[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 15 March 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
General Studies – 1
Topic-Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Why this question:
In the era of 4.0 Industrial revolution, the article captures a discussion upon the effect of technology on elderly people in India, the factors which have led to some change in the status of elderly, the issues plaguing them and the solutions through ICT in addressing them. UPSC in the past has asked about the effect of globalization on elderly people in India , and thus the question is of great importance.
Key demands of the question:
The question is about analyzing the mixed impact of increasing digitization and effect of carrying out the functions and achieving the results of governance through the utilization of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) on the aged population of India.
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
A good start would be with some fact highlighting change in the lives of elderly population due to coming of Digitisation.
Body
The body of the answer should base on examples and convey the following dimensions:
- What are the challenges Digitization and increasing e-governance has posed on the elderly; lack of knowledge to use technology owing to illiteracy, lack of access to technology, technology may just corner the aged people even more etc.
- Positives – access to services at the click of a mouse or at fingertips with mobile phones; e- living certificates, direct transfer of pensions to accounts, social connectivity sitting at home etc.
- Analyse the above pros and cons and convey you overall opinion.
Conclusion
Conclude that digitization and increased technology in Governance has mixed impact on aged population. It has seemingly prolonged life and increased the purpose of life for the old.
Topic– Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Why this question:
The question is in relevance to the recently proposed quota facility for the economically weaker sections by the government of India. It is important to evaluate the shift in the idea of reservation from socially weaker sections to economically weaker sections.
demand of the question:
The answer must explain why is the paradigm shift, What is that the government claiming and how far is it right? One must weigh the pros and cons of such a policy. The main demand of the question is to analyse if the above reform in reservation system is going to make our Indian society – casteless and classless in reality.
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
Brief upon the recent decision of the government on providing the quota for EWS.
Body
Discuss the following in detail:
- Discussion should analyse the Supreme Court’s past decision of – “attainment of economic equality as the final and only solution to the besetting problems”.
- Discuss – the pros and cons of amendment; to create 10% reservation for the poor in the unreserved category violated the basic structure of the Constitution and breached the 50% ceiling.
- Relevance of Article 15(6) and Article 16(6).
- Is reservation the only solution to empower the weaker and backward section?
Conclusion
conclude with significance of reservation in Indian history since independence, and how gradually we need to move towards a casteless and classless society that requires no reservation as a tool to bring equality among people.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary; Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Don’t cross ‘Line of control’, High Court cautions media 15-03-2019, Bengaluru edition page 02
Why this question:
The question is in the context of tension between the freedom of expression and the right to privacy as examined with particular attention to media in India. Freedom of Press is integral part of the freedom of expression. Infant print media has grown up as a youth with tremendous dimensions viz, electronic media.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must crucially highlight that freedom of speech and expression assured to media has to be exercised subject to the degree to which private information is exposed and therefore it depends on how the public will receive this information, which differs between places and over time.
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:
Briefly bring out the role of Media/Press and its significance.
Body:
The purpose of the answer must be to understand whether media is functioning within its arena of Constitution; freedom of speech and expression properly, examine whether the internal norms to regulate media are virtually followed, should there be outer checks on media freedom or it is against the democratic principle of freedom of speech and expression. Further, analyze the limitation on people’s right to know and how far appropriate.
In the environment of scattered statutory provisions for privacy protection, limitations of law declared by the judiciary on privacy and the modern days threat to privacy, one must highlight the need for comprehensive and effective law for the protection of privacy in India.
Conclusion –
Conclude with what needs to be done, how can a balance be struck between the two.
Topic : Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
The Indian statistical system is perhaps facing its sharpest criticism in recent memory. The data released by the government recently are being openly questioned. The question is in the background of resignation of two members of the National Statistical Commission—including the acting chairman—last week, while protesting the delay in the publication of employment data, among other things.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must critically analyse the topic in question, provide for recent incidences that are evidences of such anomaly in indicating the achievements of the government; National Sample Survey Office – unemployment rate, involvement of NITI Aayog in the release of new gross domestic product (GDP) etc.
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:
Begin with the highlights of the recent incidences that prove the political interference in publishing reports in their favor and fear.
Body:
The answer should capture the following aspects:
- Discuss at a broader level, amidst recent controversies regarding jobs and GDP data made headlines, why the statistical system in the country needs to be reassessed.
- What are ill effects of such an anomaly?
- Why is it important to improve the Statistical system?
- Significance of Statistical systems and their role in economy and development.
Conclusion:
Re-stress on the importance of statistical systems and the reforms needed to keep them unbiased.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests./ IPR related issues.
