[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 01 April 2019
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of Great Pacific Garbage that is alarming the world the ill effects of Plastic pollution.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must provide for a brief discussion on the concept of Great Pacific Garbage and discuss in detail the impact of such debris in oceans on the ecosystem of Earth. One must also suggest what measures should be taken to tackle the issue.
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
In a few introductory lines explain what you understand by Great Pacific Garbage patch.
Body
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
- What is Great Pacific Garbage? – The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), aka Pacific Trash Vortex, is an enormous collection of marine debris swirling in a gyre in the central North Pacific Ocean, well beyond recognized national boundaries. The patch extends over an imprecise area.
- Explain the causal factors of it – 100% human. The plastics and debris in this region (and others) are all from human use, disposal, littering, dumping, etc. primary sources are improper waste disposal, management of trash, and manufacturing products.
- Detail upon the impact of ecosystem – impact on the ocean ecosystem health and on marine animals, human health impacts, bioaccumulation etc.
- What are the challenges in resolving it? What needs to be done? – need for coordinated environmental governance, dispute resolution mechanisms, need for adequate economic instruments, and adequate provisions for liability.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of controlling the spread of the patch and curbing the rising menace of plastic pollution.
Topic-Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Why this question:
It is about analysing how volcanic eruptions can trigger El Nino events and thus impact global environment. The article captures the study focused on the Mount Pinatubo eruption – the largest and best-documented tropical one in the modern technology period which ejected about 20 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide.
Read more at:
Demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine the role of volcanic eruptions on the phenomena of El Nino and their significant impact in climate change.
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
Start with brief introduction on the concept of El-Nino.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- The concept of El Nino
- The link between volcanic eruption and El Nino.
- Its impact on global climate.
- Quote examples of recent El-Nino events that manifested volcanic eruption as the driving cause – Mount Pinatubo eruption.
Conclusion
Conclude with the fact that one cannot predict volcanic eruptions but one can be prepared with such pre known linkages.
General Studies – 2
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
Why this question:
The article provides for a brief analysis of changing foreign policy directive of our country, how the foreign policy is gradually transforming from the Nehruvian doctrine to a newer dimension. Thus the question is important to ponder upon from the point of view of GS paper II.
Key demand of the question:
Analyse in detail the shift in Indian foreign policy and illustrate with current diverging policies with countries across the world.
Directive word:
Illustrate – means use examples; data, diagrams and charts to make it clearer (clarify by giving an example).
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Narrate a brief background of the context of the question – salient features of the new policy.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- Discuss the evolution of Indian foreign policy in brief.
- Then move on to discuss the change in attitude that is posited in relations with India’s neighbors and partners, and incidental events that justify the gradual shift.
- Quote example of India’s relations changing with Israel, United States, Japan , Australia, China, Russia and the recent incidences with Pakistan
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done, suggest way forward.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
4) Critically analyse Africa as the rising China’s sphere of influence.(250 words)
Why this question:
Sino-African relations are a vibrant, two-way dynamic in which both sides adjust to policy initiatives and popular perceptions emanating from the other. China is both a long-established diplomatic partner and a new investor in Africa. Chinese interests on the continent encompass not only natural resources but also issues of trade, security, diplomacy, and soft power. Thus it is necessary for us to examine the rising China’s sphere of influence in Africa.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects us to critically analyse the rising influence of China in Africa and its effects.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, 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 brief introductory lines on the current engagements of China in Africa.
Body:
- Narrate the context of the question, provide for a backgrounder – Chinese President Xi Jinping enfolded his Europe tour earlier this week, which saw Italy signing up for China’s Belt and Road Initiative. What was evident was European concern over China’s spreading influence, riding allied on investment, particularly in Africa.
- Explain how China’s interests have been in energy and infrastructure, besides mines, with little backward or forward linkages in the host economy of Africa.
- Explain the flux in African condition – Debt, if unserved, can lead to Chinese takeover of assets.
- Role of India in such a scenario.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. developing new technology.
Why this question:
The article captures the analysis of recently released report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) that dwells on automation and employability aspects .
Key demand of the question:
The answer must provide for a detailed analysis of the impact of automation directly and indirectly on Job scenario. The report titled “Changing Business and Opportunities for Employer and Business Organizations” by ILO needs to be analyzed in detail.
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:
write a few introductory lines about the job scenario in India.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- Have a discussion on how Robotic automation is having the greatest impact, replacing low skilled jobs and simple assembly tasks and thus affecting employability factor and shrinking jobs in the economy.
- Discuss what Jobs are impacted by automation?
- Indian context of the situation – take cues from the article and quote the findings of the report.
- What needs to be done – focus on skilling, education system etc.
Conclusion –
Conclude with way forward, assert that with changing lifestyle, evolution of technology India needs to gear up with its policies directed for employment and skilling.
Topic : Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Why this question:
The article evaluates the pressing needs of re assessing India’s energy directive to ensure future security of energy basket.
Key demand of the question:
One is expected to discuss the present scenario of India’s energy basket viz. the renewable vs non-renewable equation. What should India’s stand be to move forward with sustainable energy future.
Directive:
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:
Brief upon the current energy situation of India, use facts and quote reports.
Body:
Discuss the following aspects :
- Explain in short the Energy situation , projection of India’s energy future.
- Discuss the challenges – energy demand will move on an upward curve; indigenous supplies will fail to keep pace with this increase in demand; energy imports will rise in absolute and relative terms, and, the environment will face increasing stress. More specifically, coal will dominate, oil and gas will have significance; renewables, whilst on a rising trend, will account for a relatively inconsequential share and air pollution, depleting water tables and extreme weather conditions will presage ecological collapse.
- Conclude what needs to be done and suggest way forward in terms of – policy measures, holistic overhaul of the energy policy, need for energy revolution etc.
Conclusion:
Re-assert the significance of the need for sustainable energy and need for facilitation of a holistic overview of the linkages between the different components of energy (oil, gas, coal, renewables, nuclear, hydro, bio, non-commercial)
General Studies – 4
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.
7) Evaluate laws, rules, regulations are conscience as source of ethical guidance. (250 words)
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is about evaluation laws, rules, regulations and conscience as source of ethical guidance
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the significance of ethical guidance and role played by rules, laws, regulations and most importantly the conscience .
Directive:
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:
In a few introductory lines define what you understand by Ethical guidance.
Body:
Explain the meaning of ethical guidance, why is it important, what are the factors that influence ethical guidance etc. Then move on to discuss the role played by different rules, regulations , legal provisions, legislations and how they define ones ethical guide. Then discuss the role of conscience; define what is it? How it guides ethics in an individual ?etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of conscience in public services. And how each of the elements – rules, laws etc. have their own role in determining the ethics of an individual.
NOTE:
