[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 17 January 2020
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian subcontinent);
1. Discuss in detail the key landforms formed due to groundwater. (250 words)
Physical geography by Savindra Singh
Why this question:
6 people were killed and 10 are believed to be missing after a bus and some pedestrians were swallowed by a sinkhole in China’s Xining city on January 13, 2020.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the erosional and depositional landforms of groundwater.
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 explain the significance of landforms formed by the action of water.
Body:
In detail explain what actions the groundwater performs.
Define groundwater- The part of rain or snow-melt water which accumulates in the rocks after seeping through the surface is called underground water or simply groundwater.
Explain the features like; Sinkholes and caves are erosional landforms formed due to the action of ground water.
Then move onto explain depositional landforms of groundwater.
Discuss with diagrams the karst landforms associated with groundwater.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such action of ground water in creation of landforms.
Topic: Social empowerment, Role of women
Why this question:
A woman, Business and the Law 2020, the sixth edition in a series, has been released recently.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the importance of gender equality for the overall growth and development of the country. One has to explain the relevance of the facts established by the report and justify answer.
Directive:
Elaborate – 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:
Start with the facts pointed by the report- Women, Business and the Law (WBL) is a World Bank Group project collecting unique data on the laws and regulations that restrict women’s economic opportunities.
Body:
- First discuss why a country should focus on gender equality.
- Comment on the aspects brought out by the report, such as the index analyzes laws and regulations affecting women’s economic inclusion in 190 economies.
- Explain the importance of factors such as Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension and their essence to Women.
- Discuss the performance of India with examples if possible.
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 in detail the need for having a holistic approach to control and manage the vector borne diseases such as Dengue.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the urgency to adapt to a holistic approach to control and manage the vector borne diseases.
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:
Discuss first what vector borne diseases are and why are they so prevalent in the country.
Body:
Discuss with some key facts to highlight the urgency to change the current policy of handling the diseases.
First discuss why immunization alone can’t suffice the requirement to eradicate the disease burden and onset.
Explain what should be a comprehensive strategy? Discuss from the article steps that need to be taken to prevent and better manage the cases of vector borne diseases such as Dengue.
Briefly present the case of Dengue in the country and justify.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
India Year Book 2019
Why this question:
The question is straightforward and is from the static portions of the GS paper III.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail key objectives of industrial policy in India and explain its impact on the 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:
Explain that Industrial Policy is a typical character of a mixed economy. It is policy of government intervention which is sector specific and is aimed at giving preferential treatment to a particular sector over others.
Body:
First explain why an industrial policy is desirable.
Present arguments for and against industrial policy.
Discuss the key objectives.
Explain the impact on the economy and industry in specific aspects.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of a strong Industrial policy for the growth and development of the country.
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Indian economy by Dutta and Sundaram
Why this question:
The question aims to discuss the impact of liberalization upon the education system of India.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the impact of liberalization on education in general and specifically present the Indian education system scenario.
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 highlight the concept of liberalization.
Body:
Liberalization refers to relaxing certain reforms and policies in India.
Our policy in terms of education is focused more on only expanding the system with no focus on for quality education. One of the basic problems today is the inability of the university system to provide higher education to all who aspire for it.
Discuss its importance to education.
Expand upon the impact it rendered to Indian education system.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, And Railways etc.
Why this question:
The question aims to discuss the National Infrastructure Pipeline and its benefits.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the objectives, significance and contributions of such a project to the economy of the country.
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:
It is estimated that India would need to spend $4.5 trillion on infrastructure by 2030 to sustain its growth rate. The endeavor of the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP), is to make this happen in an efficient manner.
Body:
Discuss that NIP will enable a forward outlook on infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure for all, thereby making growth more inclusive.
NIP includes economic and social infrastructure projects.
Explain in what way such infrastructure projects would ensure ease of living: safe drinking water, access to clean and affordable energy, healthcare for all, modern railway stations, airports, bus terminals and world-class educational institutes etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Infrastructure investment has a special role to play as it aids to revive economic activities.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why this question:
The Forest Advisory Committee, an apex body tasked with adjudicating requests by the industry to raze forest land for commercial ends, has approved a scheme that could allow “forests” to be traded as a commodity. If implemented, it allows the Forest Department to outsource one of its responsibilities of reforesting to non-government agencies. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Discuss in detail the pros and cons of privatizing multi-use forest areas in the country. Also highlight the opportunities and obstacles pointed out by the Green Credit Scheme.
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 judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
First discuss basic statistics of the forest area available in the country and the quantum of area required by the Industries.
Body:
Discuss that the Green credit scheme allows “forests” to be traded as a commodity. It allows the Forest Department to outsource one of its responsibilities of reforesting to non-government agencies.
Then move onto present the advantages and disadvantages of such a move.
Explain that such a scheme will encourage plantation by individuals outside the traditional forest area and will help in meeting international commitments such as sustainable development goals and nationally determined contributions.
Also explain that Forests are treated as a mere commodity without any social or ecological character and that could pose a major challenge in meeting the goals of the policy.
Conclusion:
Conclude that a balanced approach is the need of the hour.
