[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 29 April 2019
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Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of
various Constitutional Bodies.
General Studies – 1
Topic : Role of women, The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Why this question:
The article brings out the contributions made by Dakshayani Velayudhan , a leader of the Depressed Classes, belonging to the Pulaya community.
It also highlights the formation of Pulaya Mahana Sabha and its contributions to the freedom movement.
Key demand of the question:
The answer has to discuss particularly the contributions of Dakshayani Velayudhan and the evolution and significance of Pulaya Mahana Sabha.
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:
Begin with importance of Dakshayani Velayudhan in the upliftment of the depressed classes.
Body:
- Discuss – Dakshayani Velayudhan was an Indian parliamentarian and leader of the Depressed Classes. Belonging to the Pulaya community, she was among the first generation of people to be educated from the community.
- She holds several distinctions including becoming the first woman from her community to wear an upper cloth, the first Scheduled Caste woman graduate in India, a science graduate, a member of the Cochin Legislative Council and of being one of nine female members of the Constituent Assembly of India.
- Her contributions – Although a staunch Gandhian, Dakshayani sided with B R Ambedkar on many issues relating to the Scheduled Castes during the Constituent Assembly debates. She agreed with Ambedkar giving up the demand for separate electorates arguing instead for ‘moral safeguards’ and the immediate removal of their social disabilities. discussions on draft Article 11 in the constituent assembly.
- Then move to discuss Pulaya Maha Sabha, contributions of it in Kerala and its spread to other parts of the country.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting significance of such leaders.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Polity by Lakshmikanth
Why this question:
The question is straight forward and direct from the static portions.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss powers, functions and responsibilities of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in India.
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 by stating that the Constitution of India provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). CAG helps the parliament/state legislatures hold their respective governments accountable.
Body:
In brief discuss the following points –
- The coming of CAG office into existence – The role of the CAG evolved in British India with Lord Canning initiating a major administrative drive before the Mutiny of 1857. In May 1858, for the first time, a separate department was set up with an Accountant General, who was responsible for accounting and auditing the financial transactions under the East India Company. After Mutiny, the British Crown took over and passed the Government of India Act 1858.
This laid the foundation stone of Imperial Audit. Sir Edward Drummond took charge in 1860 as the first Auditor General and the term ‘Comptroller and Auditor General of India’ was first used in 1884. Under the Montford Reforms of 1919, the Auditor General became independent of the government. The Government of India Act 1935 strengthened the position of the Auditor General by providing for Provincial Auditors General in a federal set-up.
- Then discuss the Constitutional provisions of the CAG.
- Explain the duties and powers, with limitations.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of CAG office.
Topic : Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Polity by Lakshmikanth
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and from static portions based on the theme of Union Public Service Commission.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must discuss Powers of Union Public Service Commission with special focus on its advisory powers.
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
Introduce with a brief on significant role played by Union Public Service Commission.
Body
The body of the answer should address the following dimensions:
- Discuss that UPSC is a central agency that has great responsibility for conducting examinations pertaining to Civil Services, Engineering Services, Defense Services, and Medical Services. It also conducts Economic Service, Statistical Service, and Police Forces examination.
- Explain the Constitutional Provisions.
- Discuss Functions of Union Public Service Commission.
- Explain advisory powers of the UPSC in detail – It can give advises to the President and the governors of any State of the following affairs:
- On all matters related with the appointment of the civil services of the governments.
- The evaluation of the standard and efficiencies of the candidates for appointment, promotion or transfer in all civil posts.
- On all matters regarding the discipline and punctuality of the employees of All India Services.
- Affairs associated with the demands and benefits of employees working under the All India Civil Services and injured while on duty.
- Whether the payment or expenditure for any work of an employee of All India Civil Services will be borne by the consolidated fund of India.
- Regarding discipline and promptness in government functions of paying compensation to a government employee if he suffers any problem or financial loss due to the negligence on the part of the government, matters related with the punishment measures of those employees who have violated discipline or of all matters related with the interest of the government employees working under the central government.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of UPSC.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Why this question:
The article gives a detailed account of corruption in India , it provides for analysis of how the governments of the past till present have been ignorant of the menace of corruption and that there is absolutely no evidence of any check on everyday corruption that impacts the delivery of services to people.
Demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate in detail the corruption incidences with example, the lacunae on the policy and legislation front and what needs to be done to make India corruption free.
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
Start with few facts/ stats highlighting the scenario.
Body
- Discuss how there have been consistent attacks on anti-corruption laws and institutions.
- For e.g. – In 2015, the government proposed amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act. The amendment Bill, which was later approved by Parliament, narrows down the definition of corruption, increases the burden of proof necessary for punishing the corrupt, and makes things more arduous for whistle-blowers.
- strengthening of the shield available to officials accused of corruption.
- Investigating agencies have been barred from even initiating an inquiry or investigation into allegations of corruption without prior approval from the government.
- undermining of the autonomy of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- Issues associated with Lokpal law etc.
- Discuss how Corruption in India is not limited to collusive high-level scams. Even petty corruption, affects the delivery of basic services and rights to people, is rampant.
- Explain what needs to be done to overcome the issue.
ConclusionHighlight the importance of strong political will to take necessary steps to curb the menace of corruption.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology, Indian Economy.
why this question:
The Article discusses how biotech has arguably emerged as a preferred investment sector. Money is pouring in and analysts are sure the sector will maintain its blue chip status in the coming years as well.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the progress that Biotechnology is making exponentially and how its contribution to the economy is becoming significant day by day.
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:
Introduce briefly the context of the question.
Body:
- Take cues from the article, use facts and reports to justify how Biotech has been progressively performing.
- The Indian Biotechnology sector is one of the major knowledge based sectors in India and is contributing significantly to shaping India’s rapidly growing economy.
- Discuss the market size – based on a network of nearly three hundred national laboratories and about an equal number of universities. The national laboratories operate under various departments or agencies of the Government of India, predominantly the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Biotechnology, among others.
- Discuss the government initiatives to boost the sector – examples –
- The Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India and RIKEN, Japan’s largest research organisation have signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) to launch joint research programs in the fields of biology, life sciences and material sciences.
- UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the Association of Biotech Led Enterprises (ABLE) have signed a MoU to encourage and develop collaborative opportunities between Indian life sciences organisations and the UK.
- The Drugs Controller General of India has approved Biocon Ltd to market its biosimilar ‘Trastuzumab’ developed jointly with the US drug-maker Mylan, for treating breast cancer. “This is a major milestone for both partners as it is the world’s first biosimilar trastuzumab to be accorded regulatory approval,” said Ms Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairperson and Managing Director, Biocon.
- The Government of India plans to set up National Institute of Biotic Stress Management for addressing plant protection issues will be established at Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- Conclude with significance.
Conclusion –
Conclude with how India’s biotechnology industry is expected to play a key role in sustaining future growth.
Topic : Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
Why this question:
The article discusses how religion is often associated with terrorism.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must thus evaluate the theme of religious terrorism, recent incidences, cause driving them and discuss what should be done to overcome it.
Directive word:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few lines brief about the recent incidences where terror attacks where associated with religion.
Body:
- Discuss the concept of Religious terrorism- one that is carried out based on motivations and goals that may have a predominantly religious character or influence.
- Then move on to explain how terrorism is usually understood as the use or threat of violence to further a political cause. There is no universally agreed definition of terrorism making it a difficult object to quantify.
- The visualization below shows the annual number of terrorist attacks globally and by country:
Take cues from the article – discuss examples ranging from Pragya Thakur – Malegaon case to the recent attacks in Australia in the mosque.
- What should be the way forward to overcome?
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting road ahead to curb terrorism.
General Studies – 4
Topic : Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
Ethics by Lexicon publications.
Why this question:
The article highlights the need for emotional intelligence by the civil servants to handle crowd violence and protests made by them.
Demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate need of emotional intelligence by the civil servants on ground to understand the sentiments of the mob and the resonating reasons behind them opting to protests and violence to provide for an effective and peaceful solution to the situation.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Start by explaining – what you understand by emotional intelligence.
Body
- Discuss what you understand by EI – the ability to recognize your and other people’s emotions; and manage them in better manner.
- What are the benefits of EI ? – Helps you control your own negative emotions. Then you can focus more on work than on mood, your productivity/efficiency/quality of work improves. Helps you make better decisions, perform under stress and against heavy-odds, deal with uncertainty and change in personal and professional life. Otherwise “He who spends time regretting the past loses the present and risks the future.
- Discuss how can one develop EI ?
- Give examples to substantiate your answer better.
Conclusion
Reassert the significance of such virtues in public servants.
NOTE:
