[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 26 August 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems;
ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules,
regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical
governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues
in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
General Studies – 2
Topic:Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Why this question:
The question is to evaluate the issue of migrants and their contributions to the Indian economy.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the effects migrants have on the Indian economy and in what way they are often seen in negative sense.
Directive:
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:
In short explain the concept of migration, provide facts for Indian scenario.
Body:
Have the following aspects covered:
Define migration – Migration is movement of people from one geographical area to another geographical area. Factors like economic interests, unfavorable climate, political instability or war may prompt people to migrate.
Bring out the economic benefits of migration.
Describe the reasons why migration is not seen favorably by recipient states and cities.
Discuss with case studies if possible to substantiate better.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions as to what needs to be done to harness the potential that the migrants bring.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question:
The question intends to examine the role played by teachers in curtailing the drop out rates in the schools of the country.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the importance of teachers, their quality and impact on controlling the dropout rates.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In short provide for some related facts that signify the link between quality of teachers and the respective effect in the dropout rates in schools.
Body:
Explain that quality of teachers is an essential foundation of a good education system.
Discuss the significance of teacher training – The best route for teachers to go from local to global, especially in pre-service training phase, is to enroll in skill development programmes such as global best practices, research, international curriculum, and performance measurements. They also need to acquire bi-lingual proficiency, especially in a foreign language. The government needs to introduce tests such as the CAT, harmonized across the country at national and state levels, as well as familiarize teachers with international cultures and cultural sensitivities training.
Relate with recent policies in direction and examples of arrest in dropout rates associated with increase in quality of teachers.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question:
The question is about evaluating India and France bilateral relations.
Key demand of the question:
One must explain in detail how in a more uncertain world order, India and France are natural partners in building the new coalitions.
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:
In short explain the current context of the question.
Body:
In brief first explain the historical relations that India and France have been sharing.
Discuss that India and France recognize the urgency of constructing coalitions that can provide a measure of stability in an increasingly unstable world. France, which had sought strategic autonomy within the framework of its alliance with the US, and India, which has valued independent foreign policy, are natural partners in building the new coalitions for an uncertain era.
Discuss the ties between the two countries on various fronts.
Explain the effect of other factors that have a potential of affecting India-France relations and in what way the two countries have still been in friendly relations with each other.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
Recently The government has proposed to set up a development financial institution (DFI) to solve the infrastructure financing needs of the country.
Key demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and is about discussing the significance of development financial institution (DFI) and how it is different from commercial banks and its relevance in infrastructure funding.
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 must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In short explain DFI.
Body:
Explain what is DFU, what are the advantages of having DFI.
Discuss in what way they are different from commercial banks.
Then move onto discuss why India needs DFIs to Fund Infrastructure?
Conclusion:
Conclude with the significance of DFI for Indian infrastructure sector.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question:
The article provides for a detailed coverage of the ongoing air pollution crisis the country is witnessing.
Key demand of the question:
One must elaborate as to how the problem of pollution no more is only about the health but is also about the cost it bears on the economy in multiple other ways.
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:
In short define air pollution, explain with facts how it affects in multiple fronts.
Body:
Explain that Beyond health costs, air pollution can also hurt the economy in other ways. In a 2018 study, Jamie Hansen-Lewis of Brown University finds that air pollution hurts productivity in India’s labor-intensive industries.
It estimates that bringing the country’s air to global standards would lead to a small increase in profits of 0.3% across manufacturing companies with more pronounced effects in labor-intensive firms.
Similarly, pollution is also hurting agriculture by stifling crop productivity. One 2014 study estimated that air pollutants were responsible for 19% of the loss in yields in wheat production in India in 2010.
Discuss that air pollution is also linked inextricably to climate change. Some of the same particles that clog up the lungs can clog up the atmosphere and contribute to the changing weather patterns.
Suggest solutions to tackle the problems.
Conclusion:
Conclude that India’s air pollution policy needs to be more systematic and solutions need to be put in place with a multi-pronged approach.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and based on the concept of voice of conscience.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the concept and its relevance in one’s ethical conduct.
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:
Define what you understand by voice of conscience.
Body:
Voice of conscience corresponds to an inner voice that judges your behavior. Explain Voice of conscience is the source of ethical decision making for many.
Discuss in what way you can prepare yourself to heed to the voice of conscience?
Pause and think about the dimensions of issue.
Practice the power of silence.
Meditation and prayer.
Free yourself from external influences and selfish interests.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting importance of voice of conscience.
Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is based on the theme of ethics in international relations.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the relevance of ethics in international relations.
Directive:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. 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:
What do you understand by ethics in international relations.
Body:
Explain first that Ethics is the study of the moral code of conduct or the ideal behavior to be sought by the human beings. It provides guidance to the realm of international relations as well.
significance of ethics in the international relations can be understood as:
adherence to the human rights -eg- lack of ethics in the international relation has been the cause of wars & genocide many times in history like the first world war.
accountability – eg- an irresponsible behavior of north Korea has raised the concerns of the whole world.
ethics helps to avoid the “ego clash” & “ideological clash” between two or more nations.
eg- the disruption between india & Pakistan relation can be avoided if both take a decision based on ethics.
ethics aim at “peaceful world”, “respect for all” & “equality” while forming international organizations, declarations & forums.
ethics of cooperation in the issues like combating law and order problems, with cross-border impacts.
ethics of standing by the countries that are facing insurgencies, and domestic civil wars.
ethics of pitching for a transparent system in the international financial administration.
globalization has rendered borders, useless. increasing trade balance between developed and underdeveloped countries is the cause of concern. mindless exploitation of these countries’ resources cannot be ignored. it requires a more empathetic view from developed nations.
it reduces tensions between countries and avoids war-like situations.
eg: Doklam issue between india & china has been solved through cooperation.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
NOTE:
