[Insights Secure – 2019] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 26 September 2019
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including waterbodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
Why this question:
Land degradation is happening at an alarming pace and is affecting regions inhabited by over one-third of the global population. This phenomenon contributes to a dramatic decline in the productivity of croplands and rangelands worldwide. Thus it is important from exam point of view to analyse the concept in detail.
Key demand of the question:
One has to discuss the issue of land degradation, in what way it is a complex process and what are its relations with climate change.
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:
First define what you understand by land degradation.
Body:
One has to emphasize on the fact that Land is both an issue and a solution to global warming and the fact is that the relationship between land and climate change is becoming increasingly complex.
Explain in detail the land-climate link. Quote data and reports to justify your stand. Discuss the complexities and challenges and suggest solutions to the same.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Why this question:
The article discusses that Harmonization in food safety can only be attained when all countries adopt same standards. The General Principles of the Codex Alimentarius specify the ways in which member countries may “accept” Codex standards.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the importance of Harmonization in food safety and its significance to the overall health sector of the world.
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 importance of food safety in general.
Body:
Discuss the General Principles of the Codex Alimentarius, explain that The emerging interests in all Codex activities do indicate a global acceptance of the Codex philosophy, embracing harmonization, consumer protection and facilitation of international trade. However, in practice, it is difficult for many countries to accept such standards in the statutory sense.
Explain the hurdles in involved in codification.
Discuss the effect of it on health of the consumers.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
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:
A call between Trump and the Ukraine President has triggered a new crisis in the US, with the Democrat-led House of Representatives deciding to initiate an impeachment inquiry against the President. Thus making it important from the point of view of GS-II paper.
Key demand of the question:
The question is straightforward and aims to throw light on the impeachment process of President in India and discuss in what way it is different from that in United States.
Directive:
Compare and Contrast – Identify the similarities and differences between two or more phenomena. Say if any of the shared similarities or differences are more important than others.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining the significance of the post of President in India and in US.
Body:
Explain the procedure of impeachment in both the countries; discuss how they are different from each other. Explain the significance of the process in the respective constitution.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of impeachment in a democratic country.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
Why this question:
In a recent view that came as a surprise, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, based on a brainstorming session that included industry representatives, sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). ZBNF developed and publicized by agro-scientist Subhash Palekar.
Key demand of the question:
One has to throw light on the fact that Powerful lobbies with vested interests see agroecology as a threat to their influence on farming systems. Thus it is important to deal with the concerns associated for the farming system to be free from these vested interests.
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:
Start by explaining the context of the question – National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, based on a brainstorming session that included industry representatives, sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF).
Body:
In short define what is meant by agroecology.
Explain the roles and functions of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS).
Discuss in what way Farming in India, as in most other countries, is largely under the control of powerful lobbies with vested interests and connections to deep pockets.
Quote examples/recent cases to substantiate your answer while explaining the concern associated.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what can be done and suggest way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The state of the Indian economy is at a worrying situation at present. The GDP growth rate has slipped to 5 per cent in the first quarter of Financial Year 2020, the lowest in over six years.
The recent collapse of the automobile sector, the rising Non-Performing Assets, the falling demands of the consumers proves the slowing down of the Indian Economy.
Key demand of the question:
Explain in what way the slowdown in the automobile sector has a multiplier effect on the entire economy.
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:
Comment on the fact that over the past few months, the Automobile Industry is facing a slowdown.
Body:
Explain first the reasons for the slowdown of the overall economy.
Why is there a slowdown in automobile industry? How is it related to Industries and back to all the sectors of the society?
Explain the overall impact on the Industrial Sector due to Slowdown in the Automobile Sector.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suggestions to contain the slowdown and what needs to be done.
Topic: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention
Why this question:
The Kerala police have set up a state-of-the-art lab complete with enabling software to intervene and crack down on the rising criminal activities over the Darknet, known as the underworld of the Internet.
Key demand of the question:
One has to clearly explain the concepts of Darknet and Deep Web. Explain in what way the two are different from each other.
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 is DarkNet.
Body:
Explain in detail that Dark Net is an umbrella term describing the portions of the Internet not open to public view or hidden networks whose architecture is superimposed on that of the Internet and on the contrary Deep Web is the area of the Internet which is not accessible through search engines. What can be accessed through search engines is called Surface Web.
Discuss in depth the concerns associated with the two.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
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.
Why this question:
The question is from CSE Mains 2019.
Key demand of the question:
One has to analyse whether non-performance or not doing one’s duty by public servants is a form of corruption using suitable examples and justifications as and when necessary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief define corruption, explain various forms of it.
Body:
Explain how Corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, discuss what is meant by performing and non performing civil servants and their relationship with corruption.
Explain what it takes for a civil servant to be non-corrupt, what are the challenges involved and what needs to be done.
Such answers are best explained with examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
NOTE:
