[Insights Secure STHIR– 2021] Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 1 July 2021 – INSIGHTSIAS

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General Studies – 1


 

Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

1. Do you think Indians value religious freedom over integration? Discuss in the context of value of tolerance in our society. (250 words)

Reference:  The Hindu

Why the question:

“Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation”, a Pew Center report on religious attitudes in India stated that Indians value religious freedom, not integration.  Thus the question.

Key Demand of the question:

Analyse the Indian values of religious freedom in accordance to the societal setup.

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 the facts highlighted by the report.

Body:

The report finds that Indians of all these religious backgrounds overwhelmingly say they are very free to practice their faiths.

Indians see religious tolerance as a central part of who they are as a nation. Across the major religious groups, most people say it is very important to respect all religions to be “truly Indian.” Tolerance is a religious as well as civic value.

Explain the nuances quoted in the report and align them with the demands of the question.

Conclusion:

Conclude with fair and balanced opinion.

 

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

2. “Ambedkar’s thinking and legacy are reflected in the pro-people, pro-poor welfare policies and programmes of the government”, Comment. (250 words)

Reference: pib.gov.in

Why the question:

The President of India laid the Foundation stone of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural centre in Lucknow.

Key Demand of the question:

Explain in detail in what ways Ambedkar’s thinking and legacy are reflected in the pro-people, pro-poor welfare policies and programmes of the government.

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:

Start with brief history of Dr B R Ambedkar.

Body:

Discuss his role and contributions; His role as a social reformer, chairman of the draft committee of the Indian Constitution, and first law minister of the country is well-known. He was an educationist, economist, jurist, politician, journalist, sociologist and social reformer and worked in the fields of culture, religion and spirituality.

Babasaheb always advocated for providing equal rights to women. Women have been given the same fundamental right to Equality as men in the Constitution drafted by him.

Ambedkar was the voice of the Depressed Classes on every platform. As their representative at the Round Table Conference, he championed the cause of labour improving the condition of peasants.

During the Bombay Assembly’s Poona session in 1937, he introduced a Bill to abolish the Khoti system of land tenure in Konkan.

Discuss the government initiatives that reflect his thoughts and policies.

Conclusion:

Conclude that Ambedkar’s thinking and legacy are reflected in the pro-people, pro-poor welfare policies and programmes of the government. 

 


General Studies – 2


 

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

3. Its time for the world to embrace a holistic approach for the prevention of future pandemics. Examine. (250 words)

Reference:  The Hindu

Why the question:

The ‘Carbis Bay Declaration’ is a landmark global health declaration aimed at preventing future pandemics under which G7 leaders have committed to use all their resources. Thus the question.

Key Demand of the question:

Discuss in what way it’s high time for the world to embrace a holistic approach for the prevention of future pandemics.

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:

The COVID-19 pandemic apart from being one of the biggest health challenges to mankind has also resulted in devastating economic impact.

Body:

First, provide for a brief background of the question; Devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Millions have lost their lives and many more have lost their livelihoods thus being pushed into acute poverty and the challenges thereof.

Analyse the threat of future pandemics; COVID-19 is not going to be the last pandemic that the earth faces. The threat of future pandemics remains high – increasing proximity between humans and animals due to deforestation, population growth, and the search for wild food, increasing movement of people across countries, Global warming etc.

Discuss the concerns in detail.

Conclusion:

Conclude with solutions.

 

Topic: GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

GS-3: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, Nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.

4. Discuss briefly what BharatNet Project is and bring out the challenges associated with its implementation while suggesting solutions to address them . (250 words)

Reference:  Economic Times

Why the question:

The government has recently allocated Rs 19,041-crore for expansion and up gradation of BharatNet. Thus the question.

Key Demand of the question:

Explain briefly the BharatNet Project and bring out the challenges along with solutions to it.

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:

The second and final phase of BharatNet project was launched in 2017. Under the project, the government aims to connect 1.5 lakh panchayats through 10 lakh kilometres of additional optical fibre and give bandwidth to telecom players at nearly 75 per cent cheaper price for broadband and wifi services in rural areas.

Body:

Discuss in detail the BharatNet project. BharatNet Project is the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity programme using Optical fibre. It is implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) – a special purpose vehicle under the Telecom Ministry and is the Government of India’s ambitious rural internet connectivity programme.

Expansion of broadband to each village through BharatNet public-private partnership model has been earmarked as a part of Digital India Quantum Digital.

Discuss the hurdles in achieving the set target; lack of approved detailed project report, non-existent project implementing agencies, and non-availability of funds, Right of way (RoW) issues etc.

Conclusion:

Suggest what needs to be done and conclude with importance.

 


General Studies – 3


 

Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

5. “All terrorists are criminals but not all criminals are terrorists”, in the light of the statement above explain in what way anti-terror laws in the country have led to a period of over-Criminalisation. (250 words)

Reference:  The Hindu

Why the question:

The recent Delhi High Court order granting bail to the student activists charged with the UAPA has brought into focus the issue of misuse of anti-terror laws by the policy. The article deals with this issue.

Key Demand of the question:

Explain the statement in detail and analyse in what way anti-terror laws in the country have led to a period of over-Criminalisation.

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 the context of the question.

Body:

Firstly explain the statement – “All terrorists are criminals but not all criminals are terrorists”.

Discuss the relevant judgments with respect to it.

Highlight the misuse of anti-terror laws; give examples.

Explain in what way the criminal justice system needs to take note of the Delhi High Court’s recent judgment on ‘defining terrorism’.

Preset examples of misuse of it.

Conclusion:

Conclude by suggesting what needs to be done to overcome the issues.

 


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.

6. Discuss whether some restrictions on enjoyment of freedom are necessary in the interest of social harmony. Justify your stand with suitable illustrations. (250 words)

Reference:  Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications

Why the question:

The question is based on the theme of restrictions on enjoyment of freedom and their importance for preserving social harmony in the society.

Key Demand of the question:

Discuss whether some restrictions on enjoyment of freedom are necessary in the interest of social harmony. Justify your stand with suitable illustrations.

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 aspects of freedom and their boundaries with respect to social harmony in the society.

Body:

The answer body must have the following aspects covered:

Introduce by defining and highlighting the importance of freedom.

 Discuss in brief why some restrictions are necessary on freedom.

Give points on why these restrictions should be reasonable. Suggest examples to demonstrate the same.

Conclusion:

Conclude with importance.

 

Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

7. Why is it important for civil servants to be politically neutral? Highlight and explain the challenges faced by politically neutral civil servants in different situations. (250 words)

Reference:  Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications

Why the question:

The question is based on the theme of political neutrality of civil servants.  

Key Demand of the question:

Explain the importance of political neutrality for civil servants and discuss the challenges faced by them in different situations.

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 political neutrality.

Body:

The answer body must have the following aspects covered:

Explain that in the recent times, it has been observed that many serving civil servants are expressing their political opinions through social media and other mass media. At times, they appear on prime time/ TV debates and criticize the government’s policies. This is in violation of Service Conduct Rules.

Briefly mention the constitutional and legal norms regarding political involvement of civil servants.

 Mention why political neutrality is an important trait for civil servants.

Discuss the challenges faced by politically neutral civil servants using examples.

Conclusion:

Conclude that Indian Constitution envisaged a coherent, not collusive, relationship between both arms of the executive. While politics should be the prerogative of the temporary executive, civil servants should restrict themselves to the policy interventions.


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