[MISSION 2022] SECURE 2022 : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 18 August 2021 – INSIGHTSIAS

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Dearest Aspirants,

Good answers were written yesterday on formation of congress, malnutrition, governance, climate change and ethics questions. Keep up the efforts. Apart from peer to peer review and review from our end, kindly go through the synopsis which we release on the same day and add value to your answers.

Have a productive Wednesday!

 


General Studies – 1


 

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

1. Even though their political demands were moderate, their economic demands were radical in nature. Elucidate with respect to the moderate phase of Indian National Congress. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Chapter 7 – India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra.

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 as mentioned in Mission-2022 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To clearly contrast on the nature of political and economic demands of the Moderates during the initial phase of Congress.

Directive word: 

Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin your answer by writing about Economic Critique of Colonialism.

Body:

Mention the overall approach of the moderates in responding to the reforms brought by the British wherein for the Political reforms, the moderates were seeking political changes in such a way as to not instigate or make the British insecure about their control on India and resorted to prayers and petitions.

However for the Economic reforms, the moderates were more vocal through critiques such as  Drain Theory, using of Indian raw materials for British Industries, demand for preserving local Industries, scope for Indian control on the public purse, criticism of the official policies on tariff, trade, transport and taxation

Conclusion:

Conclude by summarising the impact of Economic Critique of Moderates.

 

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

2. Extremism in the Indian National scene did not spring up suddenly in the first decade of the twentieth century. In fact, it had been growing slowly but invisibly since the Revolt of 1857 itself. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Chapter 12 – A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Spectrum Publishers)

Why the question: 

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 as mentioned in Mission-2022 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

Directive word: 

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: 

Give a detail on what is the ideology of extremism and to analyse it in the Indian National scene.

Body:

Start by highlighting that the Extremists did not rise post the Moderates phase, but the flavour of extremist ideas were present even during the 1857 revolt.

Mention the approach of the various social reformers to bring the masses to connect with their own culture, religion and polity instead of adoring everything western.

 Mention the centres of rise of Extremist ideologies- Maharashtra, Bengal & Punjab and important leaders thereof and how certain social reformers like Aurobindo who equated the nation to that of mother, Vivekananda’s ideas being placed in the western world & Bankim Chandra’s critique of the moderates has set the ideological ground for the later Extremists to build upon.

Conclusion:

Mention that although activities wise, the Extremists followed up after the moderates, ideologically, the ground was being prepared right since the 1857 reforms.

 


General Studies – 2


 

Topic:  India and its neighbourhood- relations.

3. With a Taliban takeover now a reality in Afghanistan, India is left with limited options to protect its interests there. The time for hesitant, backchannel parleys is over and New Delhi must begin talks with Taliban as it is a strategic necessity. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference:  Live MintInsights on India

Why the question:  

India has always been a strong proponent of process of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. However, a collapse of the Afghan government and return of the Taliban marks the beginning of a new phase in the India-Afghanistan relationship.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the course of action India must pursue to protect its interests in Afghanistan in the wake of Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

Directive word:

 Analyse – 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: 

Begin the providing context as to the paradigm shift of political power in Afghanistan and its impact on India.

Body:

In brief, using a flow chart, trace the Indo-Afghan relationship till date.

Write about the strategic interests of India in Afghanistan – India’s trade and investment, India and Afghanistan strategic partnership, India’s development portfolio in Afghanistan, gateway to Central Asia and Linkages with Iran especially the Chabahar port etc.

Next, mention how India has not held any direct talks with Taliban including during the peace talks. Suggest reasons as to why India must diplomatically engage with Taliban and incorporate new changes to his Afghan Policy. This part must be written comprehensively and must cover protecting strategic interests, the Pakistan angle, Recognition by international powers and need to be proactive in geo-politics.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward which summarises that India needs to engage in order to protect its own interests.

 


General Studies – 3


 

Topic:  Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

4. How are biofuels classified? Biofuels are a benevolent option that not only solves the energy security issue but also brings with it several possibilities for positive transformation. India must ensure it is not left behind in reaping its benefits. Comment. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Down to EarthInsights on India

Why the question:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on the country’s 75th Independence Day a new goal aimed at transforming India into an ‘energy-independent’ nation by 2047. Biofuels will play an important part in that.

Key Demand of the question:

Directive word: 

Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Give a brief on Biofuels and its classification into various generations.

Body:

Highlight the energy security issues in India and globally and the importance of biofuels through facts/figures. (Tip: Make a note of facts/figures/data you use in your answers in a separate book/sheet to collect it and use it in your answers and essays in the future)

Next, Mention about the need of clean energy in the context of Climate change. Further, bring in the dimension of energy security being a decisive factor in geopolitics, self-sufficiency in energy, role in robust rural economy which in turn will help in overall economic development.

Write about India’s policy on Biofuels and further steps it should take to reap its benefits.

Conclusion:

Mention the way forward for any nation in the backdrop of limited fossil fuel is to diversify and hence India should have an effective strategy for biofuels.

 

Topic:  Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

5. India needs to recognize that the metaverse is almost upon us. We need to put in place regulations that encourage the development of these new virtual environments while ensuring that they can still function in an open, interoperable manner. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Live Mint

Why the question:

Over the past few months, there’s been growing excitement about the ‘metaverse’. Microsoft was the first major tech company to work towards it and followed by Facebook.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about technological and regulatory preparations that India must ensure for developments of new virtual environments like metaverse.

Directive word: 

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: 

Begin by explaining the concept of metaverse – a science fiction concept about to be turned into reality.

Body:

Elaborate on the various components of the metaverse and its possible applications. Substantiate with examples.

Analyse the areas that India needs to proactive prepare to reap maximum benefits while reducing the negative impacts. Infrastructure development, interoperability, Payments system, Preventing Cartelization by big companies, Security, Privacy and regulatory issues that must be put in place.

Conclusion:

End the answer with a way forward which summarises need to make most of the opportunity of technology of metaverse.

 


General Studies – 4


 

Topic:  Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;

6.  “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”. How relevant is this quote with respect to the recent happenings in Afghanistan? (150 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start by giving a simple understanding of the meaning of the quote.

Body:

Mention the morality of conscious inaction, its consequences. no action resulting in injustice. Cite examples.

 In the context of Afghanistan, highlight the various stakeholders including the US military, NATO and the other global powers. Their role and responsibilities in a political set up, failures and its consequences.

You may bring in the aspect of communitarian ethics where the good men have the responsibility to speak out and act in the face of evils, to preserve their community.

Conclusion:

Conclude by underscoring injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and hence calls for ‘good men’ to take responsibility.

 

Topic:  Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;

7. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors”  – Plato

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2022 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction: 

Begin the answer by defining in quote in the context of democratic politics.

Body:

Explain the issues of non-participation such as Corruption, maladministration, lack of accountability, misappropriation of funds and inefficient governance etc with suitable illustrations for India and across the world. You can talk about criminalisation of politics. The impact of the above on our country and the world.

Conclusion:

Write how participation is the key and need for the participation of the competitive and ethical people is a necessary precursor in good governance.

 


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