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NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
Topic: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
1. India has been a pioneer in democratic traditions and self-governance has been an integral part for India’s political and cultural history right since ancient times. Comment. (250)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged universities and colleges to hold lectures on themes such as the “ideal king” in Indian philosophy as well as khap panchayats and their “democratic traditions” to celebrate India as the “mother of democracy” on Constitution Day on November 26.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the democratic and self-governance traditions of India since ancient times.
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:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
First, write about development of self-governance and democratic traditions of India since ancient times – concept of the “ideal king of Kautilya, Bhagavad Gita’s “loktantra (self-governance)“, Harappans as the pioneering architect of the democratic system in the world, as well as khap panchayats and their “democratic traditions, Buddhist traditions, Bhakti tradtions, Chola local self governing villages.
Next, write about the limitations of the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.
Introduction
While addressing the United Nations General Assembly in 2021, the Prime Minister made an important historical point that India is not just the world’s largest democracy, but also the Mother of Democracy. There is evidence of the existence of proto forms of democracy and republicanism in ancient India.
Body
India a pioneer in democratic traditions and self-governance
Conclusion
Though the ideology of democracy was rooted in our ethos, it did not materialise into democracy as it stands today. Monarchy was the major prevalent theme across India. There was no pan-India consciousness and people were divided on various lines.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
2. What is a free trade agreement (FTA)? How are FTAs important for India? What are the various issues that are involved in FTA negotiation? How can the issues be resolved? (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
To achieve the export target of $2 trillion by 2030, India is going the whole hog on free trade agreements (FTAs). India is negotiating FTAs with countries such as the European Union, Canada, the U.K., and Israel.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about FTAs, its importance, issues involved in it and ways to overcome it.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin defining what FTAs are.
Body:
First, write about the major components of the FTA.
Next, write about the importance of FTA to India – economic growth, eliminate tariff barriers, diversify investments etc.
Next, write about the various issues in FTA negotiation – tariff reduction impacting the entire manufacturing and the agricultural sector; rules on services trade; digital issues such as data localisation; intellectual property rights etc.
Next, suggest ways to overcome the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
A free trade agreement is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them. Under a free trade policy, goods and services can be bought and sold across international borders with little or no government tariffs, quotas, subsidies, or prohibitions to inhibit their exchange.
Body
Background
Significance of FTA’s for India
Various issues involved with FTA and negotiations
Conclusion
The trade policy framework of India must be accompanied by economic reforms that result in an open, competitive, and technologically advanced economy. India needs to strengthen its domestic manufacturing base in value-added products like engineering goods, electronic products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agriculture machinery, that could be used to boost exports.
Topic: Disaster and disaster management.
3. As climate change continues, it will lead to more frequent and severe climate disasters leading to poverty, food shortages and large scale forced migration. Discuss. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Down to Earth
Why the question:
Disasters, mostly weather-related and potentially due to climate change, are displacing more people than wars and conflicts. Internal migration is picking up: 216 million people will move within their countries by 2050, says a World Bank estimate.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of climate disasters and measures required to prevent them.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining climate disasters.
Body:
Frist, write about the various types of climate induced disasters and their growing trends in the recent past.
Next, write about the impact of climate disasters – altering the frequency and intensity of hazards, affecting vulnerability, and changing exposure patterns. This will lead to economic losses, poverty, damages and migration. Give statistics to substantiate.
Next, suggest measures needed to overcome them.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Climate Change is a periodic modification of Earth’s climate brought about due to the changes in the atmosphere as well as the interactions between the atmosphere and various other geological, chemical, biological and geographical factors within the Earth’s system.
Climate change is accelerating due to global warming driven by human-induced emissions of greenhouse gases and there is resulting large-scale shifts in weather patterns.
Body
Impact of climate change
India’s action for Climate Change
Evaluation of India’s response to climate change
Conclusion and way forward
Topic: Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
4. What are the causes for insurgency in the parts north-eastern India? Examine the reasons that sustain insurgency in north east India despite many efforts at eliminating it. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about causes for insurgency in N.E India and its sustenance despite various measures.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate 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 by giving context of the insurgencies in North east India.
Body:
First, draw a small map of the north-east showing major insurgent conflicts in the region.
Next, mention the causes of the insurgency under various heads such as economic, political, social, cultural/ethnic reasons. Write briefly about its impact highlighting the issues associated with AFSPA, Naxalism and International borders.
Next, write about the various measures taken to tackle insurgency and their limitations. Write about the factors for sustenance of insurgency.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
There are over a hundred of ethnic groups in the Northeast each having a strong sense of identity and their uniqueness. They want to retain this uniqueness in their political and social and orientations as well. Insurgency is essentially a violent rebellion against the political organisation when the ethnic communities feel that their interests have been neglected and they are not properly represented.
The large prevalence of insurgency has negatively impacted the prevalence of Peace in the Northeast. This not only affects the socio-economic development of the region but has a negative effect on the country as well.
Body
Causes of insurgency in north-east
Reasons that sustain insurgency in north-east
Conclusion and way forward
Value addition
Government measures
Topic: Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
5. The SAMADHAN strategy against the Maoists can be an effective doctrine to tackle left wing extremism but it has to be a coordinated battle on security and development fronts. Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the threats posed by the convergence of technology and terrorism and steps that should be taken to prevent it.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context of SAMADHAN doctrine.
Body:
First, write about the various features of the SAMADHAN strategy – S-smart leadership, A-aggressive strategy, M-motivation and training, A-actionable intelligence, D-dashboard-based KPIs (key performance indicators) and KRAs (key result areas), H-harnessing technology, A-action plan for each theatre and N-no access to financing.
Next, write about the need to balanced approach on security and development fronts to tackle left wing extremism.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The problem of LWE or Naxalism in India continues to rank high in the list of internal security challenges that the country faces. But past few years have seen a considerable improvement in the LWE scenario. The total number of violent incidents of LWE has drastically reduced from 1048 in 2016 to 908 in 2017. The related deaths have seen a 34% decline in 2017 as compared to 2013 indicating success of government efforts.
Body
About SAMADHAN Strategy
It is a strategy of MHA to frame short term and long-term policies to tackle LWE.
It includes:
SAMADHAN Strategy in force
Issues in handling LWE
Conclusion
The two-pronged policy of direct action by the security forces combined with development is showing results — the government has already made a dent in most of the affected districts and is determined to check the expansion of Maoists. The paradigm of proactive policing and holistic development should ensure more such significant results in the future.
Value addition
Naxalism origins
Topic: Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
6. Do you think a civil servant must always speak the truth even if there is a price to pay for doing so? State your opinion. (150 words)
Difficulty level: Tough
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about cost of speaking the truth.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by writing about importance of speaking truth in civil service.
Body:
With examples mentions how civil servants are targeted for speaking truth to those in power – transfers, punishment posting, threats, suspensions and even harm to their life etc.
Mention steps to protect and safeguard those who speak truth to the authorities.
Conclusion:
Conclude that truth is cover value of country and must be spoken irrespective of who it is being spoken to.
Honesty or absolute integrity, truthfulness and hard work without indulgences form an inherent part of the life a civil servant whose sole objective is to efficiently deliver services to the public. But the world is not too idealistic and political pressure often weighs down on an honest officer. For instance, Ashok Khemka has been transferred more than 56 times in his career. That is the price he paid for being honest.
Body
Honest decisions and truthful implementation of law do entail risks and difficulties in a society which fails to respect the rule of law in letter and spirit. Indeed, a society infected by various forms of perversions and delusions does not deserve to find absolute virtues in the instruments of State, be that legislature, executive or judiciary, which are mandated to serve without discrimination and to deliver justice efficiently without fear or favour. It thus follows that in the rat-race to grab key posts, competing claims are not necessarily based on merit; desired prerequisites at times are superseded by undesirable additional attributes of incumbents. Such carefully hidden distortions do get manifest ultimately. When the so-called ‘go-getters’ fail to fulfil their master’s expectations, the going get tough for them — and a ‘fishing and roving’ shining career sometimes suffers ‘fishing and roving’ enquiries’. Arm-twisting or blackmail is a crude expression to describe this syndrome.
Even though there might be instances of large number of corrupt prevailing over few honest individuals, it’s these few upright men that sustain the faith of people in humanity and society. They act as check against larger wrongdoings, constraining their power and also exposing and uprooting them. They act as role model for larger society to adhere to what is right. For example, Anna Hazare stood up as a crusader against corruption; T.N. Seshan, the chief election commissioner, countermanded elections in Bihar, U.P. citing mass rigging.
To preserve the ethical and moral values it is important that both means and ends are right. Trying to achieve a noble goal with unethical means impinges upon the ethical fabric of individual and society at large, prompting a person for further compromises in the future. For example; Gandhiji emphasised upon the means to be ethical through way of Ahimsa as much as he emphasised on the result, the independence.
Conclusion
Even though adherence to ethical conduct may produce disaffection from inability to reach certain short term career goals, but mere attainment of materialistic goals cannot be essence of life. Achieving goals by unfair means would prick our conscience and erode strength of character. In the long run ethical conduct always helps in achieving life’s larger goals, such as mental peace, clear conscience, strength of character and brings harmony and balance in life.
Topic: determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions.
7. What are the reasons that “force” the people with ethics to do unethical things? How can they be overcome?
Difficulty level: Moderate
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Abstract Thursdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context with an example.
Body:
Bring out limitations and constraints on ethical action in human beings – coercion, force, lack of courage, egoism, desperation. Substantiate with examples.
Conclusion:
Mention way to overcome the above and to always act in an ethical manner.
Introduction
Despite taking all the right steps for creating an ethical environment – providing ethics training, developing a code of conduct, may not be enough in real life.While many believe that it’s only a few “bad apples” who commit ethical breaches, the reality is that many violations occur due to lapses in judgment by honest individuals who end up making some very poor decisions.
Body
Reasons that force people to act unethically
Personal factors
Conclusion
The key to solutions for all of the causes is to find some way to check that impulse that makes us behave in unethical manner. Attempting to recognize and address the environmental and individual factors that influence people making poor choices is how this will be addressed.
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