[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 02 April 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian Culture will cover the salient aspects of Art forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Why this question:
The article provides for deep insights on the use of ancient inscriptions in temples and their architecture in managing the droughts of today.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects you to highlight the significance of Ancient Indian architecture ; inscriptions, temples and associated water conservation technologies and techniques that can be put to use even today to effectively manage water crisis.
Directive:
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:
Brief upon the wisdom present in the ancient Indian culture with respect to water conservation and drought management techniques.
Body:
- Such answers are best explained with examples, discuss the significance of ancient Indian culture – temple architecture , inscriptions that throw light upon conserving water as a useful resource.
- Explain the example of Tamil Nadu – Inscriptions connected to irrigation in Tamil Nadu concern two broad zones, the Cauvery delta and the Tamirabarani delta. The Cauvery delta was more fertile and larger — with more tributaries — but the number of drought-related inscriptions here are more in number than the Tamirabarani delta. Temple inscriptions were always documents connected with the sale, transfer and maintenance of irrigated lands.
- In the Pandya empire, water conservation was a completely local affair. The entire community, through the elected temple mahasabha, managed it. This meant that there was constant supervision, ownership and responsibility. All systems and processes were sustained through an emotional connection with the resource.
- Explain how such methods can be imitated even today.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of learnings that can be taken from our past in managing water as a crucial resource for life.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of plate margins and associated link with that of Earthquake activity and volcanism.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must provide for a brief discussion on the concept of Plate margins, their type; possible relationship with Earthquake activity and volcanoes with suitable examples.
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
In a few introductory lines explain significance of plate margins in geomorphic processes.
Body
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
- What is are plate margins? How they interact? What are the different types?
- Detail upon the impact of ecosystem – impact on the ocean ecosystem
- Mid oceanic ridge system – explain with examples , list the major ridges .
- Now move on to establish the link between plate tectonics and Earthquakes, volcanoes.
- Provide for a map of the world highlighting major Earthquake regions of the world, volcanoes and the underlying plate margins.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of geomorphological processes in formation of landforms
Topic-Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Why this question:
It is about the concept of Hydrology and the aid it provides in understanding and managing the problems of Urban floods.
Demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine the problems posed by urban floods and how and in what way study of hydrology helps I understanding the situation of floods better and help in resolving the same. One is expected to establish How Urbanisation affect the hydrological cycle and thus study of hydrology helps in understanding the flood situations better.
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
Start with brief introduction of hydrological cycle, urban flood scenario.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- Why is hydrology important? What you understand by urban hydrology?
- How does Urbanization affect the hydrological cycle? Leading to urban floods.
- Analyse the causes and consequences of urban floods.
- Explain the significance of study of hydrology , quote examples of recent Kerala floods, Chennai floods.
Conclusion
Conclude that Hydrology has evolved as a science in response to the need to understand the complex water system of the earth and help solve water problems.
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.
Why this question:
The article evaluates the need for expanding the Judicial system of the country, it throws light upon reconsidering setting up Benches in different States in keeping with the recommendations of the Law Commissions (125th Report and 229th Report).
Key demand of the question:
Analyse in detail the need for Judicial reforms , the present fallouts with the system and what needs to be done on different fronts to overcome the concerns and ensure justice stays undiluted.
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:
In a few introductory lines explain the system of Judiciary in India – that the judiciary is an important part of our government and plays a critical role in the way our democracy works.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- Discuss the grave crisis our judiciary is facing – Judicial Accountability, alleged offence of bribery , collusion, misconduct of Judges, corruption, partisanship etc.
- Then move on to discuss the significance of a transparent judicial system in place for undiluted justice.
- What needs to be done – expansion of benches of supreme court across the geographical width, overcome the monopoly of lawyers in supreme court, managing work under Article 130 etc.
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.
Why this question:
The question is about discussing the exclusionary nationalism that is being exhibited by the south Asian societies of today. The article talks in detail about manifestation of exclusionary nationalism and in special context of Rohingyas.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects us to evaluate the concept of exclusionary nationalism permeating our societies.
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 highlighting what you understand by exclusionary nationalism.
Body:
- Define what is exclusionary nationalism, whether its good or bad?
- Quote examples – The exclusionary nationalism has permeated China where Han nationalism have virtually turned Tibetan Buddhists and Uighur Muslims into extra-systemic others or enemies, ethnic cleaning of Tamils in Sri Lanka and the expulsion of the Rohingya from Myanmar. As well in India, the frequent use of the term ‘anti-national’ for those critical of the current dispensation smells of the same fatal disease.
- What are the causes of such a manifestation?
- Discuss what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of the event of recent launch of the country’s first electronic surveillance satellite, EMISAT, from Sriharikota by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Key demand of the question:
The answer must provide for a detailed narration of recent achievements in the field of Space Technology by India and the endeavours it is making n the field of space intelligence.
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 recent surveillance satellite achieved by India.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- Have a discussion on how ISRO has achieved numerous milestones lately and has proved to harness space technology for national development.
- List out achievements like – Launching 104 satellites with one rocket, South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) launch, Space Capsule Recovery, Mars Orbiter Mission, Remote Sensing and National Natural Resource Management System etc.
- Have a discussion dedicated specifically to Space-based electronic intelligence or ELINT and explain its significance.
Conclusion –
Conclude with way forward, assert the role of India space and the achievements it is making.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics.
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is about evaluation of Ethics as a subject more of a process than mere end.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the evolution of “Ethics” as a process and not mere end.
Directive:
Illustrate – means use examples; data, diagrams and charts to make it clearer (clarify by giving an example).
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines define what you understand by Ethics.
Body:
The answer needs to be a narrative of examples justifying that ethics doesn’t just mean the final end but the process that takes one to the end. Bring in philosophies of moral thinkers, ideologies that justify means are equally important as that of ends. Students must appreciate the answer mainly through a good set of examples in such questions.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of Ethics in general.
Topic : Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is intended to evaluate the need for ethical behaviour and good conduct necessary in public organizations of India .
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the significance ethical behaviour and good conduct in public organizations, one has to list down the reforms required in Indian context for the same.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines appreciate the need for ethical behaviour and good conduct in public services.
Body:
- Explain – Ethics in the public sector is a broad topic that is usually considered a branch of political ethics. In the public sector, ethics addresses the fundamental premise of a public administrator’s duty as a “steward” to the public. In other words, it is the moral justification and consideration for decisions and actions made during the completion of daily duties when working to provide the general services of government and nonprofit organizations.
- List out a number of practical mechanisms for setting and institutionalizing high standards of ethical conduct, integrity and good Governance.
- Discuss the need for introduction of relevant Codes of Ethics and
Conduct, to be effective, needs to be supported by a range of other mechanisms, training and leadership in Public services and organizations.
- Quote examples to justify the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of Ethical behaviour in public organizations.
NOTE:
