[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 13 March 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial
revolution, world wars.
General Studies – 1
Topic– Industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries,colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
World history by Norman Lowe, World history NCERT
Why this question:
The question is in the light of Mao- Tse- Tung and his policies around the Chinese civil war that led to rise of Current China.
Key demands of the question:
The answer should provide for a close inspection of the role played by Mao , how he was instrumental in establishing an early form of Chinese communism in the years 1928-34. How He helped to develop it and create the military and political strategy in the Yenan years of 1935-45 that won the civil war in 1949. He then went on to mold communist China and ruled it – in his last years at least in name – until his death in September 1976.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Start with the significant role of Mao-Tse-Tung in Chinese revolution.
Body
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
- Briefly – who was Mao , his role in bringing out urban and agrarian reforms —via China’s first five-year plan (1953–57), the Great Leap Forward (1958–60), and the Cultural Revolution (1966–76).
- His authoritarian tactics to maintain principal control over the trajectory of his country.
- Impact on contemporary China.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of Mao-Tse-Tung, his distinct policies and their impact as of even today.
Topic– Industrial revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries,colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.
World history by Norman Lowe, World history NCERT
Why this question:
The question is about the impact of American war of independence on India.
demand of the question:
The answer must explain in detail the impact of American revolution on Indian war of independence, what were the effects it had? How did it capture the Indian minds? Inspired Indian leaders etc.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Highlight the achievements of American war of independence.
Body
Discuss the following in detail:
- Narrate the backdrop of the American war of independence.
- Provide for a comparative analysis of the American war of independence and Indian war of independence, how the former influenced the latter.
- Role of British in either cases.
- Discuss the role of political leaders; how American war influenced them.
- Highlight how both the wars were wars of independence through suffering, valour and sacrifice.
Conclusion
conclude with significance of these events in the history.
Topic: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Why this question:
The article explains in detail the irony Women face in the backdrop of traditional Gendered roles and societal stereotypes. It discusses in detail the Indian context with the background of upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the sorry picture of women participation in Indian political system.
Key demand of the question:
The answer should discuss – role of women in social, economic and political system. The causes and consequences of gendered roles and stereotypes in our country and the need to move beyond reflections about family relationships and motherhood and women’s inalienable duties to society.
Directive word
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
Briefly bring out the role of Women in the society.
Body:
Discussion of the answer should cover:
- Significance of Women in the society – social, economic and political.
- Why the idea of gendered roles is outdated and should be done away with?
- Discuss examples of the prevalence in Indian context.
- Can bring in a dimension of care ethics vs Feminist ethics.
Conclusion –
Conclude with what needs to be done, What path should India take to empower women.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Why this question:
The article is in the background of upcoming Lok Sabha elections, it provides for a detailed analysis of the importance of Model code conduct in India and it traces the evolution of MCC with time and changing dynamics of the Indian polity.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of Model code of conduct in professing free and fair elections, emphasis upon the philosophy guiding it and trace its evolution over the period since its inception.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with a brief on Model code of conduct – what is it ? why is it essential.
Body:
Discuss the following:
- What is Model code of conduct – underlying philosophy; consensus document, parties and candidates should show respect for their opponents, criticize their policies and programmes constructively, and not resort to mudslinging and personal attacks.
- Importance of Model code of conduct.
- Trace its evolution – Kerala being first state to adopt, revisions of MCC etc
- What are the challenges faced by MCC and how to overcome them? – social media, corruption etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the importance of the use of Model code of conduct in conducting free and fair elections.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
The article discusses the nuances of the Official secrets Act in the backdrop of recent Attorney-General’s request for criminal action against those responsible for making stolen documents on the Rafale deal public.
Key demand of the question:
The question wants us to write in detail about the key features and provisions of the Official Secrets Act and evaluate its relevance as of today.
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.
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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with a brief discussion of the current context of Stolen documents of the Rafale case.
Body:
The answer should capture the following aspects:
- What is the issue?
- What are the key features of OSA?
- Trace the evolution of the Act.
- notable convictions so far under the Act?
- A comparison with similar laws in other countries.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of reforms required by the Act.
General Studies – 3
Topic: . Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The question is in the context of the economic instability India is facing due to rising commodity prices in the recent times. The article explains in detail the causes and provides a comparison of India’s competitor – China and how it has been successfully tackling the issue with its robust export regime.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must provide for a detailed analysis of the current economic instability owing to rising commodity prices in the Market. One has to discuss in detail in what way the high commodity prices cut domestic purchasing power while low commodity prices add to it. And emphasis must be given to discuss the impact of oil as a commodity.
Directive word:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidences. You have to appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming a personal opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain briefly the current scenario of Economic instability in Indian markets.
Body:
Discuss briefly the causes of the rise in commodity prices, take few examples across the sectors. Narrate the oil import scenario; its effect on our economy. Discuss as to how other factors have also contributed along with rise in commodity prices to create the instability. Provide for a China’s economic picture, how is it different from Indian scenario, What steps should India take.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward – What changes should India approach in its policies to overcome the issue.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
7) “We live in a society bloated with data yet starved for wisdom”. Critically analyse. (250 words)
Why this question:
The Article highlights the 30 years completion of Internet and the wisdom shared by its founder Tim Berners-Lee that the online population is continuously growing and also the spread of hatred on the web.
Key demand of the question
The answer should bring out how the world is overflowing with huge amounts of data everywhere but is lacking wisdom to use it, with just 30 years of Internet’s inception, the world from real to virtual has turned into a tour, one needs to discuss the need to control seamless flow of data and its ill effects.
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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
Explain briefly the statement, what it signifies.
Body:
The answer to such questions should mainly be substantiated with good coverage of examples, one should justify the pros and cons of the Internet, how it is leading to discovery of newer technologies, access to wider world, and thus eventually causing data bloating and promoting web as a source of voice to those who spread hatred, and make all kinds of crime easier to commit instead of it being a platform of public square, a library, a doctor’s office, a shop, a school, an office, a bank, and so much more.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to relook at the incentives of Web against the drawbacks and need for reforms.
General Studies – 4
TOPIC: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Why this question:
The question is about social cognitive theory propounded by Bandura, The article discusses how individuals with strong morals are less likely to adopt toxic behaviour of their superiors. It justifies the importance of strong values and morals using SCT.
Key demand of the question:
The answer should discuss in detail the Bandura’s social cognitive theory and elaborate on the importance of it, also explain its key features. Its role in understanding human Behaviour.
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.
Elucidate – means to explain and clarify the topic, make it clear with examples.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
Briefly explain Social cognitive theory, highlight its importance in understanding human behaviour.
Body:
Body of the answer should discuss:
- What is the theory about?
- Connection between cognitive schemas, paradigms and social scripts.
- best intervention strategy based on social cognitive theory in the workplace to enhance human behaviour.
- Where all can the theory be applied.
- What are the challenges in applying the theory.
- Use examples to justify.
Conclusion –
Conclude with significance of the model and importance of human behaviour.
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