[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 05 April 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
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).
Why this question:
The question is in the context of Silk Industry and the issues facing it. The question requires to evaluate the government initiatives to revive the same.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must provide for a brief discussion on location and distribution of Silk Industry, the issues and concerns associated and significant policy initiatives by the Government in this direction.
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 Silk Industry with respect to India – Indian Sericuluture has the distinction of being the only country in the world producing all Five major types of silk.
Body
Discuss the following aspects in the answer:
- common problems faced by the Indian silk industry are – Price fluctuation, Absence of proper market, Lack of transport facilities, Absence of storage facilities, Poor information on market trend, Lack of finance, High cost of production and low productivity, lack of technology penetration, prevalent rural nature of the industry etc., competition from synthetic fibers.
- Government initiatives – Introduction of high-yielding mulberry varieties, boost to cocoons productivity, Tasar reeling technology package, Developed pest-management measures against various pests of mulberry and silkworms, increase in non-mulberry silk production, Adopt clusters of villages for better marketing conditions, Impose anti-dumping duty. List down initiatives such as – Integrated Scheme for Development of Silk Industry, role of Central silk board etc.
- Discuss however the piece meal approach of the government has not been very successful thus suggest way forward – Establishment of close linkage between forward and backward sub-systems for greater efficiency and synergy as sericulture and silk industry is highly scattered and unorganized. Adequate thrust on non-traditional uses of silk such as use for artificial skin and other medical applications could create a positive pressure for high value addition. Protection to some extent of Indian silk market from Chinese cheap raw silk and fabrics by implementation of anti-dumping duty. Identification and promotion of potential clusters for silk production in potential traditional and nontraditional areas. Skill up-gradation through structured and specially designed training programme. Evolution of appropriate cost-effective technologies through focused research projects for the development of superior and hybrid breeds.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of sericulture and its potential.
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:
Amidst growing Global fossil fuel consumption over the long-term and consequent scarcity it is essential for us to evaluate options of renewable resources and in this context Solar energy.
Demand of the question:
The steady increase in energy consumption coupled with environmental pollution has promoted research activities in alternative and renewable energy fuels. Many countries in the world are continuously developing materials and methods for effectively utilizing the alternative fuel resources available in their region. Thus one must discuss the potential Solar energy has for us to overcome the energy shortages of present and future. Your discussion should focus on availability of raw material required for the generation of Solar energy in India and in the 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 highlight of the current energy consumption patterns across the world, the crisis World is facing.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- Explain how the world is gradually marching towards a severe energy crisis, with an ever-increasing demand of energy overstepping its supply and that the energy we use every day is not unlimited, yet we take it for granted.
- Discuss the causes of energy crisis
- Then move on to discuss potential of Solar energy as a renewable source of fuels.
- Discuss the factors associated such as – availability of raw material required for the generation of Solar energy in India and in the world – Tropical nature of the country, technology – PV solar cells, capacity in terms of skills etc.
Conclusion
Conclude with inevitableness of exploring newer and renewable resources given the conditions of present global energy crisis.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
The question is in the light of the recently announced election agenda by the Congress party of – Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY).
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the highlights of the scheme and critically analyse its relevance with respect to the trickle down theory of economics.
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.
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:
write a few introductory lines bring out the highlights of the newly announced scheme.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- Discuss the Nyuntam Aay Yojana’ (NYAY) or minimum income guarantee (MIG) — it proposes a cash transfer of Rs 6,000 a month (or Rs 72,000 a year) to the bottom 20% of the poor. Why it is often being described as a ‘dole’, bad for fiscal health and worse — bad for the beneficiaries themselves because it would apparently make them lazy and dependent.
- Why is NYAY a redistributive mechanism?
- Discuss the logic of trickle-down economics.
- Critically analyse one-size-fits-all fiscal management – NYAY.
- What needs to be done – India’s policymakers need to take changes in global thinking into consideration while framing their policies to fight poverty and inequality..
Conclusion –
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The article is in the backdrop of RBI’s recent second successive repo rate cut, and retainment of neutral policy stance along with lowers projections for both GDP growth and inflation.
Key demand of the question:
In such a context it is necessary for us to evaluate steps required to strengthen the domestic growth and in this question special emphasis needs to be given to discuss role of private investment.
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:
Begin with brief introduction of recent measures taken by RBI to boost growth .
Body:
Discussion should have the following dimensions :
- The highlights of the RBI policies recently taken.
- Importance private investment in boosting Indian economy – In the conditions of RBI looking to use monetary tools to stimulate economic growth wherein a benign inflationary environment has helped the central bank edge into an expansionary monetary space it is essential and crucial for private investors to aid the growth.
- Discuss in detail role of private investment , provide for a comparison with that of public investment.
- What are the challenges faced by the private investors ?
- What needs to be done to stimulate them.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such steps.
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. and related issues.
Why this question:
Roadis, a private investor and operator of transport infrastructure worldwide and the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) have jointly set up a platform to invest in road projects in India. The platform would invest up to $2 billion of equity targeting toll-operate-transfer models, acquisitions of existing road concessions and investment opportunities in the road sector with an aim to create a large roads platform in the country.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and need for infrastructure funding in India.
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:
Briefly discuss the context of recent initiative – platform to invest in road projects in India.
Body:
- The question is straight forward, one must establish the details of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF); composition, mandate and other important details.
- About NIIF: The government had set up the ₹40,000 crore NIIF in 2015 as an investment vehicle for funding commercially viable greenfield, brownfield and stalled infrastructure projects. The Indian government is investing 49% and the rest of the corpus is to be raised from third-party investors such as sovereign wealth funds, insurance and pension funds, endowments, etc. NIIF’s mandate includes investing in areas such as energy, transportation, housing, water, waste management and other infrastructure-related sectors in India.
- NIIF currently manages three funds each with its distinctive investment mandate. The funds are registered as Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
- Discuss the three associated funds – Master Fund, Fund of Funds, Strategic Investment Fund etc.
- Discuss the importance of infrastructure funding in India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of NIIF and importance of infrastructure funding.
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.
Why this question:
The question is about discussing the importance of leadership as a quality essential in encouraging the ethical behaviour and conduct in governmental organizations.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of Leadership as an essential quality and its relevance to Public services.
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 define what you understand by leadership.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- What is leadership ? – Leadership is an important function of management which helps to maximize efficiency and to achieve organizational goals; Initiates action, Motivation, Providing guidance, creating confidence, Building morale etc.
- Why is leadership important in life? – Leaders have great discipline and they want and inspire others to follow the same path. Such skills and qualities are really important in our daily life. It’s because our future and success depend on.
- Why is leadership important in governmental organizations? – effective managerial skills enable employees to take on leadership roles in the workplace and gives them an opportunity to manage exciting projects. The qualities of a good leader are demonstrated through their efficiency in supervising assignments and ability to work with their team to achieve positive results.
- Justify the above points using suitable examples.
Conclusion:
Re assert the significance of leadership in organizations.
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.
7) Delineate role of integrity and impartiality in public administration.(250 words)
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is intended to evaluate the importance of of integrity and impartiality in public administration.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the importance of of integrity and impartiality in public administration, how they are different from each other.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines define what you understand by Integrity and impartiality, In what context they apply to public services.
Body:
Discuss –
- What is integrity in public service? – Integrity means earning and sustaining public trust by: serving the public interest, using powers responsibly, for the purpose and in the manner for which they were intended, acting with honesty and transparency, making reasoned decisions without bias by following fair and objective processes preventing and addressing improper conduct, disclosing facts without hiding or distorting them, not allowing decisions or actions to be influenced by personal or private interests.
- How is it different from Impartiality ? – Impartiality means that, regardless of a public servants personal beliefs and preferences, and personal relationships with other servants or with members of the community; he or she must impartially serve the government of the day and treat members of the public and other public servants fairly and impartially. Impartiality implies tolerance and restraint, particularly in dealing with political or religious convictions.
- Explain their importance in public administration.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of such traits and their necessity in public administration.
NOTE:
