[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 22 May 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and
developing new technology.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society.
Why this question:
The problem of ageing populations has become a matter of great concern for many countries today. Provisions for pensions and healthcare are straining budgets, leaving very little space for creating new employment opportunities for younger people. Home to over 100 million elderly people and with numbers further expected to increase threefold in the next three decades India has many challenges to be addressed.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must briefly discuss the challenges owing to increased life expectancy, what are the issues being faced by the elderly population and what needs to be done to overcome this challenge.
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
In a few introductory lines explain the background of the question in brief.
Body
The body of the answer has to capture the following aspects:
- Quote facts showing the changing patterns of life expectancy.
- Discuss what are the issues associated with the elderly population in terms of dependence – economically, socially. abuse by the society, failing health conditions, emotional dependence etc.
- Suggest what needs to be done?
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Why this question:
The article captures a detailed discussion on the global consequences of a possible Sino-American cold war.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate the current turf between China and America and the possible near future consequences on the world.
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 elaboration on the concept of ‘Thucydides Trap’.
Body:
Discussion should include the following aspects –
- Narrate how the current Sino – American relations reflect in a possible Thucydides Trap.
- Discuss the causes and consequences of the current conditions of trade wars.
- Explain what could be the possible outcomes of such war?
- What needs to be done?
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward signifying importance to curb such a turf in the larger good of the world.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question:
The article discusses in detail Why the unique grouping of India, Brazil and South Africa must be revitalised. It explains the achievements and way ahead for the platform IBSA.
Demand of the question:
The question is about discussing the attempts of IBSA to become the voice of global south.
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 of IBSA.
Body
Discuss the following points in detail:
- IBSA – International tripartite grouping for promoting international cooperation among three countries, represents three important poles for galvanizing South-South cooperation.
- Discuss its evolution from the Brasilia declaration.
- Discuss its significance.
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of recent attacks witnessed in Arunachal Pradesh where Tirong Aboh, the sitting MLA from Khonsa West assembly constituency, along with 10 others have been killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Tirap District
Demand of the question:
The answer must explain how the decades-old insurgency is a major internal threat facing the world’s largest democracy and one must narrate in detail the central ideology of such Insurgency.
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:
Known in India as the Naxalites or Naxals, the Maoists are considered to be left-wing extremists who broke away from mainstream communism on ideological issues like the decision by the main parties to join the electoral process.
Body:
Body of the answer should capture:
- What is their central idea ?
- When was the movement formed?
- Who do the Naxalites represent?
- What attracts the population to the movement?
- Who is their target?
- What steps has the government taken so far to fight the Naxalites?
- What measures are required still to curb the menace of Maoism.
- Discuss some specific case studies – North East region to justify better.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what should be the way ahead.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question:
Scientists have developed highly sensitive and rapid tests for detection of tuberculosis infection in lungs and surrounding membranes. Unlike current tests that use antibodies for detection of bacterial proteins in sputum samples, new tests use Aptamer Linked Immobilized Sorbent Assay (ALISA) and Electrochemical Sensor (ECS) for detection of a bacterial protein in the sputum.
Key demand of the question:
Answer is straightforward and is about discussing the evolution of science in the field of Tuberculosis Diagnosis.
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:
In a few introductory lines highlight the context of the question.
Body:
In brief discuss the following points:
- Explain the significance of coming of Faster diagnostic tests for tuberculosis in India.
- How has the evolution in diagnostics changed the landscape of Helath issues specifically the TB burden?
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health concern for both developing and developed countries and has recently become more complex due to persistence in aging populations and the rise of drug-resistant strains, recent advances allow better and earlier diagnosis of active pulmonary TB – Conventional diagnostic tests use antibodies for detection of bacterial proteins in sputum samples. However, such tests suffer with limitations including batch-to-batch variability, limited shelf-life, and cost.
- To address these problems, the researchers have now developed two DNA aptamer-based tests – Aptamer Linked Immobilized Sorbent Assay (ALISA) and Electrochemical Sensor (ECS) for detection of a bacterial protein in the sputum.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic :Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Why this question:
In a pre-dawn launch on Wednesday, Indian space agency ISRO scripted history by successfully launching earth observation satellite RISAT-2B that would enhance the country’s surveillance capabilities among others.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail significant features of RISAT- 2B and importance it brings to India in terms of radar imaging space fleet. One must list out in detail the application aspects of such a mission.
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 on RISAT – 2B.
Body:
Answers must discuss the following aspects :
- The salient features of the satellite launch – RISAT -2B
- What are its capabilities?
- Why is the mission important to India?
- What are the applications it brings – in the fields of – agriculture; crop estimation, forestry, soil, land use, geology and during floods and cyclone.
- Its significance to security forces and disaster relief agencies etc.
Conclusion –
Conclude with significance of such a mission to India.
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 publications
Why this question:
The question is based upon the conceptual aspects of paper IV.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must define the terms sympathy, empathy and compassion and must elaborate on the key differences between them using suitable examples/case studies.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines define the terms – sympathy, empathy and compassion.
Body:
- Sympathy is a feeling and expression of concern for someone, often accompanied by a wish for them to be happier or better off. In general, sympathy implies a deeper, more personal, level of concern than pity, a simple expression of sorrow.
- Empathy It involves, first, seeing someone else’s situation from his/ her perspective, and, second, sharing that person’s emotions, including, if any, his distress. Empathy, is the act of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It occurs when you are truly trying to understand or experience someone else’s emotions, as if they were your own.
- Compassion is a deeper level of empathy, demonstrating an actual desire to help the suffering person. It is a unique feeling of sympathy for the suffering of others that involves emotions and empathy towards others, a sense of understanding, and the drive to protect.
- Then move on to differentiate them – in terms of defining characteristics, how the three differ in terms of a response to suffering etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with their relevance to civil servants as key values necessary for successful administration which is ethical and fair.
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