[MISSION 2023] SECURE : Daily UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice: 31 March 2023

Click on EACHquestion to post/upload you answers.

How to Follow Secure Initiative?

How to Self-evaluate your answer?

MISSION – 2023: YEARLONG TIMETABLE

Join IPM 4.0 to get an assured review of 2 secure answers everyday

General Studies – 1

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

1. The Vaikom Satyagraha was a significant moment in the Indian independence movement, as it highlighted the injustices of the caste system and the need for social reform. Discuss. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: The Hindu

Why the question:
The Vaikom temple street entry movement in Kerala, with a resonance in Tamil Nadu, is a struggle that set India on the path of equality and justice for all.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the significance of Vaikom Satyagraha.
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 giving context.
Body:
Write about the Vaikom Satyagraha – peaceful civil rights movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, aimed to challenge the practice of untouchability, committed to nonviolence and were able to overcome the opposition through their peaceful protests and demonstrations.
Next, write about the significance of the above and its legacy.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising.

Topic: Role of women and women’s organization

2. Achieving social justice and promoting economic growth for the nation both hinge on closing the gender pay gap. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint ,Insights on India

Why the question:
The article argues that despite the increasing number of reports on gender pay disparity, they alone are not sufficient in addressing the issue. It emphasizes the need for organizations to take concrete action in ensuring pay equity, including the implementation of standardized salary structures and the incorporation of diversity and inclusion measures in the workplace.
Key Demand of the question:
(Video) Daily answer writing of secure synopsis of INSIGHTSONINDIA for upsc MAINS 2023 Demo Lecture-1
To write about the current gender wage gap scenario prevalent in India. One has to address the question by listing out the various associated causes and suggest suitable measures to overcome them.
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:
Start by highlighting the alarming issue of the Gender wage gap.
Body:
See Also
UPSC Mains GS Paper 4 Analysis UPSC Key- May 22, 2023: Know about Clean Note Policy, Legal Tender, and The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance NPM & Traditional Public Administration – Secure IAS UPSC Essentials: Reports and data on you tips— ‘What’s next for Indian Agri-Tech?’
First, write about the factors leading to gender gap viz. – The primary industries in the state and the opportunities they create; Demographics such as race/ethnicity, age, and education level; Regional differences in attitudes and beliefs about work and gender; and Differences in the scope and strength of state pay discrimination laws and policies. Facts and reports suggesting the prevalence of it.
Next, suggest what needs to be done to overcome it. – policy actions, government efforts, awareness, education for women, state-led facilitation for equal pay etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

3. Evaluate the potential of Scheme for Modernisation and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART-PDS) in preventing foodgrain leakage and improving the efficiency of the distribution chain. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Indian Express

Why the question:
The article discusses the Smart Public Distribution System (PDS) scheme, which is an initiative to digitize the PDS system in India.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential of SMART-PDS and its limitations.
Directive word:
Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving objectives of SMART-PDS.
Body:
In the first part, mention the major features of SMART-PDS.
(Video) InsightsIAS Secure Synopsis – August 2022,for UPSC CSE MAINS 2023,ANSWER WRITING technique LECTURE 1
Next, write about the potential of SMART-PDS: efficient, transparent, and user-friendly by providing beneficiaries with biometric authentication and mobile-based applications.
Next, write about the concerns associated with the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by way forward.

General Studies – 3

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

4. The 30×30 initiative can play a vital role in protecting the planet’s ecosystems and biodiversity for future generations. Elaborate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

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 role of forests and grasslands in carbon storage and potential of 30×30 initiative.
Directive:
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.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context.
Body:
First, write about role of forests and grasslands as carbon sink – Forests are an important carbon sink, as both trees and forest soil are able store large amount of carbon for a long time. Cite examples to substantiate.
Next, write the about aims and objectives of 30×30 initiative, its features and its potential in conserving and protecting earth’s land and sea.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

5. What makes the Montreal Protocol the most effective international agreement on climate, and how well has India executed its obligations under the treaty? Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

(Video) Economy Class 1 : APEC 2023 by Sailesh Sir, Faculty @Insights IAS

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 reasons which makes the Montreal protocol as success and India’s performance with respect to it.
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 the answer by writing about the Vienna Convention and subsequent Montreal Protocol.
Body:
In the first part, write the reasons which make Montreal protocol most successful global climate treaty – negotiations, funds, universal ratification, clear articulation and innovation in substitutes etc.
Next, write about the India’s performance – phasing out Chlorofluorocarbon, Ratifying Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol, Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) etc. Cite stats with respect to India’s performance and mention its shortcomings.
Conclusion:
Suggest a way forward to completely phase out Ozone depleting substances.

Topic: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges

6. The dissemination of rumours via fabricated and fake news has the potential to generate significant social unrest within a nation and present a threat to its internal security. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Live Mint ,Insights on India

Why the question:
The article warns against the dangers of fake news, which can spread quickly through social media and cause harm to individuals and society.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the threats posed by disinformation and ways to tackle it.
Directive:
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:
(Video) Economy Class 2- Monetary Policy & Fiscal Policy | APEC 2023 by Sailesh Sir, Faculty @Insights IAS
Begin by giving the context of spread of misinformation in the digital age.
Body:
First, write about the various political, economic and social consequences of the spread of misinformation and fake news. Substantiate with examples.
Next, write about how the above can compromise national security.
Next, write about the measures that are needed to tackle the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.

Topic: Case Study.

7.In Mumbai, a family with a history of sickle cell anemia has successfully used the concept of saviour siblings to cure their eldest daughter. Seven-year-old Baby had been receiving frequent blood transfusions and was in need of a bone marrow transplant to survive. Her parents, with the help of assisted reproductive technology, underwent pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to conceive a child that could serve as a donor for Baby.

Their third child, Munna, was born with the same genetic makeup as Baby, but without the sickle cell anemia gene. At six months old, Munna underwent a successful bone marrow transplant, and Baby has been thriving ever since.

The use of saviour siblings has garnered mixed reactions from the public, with some praising the technology for saving lives, while others question the ethics of conceiving a child solely for the purpose of serving as a donor. Despite the debate, IVF specialists argue that when used for single-gene diseases like sickle cell anemia, the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis technique is ethical and legal.

This successful case has given hope to other families struggling with genetic diseases, and has sparked discussions on the potential for this technology to cure a wide range of genetic disorders.

1. Analyse the ethical issues involved in the concept of ‘saviour sibling’?
2. Would this set a precedent for selecting certain babies having desirable traits?
3. What should be the way forward with respect to ‘saviour sibling’ as a medical technology?

(Answer in 250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate.

Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Case Study Fridays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by explaining the importance of saving lives via transplantations and in this context explain the concept of saviour sibling.
Body:
Write about the ethical issues involved. Discarded embryos, sex-selective process, autonomy of the saviour sibling, legal challenges, a treatment only rich can afford etc.
Write about the similarities in the process of saviour sibling and selecting certain babies having desirable traits. Bring outs its ramifications.
Write a way forward for its regulation, prevent its misuse etc.
Conclusion:
Pass a judgement on the ethicality of the concept of saviour sibling.