[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 19 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:
The article from EPW provides for an exhaustive analysis of the negative implications of such an education system and studies what are the implications of Vedic education for the total destruction of caste.
Key demands of the question:
The question expects one to critically analyse the ill effects of such an education system that can impact the caste fabric of India. One has to bring out how it helps the old redundant Brahmanical supremacy back into the fora. However one must also highlight the positives associated if any and conclude with what changes are urgently required by such a system to actually fructify.
Directive word
Comment – here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon
Keywords:
Vedas, Brahmanical practices, Hindu-run educational institutions etc
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
A good start can be with some fact highlighting the importance of a robust education system for India.
Body
The body of the answer address the following dimensions:
- What is it about the Vedic education system?
- Current dynamics associated with Bhartiya Shiksha Board.
- Vedic education also followed Brahmanical practices, thus what will be its impact on caste dynamics of India. In such a case how will it fail to make education system better?
- Conclude with how Vedic system should not be made a tool for political agenda and rather valuable inputs from every system in the past that has contributed to the education system must be envisaged with modern and liberal outlook to it that accommodates the needs of the newer eras.
Conclusion
Education system has its own key place in deciding the growth and development of the country , and thus one should not tweak with such systems.
Topic– Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Why this question:
Globalization is a dynamic process which impacts differentially on various cultures around the world. It permeates cultural boundaries and in the process results in the spread of Western ideologies and values across the world. This paper investigates the relationship between globalization and cultural identity crisis underlying assumption that globalization is manifested in the intercultural penetration processes which have substantial effects on the cultural identities.
demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine the implications of Globalization that creates a global culture in which the identity is amalgamated that tends to bring a homogenous culture throughout the world that might assist the local beliefs and cultural values to be universalized rather than to be demolished. On the
contrary, such a cultural invasion is a threat that causes serious problems for some conservative states by virtue of the fact that the openness to foreign content can erode the traditional values and indigenous cultural identity.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Keywords:
Globalization, cultural identity, intercultural penetration, Westernization, polarized groups, cultural Pluralism etc.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Start by suggesting what you understand by globalization and in a wider level what are its impact on the societies of the world.
Body
Discuss the following – first discuss the positives that Globalization brought for the world. Then move on to discuss the important aspects of the question that is ; in what way globalization is leading to loss of cultural identities across the world. Discuss this with examples that through its integrated network of trade and commerce and transport and communication has linked all the corners of the world. Though the aim behind this is to connect and merge all the cultures of the world but unfortunately it is the reason behind the weakening of cultural bonds between communities and also leads to the loss of cultural identity. Though with the help of globalization people stay connected with each other 24×7 but it also makes one forget their own values and traditions.
Conclusion
Conclude that these aspects of globalization definitely need to be blacklisted at the earliest. It’s the need of hour; we need to realize this high time and start educating our children right from the childhood the art of deriving good virtues, thereby maintaining our own uniqueness.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
Why this question:
The Fourth Environment Assembly of the United Nations was held in Nairobi recently, with special focus on the theme of “Innovative solutions for environmental challenges and sustainable consumption and production”. In this context it becomes necessary for us to ponder on the topic from the point of GS paper III.
Key demand of the question:
The question is to be answered in three sections viz. the structure and composition of the UNEA, Its objectives and then the recent initiatives taken by it.
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 significance of such institutions.
Body:
Discuss the composition of the UNEA; world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment. How it addresses the critical environmental challenges facing the world today. Its salient features, mode of working etc.
Then move on to explain the importance of the “Blueprint for change” adopted by the Environment ministers of more than 170 countries under United Nations Environment Assembly recently. The agenda of the meet included – Innovative solutions and sustainable consumption and production patterns to get high priorities to combat increasing pollution, rapid global warming and depletion of resources. improved national resource management strategies with integrated full lifecycle approaches and analysis to achieve resource-efficient and low-carbon economies etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of the institution and its significance in managing the global environment.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Why this question:
The article covers the theme of growing use of technology in the global value chain of the industries, the article analyses that these jobs are now under threat from technology. It is justified by a study published by the Asian Development Bank.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must capture the growing role of technological advances in the Asian continent among its industries, and how labor-intensive countries are now being replaced by robots in advanced countries. One has to analyse the such a negative employment impact of technological change on India.
Keywords:
The employment effects of technological innovation, consumption and participation in global value chains, effect of AI, robotics in industries etc.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
Briefly bring out the current status of technology in Industries of India .
Body:
Answers to such questions are again best justified through use of statistics and facts that reveal the increasing trend of use of technology – robotics, Artificial intelligence etc. in the Industries of today. One has to closely analyse the studies that show increased use of technology have a direct impact on jobs, discuss the Indian industry scenario in depth, associated issues, what needs to be done to overcome such an issue etc.
Conclusion –
Conclude with significance of Job creation for driving the economy in the right direction in context of growing technological advancements.
Topic : Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life. Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question:
The article discusses in detail the present puzzle of growing antibiotic resistance amidst peaking research of anti-microbial drugs.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must trace the issues involved in the antimicrobial resistance, what are the causes of such a scenario, why is the research in science failing to address the issue, what are the ground causes and the consequences of such resistance on the health of human beings. One has to suggest a way forward as to what needs to be done to overcome the menace.
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 by highlighting the current scenario of antimicrobial resistance across the world.
Body:
In brief discuss the following points :
- Phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance.
- Causes – misplaced priority on healthcare than on the public health system, high disease burden of infectious diseases due to rampant malnutrition, low immunity to microbial infections; sorry state of waste disposal facilities which results in mixing of antibiotic compounds with the water resources; drug companies manufacturing drugs containing substandard dosages; failure of medical education to impart precise diagnostic capabilities to medical practitioners etc.
- Consequences – severe health, medical and financial costs etc.
- Explain the above with necessary examples , preferably from India.
- Suggest what needs to be done to overcome this situation.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the government should come up with multi-pronged strategy to fight against antibiotic resistance.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is in the context of Nolan Principles established by the Committee on Standards in Public Life by the UK government. The recommendations of this committee are of prime importance from the point of view of the GS paper IV.
Key demand of the question:
The question wants us to elaborate upon the seven principles of standards in public life as enunciated by the Nolan Committee report.
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:
Begin with Importance of ethics in public services, brief upon how service without ethics is no service at all.
Body:
Discuss in detail the Nolan principles of public life viz.
Selflessness
Integrity
Objectivity
Accountability
Openness
Honesty
Leadership
Discuss each of these principles in detail, possibly with short examples
Then highlight the need of such principles and direct how these are quintessential in the working of public services.
Conclusion:
Conclude that along with these key principles there are many others that complement the ethical functioning of public servants .
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Ethics by Lexicon publications.
Why this question:
The question is pertaining to the basic types of ethics, it is about comparing and contrasting the differences between Deontological ethics and Teleological ethics. And later the concept of Utilitarianism as a universal philosophy in Ethics.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must bring out briefly the classified types of ethics and then distinguish between Deontological ethics and Teleological ethics. One has to then clearly explain how Utilitarianism is a universal principle or philosophy that stands above all.
Directive word:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with importance of ethics in life.
Body:
Discuss briefly what you understand by Deontological ethics and Teleological ethics, how are they different in their approaches, what are the commonalities if any between the two, which one weighs over the other.
Then move on to discuss the significance of Utilitarianism as a concept in ethics that universally applies to every aspect in life. Discuss its philosophical aspects ,provide for examples of each.
Conclusion:
Signify the importance of the all the different types of philosophies in ethics.
NOTE:
