[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 10 May 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Government Budgeting.
General Studies – 1
Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
1) Discuss the contribution of Gopal Krishna Gokhale in the freedom movement of India.(250 words)
Why this question:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Freedom Fighter and social reformer Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his birth anniversary yesterday, in this context it is important for us to analyse the contribution made by Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must elaborate on the role played by Gopal Krishna Gokhale during freedom struggle.
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 the role played by him in the freedom struggle.
Body
The body of the answer has to capture the contributions made by him –
- With respect to Indian National congress – He became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1889. He was the leader of the moderate faction of the Congress party.
- In 1905, he was elected president of the Indian National Congress (Banaras Session).
- He played a leading role in bringing about Morley-Minto Reforms, the beginning of constitutional reforms in India.
- Member in British India Legislature: In 1899, Gokhale was elected to the Bombay Legislative Council and in 1901 he was elected to the Imperial Council of the Governor-General of India.
- Servants of India Society: It was formed by him in Pune (Maharashtra) in 1905 to further the expansion of education in India. The Society organized mobile libraries, founded schools, and provided night classes for factory workers.
- Ranade Institute of Economics: In 1908, he founded the ‘Ranade Institute of Economics’.
- Mentor to Gandhi: In 1912, Gokhale visited South Africa at Gandhi’s invitation. He received personal guidance from Gokhale, including a knowledge and understanding of India and the issues confronting common Indians.
- Hitavad: He launched the English weekly newspaper named The Hitavad (The people’s paper) in 1911.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance of the role played by him.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Why this question:
The article provides for clear insights on the working and functioning of ECI – how it has evolved over time and it pays a special focus on rules that it follows in case of a disagreement.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss clearly nature of the powers of Election commission of India, procedure of disposal of matters that come before ECI and the power of dissent of the chief election commissioner.
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 recent controversies surrounding the ECI.
Body:
- Body of the answer should discuss the following aspects:
- When and under what circumstances did the Election Commission of India (ECI) become a three-member body? – discuss the coming of Article 324 and highlight its significance.
- From being one – member body to multi- member – trace the evolution and respective changes.
- What is the nature of the powers of the Election Commission of India?
- What is the procedure for disposal of matters that come before the Election Commission of India?
- What is the procedure for disposal of matters that come before the Election Commission of India? – discuss recent examples.
- Suggest what needs to be done ?
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Topic: Issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development, Agriculture.
Why this question:
The article highlights the need for interventions that are required on demand and supply side to alleviate farm distress in the country.
In the current times of elections and their manifesto aiming at votes in the name of loan waivers , the author brings out causes and consequences facing the farm sector in the country.
Demand of the question:
This question seeks to examine
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 – quote some facts to highlight the situation of farm distress in the country.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- What are the factors causing farm distress in the country?
- Public investment in the sector as a percentage of GDP is also stagnant.
- Declining size of land holdings.
- prices are much lower than the MSP [minimum support price] in the market.
- long-term problems such as low capital formation in agriculture persist. Etc.
- Present a case of small and marginal farmers, why is their case different? – take hints from the article and provide for suitable points.
- What needs to be done? – suggest measures to overcome the distress.
Conclusion
Conclude with what needs to be done – suggest holistic approach required to address the problem.
General Studies – 3
Topic : Government Budgeting.
Indian polity by Lakshmikanth
Why this question:
The question is to evaluate – outcome budget, performance budget.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must provide for a detailed discussion on the two type of the budget namely – outcome budget and performance budget, provide for a comparison and contrast the two.
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:
write a few introductory lines about the significance of a Budget.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- What is an Outcome Budget? – It is a progress card on what various Ministries and Departments have done with the outlays in the previous annual budget. It measures the development outcomes of all government programs and whether the money has been spent for the purpose it was sanctioned including the outcome of the fund usage.
- It is a means to develop a linkage between the money spent by a government and the results which follow.
- An interesting feature of outcome based budgeting is that the outcomes of programmes are measured not just in terms of Rupees but also in terms of physical units like Kilowatt of energy produced or tonnes of steel produced. Also outcomes are expressed in terms of qualitative targets and achievements to make the technique more comprehensive.
- Then move on to discuss the procedure for outcome-based budgeting.
- Then explain what is a performance budget? – A performance budget is a budget that reflects the input of resources and the output of services for each unit of the government. This type of budget is commonly used by government bodies to show the link between taxpayer funds and the outcome of services provided by federal, state, or local governments.
- Provide for merits and demerits of the two.
Conclusion –
Conclude by reasserting their significance.
Topic: Infrastructure
Why this question:
The article discusses in detail in the coming of FAME -II , its impact on the energy sector of the country. The Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee of the National Mission for Transformative Mobility has recently decided to incorporate localization conditions to avail benefits under the FAME-II Scheme. Thus it is necessary for us to evaluate the scheme from exam point of view.
Key demand of the question:
The question expects
Directive word:
Elaborate – Give 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:
Begin with brief on the significance of the scheme.
Body:
- Discussion should include the following aspects –
- salient features of FAME II scheme –
- aims to boost electric mobility and increase the number of electric vehicles in commercial fleets.
- Target: The outlay of ₹10,000 crore has been made for three years till 2022 for FAME 2 scheme.
- The government will offer the incentives for electric buses, three-wheelers and four-wheelers to be used for commercial purposes.
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles and those with a sizeable lithium-ion battery and electric motor will also be included in the scheme and fiscal support offered depending on the size of the battery.
- Discuss its potential – how FAME II scheme will help improve charging infrastructure.
- What are the issues and associated concerns?
- Discuss what can be done to overcome the concerns associated.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Government Budgeting
Indian Polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question is to evaluate the method of Interim budget – its need, functionality and procedure. Also, one has to discuss the utility of Interim budget.
Key demand of the question:
Analyse in detail the features of an Interim budget, ow is it different from a full budget ? what are the nuances of 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 explain that Conventionally, a government at the end of its term goes in for a vote on account rather than a full Budget. Therefore, the debate on the issue. While few favor the full budget, others oppose it on the ground that this is an election year and the government has already presented 5 full budgets.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- Discuss the procedure of budget – role of Article 266, 114 of the constitution.
- What is vote on account? Why is it presented?
- Interim budget? – An Interim Budget is not the same as a ‘Vote on Account’. While a ‘Vote on Account’ deals only with the expenditure side of the government’s budget, an Interim Budget is a complete set of accounts, including both expenditure and receipts. An Interim Budget gives the complete financial statement, very similar to a full Budget.
- Compare and contrast the full budget with that of an interim budget.
- Discuss measures/ solutions required in direction to resolve and overcome the present controversies.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done, suggest way forward.
General Studies – 4
Topic: corporate governance.
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is intended to evaluate the role of corporate governance in successful and ethical management of companies and corporations.
Key demand of the question:
The answer is straightforward – one has to discuss the concept of corporate governance, its role, significance etc.
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 define what is corporate governance.
Body:
- Explain – Corporate governance is meant to run companies ethically in a manner such that all stakeholders—creditors, distributors, customers, employees, and even competitors, the society at large and governments—are dealt with in a fair manner.
- Discuss the aspects of Good corporate governance – that it should look at all stakeholders and not just shareholders alone.
- Discuss the need for understanding ethical behavior in the context of corporate governance.
- Justify the above points using a suitable case study to highlight the need for ethics in corporate governance to make the governance more and more meaningful.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of ethics and its significance to the corporate governance.
Topic : conscience as sources of ethical guidance
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is intended to evaluate the relationship between ethics and consciousness, the factors responsible for one’s desire – and what are the factors responsible in driving it.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the importance of ethics and its relationship with consciousness of an individual. One must elaborate on the concept of ethical consciousness.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines appreciate the need for ethical consciousness.
Body:
- Explain that Ethics and consciousness are directly related in the sense that the greater your scope of awareness, the more options you potentially have, allowing a wider range of possibilities for ethical or unethical behavior.
- What factors drive ethical consciousness? Its relationship with ethics?
- Discuss the above points using suitable example /case study.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of ethical consciousness and awareness.
NOTE:
