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General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography;
Reference: NCERT Book For Class XI: Fundamentals of Physical Geography.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about how plate tectonic theory overcame the flaws of the continental drift theory.
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:
Write about plate tectonics and the movement of continents and various theories put forward to explain them.
Body:
Write in brief about the continental drift theory and explains it briefly – forces it considers for the movement, supporting evidences it considers, critique of theory regarding the movement of the continents and its acceptance among scientists etc.
In the next part, write about plate tectonic theory, the mechanism of it and how it successfully explained the movement of continents. Use small and neat diagrams for better representation.
Conclusion:
Mention about general importance of the two theories and conclude your answer.
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues;
Reference: India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1.
Key Demand of the question:
To elaborate upon the modus operandi adopted by the Swarjists – The methods of obstruction to all government sponsored bills in order to destroy the prestige of the councils as well as to carry out the nationalist work outside it.
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:
Begin by mentioning the reason for the formation of Swaraj Party, its aims and objectives.
Body:
Mention about the nature of the struggle and resistance that the swarjists carried out.
In the first part, mention the nature they adopted within the councils in order to destroy the prestige of the councils. Throw out all proposals for legislative enactments, force recognition of their rights, support measures and bills necessary for the healthy growth of national life, help the constructive programme of the Congress, to prevent the drain of public wealth, project the rights of labour etc.
In the next part, write about the nationalistic work done by the swarjists outside the legislative councils. Inter-communal unity, removal of untouchability, Village organization, boycott of selected British goods, organisation of agencies for propaganda outside India of national work and enlisting sympathy and support of foreign countries in the struggle for ‘Swaraj’ etc.
Conclusion:
Underscore the importance of the Swarjists and their contribution to Indian national Movement.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
When there is an economic shock, it is essential to provide people with formal access to a livelihood safety net. Such a net, provided by the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), exists only in rural areas. This article argues for safety net in urban areas too.
Key Demand of the question:
To examine the feasibility of wage employment-based scheme for Urban areas.
Directive:
Critically comment – 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 ‘comment’ is prefixed, we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by introducing NULM which is focused on self-employment through skill up-gradation and credit linkages through banks, its aims and objectives.
Body:
In the first part, write about various achievements and shortcomings of NULM especially the way it affected the urban poor and urban employment in the aftermath of the pandemic. Cite relevant statistics from the article to substantiate your points.
Next, argue for the need guaranteed wage employment-based scheme for Urban areas. Write about Himachal Pradesh’s Mukhya Mantri Shahri Ajeevika Guarantee Yojana (MMSAGY) and the insights it provides towards a pan Indian scheme or states themselves considering it.
In the next part, write about impediments to the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward and comment on the feasibility of employment-wage guarantee scheme for urban areas.
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
Why the question:
The recent Delhi visit of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his signalling the use of Indian territory to fire the Tibet political salvo at China may have sharpened trilateral equations further.
Key Demand of the question:
To analyze the recent change in the contours of Sino-Indian relations from bilateral as well as multilateral perspectives.
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:
Begin the answer by throwing the light on Sino-Indian relations.
Body:
In brief, Trace India’s historical policy towards China starting from the Nehruvian era (A flow chart maybe used for this to minimize time and space required as well as for better representation).
Give context about the most important changes witnessed in Bilateral relations in the recent past. The Dolkam Issue, Galwan Valley clash, Wuhan Summit, Chennai Declaration etc. Their impact on bilateral relations must be analyzed briefly.
Next, write about the multilateral issues. Rise of QUAD, Wolf Warrior Diplomacy of China to recent visit of Secretary Blinken and mention of Tibet. Bring out their impact.
Conclusion:
Comment on whether these could lead to a paradigm shift in Sino-Indian relations.
General Studies – 1
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: Live Mint
Why the question:
Faced with short supplies of COVID-19 vaccines and unforeseen side effects, some countries have adopted an unproven strategy: switching shots midstream. This article analyses its effects and efficacy.
Key Demand of the question:
To weigh in the pros and cons for mixing of vaccines and to advocate a cautious approach to mixing of vaccines.
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 judgement.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing the need for mixing vaccines – compulsion because of shortage, improved efficacy and response, multiple ways to prevent pathogen multiplicity etc.
Body:
In the first part of the body, write about the current studies done across the world which and in India by ICMR, wherein the vaccine mixture has elicited better immunogenicity. Mixing boosting the antibody response, better at triggering T cell responses etc.
In the next part, write the need to exercise caution the above regard. Lack of data, clinical trials, long terms effects of mixing vaccine, presence of large number of combinations in vaccines etc. Mention the recent WHO and Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) advisory on mixing.
Conclusion:
Summarize a way forward that introducing booster doses of a different vaccine should be firmly evidence-driven and targeted at population groups in greatest need.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections
Reference: Ethics by Lexicon publications.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
To argue for the need for a civil servant to be efficient along with being honest as just the virtue of honesty itself will not be able to fulfil the goals and aspirations 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:
Write about honesty and efficiency as a virtue in civil servants.
Body:
In detail, analyze that though honesty is a very good virtue to have but it alone it is not enough to get the work done. The ‘honest-only’ bureaucrat is a crusader who smells a rat everywhere and in every file. Hence, nothing gets delivered.
Mention the repercussion that extreme honesty without emotional intelligence can cause to the civil servant as well as the overall administration.
Give the need to supplement honesty with efficient and getting the work done. Bureaucrats who are honest and efficient. They may not be as visible as those who are going hammer and tongs against the “dishonest”. They are not crusaders. They are the “doers”. A civil servant must be practical.
Give examples of the above.
Conclusion:
Summarize that honest and efficient bureaucrat must be committed to the cause for which they are paid from the public exchequer. As an administrator, it is your duty to ensure it.
Topic : Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world;
7. What do you understand by the following quote? (150 words)
‘The Best Way to Find Yourself Is To Lose Yourself In The Service Of Others’ –Mahatma Gandhi
Why the question:
Question asked in UPSC Mains Examination 2020 GS-IV paper.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the quote.
Body:
Elaborate upon how service is a defining and fulfilling enterprise which can help you to see that “you” are not delineated by an identity, but defined by ability, compassion, connection and love.
By seeing virtue as selflessness and altruism and doing well to others, we are most essentially ourselves. If we act selfishly, we are not acting as our true selves
Substantiate the above by giving examples.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stressing why this quote is more relevant the ever in the current circumstances.
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