[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 29 January 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
General Studies – 1
Topic – The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Why this question
The article discusses the views of lala Lajpat Rai regarding the role of diversity as an element of Indian culture and its usefulness for the freedom struggle. Lala Lajpat Rai is an important personality of the freedom struggle and hence this article is important.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the views of lala Lajpat Rai with regards to diversity of India and relate it to how crucial an element it was in the national culture and freedom struggle.
Directive word
Discuss – Here your discussion should focus on bringing out the views of lala Lajpat Rai with regards to diversity in India and highlight the importance of his views.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain the role of lala Lajpat Rai in freedom struggle.
Body
- Discuss the evolution of his views with respect to diversity in India.
- Having earlier conceived of Hindus and Muslims as separate “religious nationalities”, by 1915, he proclaimed that “religious nationalism” was a “false idea”, embodying a “narrow sectarianism” which could never be “truly national”. “Religion was a matter of individual faith,” he proclaimed, which “must not interfere with the common civil life of the country”. Instead, every person must transcend their religious community to realise their larger common interest as Indians.
- Lajpat Rai argued that India’s natural geography brilliantly marked it off from the rest of the world, endowing its people with a common nationhood. At times, he pronounced that Indians — whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Parsi — were a common race. He argued that Indian Muslims were descendants of the Aryan race who had merely converted to Islam — they continued to be influenced by their ancestral Aryan-Hindu culture.
- dismissed the idea that nations of the world comprised of single pure races to proudly proclaim that the Hindus, Muslims and Christians of India were a “racial mix-up”.
- Discuss the significance of his views for the freedom struggle
Conclusion – Give a fair and balanced summary of the views of lala Lajpat Rai and its significance.
General Studies – 2
Topic-Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question
The article focuses on what it means now that the supreme court has upheld the insolvency and bankruptcy code in its entirely. The code has made a marked improvement in improving the insolvency proceedings in our country and the article examines how the verdict will make it even better.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to explain how IBC helps in dealing with defaulters, the reason why it was challenged in the court, details of the SC verdict and the implications of the same.
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 about the IBC.
Body
- Discuss the issues with the code that were bring challenge
- Section 29A of IBC
- Section 12A of IBC etc
- Discuss the verdict of the supreme court and how it helps in putting an end to defaulter’s paradise
- tightening of section 29A which ensures that wilful defaulters or those who have been classified as NPAs for more than a year will not be eligible to submit a resolution plan. This means bankers will now be able to recover their dues faster.
- apex court’s ruling establishes the hierarchy of creditors with bankers now right on top and operational creditors (OCs) below them; OCs were seeking a status equal to that of financial creditors and a seat on the Committee of Creditors. The judges noted that OCs had enough safeguards to protect their interests.
- This ruling has far-reaching implications for the promoters of big defaulting companies on the block such as Essar Steel and Bhushan Power & Steel
Conclusion – Give your view and discuss way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic– Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
3) What are the measures which can help reduce agrarian distress in the country. Discuss.(250 words)
Why this question
India is reeling under a protracted agrarian distress and the importance of agriculture in India’s society, economy and polity cannot be overstated. In this context it is important to discuss what measures should be taken to rescue India’s agriculture from the distressing situation it is in today.
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 measures required to alleviate agricultural distress in India. In our approach we should be as pragmatic and practical as possible.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the agriculture and its importance in India. E.g mention the share of agriculture in total GDP and employment. Also mention that Agrarian distress, in the present context, is mainly in terms of low agricultural prices and, consequently, poor farm incomes.
Body-
Discuss in points as to what measures should be taken to help alleviate the agricultural distress in India. E.g
- Raising the MSP, price deficiency payments or income support schemes can only be a partial solution to the problem of providing remunerative returns to farmers.
- A sustainable solution is market reforms to enable better price discovery combined with long-term trade policies favourable to exports.
- The creation of a competitive, stable and unified national market is needed for farmers to get better prices.
- The next issue is the low productivity of Indian agriculture. Basics such as seeds, fertilizers, credit, land and water management and technology are important and should not be forgotten. Similarly, investment in infrastructure and research and development are needed.
- water-use efficiency can be improved significantly with better use of technologies that include drip irrigation.
- We need to have policies for land consolidation along with land development activities in order to tackle the challenge of the low average size of holdings 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.
4) What do you understand by 5g technology? Discuss the advantages it offers? (250 words)
Key demand of the question
The question is quite straightforward in its demand. Explain what the technology, the characteristics which set it apart and the advantages of this technology.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain that 5G is a wireless communication technology. It is the next generation mobile networks technology after 4G LTE networks. The final standard for 5G will be set up by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
Body
- Explain about 5g technology. The 5G Connectivity is name given to latest Technology in Internet technology that would ensure Fast Broadband Speeds along with capacity to perform well without regionalisation barriers. Characteristics Of 5G – Fast Speeds, Reliable, Higher Bandwidth, Low Latency Rate, Mobile Connectivity with many interconnected devices
- Discuss its advantages such as
- As per the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Committee on Digital Economic Policy, 5G technologies rollout will help in increasing GDP, creating employment and digitizing the economy.
- The 5G technology will offer far greater upload and download speed available today.
- This will help cloud systems to stream software updates, music, and navigation data to driverless cars. In other words, it will help aid incorporate Artificial Intelligence in our lives.
- It will enable Smart devices to exchange data seamlessly providing the ecosystem for Internet of Things (IoT)
Conclusion – Discuss the immense application of 5g technology and how India should move ahead with respect to 5g.
