[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 30 August 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
Tomorrow’s Static Topic:Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance
and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to
Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture,
Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question:
The question aims to address the question of infrastructural gaps prevailing in the country’s development of sports.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the lacunae, gaps that are being witnessed by the sports infrastructure in the country.
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 bring out the importance of sports for the country.
Body:
Explain that Sports infrastructure plays a crucial role in achieving excellence in the global arena of sports.
Explain the policies and programmes in this direction, why are there gaps in it.
Discuss the major initiatives in place – national sports policy, assistance for sports infrastructure etc.
Explain what are the points of deficit and what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to revamp the policy paradigm for improving the infrastructural aspects in sports.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
In March 2018, the government of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had unveiled the proposed official state flag for Karnataka, and sent it to the central government for approval, with a request to include it in the Schedule of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1950. Recently the issue is back in fore with the incumbent govt. not willing to pursue the fact further.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the Questions of nationalism and sub nationalism in separate Kannada flag.
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 brief narrate the background of the issue.
Body:
Explain that the only state in India so far to have a separate state official flag was Jammu and Kashmir, which enjoyed special status under Article 370 of Indian constitution.
Discuss the provisions in this context in the constitution – Supreme Court said that here is no prohibition in the Constitution for the State to have its own flag. However, the manner in which the state flag is hoisted should not dishonor the national flag.
Under the Constitution, a flag is not enumerated in the Seventh Schedule. However, Article 51A rules that every citizen shall abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag, and the national anthem.
Then explain in what way assertion of regional identity has always been a tricky issue in a country as diverse as India.
Conclusion:
Conclude that there should be clear rule that flag of state cannot be a substitute of national flag and it should be smaller and fly lower. People against state flags say that the tricolor binds India together and any move to allow states to have flags would reduce the standing of the national flag. Allowing one state to have its own flag could trigger demands from other states too.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the “Fit India Movement”, highlighting the need to stay healthy amid rising instances of lifestyle disorders and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The campaign was announced at an event organized to celebrate the National Sports Day.
Key demand of the question:
The question aims to bring out the significance of the newly launched fit india campaign.
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:
Discuss the importance of being fit and its impact on several other aspects of life.
Body:
First discuss that physical activity has reduced due to the advent of technology, leading to disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
The World Health Organization (WHO), too, blames unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity for increasing instances of high blood pressure, increase in blood glucose, elevated blood lipids and obesity.
Then discuss the idea of fit India – It aims to encourage Indians to include fitness activities and sports in their daily lives to pave way for a healthy and fit lifestyle.
Explain in what way root cause of most lifestyle diseases are lifestyle disorders and there are many diseases that can be overcome by making small changes in our lifestyle.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such a campaign and in what way it will have long term impact on the growth and development of the country.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why this question:
The question is based on the theme of societal effects that the robotics and AI are bringing into the society of today.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the impact of social robots on the world society in detail.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must 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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Set the context of the question briefly.
Body:
Explain that the question “man or machine?” has been replaced with “man and machine”.
Discuss and opine whether humanoids can go beyond the industrial world to become part of our personal lives.
Discuss the case studies of humanoid robots – Sophia and Han.
Explain in what way robots can impact the society. Give case studies from the article and substantiate to form a stand.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of AI and robotics and its potential and that however the ethical concerns related to it remain a grey area that require diligence.
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why this question:
India recently became the first country to launch world’s first facial biometric-based ID for seafarers.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the achievement India has made through the launch of such a technology that can have positive impacts in multiple dimensions.
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:
First explain the importance of identification to Indian seafarers.
Body:
Explain that in a move to boost employment in the coastal shipping sector, India has become the first country in the world to issue a Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID) to its seafarers.
Discuss the key features of BSID – The BSID has the dimensions of a smart ID card. It introduces modern security features like an embedded biometric chip, as well as optical security features such as micro prints/micro texts and Unique Guilloche pattern. The security of the BSID card is ensured at various levels and through different methods. At the time of data capturing the live face is cross matched through passport photo using a face matching software. A software has been developed for capturing the facial biometrics and its authentication through the public key infrastructure.
Explain how the technology is a major boost in various ways to the seafarers.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and is based on the concept of citizen charter.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the relevance and significance of citizen’s charter.
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 citizen’s charter, explain what is it.
Body:
Explain the basic objectives of citizen’s charter.
Discuss what aspects are essential for an organization to be covered in its citizen’s charter.
Explain the do’s and don’ts that the organization must consider while drafting its charter.
Provide for a roadmap that the organization should follow while drafting its charter.
Explain with possible examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of citizen charter in ethical governance and good governance of the country.
Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
Ethics by Lexicon publications
Why this question:
The question is aimed at analyzing the aspects of utilization of publice funds in a country.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the aspects of transparency and accountability associated with utilization of public funds of the country.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Discuss the importance of public funds.
Body:
Explain what is meant by public funds – Public funds includes all the money that belongs to the public and is held by the government as a custodian and not an owner. Its utilization must adhere to the principles of transparency and efficiency.
Discuss the significance of Transparency and efficiency as tools for monitoring and supervising distribution of public fund.
Explain various mechanisms through which it can be done – Public Fund Management System, Auditing agencies – CAG, Budgeting – Outcome based budgeting, zero base budgeting, Participation and transparency – Social Auditing and Citizen Charters, Financial Prudence – FRBM act etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance accountability and transparency in utilization of public funds.
NOTE:
