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 time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
1. Explain the mechanism of La-Nina. Examine the impact of La Nina on the Indian subcontinent. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
There is a growing body of research suggesting that climate change can cause extreme and more frequent El Nino and La Nina events.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about La-Nina, write its impact on India.
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Begin the answer by defining La Nina
In the first part, explain the mechanism behind La-Nina on the basis of their occurrence, mechanism, frequency of occurrence, duration, conditions required to occur etc.
Next, in detail write about how the la-Nina impacts the India subcontinent.
Next, write about new prediction models such as supercomputing etc which can help us better predict these extreme events and their efficacy.
La Nina means the Little Girl in Spanish. It is also sometimes called El Viejo, anti-El Nino, or simply “a cold event.” La Nina events represent periods of below-average sea surface temperatures across the east-central Equatorial Pacific. It is indicated by sea-surface temperature decreased by more than 0.9℉ for at least five successive three-month seasons.
The WMO predicted that the current La Nina, which began in September 2020, would continue for six months, with a 70 per cent chance of lasting till September-November 2022, and 55 per cent chance of lasting till December-February 2022/2023.
La Nina event is observed when the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific gets comparatively colder than normal, as a consequence of which, there is a strong high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific. It has the opposite impacts on weather and climate as El Niño, which is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Althought La-Nina has continued for the last three years. It may be good for India but not for some other countries. Climate change could be a driving factor behind such uncommon conditions. El Niño has been associated with rising heatwaves and extreme temperatures, such as in parts of the US, Europe and China recently.
Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
2. What is a garbage-free city? Discuss role of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0 can play in ensuring garbage free cities. (250 words)
According to Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, cities that got the 5-star rating are Mysuru, Ambikapur, Rajkot, Surat etc.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about garbage free cities and role of SBM in ensuring it.
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.
Begin the answer by defining aims of SBM 2.0.
First, explain the challenges pertaining to SWM in India – infrastructure, sanitation, manual scavenging, lack of disposal, pollution etc.
Next, write about the aims and objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0 and how it will help tackle garbage issues in India.
Conclude by writing a way forward.
As per Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs), cities achieve “Garbage Free” status when at any point of time in the day no garbage or litter is found in any public, commercial or residential locations (including storm drains and water bodies) in the city (except in litter bins or transfer stations); 100 per cent of waste generated is scientifically managed
All legacy waste has been remediated and the city is scientifically managing its municipal solid waste, plastic waste and construction and demolition waste and there must be a steady reduction in the waste generated by the city and visible beautification of the city to achieve a clean and aesthetically pleasing city.
Background on waste generation in India
Objectives to be achieved under SBM 2.0
Role of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 in ensuring garbage free cities
The Swacch Bharat scheme has proved efficient in carpeting the best cities with increased cleanliness and ensuring better paths. The amended version had ensured increased participation of cities in this competition with increased people’s support to make their city a garbage-free city.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
3. India and Russia have to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape while deepening ties. Comment in the light of recent developments. (250 words)
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the changes in Indio-Russian relations in the recent past in the light of changing geo-political developments.
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Begin by giving context of ‘all weather’ friendship between India and Russia.
In the first part, Highlight the strength of the relationship – Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, the long history, defence partnership, nuclear power plants etc.
Next, bring out the issues in the relationship by dividing them into geopolitical, geostrategic and at bilateral level – Russia-Pakistan, Russia-China, and USA-India, Changes in Afghanistan, Ukraine war and issues emanating from them.
Discuss how should India and Russia navigate the tides moving forward.
Conclude by commenting on their current nature of evergreen friendship.
As Russia and India both desire a multi-polar world, they are equally important for each other in fulfilling each other’s national interests. However, due to the changing geopolitical scenario, Russia is growing closer to China and becoming anti-west, while it is vice-versa for India. Despite the changing dynamics, Indo-Russia ties have stood the test of times especially in defence sector.
Indian PM Modi will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the side-lines of SCO Summit at Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Indo-Russia relations: Crucial Significance for India
Other glitches in India Russia relationship
India’s position also shows the unmistakable indication that when it comes to geopolitics, New Delhi will choose interests over principles. And yet, a careful reading of India’s statements and positions taken over the past few days also demonstrates a certain amount of discomfort in having to choose interests over principles.
However, New Delhi’s response to the recent crisis, especially its “explanation of vote” at the UNSC indicates a careful recourse to the principle of strategic autonomy: India will make caveated statements and will not be pressured by either party. In that sense, India’s indirect support to the Russian position is not a product of Russian pressure but the result of a desire to safeguard its own interests.
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
4. India and EU should not let divergence of views on some issues overwhelm the convergence of views on other areas. Elaborate. (250 words)
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 2 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the need for great cooperation between India-EU in critical areas and ways to achieve it.
Elaborate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Start with brief background of the context of the question.
Explain first that after limited economic gains from its FTAs with Asian partners, India is reassessing its FTA options. While a good beginning has been made with the UK, India must also renegotiate with the EU—the bloc is very important for India as far as trade relations are concerned, and an FTA with the EU is, thus, based on sound reasoning.
Discuss that FTAs need to be designed in a manner that they enhance complementarities amongst partners and overcome regulatory hurdles that inhibit trade. Account for potential of India –EU trade relations.
Present the challenges before India in realizing this potential.
Suggest way forward and conclude.
India-EU relationship dates back to 1960s when India was the first country to establish relationship with European economic union which later evolved into common market -European union. For more than a decade, the EU and India partnership had been slow-moving and fragmented, struggling to maintain momentum. India was acknowledged as a strategic partner in 2004. But seventeen years on there is still no mutually agreed set of clear priorities. The EU-India relationship fails to acknowledge each partner’s individual realities. Today’s changed circumstances provide the two sides with a new set of opportunities to move forward on the long-stalled agenda of stronger ties between India and European Union.
India and the European Union (EU) are looking to conclude negotiations on comprehensive trade and investment agreements before the beginning of electoral cycles on both sides in 2024, EU ambassador Ugo Astuto said.
Various facets of India-EU bilateral relations:
Opportunities for stronger India-EU ties
Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
5. Inequalities in health and education have actually increased in the past few years and this needs to be addressed on a war footing. Analyse the reasons behind it and suggest possible measures. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
The database and methodology for computing the human development index (HDI) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are not as robust as that of the national income or price indices that get monitored on a quarterly or annual basis. The construction of HDI involves four indicators with three dimensions — per capita income, health (life expectancy) and education (average and expected years of schooling).
Key Demand of the question:
To write about growing inequalities in health and education and measures needed to tackle the same.
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.
Begin by citing statistic about growing inequalities in health and education in India.
In the first part, write about the reasons behind growing inequalities. Account for the various causes for it and the impact of the same.
Next, write about various steps that are needed to address inequalities in in India in
Conclude by writing a way forward.
In India, a large portion of the population is below the poverty line, therefore, they do not have easy access to primary health and education. There is growing inequality across social groups and income groups which translates itself into poor socio-economic mobility.
Healthcare provisions in India is grossly inadequate and access to healthcare is highly inequitable. Lack of efficient public healthcare and burden of out-of-pocket health expenditures reduces people’s capacity or disables them from investing in the human capital of their children.
Basic literacy (the ability to read and write) in the overall population has progressed modestly. However, there is persistent gender differentials, and major differentials by caste and religion. The state of functional literacy and professional skills is poor. Indian graduates have low employability and does not meet changing economic structure or support global competitiveness.
Inequality in access to education
Measures needed to address the inequities
India’s inequalities will be the biggest hurdle in reaping the demographic dividend that we now have. A multi-pronged approach is imperative to reap the demographic dividend. There is also a need to engage with the youth and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship. The demographic dividend offers them a unique opportunity to boost living standards, but they must act now to manage their older populations in the near future by implementing policies that ensure a safe and efficient transition from the first demographic dividend to the second demographic dividend.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics;
6. From a moral standpoint, is abortion ethical in modern societies? State your view. (150 words)
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 debate upon the ethicality of abortion.
Begin by giving context and mentioning the ethical dilemmas associated with the act of abortion.
First, argue on the how abortion is unethical on the basis of abortion is deliberate killing of an innocent human being, A foetus as Moral personhood, Rights of the foetus and Causing pain.
Next, argue on the side of ethicality of abortion. foetus is not necessarily a ‘person’, rights of the mother’s bodily autonomy, dangers to mothers’ health etc.
Pass a balanced judgement on the ethicality of the act of abortion.
Termination of pregnancy (TOP) or foeticide is ethically and morally challenging and maybe considered illegal in countries with restrictive abortion laws. Ethical dilemmas such as women’s autonomy rights may conflict with foetus’ right to personhood, and doctor’s moral obligations to society. In liberal jurisdictions, previable foetuses may not have legal rights of personhood; therefore, appropriate action would be to respect pregnant women’s decisions regarding TOP.
The right to life underlies all other human rights – if we protect those rights, we should protect the right to life as well. Abortion is a civil rights issue in that some of those who support abortion do as a way of controlling the growth of certain population groups. Abortion is sometimes forced on women by exploiting partners or families. Abortion is sometimes forced on women because society fails to supply their needs. Parents have an obligation to their unborn children – it is wrong for them to escape it. Abortion brutalises those who carry it out, or who are involved in the process.
All the religions have taken strong positions on abortion; they believe that the issue encompasses profound issues of life and death, right and wrong, human relationships and the nature of society, that make it a major religious concern.
People involved in an abortion are usually affected very deeply not just emotionally, but often spiritually, as well. They often turn to their faith for advice and comfort, for explanation of their feelings, and to seek atonement and a way to deal with their feelings of guilt.
As per Stanley Hauwer was “For no amount of ethical reflection will ever change the basic fact that tragedy is a reality of our lives. A point is reached where we must have the wisdom to cease ethical reflection and affirm that certain issues indicate a reality more profound than the ethical.”
These are the proponents who support choice of child bearer and hence support the cause of abortion at will.
Pregnant woman has moral rights too
These are proponents who support life in consideration i.e. the foetus which is considered life from the women’s womb itself.
Killing potential people is wrong
Increasing tolerance of killing is wrong
Philosopher Ted Lockhart has come up with a practical solution for dealing with moral problems that can be used to decide whether or not to abort a foetus. Lockhart suggests that we should “perform actions that we are maximally confident are morally permissible”. Where we have to make a moral choice, we should take the course of action that we are most confident is morally correct.
Topic: Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity;
7. How can probity serve as antidote for corruption? Discuss with examples. (150 Words)
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 importance of probity and its role in reducing corruption.
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.
First, write about the need of Probity and how it will reduce corruption and associate challenges with respect to public service. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, write about the steps to ensure probity.
Complete by writing a way forward.
Probity is “the quality or condition of having strong moral principles, integrity, good character, honesty, decency”. It is the act of adhering to the highest principles and ideals rather than avoiding corrupt or dishonest conduct. It balances service to the community against the self-interest of individuals.
Probity serves as an antidote for corruption by
It is a shared belief that the adoption of standards like “accountability”, “transparency” and “responsiveness” will lead to clean and efficient governance. However, standards do not, by themselves, ensure ethical behaviour: which requires a robust culture of integrity and probity in public life. The crux of ethical behaviour does not lie only in standards, but in their adoption in action and in issuing sanctions against their violation.
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