Topic- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
5) Discuss about the CRISPR gene editing technology and the concerns raised by it.(250 words)
Why this question
The CRISPR technology is a revolutionary technology which has enhanced our capabilities to edit genetic information. It finds use in many cutting edge research and clinical programmes. It is therefore important to discuss in detail about the technology as well as issues raised by it.
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 CRISPR gene editing technology- a brief description, scope and its use. It also wants us to write in detail about the concerns raised by the technology.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the CRISPR technology. E.g Often described as “a pair of molecular scissors,” CRISPR is widely considered the most precise, most cost-effective and quickest way to edit genes.
Body-
- Discuss further about the technology in detail. E.g
- CRISPR forms an integral part of the “immune system” in bacteria, allowing them to fight off invading viruses. When a virus enters the bacteria, it fights back by cutting up the virus’ DNA. This kills the virus and the bacteria stores some of the leftover DNA.
- The leftover DNA is like a fingerprint, stored in the CRISPR database. If invaded again, the bacteria produce an enzyme called Cas9 that acts like a fingerprint scanner. Cas9 uses the CRISPR database to match the stored fingerprints with those of the new invader. If it can find a match, Cas9 is able to chop up the invading DNA.
- Its potential applications are far-reaching, affecting conservation, agriculture, drug development and how we might fight genetic diseases. It could even alter the entire gene pool of a species.
- It might be used to fight HIV infection, combat invasive species and destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- One particular leap in cancer therapy options is the genetic modification of T cells, a type of white blood cell that’s critical for the human immune system etc.
- Discuss the concerns raised by the technology. E.g
- One of the chief barriers to getting CRISPR effectively working in humans is the risk of “off-target effects.” When CRISPR is tasked with hunting down a gene, it sometimes finds genes that look very similar to its target and cuts them, too.
- An unintended cut may cause mutations in other genes, leading to pathologies such as cancer, or it may have no effect at all
- Gene editing can also be used to edit embryos and thus, change the human gene pool.
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.
Why this question
India has been touted as one of the leading AI ready nations in the world. However the progress has not been upto the mark especially in comparison to countries like China. In this context it is important to analyze the extent to which India is an AI specialist.
Directive word
Critically analyze- here we 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. based on our discussion we have to form a concluding opinion on the issue.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– mention a recent international survey which highlights India’s performance vis a vis AI technology. E.g In a recent survey announced that India is the 13th most advanced country the world in terms of the development of artificial intelligence technologies.
Body-
- Discuss the progress and achievements of India in this regard. E.g
- In the last few years, numerous entrepreneurs have come up with AI-based services in applications ranging from farming to healthcare and education.
- We have also seen the government undertaking initiatives to adapt AI in its policies as well. It has partnered with several AI institutes to implement AI projects.
- It is these AI projects that have helped the country do so well in the field. Also, partnering with various reputed international AI institutes has helped the country develop an effective AI strategy.
- NITI Aayog’s unique brand called #AIforAll is an approach that focuses on how India can leverage the transformative technologies to ensure social and inclusive growth in line with the development philosophy of the government.
- With this initiative, it has extended its support in the areas of healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure and smart mobility and transportation sectors.
- Andhra Pradesh government has been using cloud management and data storage in governance to resolve issues of the people in the state.
- Big Indian companies such as Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio are setting up AI labs. Indian IT services giants such as Infosys and Wipro are making huge investments in AI etc.
- Discuss the limitations and challenges lying ahead. E.g
a) Lack of enabling data ecosystems
b) Low intensity of AI research
c) Core research in fundamental technologies
d) Transforming core research into market applications
e) Inadequate availability of AI expertise, manpower and skilling opportunities
f) High resource cost and low awareness for adopting AI in business processes
g) Unclear privacy, security and ethical regulations
h) Unattractive Intellectual Property regime to incentivise research and adoption of AI
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
General Studies – 4
Topic– Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
7) Media plays an important role in inculcating and shaping our values. 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 role of media as an agent of inculcating and shaping our values and value system.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the growth and importance of media in our life and society.
Body-
- Mention that over the last two decades the media industry has changed at a breakneck pace due to these adjustments and wholesale development of the industry. New media have joined the arena while others have been forced to grow. These changes have been brought by advancements in technology and media usage.
- Discuss in points, what role does media play vis a vis value inculcation and development. E.g
- ERADICATING STEREOTYPE: Media is more likely to affect our beliefs about reality when an individual do not have first-hand experiences to rely upon. Thus, in the case of ethnic stereotypes at least, one would more easily accept media primes about such groups if individual did not have first-hand experience to complicate them.
- CONCEPTUALIZING ABOUT THE WORLD: Media influences us in one way by shaping our subjective understanding of reality, i.e. our beliefs about the world— what it is and how it works, etc. Even though the creators of media messages may not intend to change attitudes or beliefs, over time the media consumer tends to believe that the real world resembles the world presented in media. 3.
ATTITUDE : As already mentioned above, previous media research showed that the intent to actively change social attitudes did not work in early media campaigns. Instead, ironically, people being persuaded by media messages that weren’t even designed to change attitudes or behavior.
- “IDENTIFICATION” AS A FACTOR OF SOCIALIZATION:Any individual specially the present time generation acquires values and lifestyle through imitation of “socialized actors”. Acquisition of values is not given entity but it is a result of action.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
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