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General Studies – 2
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Reference: earp.in
Why the question:
The question is based on the importance of Diaspora as a soft power in India’s foreign policy towards South-East Asia.
Key Demand of the question:
Account for Diaspora as a soft power in India’s foreign policy towards South-East Asia.
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 you understand by Diaspora. The term “diaspora” is derived from the Greek word diaspeirein, which means “dispersion”. Over time, the term evolved, and now loosely refers to any person/s belonging to a particular country with a common origin or culture, but residing outside their homeland for various reasons.
Body:
Explain first that India’s connections with Southeast Asia are rooted in history in terms of geography, civilization, culture, economy and strategy. These connections became deeper since the 1990s as India initiated the policy of ‘Look East’ that resulted in manifold growth with ASEAN and South-East Asia.
Discuss in what way recently Diaspora is being seen as a strong soft power in India’s foreign policy towards South-East Asia.
Throw light upon the recent policies of the government in this direction.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
2. Elucidate upon the potential of trilateral relationship between India, Japan & Italy. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The editorial shares insights on the engagement potential for Delhi, in policy towards Indo Pacific and its centrality in the shape up ahead. As a new pushback against China takes shape, Indian foreign policy is becoming strategically clearer and there is a new momentum to initiatives such as Quad.
Key Demand of the question:
One is expected to discuss about the potential of trilateral relationship between India, Japan and Italy.
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:
Recently, Italy has also begun to signal its intention to enter the Indo-Pacific geography. It has done so by seeking to join India and Japan in a trilateral partnership.
Body:
First discuss the reasons of India gaining centrality in Indo Pacific policy convergence.
Explain about Italy’s stand on China’s assertiveness and unfair market practices.
Then move onto highlight underlying reasons of Indo-pacific gaining importance on foreign policy radar of many nations.
Thus explain that a trilateral cooperation can be the right forum for India and Italy to learn more from each other’s practices and interests and consolidate a strategic dialogue that should include the economic, the security and the political dimensions.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
3. Examine the potential of cooperatives in India and analyse the challenges they face. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article examines the history, potential, and challenges of cooperatives in India.
Key Demand of the question:
Examine the potential of cooperatives in India and analyse the challenges they face.
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:
Start with what you understand by cooperatives.
Body:
Firstly, present an overview of cooperatives all over the world and India.
Discuss brief history of cooperatives in India; It started in 1950s, when Verghese Kurien began India’s significant tryst with dairy cooperatives, but the model was not working the way he had envisaged it.
Account for the challenges; issues like lobby groups to get funds for the new companies, vehicles to cater to cooperatives, not FPCs, etc.
Discuss the potential that cooperatives hold in today’s times, give examples and substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude that the coming of the ministry is a welcome step.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The article brings to us the Kerala model of anti-discrimination law.
Key Demand of the question:
The question aims to assess the grounds for a law that provides for anti-discrimination and equality as a civil right.
Directive:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with brief background of Discrimination in India.
Body:
Incidents of discrimination against individuals based on religion, caste, ethnicity, marital status, gender, sexual orientation and even eating preferences have become common in society. This manifests itself in various forms including housing discrimination, discrimination in employment, etc.
Discuss the challenges before India such as lack of legal resources, social stigma, lacunae in existing provisions etc.
Suggest what needs to be done; defend for the grounds for a law that provides for anti-discrimination and equality as a civil right.
Conclusion:
Conclude with suggestions. Talk about the Kerala model as an example.
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article explains how education can combat prejudice in our Indian society.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss to what extent Indian Education system can combat the existing social prejudices prevalent in the country along with suitable examples.
Directive:
Illustrate – A similar instruction to ‘explain’ whereby you are asked to show the workings of something, making use of definite examples and statistics if appropriate to add weight to your explanation.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Firstly, present the context of prevalence of social prejudices in our society.
Body:
Explain briefly the different types of racial and religious prejudices that have dominated public attention in our society.
Throw light on them with relevant examples.
Then move onto explain in what way education can play a key role; like race, religion remains an important axis of prejudice in all parts of the world. Attitudes towards religious groups other than one’s own often reflect deep prejudice internalized in childhood. The process whereby this absorption of a prejudice prevailing in society occurs is not open to analysis, partly because it happens in extremely subtle interactions between the adults and the child inside the home space.
Discuss the role that schools and educational institutions can play in overcoming these prejudices.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of education.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article brings to us the benefits that the AI can bring to Indian judiciary.
Key Demand of the question:
Examine the potential and limitations of Artificial Intelligence in addressing the long persisting issues in Indian judiciary.
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:
Start with some key facts related to Artificial intelligence and its general benefits.
Body:
Discuss first the issues with Indian judicial system.
Present the case of the impact of the Covid pandemic on its working.
Artificial Intelligence can help reduce pendency of cases, increase efficiency of judiciary. But before its adoption in the legal system, challenges related to privacy, data protection and other ethical issues must be addressed.
However, before applying such technology, it is important to identify the problems and the challenges within each sector and develop the specific modalities on how the AI architecture will have the highest impact. Discuss challenges like – concerns about data protection, privacy, human rights and ethics etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with way forward.
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, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications
Why the question:
The question is based on the value of impartiality and its utility.
Key Demand of the question:
Examine in what way Impartiality as a fundamental value of civil services should not become a stumbling block in showing compassion towards weaker sections of the society.
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:
Start with what you understand by the value – Impartiality.
Body:
The answer body must have the following aspects covered:
First, explain the meaning of civil service impartiality. Impartiality in civil services means that civil servants while carrying out their official work, should take decisions based on merit alone.While compassion is about being empathetic towards others and also trying to alleviate their suffering in your own capacity.
State the reasons why it can become a hurdle in one’s approach towards weaker sections and its impact on governance. Give examples to better substantiate.
Conclusion:
Conclude that Impartiality should not be practiced as a standalone principle by the civil servants. It should complement the other foundational values of the civil services and should not become a hurdle in showing compassion towards weaker sections.
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