[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 18 July 2019
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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 in the backdrop of recent political crisis surrounding the State of Karnataka.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must analyse the SC order and the possible repercussions it may have in future in such situations.
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:
Describe briefly the verdict of the SC in this context.
Body:
The answer should start with appreciation of the judgement of the apex court.
The order noted that the hearing of the plea had raised the issue of whether resignations submitted by MLAs at a point of time earlier than petitions for their disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection law) of the Constitution should be decided first or whether both should be taken up simultaneously or the disqualification proceedings should have precedence over the requests for resignation.
Discuss the possible nuances of the order and analyse the role of speaker and functioning of the constitutional mechanism.
Explain what can be the possible issues or challenges.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of the order.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
The government wants to parachute private sector experts into India’s bureaucracy, the question intends to inquire into the workableness of the idea of lateral entry.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate the pros and cons of lateral entry into Indian administrative services.
Directive:
Elucidate – 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:
Start with your understanding on what is lateral entry.
Body:
Explain that the issue of lateral entry into civil services at mid-level positions of the Union government has received much attention recently.
Then discuss the need for lateral entry of outside specialists into the middle rung of Indian bureaucracy.
Provide for some Argument Against or Disadvantages of Lateral Entry into Civil Services.
Suggest How to Make Lateral Entry into Civil Services a Success Story.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The Central government introduced the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in 2016 to resolve claims involving insolvent companies. This was intended to tackle the bad loan problems that were affecting the banking system. Two years on the IBC has succeeded in a large measure in preventing corporates from defaulting on their loans. The IBC process has changed the debtor-creditor relationship.
Demand of the question:
The answer must analyse in detail the merits and demerits of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
Directive word:
Critically 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. 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 the basic features of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
Body
Explain that Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 is considered as one of the biggest insolvency reforms in the economic history of India.
This was enacted for reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner for maximization of the value of assets of such persons.
Then discuss the objectives of the IBC, explain the key aspects, the successes, challenges in implementation etc.
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Role of women, Agriculture
Why this question:
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, BJD’s Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab cited an Oxfam report — published a decade ago — which stated that women undertook 80 per cent of farm work in India though only 13 per cent of the land was owned by them.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must analyse the policy paralysis that has led to failure in addressing the entitlement rights to women in agriculture. One has to analyse in detail the issues on ground and suggest how to tackle the issue.
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:
Quote facts showing the scenario of agriculture in India and the gender aspect.
Body:
One has to explain what are the problems with respect to women in Indian farm sector, why is there a policy paralysis in granting entitlements to women in agriculture and farm widows needs to be addressed.
Discuss issues related to tenure security, and most importantly, the chasm between land ‘ownership, accessibility to entitlements, and control,’ are important challenges affecting the economic empowerment of women in agriculture. One example here is that of proxy sarpanches or ‘sarpanchpatis,’ where the control is often vested with the husband of the elected woman representative under the aegis of Panchayati Raj Act (1993).
Suggest what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Why this question:
The article talks about the mention of blue economy in the recent budget that was passed by the parliament.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must bring out the significance, prospects and potential the blue economy holds for 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.
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:
Begin with brief intro on what you understand by blue economy.
Body:
Discussion should include the following:
The concept was introduced by Gunter Pauli in his 2010 book- “The Blue Economy: 10 years, 100 innovations, 100 million jobs”.
It is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs, and ocean ecosystem health.
It advocates the greening of ocean development strategies for higher productivity and conservation of ocean’s health.
List down the possible merits of blue economy.
What are the policies and programmes that are required to be undertaken to make the blue economy contribute to the GDP (take hints from the article.)
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
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 aims to analyse the art of diplomacy that is required by an individual to profess honesty and truthfulness.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the significance of honesty and truthfulness and in what way it becomes necessary that art of diplomacy is required to profess these virtues.
Directive:
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:
Define truthfulness and honesty.
Body:
Explain the significance of these virtues first and with a suitable example explain in what way some bit of diplomacy is required to profess these virtues in specific conditions.
One must quote occasions to bring out the need of diplomacy in such conditions.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting way forward and importance of diplomancy.
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is to evaluate the role of perception and in what way it affects once behaviour and attitude.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the how perception decides on situations, generating our views over complexities, conspiracies and obstacles around us. Discuss then the role attitude of an individual has to play in deciding one’s perception.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define what you understand by perception.
Body:
One needs to explain the inter relationship between perception and attitude, in what way one influences the other. One can explain it using simple examples from day to day life.
Discuss how right attitude can lead to right perception and help resolve problems and profess duties in right manner.
Conclusion:
Reassert the role of right attitude .
NOTE:
