[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 03 September 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. Social empowerment, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Why this question:
The article captures the dismay of the Indian bureaucratic system with respect to corruption.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the causes and consequences and need to move towards achieving ease of living.
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:
In short explain the findings of the report.
Body:
First explain why Citizens across urban and rural India find it difficult to get work done in government offices without connections or giving bribes.
Explain the underlying causes with examples.
Discuss the policies or initiatives being taken by the govt. in this direction.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions such as – technology-based interventions to reduce bureaucratic discretion and make processes transparent and quicker, make the local bureaucracy and front line staff more accountable, efficient and responsive to the citizens – reducing vacancies, outsourcing some tasks to private firms, and opening up grievance cells in government departments etc.
Topic: population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Why this question:
The article provides for a detailed analysis on the issue of NRC of Assam, recently the final list of National Register of Citizens (NRC) has been released in Assam.
Key demand of the question:
One has to critically analyse the effects of such a move on the migrants and the multiple aspects associated with declaring an individual as an outsider.
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:
Brief about the current status of NRC.
Body:
Explain the following aspects –
The NRC was introduced in 1951 in response to a political demand that arose from the fear of migration, in the backdrop of Partition, causing demographic and cultural upheaval.
The sub nationalist politics that privileged Assamese identity over other categories, including class, caste and religion, has since shaped the social imaginary in the region, with devastating consequences.
It has produced a narrative that plays on the fear of the “outsider” and a politics that borders on xenophobia.
Explain what can be the possible consequences and what should be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
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 entire month of September 2019 is being celebrated as the Rashtriya Poshan Maah. This year the theme is Complementary Feeding. Thus it is important from exam point of view to discuss the nutrition scenario of the country.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the context of the question, discuss why there is prevalence of malnutrition in India, how is it associated with the productivity of the country and discuss what are the govt. initiatives being taken.
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 malnutrition.
Body:
Explain the reasons leading to malnutrition in the country.
Discuss in what way it affects the population and its productivity; explain with examples.
Then explain the recent initiatives – National nutrition mission, poshan maah etc.
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:
The article reflects and highlights the current conditions of fall in GDP numbers of the country and brings out in detail the causes and consequences.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the causes of the slowdown of the economy and discuss what measures are to be taken to overcome 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.
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 brief discuss the current scenario of the economy.
Body:
The latest GDP growth of 5 % is the lowest in six years with the previous low recorded at 4.3 % in March 2013. It is also lower than 5.8 % GDP growth in the March quarter in 2018-19. This is the second straight quarter when the quarterly GDP growth was lower than 6 %.The growth has slowed down in five out of eight sectors, reflecting the widespread weakness in the overall economy.
Explain then the factors responsible for the slowdown – domestic and global.
Discuss what measures must be taken to resolve in short term as well as long term.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The question intends to examine the prospects of rare minerals from deep ocean and the significance of Samudrayaan.
Key demand of the question:
One should discuss in detail the relevance of Samudrayaan project and potential of deep ocean mining to 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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief explain what rare earth minerals are.
Body:
First state the context – The ‘Samudrayaan’ is a part of the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ pilot project for deep ocean mining for rare minerals. The project proposes to send a submersible vehicle with three persons to a depth of about 6000 meters to carry out deep underwater studies.
Explain what can be the positive consequences of such initiatives, why is it so significant to the Indian economy.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of Marine studies and exploration to Indian economy.
General Studies – 4
Topic:Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships. Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
6) What is deontology? Do you agree with its principles? Explain with suitable examples.(250 words)
Ethics by Lexicon
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of Deontological ethics.
Key demand of the question:
Explain what deontological ethics, underlying principles are and illustrate it with examples. Give your opinion whether you agree with its principles.
Directive:
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 brief narrate the concept.
Body:
Explain that Deontology is duty ethics, so it compares a person’s actions against some duty or imperative.
Discuss three common frameworks are deontology, utilitarianism, and virtue ethics.
Explain the significance of the deontological ethics and with suitable illustrations give your opinion whether you subscribe to these principles.
Conclusion:
Conclude with fair and balanced opinion.
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
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of social apathy.
Key demand of the question:
One has to explain the meaning of social apathy, its effects of social fabric.
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 brief define what social apathy is.
Body:
The question is straight forward and there isn’t much to deliberate upon the issue.
Apathy is a lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern about something. Apathy is a state of indifference, or the suppression of emotions such as concern, excitement, motivation, or passion. Social apathy is defined as the lack of interest in bringing the changes in the society.
Explain the effects of social fabric.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to deal with such traits and need to work on them.
NOTE:
