[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 25 April 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static 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.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Social empowerment.
Why this question:
The article paints a bleak picture of the poor participation quotient of the transgender community owing to societal stigma associated with the community.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must discuss the factor of societal ostracization faced by the transgender community and that leading to low voter turnout in the elections. Answer must evaluate the factors responsible and what should be the way forward for 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
Introduce by highlighting the importance of inclusiveness in the election system of the country.
Body
The body of the answer should address the following dimensions:
- Discuss the historical factors responsible for such ostracized status of the transgender community.
- Explain – The fear, particularly of being judged and mocked, how the community is stigmatized when one stands in a polling queue with others.
- Suggest what needs to be done to streamline and mainstream the community – A mechanism to instils confidence in the community to vote needs to be formulated, strong activism.
Conclusion
Conclude with steps to overcome such societal stigmas.
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 question is about analyzing whether having a minimum educational qualification for contesting polls is problematic or a step forward in fulfilling true values of Democracy.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must give a detailed explanation and provide for a critical analysis of whether educational qualification should be made compulsory or not and what are the pros and cons associated with it. What should be the way forward.
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:
Begin with a brief background of the entire scenario.
Body:
- The answer should provide for a balanced opinion, start with historical factors such as – Restrictions on voting rights on the basis of property, education, etc., were colonial concepts — upon independence, the framers of the Constitution extended the voting rights to all citizens above the age of 21 years, irrespective of their educational qualifications. The literacy rate in 1951 was a mere 21.82%.
- Also provide for the viewpoint that literacy has not much bearing on this point; a man may be illiterate, none the less he may be very intelligent.
- There is no empirical study which establishes that an educational qualification infuses administrative capabilities in an individual. Instead, individuals bereft of education or devoid of social justice and necessities can generate better ideas to counter the lack of the same. This leads to a more participatory form of government, where citizens can connect more with those at the helm of administration rather than seeing them as ruling elites.
- Also discuss the aspect that – whether school-level education be made a criterion if there are quality concerns around the education imparted in government schools?
- although the job of MLAs and MPs requires a more complex understanding of Constitutional processes and administrative skills, there are no minimum educational qualifications for them — this is patently discriminatory.
- Discuss how minimum educational qualifications has also led to further marginalization of the marginalized.
Conclusion:
Draw a fair and balanced conclusion.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.
Why this question:
The question is amidst the recent sanctions posed by US on Iran. President Trump, in a move that could have implications on India’s energy security, recently decided not to grant sanctions exemptions to any oil customers of Iran, further squeezing Tehran’s top export commodity. The US re-imposed sanctions on Iran last November, after Trump pulled out of the landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must thus evaluate the impact of such decisions on the world economy and India in particular.
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:
Introduce with context of the question.
Body:
- Explain why the sanctions were imposed?
- What impact does it have on the Iranian economy?
- Impact on Indian economy?
- Should the sanction change the modus operandi of the Chabahar project? – take cues from the article, discuss associated pros and cons.
- Discuss what should be India’s stand?
Conclusion:
Conclude with the impact it has on the world economies.
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 brings out a detailed narration of recent verdicts with respect to environmental concerns by the judicial wing.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate top environmental cases heard in the supreme court, high courts and national green tribunal recently and their impact.
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 importance of such verdicts in tackling environmental concerns.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- The recent verdicts ranging from – SC permitted felling of 202 trees in Perumalai Forest for road with conditions, Joint committee to look into compliance of NGT orders on solid waste dumping in Vrindavan etc.
- Then highlight how these verdicts provide for a check against the decisions of the executive.
- Quote examples where the executive and the judiciary are at rift and conclude that despite the turf , such relationship best favors in addressing the concerns of the environment in the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development.
Why this question:
The article discusses the effects of the suspension of cross LoC trade between Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) that was in force with effect from April 19. The article discusses the possible ill effects it has on the relations and stability of the region.
Demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate in detail the reason for suspension of cross-LoC trade, the impact it had on other aspects and whether the decision was in favor of the situation.
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 by narrating a brief background of the situation amidst which the decision was taken.
Body
- First explain the Importance of LoC trade – how it benefits the local economy, helps generate employment, political value it carries , catalyzes peace negotiations etc.
- Then move on to discuss the concerns it poses – security concerns, regional imbalance in terms of trade etc.
- Discuss the policy level changes associated with it.
- What are the strategic impact that it brings.
- Conclude with what should be done?
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment, climate change.
6) “Man-induced famines have become more common than the nature-induced ones.” Comment. (250 words)
Why this question:
The article talks about the woes of helpless farmers in the arid Saurashtra region that is facing acute water crisis leading to agrarian crisis.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss mainly the aspect that the famines, drought conditions and the recent agrarian crisis are more of a man made outcomes than due to the natural factors.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
Introduce by highlighting the alarming situation of the famines across the country.
Body:
The question is direct, one must discuss in detail the factors responsible for such famines, conditions of austerity that are an outcome of manmade factors – such as increasing population pressure, land degradation, climate change all leading to change in natural geo-hydrological cycles thus affecting the agrarian systems, natural ecosystem leading to famine conditions.
List out all possible interlinkages.
Suggest what needs to be done – at policy level, societal level and individual level to overcome and address the situation.
Conclusion –
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic : Ethics and Human Interface.
Ethics by Lexicon publications.
Why this question:
The question is based upon the conduct of Moral behaviour and its practice in real life. A world of today which is often being considered immoral.
Key demand of the question:
The question is about evaluating the conduct of moral standards and values across varying situations, one has to evaluate how an individual can or can not profess a moral conduct amidst an immoral society.
Directive:
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:
Define first – what you understand by Moral conduct .
Body:
First start by explaining – what are Moral values ? – they are set of principles guiding us to evaluate what is right or wrong. They are the standards of good and evil, which govern an individual’s behaviour and choices.
Discuss how today’s world is being recognized as highly immoral owing to its changing culture day by day.
Explain why is the world immoral today – issues at societal level ranging from corruption of attitudes, capitalist tendencies, intolerance towards the less empowered etc.
Then quote examples to show how a person professing high morals in such a society gets to be called stupid and foolish.
Provide for examples to support your opinion, suggest what should be done to overcome the crisis.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of morality in the society .
NOTE:
