[Insights Secure – 2020] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 12 February 2020
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INSIGHTS NEW SECURE – 2020: YEARLONG TIMETABLE
General Studies – 1
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present
Reference: Indian freedom struggle by Bipin Chandra
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper I and is based on the theme of Indigo revolution of the eighteenth century and effects.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of Indigo revolt and the traits of Peasants movement it carried in it – both the new and old.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain facts of Indigo movement.
Body:
The Indigo Rebellion (Neel Bidroho) took place in Bengal in 1859-60 and was a revolt by the farmers against British planters who had forced them to grow indigo under terms that were greatly unfavorable to the farmers. Discuss briefly then the causes of the revolt. Bring out the characteristics of peasant movements that the revolt inherited.
Conclusion:
Conclude with brief assessment of the revolt.
Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
Reference: Indian freedom struggle by Bipin Chandra
Why this question:
The question aims to analyse the evolution of Indian national congress and the factors that contributed strongly to it.
Key demand of the question:
One must substantiate whether the coming of Indian national congress was the result of political developments of second half of 19th century.
Directive:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must 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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the origin of Indian national Congress.
Body:
Formed in 1885, the Indian National Congress dominated the Indian movement for independence from Great Britain. It subsequently formed most of India’s governments from the time of independence and often had a strong presence in many state governments. Discuss the formation during the pre-independence period. Explain the post-independence domination of the INC.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a fair and balanced opinion.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The author writes in detail about the Delhi model of education.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significant features of such a model and explain in what way it has bridged the gap between education for masses and education for classes to some extent.
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 highlighting the significance of education in general.
Body:
Discuss the key features of Delhi model of education. Explain the fact that the Delhi government believes that quality education is a necessity, not a luxury. Discuss the five major components of the model – transformation of school infrastructure, training of teachers and principals, Engaging with the community by reconstituting school management committees (SMC), major curricular reforms in teaching learning, and no fee increase in private schools.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of such a model and need for the country to follow such models in the education sector.
Topic: Social empowerment. Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: The Hindu
Why this question:
The article discusses in detail in what way The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Bill doesn’t do enough to secure women’s choices and interests.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the features of the bill and bring out the lacunae present in it. Suggest way forward as to what needs to be done to overcome the issue.
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:
Briefly explain the context of the question.
Body:
Point out the key changes in the Bill from the previous version of it. Discuss the issues with the law – at all stages of the pregnancy, the healthcare providers, rather than the women seeking abortion, have the final say on whether the abortion can be carried out. The MTP Act embodies a clear prejudice against unmarried women, due to advancements in science, foetal abnormalities can now be detected even after 20 weeks. However, the MTP Act presently allows abortion post 20 weeks only where it is necessary to save the life of the mother. etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting what needs to be done and in what way the Bill needs to be modified to address the real problem and ensure women have their rights in place.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Reference: Live Mint
Why this question:
The article explains that It will take global cooperation for us to save the world’s rivers. It paints the bleak picture of the issues the world rivers are facing and what necessary steps are to be taken to address the issue.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of global cooperation in saving the world rivers.
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:
Highlight the significance of rivers in general to humanity and civilisations.
Body:
Briefly explain what the issue is. Discuss the specific issues that the rivers are facing globally. Take case studies such as of Ganga in India, damming of rivers in China and explain the various challenges and concerns. Suggest what needs to be done, highlight the importance of global cooperation to tackle the issue.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of saving rivers.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
6. Compare and contrast moral attitudes with political attitudes. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon Publications
Why this question:
The question is from the static portions of GS paper IV and is based on the concepts of moral attitudes and political attitudes.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss by differentiating and comparing the two concepts
Directive:
Compare and contrast – 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:
Briefly define the two terms.
Body:
Moral Attitudes are attitudes of individuals towards moral issues, while political attitudes are attitudes of individuals towards political issues. We shall see them in detail. Attitude is about what you like, and morals are about (what society thinks as) right or wrong. So Moral Attitude is the attitude you hold towards moral issues (where society debates what is right or wrong).
For example – what is your attitude towards Euthanasia (mercy killing)? Do you think of it as right?
Political attitude is the attitude you hold towards political issues or ideologies. For example, what is your view of the reservation? It is time that India should stop giving reservations? Your attitude towards reservation is a political attitude.Compare and contrast the two theories with suitable examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance of the two.
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behavior; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon Publications
Why this question:
The question based on the concept of Persuasion and the factors contributing it.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the significance of successful persuasion, the core components that lead to its successful operation.
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:
Briefly define what Persuasion is.
Body:
Persuasion is a method of changing a person’s cognitions, feelings, behaviors, or general evaluations (attitudes) toward some object, issue, or person. Discuss the significance of four elements are present in all persuasion settings: (1) a source who delivers the persuasive message, (2) the message itself, (3) a target person or audience who receives the message (recipient), and (4) some context in which the message is received. Discuss the relevance of all the 4 factors and use examples to justify better.
Conclusion:
Conclude by reasserting the significance on the factors in successful persuasion.
