements lacked an adequate understanding of colonialism. E.g the peasants fought only for their own demands, centered almost wholly on economic issues, and against their immediate enemies, foreign planters and indigenous zamindars and moneylenders; They did not make colonialism their target and their objective was not the ending of the system of their subordination and exploitation; they had little territorial reach with no mutual communication or linkages; They also lacked continuity of struggle or long-term organization. As soon as the objectives of a movement were achieved, its organization, as also peasant solidarity built around it dissolved and disappeared; These movements lacked the understanding of the economic structure and the colonial state — and of the social framework of the movements themselves; Most importantly they lacked a positive conception of an alternative society etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic- The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
India’s struggle for independence by Bipin Chandra Pal- The Swadeshi Movement- 1903-08
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail as to why the Swadeshi movement failed even though it deployed the entire gamut of Gandhian techniques.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Write a few introductory lines about the Swadeshi movement. E.g when it started and the extent of its spread, important leaders etc.
Body-
- Discuss the Gandhian techniques deployed by the Swadeshi movement. E.g The movement threw up the entire gamut of Gandhian techniques such as passive resistance, non-violent non-cooperation, the call to fill the British jails, social reform, constructive work, etc.
- Discuss why the movement fell into decadence even though it employed the entire gamut of Gandhian techniques. E.g It was, however, unable to give these techniques a centralized, disciplined focus, carry- the bulk of political – India, and convert these techniques into actual, practical political practice, as Gandhiji was able to do later; it was not able to garner the support of the mass of Muslims and especially of the Muslim peasantry; Hindus and Muslims were divided along class lines with the former being the landlords and the latter constituting the peasantry. During this period All India Muslim League was set up with the active guidance and support of the Government; the government, seeing the revolutionary potential of the movement, came down with a heavy hand; internal squabbles, and especially the congress split, in 1907 in the Congress weakened the movement; though the Swadeshi Movement had spread outside Bengal, the rest of the country was not as yet fully prepared to adopt the new style and stage of politics; Tilak was sentenced to six years imprisonment, Ajit Singh and Lajpat Rai of Punjab were deported and Chidambaram Pillai was arrested; Bipin Chandra Pal and Aurobindo Ghosh retired from active politics etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic– Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.
Why this question
IMD has forecast that El nino like conditions are likely to develop and its impact on India is going to be immense. Hence this question.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to explain what El Nino is, its formation and impact. Thereafter we need to explain its impact on Indian climate.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight the forecast of IMD.
Body – Explain what ElNino is, you will also have to explain southern oscillation. Draw a schematic for better explanation. Thereafter, discuss how El Nino impacts the climate of India.
Conclusion – You conclude by discussing how we can be prepared to deal with its impacts.
General Studies – 2
Topic– Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question
India and Germany share several values and objectives. They are among the world’s largest economies and share a long history of a bilateral relationship. It is essential to discuss this relationship in detail.
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to express our knowledge and understanding of the Indo-German relationship, trace the relationship and highlight the key aspects of cooperation and mutual interest and also express our opinion as to how the two nations are natural partners making joint efforts for prosperity.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Write a few introductory lines about the Indo-German relationship. E.g India was one of the first nations to recognise the young Federal Republic of Germany in 1951 etc.
Body–
- Discuss the history of cooperation between the two countries. E.g In the early years and in line with the government policy of that time, their joint projects targeted industrial growth, poverty reduction and rural development. To mention one example, in the 1960s German development cooperation supported the agricultural revolution in the Nilgiris by helping small farmers to get loans and determine favourable cultivation practices for potatoes etc.
- Discuss the commonalities between the two countries. E.g Both share common values and constitutional principles, and the bilateral relationship has always been based on great mutual respect and understanding. Today, India is one of the biggest and fastest-growing economies, and Germany is the biggest economy in Europe. Both are natural partners making a joint effort for prosperity, while ensuring that they safeguard the environment etc.