Why this question:
The question is in the context of the recent decision of the cabinet – of approving the proposal for India’s Accession to the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Agreements, that would harmonize the classification systems for examination of trademark and design applications, in line with the systems followed globally.
Key demand of the question
The answer should bring out the benefits of such a decision, as to how the accession is expected to instill confidence in foreign investors in relation to protection of IPs in India. How the accession will facilitate in exercising rights in decision-making processes regarding review and revision of the classifications under the agreement among others.
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 briefly the context of these agreements and highlight the significance.
Body:
The answer must cover the following aspects:
- The aims and objectives of the agreements .
- Significance and benefits for India: Accession to the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Agreements will help the Intellectual Property Office in India to harmonise the classification systems for examinational of trademark and design applications, in line with the classification systems followed globally. It would give an opportunity to include Indian designs, figurative elements and goods in the international classification systems. The accession is expected to instil confidence in foreign investors in relation to protection of IPs in India. The accession would also facilitate in exercising rights in decision making processes regarding review and revision of the classifications under the agreement.
- Way forward.
Conclusion:
Conclude with optimism and the benefits it would bring to India.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment./ Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Why this question:
The article examines Global Environment Outlook report that has been released recently. The report is the sixth and is the UN’s most comprehensive report on the state of the global environment since the fifth edition in 2012.
The report highlights the concerns arising out of climate change. The question is with a special focus on healthcare of vulnerable sections.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must analyse the impact of climate change on healthcare of vulnerable sections. One has to evaluate the biological and social link between climate change and health through a deeper analysis of the report.
Directive word:
Analyse – When you are asked to analyse, 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:
Narrate in short the significance of the findings of the report.
Body:
Discuss briefly the following aspects :
- Such questions are best answered with substantial facts and statistics quoted from the report like Seventeen of the hottest years in history were all within the last 18 years, A quarter of all premature deaths and diseases worldwide are due to manmade pollution and environmental damage, Deadly emissions, chemicals polluting drinking water, and the accelerating destruction of ecosystems crucial to the livelihoods of billions of people are driving a worldwide epidemic that hampers the global economy. There is a growing chasm between rich and poor countries as rampant overconsumption, pollution and food waste in the developed world leads to hunger, poverty and disease elsewhere.
- Suggest the impact , discuss what needs to be done, paint a picture of Indian scenario and provide for a way forward.
Conclusion:
Conclude with current efforts in terms of policies, laws by the government along with global efforts in progress in this direction to tackle climate change.
Topic: Disaster and disaster management
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of recent incidence of foot over bridge that collapsed in Mumbai. The incidence hints at the relationship between man made disasters and the role played by Man in his development policies.
Key demand of the question:
The question is about the fact that while focusing on development goals, the countries have to adjust their policies and priorities to rearrange valuable resources to deal with occurrences and challenges of a variety of natural, man-made, and technological disasters, which are directly or indirectly related to economic development. In this case the incidence of collapse of foot over bridge is not the first of its type.
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:
Introduce with a few lines on importance of disaster management and highlight the need with respect to Man made disasters.
Body:
Discuss the following:
- Bring out the importance of Disaster management in managing man-made disasters.
- Discuss the Socio-Economic and Political Consequence of such disasters.
- Explain the implications, positive or negative ones, and how it depends on the unique social and cultural setup of local communities and the managerial capacity of their disaster and development.
- What can be done? – suggest policy changes required in this direction.
Conclusion:
Conclude as – It is high time that India takes stringent measures
Have a robust disaster recovery systemin the country to manage and mitigate such losses.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Why this question:
The question is in the context of the idea of purity of means advocated by Mahatma Gandhi.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must apply the idea of purity of means to the recent incidence of Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was caught up in the Enemy territory after the completion of the operation of air strike. One has to evaluate this situation in the context of the idea.
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 briefly background of the recent Balakot incidence.
Body:
Discuss briefly the following aspects :
- Elucidate upon the idea of “Purity of means” as propounded by Mahatma Gandhi; that ‘means are as important as end’. The purity of means is to achieve an end result which tells us about our values and attitude. For instance Gandhiji adhered to the path of non-violence for achieving independence for India. But Gandhiji himself justified violence in Quit India movement when he saw no other alternative has been left. Thus ethics is contextual and situational.
- Discuss how for a military officer, his highest moral duty would be to safeguard the national interest and ensure the survival of the state. As failing in the war would mean subordination of the country which would take away the people’s fundamental rights and push them towards impoverishment, therefore for a military officer winning a battle is more necessary even if he has to mislead the enemy.
Conclusion:
Signify the importance of the Gandhian ideology and conclude how it becomes contextual to the situations.
NOTE:
