[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 21 October 2019
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Why this question:
The article covers a deeper analysis on the extent of economic mobility in India.
Key demand of the question:
One must bring out the effectiveness of the existing affirmative actions and social programmes have improved the socio-economic status of the marginalized groups in India.
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 judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by stating that there has been a phenomenal rise in economic inequality in India, especially in the post-1991 liberalization period.
Body:
One should start answers to such questions using suitable statistical data to justify the context of the question.
Define what economic mobility is.
Explain that given this dramatic rise in inequality, it is imperative to accurately measure the extent of economic mobility in India, which reflects the number of people moving up and down the economic ladder over time.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Indian society NCERT class XI and XII
Why this question:
The question expects discussion on changing nature of Indian families brought by industrialization and urbanization or primarily by change in economic structure of society.
Key demand of the question:
One has to bring out the change on Indian family structure post the effect of Industrialization and urbanization.
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:
Provide introductory lines on earlier Indian societies which were mostly joint or extended.
Body:
Give reasons why Indian families were joint or extended earlier.
Explain why and how industrialization and urbanization changing family structure.
Mention negative changes also mention positive changes brought by it like effect of it on women in family.
Conclusion:
Provide for a balanced conclusion and prescribe innovative way to preserve Indian family set up.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Why this question:
Negotiations on the final agreement under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are becoming increasingly urgent as the deadline approaches. The article brings out a detailed narration on the importance of RCEP its advantages and disadvantages to India and way ahead.
Key demand of the question:
One has to bring out the significance of RCEP, advantages and disadvantages for 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:
RCEP is a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between ten ASEAN member states and their six FTA partners namely India, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
Body:
In brief explain what RCEP is.
Discuss the advantages – boost India’s inward and outward foreign direct investment, facilitate India’s MSMEs, reduce trade costs etc.
And disadvantages of RCEP to India – Widening Trade Deficit; Tariff elimination due to RCEP could worsen the trade deficit, other factors etc.
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 article highlights that President Xi Jinping’s brief but significant visit to Kathamandu was defined by the determination to accelerate the development of an ambitious trans-Himalayan corridor between China’s Tibet and Nepal. While Delhi will debate the issues generated by China Nepal Economic Corridor for some time to come, it also needs to pay attention to an equally important dimension of China-Nepal relationship — the deepening of bilateral security cooperation.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in what way China sees security diplomacy and law enforcement cooperation as important tools of statecraft.
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 judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief narrate the context of the question.
Body:
Explain that China’s interest in “security diplomacy” as separate from “defence diplomacy” is not limited to Nepal.
Security diplomacy has emerged as a major element of China’s international relations in all geographies.
Explain the role of Nepal in Chinese security concerns.
Discuss the role of foreign states in Chinese security diplomacy.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Massive modernisation of its internal administrative structures, significant investments in new technologies, and an effective integration of law enforcement into China’s foreign policy have transformed China’s pursuit of security diplomacy.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Why this question:
The article explains that while it is clear that India is heading in a direction where both the private and public sectors are unified in their commitment to promote and upscale AI, most of the commitments have been made on paper, in budget speeches, proposals and heavily researched reports.
Key demand of the question:
One has to explain in what way to be a $5-trillion economy by 2025, India needs to build a cohesive national strategy around artificial intelligence (AI).
Directive:
Justify – When you are asked to justify, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidences. You have to appraise the worth of the statement in question using suitable case studies or/ and examples.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain that while the government has been vocal about its intention to mainstream AI applications for social good, and ensure that AI research in India keeps pace with global developments, there is little evidence to show that even the basic building blocks to achieve this have been put in place.
Body:
Discuss first in detail that multiple calls taken by various governmental agencies have led to seemingly independent and often confusing strategies, resulting in conflict and a very real danger of ineffective execution.
Bring out and highlight various stands taken by different institutions around this idea.
Explain what can be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude that India’s AI strategy narrative needs to change from being a reactionary step to “counter the charge” of countries like China, to a proactive one where policies and infrastructure made in the country serve as “a beacon of inspiration” to other countries that are further behind.
TOPIC:Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question:
The article highlights the significance of keeping urban planning centric to the climate change.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the significance of considering the climate change factor integral to the urban planning aspect.
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 discuss the centrality of climate change aspect to urban planning.
Body:
Explain, in brief, cities contribution to the emissions and need for integrating the climate change in planning of cities.
Suggest on various strategies to have sustainable urbanization transportation, land resource management, green vehicles, green buildings etc.
Elaborate on the measures taken by the government to ensure sustainable cities.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
TOPIC: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, And Railways etc.
Why this question:
The article highlights the achievements of SLNP program and its contributions to energy saving efforts of the GOI.
Key demand of the question:
One has to discuss the significance of energy efficiency, in what way it can be achieved.
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 brief explain what energy efficiency is.
Body:
First highlight that through nationwide initiatives promoting the affordability of energy efficiency solutions, the government has showcased its strong commitment to the fundamentals of sustainability.
Then explain what measures are yet to be taken.
Discuss various methods to bring in and achieve the vision of energy efficiency.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
NOTE:
