[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 04 April 2019
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the
Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and
tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India) .
General Studies – 1
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
1) Discuss the pattern in the distribution of agro based industry in India.(250 words)
Why this question:
The question is about discussing the pattern in the distribution of agro based industry in India .
Key demands of the question:
The answer must provide for a brief discussion on what are Agro based industries, factors that decide their distribution pattern – Natural and human factors and also discuss any recent trend in shift of these industries.
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 the significance of Agro based industries.
Body
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
- Which is an agro based industry? – includes industries related to textiles, sugar, paper and vegetable oil. These industries use agricultural products as their raw materials.
- Why agro based industries are important?
- Discuss the factors responsible for their distribution – Availability of raw materials, labour, access to domestic market, degree of interdependence with forward and backward activities, etc.
- Then explain shifting trends of these industries from past to present on the basis of – coming of technology, automation, policies such as food parks etc.
Conclusion
Conclude with their significance for a country like India which is primarily an agricultural economy.
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India).
Why this question:
The question is in the context of significance of Indian ocean from the resource perspective.
Demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine the prospects of Indian ocean as a resource and its strategic importance for countries around the region. And how this has led to it becoming a zone of contest in the present world.
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 on Indian ocean resources and its strategic importance.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- economic significance of the Indian ocean region for India – privileged location at the crossroads of global trade, connecting the major engines of the international economy in the Northern Atlantic and Asia-Pacific. This is particularly important in an era in which global shipping has burgeoned.
- Resource perspective – oil resources, fishing, aquaculture, Polymetallic nodules, other mineral resources – nickel, cobalt, and iron, and massive sulphide deposits of manganese, copper, iron, zinc, silver, and gold present in sizeable quantities on the sea bed.
- Strategic significance – India, china, US etc and their stakes.
Conclusion
Conclude with inevitableness of global competition among resource hungry world countries and need for moderation and togetherness in sustainable management of IOR .
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Why this question:
The question is in the light of the recently released Global Report on Food Crises 2019 jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) and EU.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate in detail the highlights of report and assess the global food crises associated concerns, causes and measures needed to tackle 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:
write a few introductory lines bring out the significant points of the report.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- Key findings in the latest report published – Approximately 113 million people in 53 countries experienced high levels of food insecurity last year. These crises are primarily driven by conflict and climate-related disasters. The number going chronically-hungry has remained well over 100 million over the past three years, with the number of countries affected, rising. According to the report, nearly two-thirds of those facing acute hunger come from just eight countries: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Climate and natural disasters pushed another 29 million people into acute food insecurity in 2018 and that number excludes 13 countries – including North Korea and Venezuela – because of data gaps.
- Discuss the causative factors – wars, genocides, poverty, instability etc.
- What are the associated concerns? – the figure is still way too high.
- What needs to be done – policies, global coordination etc.
Conclusion –
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Why this question:
The article discusses in detail in the run-up to the participation in WTO on the discussions of e-commerce policies and the effects it will have on India’s MSME sector and small businesses in particular.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects us to evaluate the potential of international trade negotiations in the context of e- commerce policy of India and significance of WTO participation for Indian economy.
Directive word:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with brief on e-commerce industry across the world.
Body:
Discussion should have the following dimensions :
- The highlights of Indian e-commerce policy
- Role of WTO negotiations in promoting fair trade with respect to e-commerce policy.
- Relevance of small scale businesses, MSME sector in e-commerce for India.
- Importance of International negotiations in this context for India.
- How can India benefit by participating in the WTO Talks? Give recent examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such negotiations.
Topic: Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions./ Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The recent controversy surrounding the RBI related to the February circular and its quashing by Supreme court as attracted attention, the article discusses in detail the repercussions for the economy by such a move.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must provide for an assessment of the circular, under what circumstances it came to be criticized by the apex court, what were the benefits it was trying to bring. Special emphasis should be to comment on the credit discipline and debt resolution mechanism of RBI.
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 scenario of the circular and highlight the apex court’s verdict.
Body:
- The answer must first discuss in detail the salient features of the Feb circular of RBI on resolution of bad loans. How it could have helped manage debts of the Banking system ? what were the outcomes?
- Then move on to discuss how the circular aimed at undoing the credit discipline in the banking system- It had forced banks to recognize defaults by large borrowers with dues of over ₹2,000 crore within a day after an instalment fell due; and if not resolved within six months after that, they had no choice but to refer these accounts for resolution under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.
- Why the verdict ?
- What needs to be done now ? – The RBI should study the judgment closely, and quickly reframe its guidelines so that they are within the framework of the powers available to it under the law.
Conclusion:
Conclude with necessity of reforms in RBI within the law limits.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Agriculture/ Conservation, climate change.
Why this question:
The article discusses that Agriculture in India needs to become more sustainable even as small and marginal farmers struggle to build resilience against many threats varying from climatic vagaries to lack of financial support, conducive environment etc.
Key demand of the question:
Climate change could hurt farmers’ income by up to 20-25% in the medium term, according to the recent reports. Extreme weather events, temperature rise and lower rainfall all threaten to derail the Indian government’s agenda of doubling farmers’ income across the country. In such a scenario the need of the hour is to move towards sustainable agriculture. Thus the answer must analyse the need, concerns and way forward associated with 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:
In a few introductory lines highlight the need for sustainable agriculture ,support it with facts and recent reports.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- Discuss the significance of Agriculture and how it is central to the Indian economy – It accounts for 50% of the country’s employment and 18% of its GDP.
- Concerns – number of risks, including adverse weather, competition from larger landowners or food corporations and price surges. Small farmers are a vulnerable population where social, market and economic pressures are huge, often leading to considerable distress.
- Take hints from the article and present a case study on community led solid waste management efforts.
- Role of climate vagaries – rise in the number of days with extremely high temperatures and a corresponding decline in the number of days with low temperatures. Extreme temperature shocks, when a district is significantly hotter than usual, results in a 4.7% decline in agricultural yields. Similarly, when it rains significantly less than usual there is a 12.8% decline.
- Need for sustainable and climate resilient agriculture and how it can be achieved?
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done, suggest way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker sections.
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is intended to evaluate the importance of aptitude and fundamental rules as essential tenets in public services.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the importance of Aptitude and fundamental rules in the public services.
Directive word:
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 appreciate the need for values of aptitude – skill, talent, ability and capacity to accomplish along with the fundamental rules necessary for the public services.
Body:
Discuss Why aptitude more important for civil servant –
- Todays world is all about learning. Fast changes, dynamic scenarios, destabilizing situations, new emerging problems, quick decision making pressure situations aptitude helps as a strong vale.
- Role of a civil servant constantly changes especially considering the diverse country like India. Civil servants act as a connecting link between government and citizen and hence need better aptitude to convey government policy, goal and to deliver better results.
- On daily basis and at personal level a civil servant has to face many problems like 24 hours duty alert, emergencies, physical and mental stress and in theses situation they need to handle public at large. Hence values like emotional intelligence, compassion, sympathy, integrity, non-partisanship, innovative mindset plays important role.
- Explain role of fundamental rules – how they define and shape the civil services.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of such traits and their necessity in Civil service.
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