[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 10 December 2019
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General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger
- Do you think the new Seeds Bill is tilted against farmers’ interests and loaded in favour of seed companies? Analyse.
Why this question:
After passing through at least two versions, Seeds Bill 2019 is now under Parliament’s consideration. The earlier versions of the Bill, in 2004 and 2010, had generated heated debates. The present version promises to be no different, the article discusses.
Key demand of the question:
One must critically present a detailed analysis of the new seeds Bill and its utility to the farmers.
Directive:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief define the intent of the bill.
Body:
In the body of the answer list down the highlights of the Bill.
Explain that according to the government, a new Seeds Bill is necessary to enhance seed replacement rates in Indian agriculture, specify standards for registration of seed varieties and enforce registration from seed producers to seed retailers. While these goals are indeed worthy, any such legislation is expected to be in alignment with the spirit of the PPVFR Act.
Present arguments for and against the Bill.
Discuss the concerns that farmers may face owing to selected features of the bill.
Suggest solutions to the challenges posed by the bill.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way ahead.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of the J and K high court having decriminalised beggary in the state.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss beggary as a social issue, and critically examine if it should be decriminalised across the country.
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:
Briefly describe what constitutes begging.
Body:
Discuss beggary as a social issue in India.
List the legal provisions in Indian constitution regarding beggary.
Explain why did J&K high court decriminalize beggary in the state; present reasons and Critically examine the same.
Examine if beggary should be decriminalized across India.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Why this question:
The question is in the backdrop of the case of Brutal rape and murder of a 26-year-old veterinarian in Hyderabad and the subsequent death of the four accused in an encounter.
Key demand of the question:
One has to closely examine the nature of extra judicial action taken by the police and validate and examine its constitutionality.
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 short narrate the heinous incident that occurred in the State of Telangana.
Body:
Explain that the rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad had led to an outcry for speedy justice for the victim, with some demanding instantaneous retribution.
Members of the public were justifiably anguished that a gruesome crime such as this was even possible in the heart of a vibrant metropolis. It brought back memories of a similar and gruesome sexual assault on a young woman in Delhi in December 2012.
Discuss the dangers of retributive justice.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need for a competent criminal justice system.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Why this question:
The article talks about the emerging uncertainty in global affairs and the need for closer collaboration between India and China.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss the recent fundamental transformations in the global affairs and explain why India and China must look for closer collaborations.
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 highlight the recent changes in global affairs.
Body:
The world today is undergoing a fundamental transformation and there are several facets to the emerging uncertainty.
Traditional and non-traditional security threats (economic and military competition, climate change, piracy, radical ideology, cyber threats, drug and human trafficking, and energy and food security) have grown in magnitude.
Power, whether economic, political or military, is fractured. There have been increasing multi polarity and the associated power struggles. There is less multilateralism but greater multi-polarity. Hedging and multi-alignment are the order of the day.
Trade and technology are at the heart of a new round of competition and contestation.
Nationalism and regionalism are on the rise and this threatens to disrupt global cooperation.
Then move on to discuss Growing relevance of China and India Relations.
Conclusion:
Conclude that there is enough room for all Asian countries to prosper together. An Asia of rivalry will hold back the region’s development. It is the Asia of cooperation that will shape the coming century of the world.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question:
The article is based on the concept of oxygen bars that are being seen as a new solution to the problems of pollution in the big cities of the country.
Key demand of the question:
One must discuss in detail the relevance of such new idea in controlling the menace of pollution.
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 narrate that the popularity of packaged air began around four years ago when a Canadian company launched ‘canned air’ for people in China when air pollution in many cities became alarmingly high.
Body:
Explain that the newer addition — oxygen-bar — a recreational parlour or cafe which serves ‘pure oxygen’ is becoming a more attractive destination, particularly in cities with dangerous levels of air pollution. At times, the oxygen comes in different scented flavours.
Discuss first the issue of pollution facing the major cities in the country.
Explain what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude that It definitely calls for serious vigilance by the clinicians and policy makers to ensure the safety issues associated with recreational oxygen use, particularly flavoured oxygen in such bars, parlours and spas.
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.
Reference: Quote based question
Why this question:
9th December is celebrated as world anti-corruption day. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
One must examine the role of family and a teacher in ensuring a corruption free society.
Directive:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief define and discuss the issue of corruption across the world.
Body:
First discuss what causes corruption.
Explain the factors responsible for it.
Discuss the role of Mother, Father and a teacher in ensuring the roots of corruption are never sown in the first place.
Quote examples from day to day life, suggest preaching of great scholars and teachers like A P J Abdul Kalam etc. and justify your answer.
Conclusion:
Conclude with what needs to be done to strengthen the anti-corruption drive and make the world a corruption free society.
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.
Reference – quote based questions
Why this question:
The question is based on the idea that “Your body dies but your soul and spirit never dies.”
Key demand of the question:
One must explain the significance of the quote in detail using suitable examples from the ethical perspectives relevant to today’s world.
Directive:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In brief narrate the meaning of the quote.
Body:
The above stated theme depicts the importance of listening to inner voice and pursuing your dreams to enrich our life over the passive existence and dying without making any mark. Establish the context of the theme by supporting your stance with valid arguments.
Introduce the concept of death of a body and inner voice and then explain the value of dreams and how we face challenges while achieving it because road to success in never easy but it is always rewarding.
explain why people give up under various situations be it professional life,
love life, social life or just life in general. What are the causes behind it whether external (Social Pressure) or internal (Like lack of courage). How can an individual overcome those challenges?
Conclusion:
Conclude with the view that one must never give up. No matter how hard it is, no matter how much it takes out of you one should never give up on their dreams. Nothing is easy in life and if it easy it is not worth it.
