[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 24 January 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s
interest.
General Studies – 2
Topic– Indian Diaspora
1) Indian Diaspora is India’s asset in disguise. Elaborate with suitable examples.(250 words)
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to highlight the strength of the indian diaspora and how they prove to be an asset for the country.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight that Indian diaspora is getting influential across the world so much so that there are 285 people of Indian origin in various positions of leadership such as Heads of state and governments, senators, state leaders and members of parliaments.
Body
- Discuss the length and breadth of indian diaspora
- The fact that Indian diaspora is spread across the length and breadth of the world
- And they are contributing in significant ways in corporates, to countries etc
- Discuss the ways in which they are an asset for India
- A diaspora estimated at over 30 million people fills mainstream roles and responsibilities in their adopted countries, helping shape the destiny of these countries. The President of Singapore, Governor-General of New Zealand and prime ministers of Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago were all of Indian descent.
- Between 1995 and 2005, over a quarter of immigrant-founded engineering and IT companies in the United States were started by Indians, according to a study by Duke University and the University of California. And Indian expats owned an estimated 35 per cent of the country’s hotels.
- According to the 2000 U.S. census, Indians had median annual earnings of $51,000, compared to $32,000 for Americans overall. About 64 per cent of Indian-Americans have a bachelor’s degree or more, compared to 28 per cent of Americans overall, and 44 per cent for all Asian-American groups
- The Diaspora population bring technical and domain expertise to domestic startups and often act as angel investors. Diaspora Indian faculty abroad volunteer time and resources to help faculty on Indian campuses improve the quality of education — as in the case of member institutions of the Indo Universal Collaboration of Engineering Education.
Conclusion – Give your view and discuss way forward.
Topic– Indian Diaspora
Why this question
India has one of the largest diaspora in the world and it receives one of the largest amounts of remittances. Besides, the growing role of Indians as well as India across the world makes it essential for us to discuss the opportunities as well as challenges posed by Indian diaspora.
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 opportunity presented by Indian diaspora for India as well as the challenges posed by it.
Structure of the answer-
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the Indian diaspora. E.g mention the number of Indian diaspora and countries where most of them are concentrated etc.
Body-
- DIscuss what opportunities does Indian diaspora bring for India. E.g
- Huge corpus of remittances which further aid in socio-economic development and poverty reduction.
- Spending on healthcare has an important labour market implication as it increases labour productivity.
- Trans-national entrepreneurship and diffusion of technology, experience and exposure.
- DIaspora diplomacy etc.
- Discuss what are the challenges involved therein. E.g
- support of the diaspora is neither automatic nor continuous, and their interests need not be India’s priorities. For example, the Indian community in the US was not vocal enough in criticising President Donald Trump’s proposal to restrict the H-1B visa programme that has benefited many Indians.
- Another challenge is that remittances may not always be used for beneficial purposes. For instance, India faced problems due to foreign funding for extremist 29 movements like the Khalistan movement.
- Moreover, the diaspora is unfair in expecting India to stand by them at all times of need etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic-Indian polity : Issues
Why this question
10% reservation for economically weaker sections has been introduced recently. The decision to not let this impact seats in educational institutions is likely to cause strain on them. This question expects you to analyze such issues.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the decision of granting reservation to economically weaker sections, analyze how it is likely to cause strain on educational institutions and what must be done in this regard.
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 the recent decision to grant 10% reservation to EWS.
Body
- Explain that in order to ensure that the reservations don’t impact seats for other categories, additional 25% seats to be created in educational institutions. This additional enrolment would require universities and colleges to add to infrastructure very quickly – classrooms, teachers, hostels and much more.
- Highlight the issues with Indian universities and how this measure is likely to break their already overstretched backs
- Discuss what needs to be done in this regard.
Conclusion – Give your view and discuss way forward.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s
interest
4) Discuss the impact that America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan would have on India. (250 words)
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the situation with respect to American troops in Afghanistan, India’s position on this matter and thereafter bring out whether and how the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan would affect India.
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 why this issue is in news currently.
Body
- Discuss the 2017 policy of USA of enhancing troop presence in Afghanistan and the recent winds of change which indicate that the USA is looking to withdraw
- Discuss how it impacts India’s strategic interests
- Highlight what India needs to do – India needs to shed its diplomatic diffidence because unlike in the 1990s, India’s options for engagement today are not restricted. It may not have the leverage of being a spoiler but neither does it carry uncomfortable baggage. During the last 18 years, India has earned goodwill cutting across Afghanistan’s geographies and ethnicities. Instead of playing favourites, it has supported institution building and shown that its interests coincide with the idea of a stable, secure, independent and peaceful Afghanistan. What is needed is more active and coordinated diplomacy, official and non-official, so that India remains at the table as Afghanistan’s preferred development partner through its transition.
Conclusion – Give your view and discuss way forward.
Topic – Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,
Why this question
China is the world’s second largest economy and an important trade partner of India. In this context it is important to discuss the impact of Chinese slowdown on india.
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 how Chinese slowdown may impact Indian economy- in bad as well as the good way.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the Chinese economic slowdown. E.g China’s economic growth cooled to its slowest in 28 years in 2018. China’s Dec exports unexpectedly fell 4.4% from a year earlier, with demand in most of its major markets weakening. Imports also saw a shock drop, falling 7.6% — the biggest decline since July 2016.
Body-
DIscuss in points as to how Indian economy could be affected due to Chinese slowdown. E.g
- China has the biggest share in India’s imports, at more than 16%.
- It is also the fourth largest export market for the country, with a 4.39% share. So the impact on India is unlikely to be huge.
- If yuan weakens, it makes imports from China cheaper; excess capacities in China could lead to dumping of products. This could hurt Indian companies.
- India’s exports of raw material to China could suffer.
- On the positive side, India could become a destination for Chinese companies; it would make economic sense for Chinese companies to shift manufacturing of products they sell in India.
- India could also gain from Chinese help in infrastructure.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
General Studies – 3
Topic- Indian economy : issues
Why this question
The article discusses the structure of RBI’s equity holding and examines whether the equity holding of RBI needs to be reduced. The issue has been in news recently and a committee has been formed to examine this issue.
Key demand of the question
The question first expects us to explain the structure of equity holding of RBI and thereafter analyze whether it’s too high and should be reduced. Finally, we need to give a fair and balanced opinion and discuss way forward.
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 why this issue has been in news.
Body
- Explain that the RBI’s current equity holding is around 27 per cent of its total assets. This overall equity level can be divided into four categories: Paid-up capital, contingency capital, revaluation capital and asset development fund. The two largest components of these are contingency capital (6.6 per cent) and revaluation capital (around 20 per cent). The revaluation capital is an accounting entry that offsets changes in the rupee value of the foreign assets and gold holdings of the RBI due to changes in the exchange rate of the rupee and changes in the dollar price of gold, respectively.
- Explain what the issue is – total equity of 27 per cent has attracted a lot of attention lately. Arguments have been made that this is too high, especially when compared with other countries and that the RBI should transfer a part of this “excess” capital to the government as a one-time payment.
- Give rationale for why this equity is needed and whether it needs to be reduced.
Conclusion – Give your view and discuss way forward.
Topic – Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Why this question
Regional inequality has been an important issue for independent India and it is still relevant given that progress on this front has not been at the desired level. In this context it is essential to discuss the factors responsible for creating and sustaining regional disparities in India.
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 factors- historical, social, geographical, political- responsible for the economic disparities between various parts/ regions of India.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the economic disparity between various regions of India. E.g inter-State disparities have widened in recent years even as the larger economy grows in size. Many low-income States have experienced isolated years of strong economic growth above the national average. But they have still failed to bridge their widening gap with the richer States since they have simply not been able to maintain a healthy growth rate over a sustained period of time.
Body-
Discuss in points as to what factors are responsible for this disparity. E.g
- Historically, regional imbalances in India started from its British regime. The British rulers as well as industrialists started to develop only those earmarked regions of the country which as per their own interests.
- Geographical factors play an important role in the developmental activities of a developing economy. The difficult terrain surrounded by hills, rivers and dense forests leads to increase in the cost of administration, cost of developmental projects, besides making mobilisation of resources particularly difficult.
- Locational advantages are playing an important role in determining the development strategy of a region. Due to some locational advantages, some regions are getting special favour in respect of site selections of various developmental projects.
- Economic overheads like transport and communication facilities, power, technology, banking and insurance etc. are considered very important for the development of a particular region.
- Failure of Planning etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Topic– Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
8) Editing the ‘human germline’ is an exercise fraught with unknown risks. Discuss.(250 words)
Why this question
In the wake of the world’s first human germline editing exercise, it is pertinent to discuss about the risks associated with the technology, apart from the ethical issues involved therein.
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 risks associated with human germline editing technology, as of today.
Structure of the answer
Introduction- write a few introductory lines about the recent incident of a Chinese scientist exercising gene-edition in human embryo.
Body-
- DIscuss the potential benefits of human-germline editing. E.g
- Editing DNA to correct disease mutations has been possible for a while now.
- The promises of such gene-editing are boundless- to treat diseases like HIV, multiple myeloma and other forms of cancer, using the Crispr-Cas9 editing system etc.
- DIscuss as to why human germline editing is fraught with unknown risks. E.g
- Editing human embryos to repair disease-causing genes is far more controversial.
- One pitfall of embryo gene-editing is that it is not as precise as we need it to be today.
- Studies have shown that the technology can result in unintended mutations, which in turn can cause cancers.
- Then there is the danger of mosaicism, in which some cells inherit the target mutation, while others don’t.
- Every gene likely influences multiple traits, depending on the environment it interacts with. This makes it hard to predict the ultimate outcome of an embryo-editing exercise without decades of follow-up.
- Issue of Designer babies
- Issue of Social and political inequality etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
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