- Discuss the focus of cooperation between the two countries today. E.g First, the Clean Ganga initiative in which Germany has pledged a loan of Rs 970 crore to strengthen sewage water treatment infrastructure in Uttarakhand; Second, In 2013, the Maharashtra Power Generation Corporation Limited, supported by German funds, set up a 125 Megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in Sakri; Third, green mobility and development are one of the key issues for the future of countries and Germany has pledged up to Rs 8,900 crore over five years to improve solid and liquid waste management and provide climate-friendly urban transport like the Metro in Nagpur, which is the single biggest project of German financial cooperation in India etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
General Studies – 3
Topic – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Why this question
This article discusses about the application of technology in healthcare sector and how it can help in improvement of achievement of outcomes under NHPM. This is an important application of technology and hence this question.
Key demand of the question
The question firsts expects us to explain how technology is being used for reaching new frontiers in healthcare sector. Next we need to explain about NHPM in brief and thereafter analyze how technology can be helpful in better fulfilling the objectives of the mission.
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 – Highlight that technology has progressed by leaps and bounds and its application in healthcare sector is immense.
Body
- Explain the application of technology on healthcare sector – Telemedicine has already brought healthcare to the remotest corners of the country. The use of artificial intelligence for preventive and predictive health analytics can strongly support clinical diagnosis with evidence-based guidance, and also prevent disease. From the virtual reality (VR) of 3D-printing, we are now moving towards augmented reality (AR), by which, for example, every piece of node in a malignant melanoma can be completely removed, thereby eliminating the risk of the cancer spreading to any other part of the body. Biotechnology, cell biology and genetics are opening up whole new paradigms of understanding of human life and disease, and have made personalised medicine a way of life.
- Explain about NHPM and discuss how technology can be useful with points such as – By leapfrogging through smart adoption of technology and using emerging platforms such as Blockchain, significant improvements are possible in healthcare operations and costs.
Conclusion – Mention that to fulfill the healthcare needs of such a large population on budget cost would make the use of technology imperative.
Topic – Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
6) What do you understand by gene drive and examine its implications?(250 words)
Why this question
Ending Malaria via this technology is a possibility and it is currently being debated by CBD. Such debates and the underlying technology is important for preparing science and technology section.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to explain what Gene drive technology is, how it works, discuss its applications. Thereafter we have to analyze the usage of this technology and the likely impact it can have on ecosystem, and other such issues that may arise. Finally, we need to provide our opinion for the way forward for this technology.
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 – Explain that this is a technology newly developed and currently under focus due to its role in potentially tackling diseases such as malaria.
Body
- Explain about the technology – Engineered gene drives are genetic systems that circumvent traditional rules of sexual reproduction and greatly increase the odds that the drive will be passed on to offspring. This enables the spread of specified genetic alterations through targeted wild populations over many generations. They represent a potentially powerful tool to confront regional or global challenges, including control of invasive species and eradication of insect-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.
- Explain that the idea is not new, but Harvard-based researchers have now outlined a technically feasible way to build gene drives that potentially could spread almost any genomic change through populations of sexually reproducing species
- Discuss its application as potentially powerful ecosystem management tool for global sustainability, but one that carries with it new concerns, as with any emerging technology
- Highlight the concerns as articulated in the down-to-earth article
Conclusion – Give your view on what should be the way forward for gene drive.
General Studies – 4
Topic– Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions;
7) What are the ethical concerns involved in gene editing technology. Discuss.(250 words)
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the ethical issues surrounding the gene-editing technology.
Structure of the answer
Introduction: write a few introductory lines about the gene-editing technology.E.g Most of the ethical discussions related to genome editing center around human germline editing. This is because changes made in the germline would be passed down to future generations.
Body-Discuss the ethical issues surrounding the gene-editing technology E.g
- Safety
Due to the possibility of off-target effects (edits in the wrong place) and mosaicism (when some cells carry the edit but others do not), safety is of primary concern.
- Informed consent
It is impossible to obtain informed consent for germline therapy because the patients affected by the edits are the embryo and future generations; worries about the possibility of obtaining truly informed consent from prospective parents as long as the risks of germline therapy are unknown.
- Justice and Equity
there is concern that genome editing will only be accessible to the wealthy and will increase existing disparities in access to health care and other interventions. Some worry that taken to its extreme, germline editing could create classes of individuals defined by the quality of their engineered genome.
- Genome-Editing Research Involving Embryos
Many people have moral and religious objections to the use of human embryos for research. Public funds cannot be used for any research that creates or destroys embryos.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
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