[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 30 March 2019
Click on EACH question to post/upload you answers.
How to Follow Secure Initiative?
How to Self-evaluate your answer?
INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
General Studies – 1
Topic: The salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Why this question:
The question is to examine the significance Indian Music as to in what way it is just not an art form but an evidence of multilinguals and diversity of taste witnessed in the Indian society.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in the significance of Music as an artform and most importantly its role as a multilingual manifestation of our society and an agent signifying taste of the Indian culture.
Directive word:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
write a few introductory lines about the Music as an artform in India.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- Have a discussion on – India, a land of many tongues.
- Bring out the diversity of music vis-à-vis India’s linguistic diversity justified by it.
- Explain how music and its connection with different dialects signify local culture and taste and thus the diversity therein.
- Such questions are best answered with examples.
Conclusion –
Conclude by re-asserting importance of Music and need to preserve it as a cultural heritage of India.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of types of drainage system and role of structure and lithological aspects as a control factor on them.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must provide for a brief discussion on what is meant by Discordant drainage system with examples and then evaluate the role of structure and lithological aspects as a control factor on the formation of a drainage system.
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 by definition of a drainage system.
Body
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
- What is a Discordant drainage system? – The river follows its initial path irrespective of the changes in topography i.e. it does not correlate to the topology [surface relief features] and geology [geological features based on both Endogenetic movements and exogenetic movements] of the area.
- Explain the types : Discordant drainage patterns are classified into two main types: antecedent and superimposed.
- Factors otherwise Influencing drainage patterns – Topography, Geology, landforms etc.
- Then move on to explain role of structure and lithology ; explain how these factors do not control the patter in case of Discordant drainage pattern.
- Substantiate your answer with examples and suitable diagrams wherever necessary.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of controlling factors in formation of a drainage pattern.
Topic-Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Why this question:
Question is based on the concept of Meridional circulation of the atmosphere and it significance in World climate.
Demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine the role of Meridional circulation of the atmosphere and it role in determining the aspects of World climate.
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 what is Tri-Cellular Meridional Circulation of atmosphere.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- The concept of Meridional circulation in detail. – There is cellular circulation of air at each meridian (longitude). Surface winds blow from high pressure areas to low pressure areas but in the upper atmosphere the general direction of air circulation is opposite to the direction of surface winds. Explain the three cells associated in detail with diagrams.
- Discuss its significance – meridional circulation plays a vital role in the transfer of energy and in maintaining the heat budget of the earth. The belt of doldrums or the inter-tropical convergence Zone (ITCZ) is the most important and uninterrupted belt of convergence on the surface of earth. The development of tropical cyclones, temperate cyclones, and anticyclones is also the result of meridional circulation. Etc.
Conclusion
Conclude with how distribution patterns of precipitation and climatic types are also largely controlled by the tricellular meridional circulation.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Why this question:
On 27th March, India successfully tested A-SAT. This news was addressed by Prime Minister Narendra himself, the opposition is now accusing PM Modi of violating the model code of conduct. Under such circumstances the election commission had directed a committee to examine the matter. Thus it becomes necessary for us to evaluate the conduct of party in power when MCC is in action.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects us to discuss and analyse the role of party in power in the context of Model code of conduct in action, One has to evaluate what are the privileges and limitations that the party in power can exercise.
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 brief introductory lines on importance of Model code of conduct in conducting free and fair elections in a Democracy.
Body:
- Narrate the context of the question, provide for a backgrounder.
- Take cues from the article and quote the conclusion made by the committee appointed by the election commission of India.
- Then move on to discuss what are the do’s and don’ts prescribed by the MCC.
- What should be the general conduct of parties and politicians during the period of MCC. – Limit criticism of political parties to their policies and programmes. They should not use caste and communal feelings to secure votes, Processions Organizers must coordinate with those of other candidates and parties to ensure there is no clash between them etc.
- One can also choose to criticize that there was no grave national emergency involved, requiring the PM to urgently address the nation. The event was meant to claim an achievement to impress voters.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of MCC and how it should evolve better to ensure much fairer and free elections.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
why this question:
The union environment ministry has notified island protection zone (IPZ) 2019 for Andaman and Nicobar recently. The legal changes in the IPZ are aligned with the Niti Aayog’s proposal for holistic development in the Islands which is being taken forward under the guidance of the Island Development Agency. Thus the question is important to ponder upon from the point of view of GS paper II and III.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss at length the key features of the policy, its certain effects upon social and environmental aspects of Andaman and Nicobar region. Analyse in detail the policy and concerns associated and give a firm opinion along with suggestions as to what should be the way forward.
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:
Narrate a brief background of the context of the question – salient features of the policy.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- Key features of notified island protection zone (IPZ) 2019 for Andaman and Nicobar – allows eco-tourism projects 20 metres from the high tide line (HTL) in smaller islands like Baratang, Havelock and Car Nicobar, and at 50 metres in larger ones, allows for eco-tourism activities like mangrove walks, tree huts and nature trails in island coastal regulation zone, allows a number of new activities in the inter-tidal zone between low tide line and HTL etc.
- Discuss the social and environment impact associated with it – displacement of tribal pockets, Community concerns, Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement etc.
- Environmental aspect – Environmental pollution, critically fragile ecological areas, eco-tourism, activities in the inter-tidal zone , construction activities, clearance systems etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done, suggest way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic : Disaster and disaster management.
Why this question:
The article evaluates the tropical cyclone Idai that recently rampaged south-eastern Africa – one of the worst disasters ever to strike the southern hemisphere. It evaluates the reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in this context.
Key demand of the question:
One is expected to discuss the that the intensity of environmental disasters is not alone due to the natural or man made causes but also because of the alarming problem of poverty that has huge influence on its intensity.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Brief upon the recent event of cyclone Idai, its devastating impact on the region.
Body:
Discuss the following aspects :
- Explain in short the causes and consequences of the disaster.
- Discuss that It is not only the intensity of environmental disasters that makes them devastating – poverty also has a huge bearing on how things play out. Houses in poorer areas often are less stable, storm barriers may be weaker, sanitation is often a problem, emergency services will be poorly resourced – and preventing disease outbreaks may be hindered by the poor state of public health services. The list of disadvantages goes on and on.
- You can have a case study from Indian context.
- Conclude what needs to be done and suggest way forward in terms of – policy measures, community actions etc.
Conclusion:
Re-assert the significance of disaster management and importance of development and vis-à-vis eradication of poverty .
General Studies – 4
Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
7) Explain the essentials of information sharing and citizen charter in public service.(250 words)
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is in the context of essentials of information sharing and citizen charter in public service.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the aspects of information sharing in public services and significance of citizen charter in public service.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines define what is information sharing and citizen’s charter.
Body:
Explain the following –
- What is meant by citizen charter? – document which represents a systematic effort to focus on the commitment of the Organization towards its Citizens in respects of Standard of Services, Information, Choice and Consultation, Non-discrimination and Accessibility, Grievance Redress, Courtesy and Value for Money.
- What are the objectives of citizen charter?
- Information sharing and its role in good governance – An information-driven society leads to transparency and accountability.
- Give examples and justify their role in public services.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of these in public services and good Governance in general.
NOTE:
