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General Studies – 1
Topic: Africa, Latin America
Reference: World History by Norman Lowe
Why the question:
The question is based on the theme of Scramble of Africa.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the role played by adventurers and explorers in the scramble for Africa. Give examples in support.
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 with how exploration affected Africa.
Body:
Exploration had a big impact on West Africa. When the Europeans went there the took silver and many other resources from Africa. Another thing that happened was that they were made as slaves from the Europeans and were taken to three different places. They were the United States, Brazil, and The Bahamas.
European exploration of Sub-Saharan Africa begins with the Age of Discovery in the 15th century, pioneered by the Kingdom of Portugal under Henry the Navigator. The European powers were content to establish trading posts along the coast while they were actively exploring and colonizing the New World.
Give relevant examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude with its importance.
Topic: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article explains how Gender technology gap in South Asia highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic and increased inequalities.
Key Demand of the question:
Account for an overview of issues related to gender technology gap and how Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted it.
Directive:
Account – Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter- arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the original proposition.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with what Gender gap is.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
Present an overview of issue related to gender technology gap and how Covid 19 pandemic has highlighted this.
Discuss the reasons behind this widening gender technology gap.
Explain where India stands and what possible steps should be taken to tackle this issue.
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article highlights the need for India to make new commitments, developing and deepening links in health, space and digital technologies with respect to its foreign policy.
Key Demand of the question:
Talk about India’s priority with respect to Africa in its foreign policy and the need for revamping India-Africa policy to deepen its ties for mutual benefits.
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:
Start with brief background of India’s foreign policy.
Body:
Briefly discuss the ties between India-Africa from past to present.
Explain that the Covid-19 pandemic has been one of the worst humanitarian and economic crisis faced by the world, but its effects stand to be much more devastating, particularly for Africa, where economic and public health conditions are extremely vulnerable.
In the 21st century, Africa has transformed from a lost continent to a continent of hope. Subsequently, in recent years, Africa occupies a central place in the Indian government’s foreign and economic policy.
In the context of the current crisis, India has demonstrated its willingness and capacity to shoulder more responsibility in cooperating with Africa to recover from the current crisis and lend support in its overall growth.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
4. Discuss the issues with implementation of blended learning as proposed by the UGC. (250 words)
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why the question:
The recent circular by the University Grants Commission (UGC) proposing the shift to a blended learning (BL) approach under which the higher educational institutions (HEI) would teach 40% of any course online and the rest 60% offline is in news.
Key Demand of the question:
Present your arguments for the challenges that may come in way for implementing the blended learning program as proposed by the UGC.
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 with what Blended mode of Education.
Body:
Explain the Blended mode of teaching and its advantages.
Highlight the challenges associated; All India Survey on Higher Education (2019-20) report shows that 60.56% of the 42,343 colleges in India are located in rural areas and 78.6% are privately managed.
Only big corporates are better placed to invest in technology and provide such learning.
Second, according to datareportal statistics, Internet penetration in India is only 45% as of January 2021.
This policy will only exacerbate the existing geographical and digital divide.
The listening part and subsequent interactions with the teacher may get minimised.
Suggest what needs to be done.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: Hindustan Times
Why the question:
The article explains that it is time for third generation reforms in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain and identify the broad contours of third generation reforms.
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:
Start with what you understand by Third generation reforms.
Body:
Discuss and present brief background on first and second generation reforms and their understand major criticisms.
Identify the broad contours of third generation reforms such as significantly improving both the quality and scale of public services, enhancement of government’s own technocratic competence and implementation capacity, enhancement of investment levels, setting up growth-promoting governmental institutions while also incentivizing the private sector among others. In India’s development journey, two major policy departures in its approach to growth and development stand out. We are at a similar crossroads, and it is time to usher in a third generation of reforms.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
Tamil Nadu’s decision to replace the term ‘Central government’ with the Union government in its official communications and significance with respect to no mention of the term in Indian constitution.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the impact of the recent decision taken by the Tamil Nadu government.
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:
Recently, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to shun the usage of the term ‘Central government’ in its official communications and replace it with ‘Union government’.
Body:
After going through the 395 Articles in 22 Parts and eight Schedules in the original Constitution, it can be stated that the term ‘Centre’ or ‘Central government’ is nowhere used.
Even though there is no reference to the ‘Central government’ in the original Constitution, the General Clauses Act, 1897 gives a definition for it.
Therefore, the real question is whether such definition for ‘Central government’ is constitutional as the Constitution itself does not approve of centralizing power.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the term ‘Union government’ has a unifying effect. And that such a discussion will provoke consciousness of the constitution.
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.
7. Bring out Gandhiji’s philosophy of Means and Ends. (250 words)
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the Gandhian philosophy of Means and Ends.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain in detail the Gandhiji’s philosophy of Means and Ends.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with the concept of Means and Ends.
Body:
Briefly define Means and Ends. In simple terms, ends are the goals or results. Means are the methods used to achieve goals. There are differing schools of thought with some justifying any means for achieving the goals while others uphold the need for right means to achieve the objectives in true sense.
Explain Gandhian perspective on the relative importance of Means and Ends.
Gandhiji’s views on ends and means hold ground in view of the fact that India, after gaining independence through his methods of satyagraha, adopted his principle of Sarvodaya (progress of all) and became the largest democracy in the world.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
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