[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 21 September 2019
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2019: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Why this question:
Since 2018, India’s working-age population (people between 15 and 64 years of age) has grown larger than the dependent population — children aged 14 or below as well as people above 65 years of age. This bulge in the working-age population is going to last till 2055, or 37 years from its beginning.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the factors responsible for such a scenario in the population numbers of the country and explain the possible consequences along with way forward.
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 bring out the recent findings of the World Population Prospects 2019.
Body:
The question is more or less straightforward. One has to elaborate on the fact that Policy-making in India has in recent decades been generally neutral to data and research. However, in matters of demography, particularly while prescribing strong punitive measures for having large families, decisions must be taken based on rigorous analysis of the data to avoid a China type crisis.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting solutions and methods to overcome the situation.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution– historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Why this question:
In a landmark judgment, the High Court of Kerala on Thursday declared that right to access internet is a fundamental right forming part of right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Thus it is important to analyse the right to access to internet.
Key demand of the question:
One has to debate whether access to the Internet as a citizen’s right is a defensible proposition or not with suitable justifications.
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:
In brief explain that The right to Internet access, is the view that all people must be able to access the Internet in order to exercise and enjoy their rights to freedom of expression and opinion and other fundamental human rights, that states have a responsibility to ensure that Internet access is broadly available, and that states may not unreasonably restrict an individual’s access to the Internet.
Body:
Explain in detail how right to Internet access is closely linked to the right of freedom of speech which can be seen to encompass freedom of expression as well.
Discuss the advantages and critiques to the proposition.
Explain how one should go about it.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question:
The article discusses the salient features of newly launched National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) scheme by the ministry of human resources and development.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in detail the National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) scheme by the ministry of human resources and development; its features and impact.
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:
The Ministry of Human Resource Development has announced a new PPP Scheme, National Educational Alliance for Technology (NEAT) under which technology will be used for better learning outcomes in Higher Education.
Body:
Discuss in detail the objectives of the programme – The objective is to use Artificial Intelligence to make learning more personalized and customized as per the requirements of the learner.
Explain then the salient features of the program in detail –
- MHRD would act as a facilitator to ensure that the solutions are freely available to a large number of economically backward students.
- MHRD would create and maintain a National NEAT platform that would provide one-stop access to these technological solutions.
- EdTech companies would be responsible for developing solutions and manage registration of learners through the NEAT portal. They would be free to charge fees as per their policy. Etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such programmes.
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:
Judicial Review, Judicial Activism and Judicial Overreach are terms which come often in news. The question intends to differentiate between judicial review and judicial activism in India.
Key demand of the question:
One has to between judicial review and judicial activism in India and explain with justifications if it is possible for the Indian judiciary to partake more of judicial activism.
Directive:
Distinguish – provide for a detailed comparison of the two types, their features that are similar as well as different. One must provide for detailed assessment of the two.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define the terms – judicial activism, judicial overreach in short.
Body:
Explain that though legislature has the power to make laws, this power is not absolute. Judicial Review is the process by which the Judiciary reviews the validity of laws passed by the legislature.
Judicial activism denotes a more active role taken by Judiciary to dispense social justice.
Compare and contrast the two features of Judiciary and express a fair and balanced opinion.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suitable examples and justify as to what should be ideally done.
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
5) “The Indian diaspora diplomacy is double-edged”. Critically examine the statement. (250 words)
Why this question:
Recently an UN report claimed India to have largest diaspora in the world in 2019.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must elucidate upon the importance that Indian diaspora holds for the country, discuss its potential and concerns associated.
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:
State that Diaspora forms a human link between two countries. It is one of the most important kind of Human Resource for a country which must be used wisely
Body:
Explain the evolving approach of Indian government towards the Indian diaspora. Discuss the status of Indian diaspora across the world countries.
Shell out few guidelines for actualization of the soft power credentials of the Indian diaspora; explain in what way the diaspora can act as a double edged sword.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices.
Why this question:
The recent studies made by RBI found that while livestock, forestry, and fisheries contributed around 38-42% of agriculture output during 2014-16, this sector got just 6-7% of total agriculture credit; clearly, this is an issue that needs addressing. Thus it is important for us to analyse Why it is good idea to give farmers interest-subvention via DBT.
Key demand of the question:
One has to discuss the pros and cons of Interest subvention to deal with the agrarian crisis plaguing the country and in what way it can be bridged by choosing the DBT route.
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 define what interest subvention in agriculture financing is.
Body:
Explain the following aspects –
Bring out the Positives: Increase of formal loan system, Increase in financial inclusion, Decrease in interest rates of money-lenders, Decrease in farmers distress due to availability of loan for agriculture on lesser rates of interest etc.
Then explain any negatives – Big farmers gets most of the benefit as scheme do not differentiate b/w small and big farmers, Net loan value is more than the entire agriculture input gives sign of diversion of funds, Though net loan value has increased, farmers income goes down, No substantial increase in production etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that An income based policy should be used wherein the money is directly transferred to the farmers Aadhaar linked accounts. This will ensure better targeting and plug leakages. A subsidy income package can be designed on a per hectare basis, with higher rates for small landholders.
Banks must be quickly compensated to prevent overburdening. Budgetary allocations can be improved.
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 intended to ascertain if values are a constant, universal thing or they change with time.
Key demand of the question:
One should discuss how and why values can change and that though they are sometimes universal the time factor adds its flavor and results in changing perspectives of values.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define what you understand by values.
Body:
Discuss what constitutes values in an individual’s life.
Values – They are the qualities and ideas that help guide our behaviour and define who we are. Our values come from our beliefs, and are formed by various means. Some examples of values are- achievement, bravery, carefulness, challenge, compassion, generosity, honesty, humor, kindness, knowledge, open-mindedness, perseverance, respect, self-control, etc.
Explain why and how values change? Factors responsible.
Conclusion:
Conclude that basic values do get wear and tear when they get accustomed to the external world. With the influence of the external world, the values do get altered from time-to-time. The individual might take up few more things that sounds good to his senses. Repeated strokes of the rope might make mark on the hard stone. Similarly a long standing influence might alter the values of the individual drastically, changing him totally upside down to his basic instincts of life.
NOTE:
