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: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
1. Caste discrimination makes our democracy fraught. In many places in the country, even today caste determines a person’s occupation. Examine the ill effects of caste discrimination on the contemporary society. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
In many places in the country, even today caste determines a person’s occupation. Labour is an obligation, not a choice. As Ambedkar pointed out, caste is the division of labourers, not labour.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the ill effects of caste discrimination, reasons for its prevalence and ways to overcome it.
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.
Begin by giving background about the caste discrimination in modern India.
First, write about the reasons for the prevalence of caste discrimination in India and factors behind it.
Next, mention the impact of caste discrimination and how it is affecting contemporary society. Substantiate with facts and examples.
Next, write about the steps that are needed to overcome the above issues and empower weaker sections.
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Caste system refers to a broad hierarchical institutional arrangement along which basic social factors like birth, marriage, food-sharing etc are arranged in a hierarchy of rank and status. These sub-divisions are traditionally linked to occupations and decide the social relations with respect to other upper and lower castes.
Indian society has been bearing the brunt of this social evil since the post-Vedic times and continues to bear despite Constitutional and Legal measures.
Caste system is the bane for the Indian society:
The evil face of Caste System:
How casteism can be removed?
caste system is a terrible anomaly of society which became more prevalent over time. It is the strong enemy of the concept of social justice mentioned in the Indian Constitution and causes economic, social damage to the country from time to time. Undoubtedly, along with the government, it is the responsibility of the common man, religious leaders, politicians, and civil society to resolve this discrepancy as soon as possible.
2. What is social entrepreneurship? Social entrepreneurship seeks out novel and distinctive concepts that are strongly tied to society and offer solutions on the cultural and social levels. Comment. (250 words)
While addressing the nation on the occasion of India@75, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India must become a developed nation before it marks the Centenary of Independence.” In his address, the Prime Minister called upon the people to move forward with five pledges to fulfil the dreams of freedom fighters by 2047—a theme that President Droupadi Murmu had also underscored in her speech on the eve of Independence Day.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about entrepreneurship and the benefits it offers to the society.
Comment- here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Begin by defining social entrepreneurship.
First, in detail, describe the features of social entrepreneurship and what it seeks to achieve.
Next, write about the benefits offered by social entrepreneurship – strategies that provide solutions for cultural, social, or environmental issues along with making a profit for the organization. Substantiate with facts and examples.
Conclude by commenting on the efficacy of social entrepreneurship on social empowerment of Indian society.
Social Entrepreneurship is a construct that blends the idea of a commercial enterprise with the tenets of a charitable non-profit organization. It is about creating business models revolving around low-cost products and services to resolve social inequities. It helps to succeed in economic initiatives, and all the investment focuses on the social and environmental mission.
Social entrepreneurs are also called social innovators. They are the agents of change and create significant change using innovative ideas. They identify the problems and build the difference by their plan.
Benefits offered by social entrepreneurship
If India’s youth unfurl their wings, we will be able to achieve our vision of India@2047. Start-ups, social enterprises, businesses, civil society organizations, public-private partnerships, academia and government institutions can collectively support the nation on a progressive path to socioeconomic independence (not just at the national level but even at the global level) by taking an active participatory approach.
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government;
3. For the protection of fundamental rights, a remedy is given under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs when the fundamental rights of any citizen are violated. Discuss. (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 role of SC in safeguarding fundamental rights under article 32.
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.
Start by giving a brief about article 32.
First, in detail, about the role of the SC as the “guarantor” and “defender” of the fundamental rights.
Next, write in detail about the various types of writs and the purposes behind it. Substantiate using examples and SC case to show how writs are used to protect fundamental rights.
Conclude by summarising and giving views of various scholars regarding it.
Article 32 falls under Part III of the Constitution that includes the fundamental rights of individuals. It allows an individual to approach the Supreme Court if she or he believes that her or his fundamental rights have been violated or they need to be enforced.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar had once said, “If I was asked to name any particular article in this Constitution as the most important — an article without which this Constitution would be a nullity — I could not refer to any other article except this one (Article 32). It is the very soul of the Constitution and the very heart of it.”
Rationale behind Article 32 called the heart and soul of the constitution:
The constitutional remedies provided to the citizens are the most powerful orders with immediate effects and results and that is why it has always been considered as the most important fundamental right engrafted in the Constitution of India. The Constitution of our country isn’t rigid and the various cases and court proceedings keep on challenging the basic structure of the Constitution. Article 32 still ensures that the fundamental rights of the citizens will always be protected and enforced by the Judiciary of India. And no citizen will be left unheard and deprived of his/her rights being the citizens of an independent country.
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government;
4. There are several Vacancies in the Indian judiciary at various levels (the Supreme Court, High Courts, and subordinate courts). There aren’t enough judges to hear and decide cases, which leads to delays and a rise in the number of pending cases. Analyse. (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 various causes for pendency of cases in India, its impact and suggest measures to overcome this issue.
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 giving vital statistics to substantiate on the judicial pendency of cases.
First, write the causes for it – The cumulative effect of persisting vacancies, strained budgets, inadequate infrastructure combined with the continuous inflow of cases inevitably impacts mounting pendency and the time taken for cases to resolve.
Next bring out the impact of it – faith in the justice system, under trial prisoners their due of justice, impact on Economic reforms and foreign investors, Judiciary becomes overworked and lose its efficiency.
Suggest measures to overcome the above.
Conclude writing a way forward.
The Indian Judiciary plays an increasingly important role in the life and the governance of this country. A measure of the justice delivery system is the pendency of cases in courts across the country. There has been a significant deterioration in this aspect. The problem of pendency of cases is “intensifying” due to a lack of the sufficient number of judges, the erstwhile Chief Justice of India N V Ramana had said the government is yet to clear 23 names recommended for various high courts (HCs).
Vacancies in the Indian Judiciary at various levels
Rise in number of judges alone will not help reduce the pendency:
Other measures needed to reduce pendency of cases:
The fundamental requirement of a good judicial administration is accessibility, affordability and speedy justice, which will not be realized until and unless the justice delivery system is made within the reach of the individual in a time bound manner and within a reasonable cost. Therefore, continuous formative assessment is the key to strengthen and reinforce the justice delivery system in India.
Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
5. Critically examine the reasons behind the India’s opposition to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of nuclear weapons (NPT). Do you think it is time to revisit and redefine India’s credible minimum deterrence strategy of its nuclear doctrine? (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India
An international conference to review the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty concluded at the United Nations in New York last week without a consensus document. Given the growing great power conflict today, that was not unexpected. Surprisingly, though, the NPT review elicited little interest in Delhi. India, one of the world’s nuclear weapon powers, ought to be paying a lot more attention to the international nuclear discourse that is acquiring new dimensions and taking a fresh look at its own civilian and military nuclear programmes.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the reasons for India’s opposition of NPT and if time is to redefine credible minimum deterrence.
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to 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. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Begin by giving the aims and objectives of NPT and context of its inception.
First, write about the reasons as to why India has not signed the NPT and objectively examine its stand.
Next, define credible minimum deterrence strategy of India’s nuclear doctrine. Write about the reasons behind its place. Write if there is a needed to revisit the strategy given the geopolitical compulsions of the age.
Conclude by writing a balanced opinion regarding revisiting credible minimum deterrence strategy.
The Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to foster the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of disarmament. Nuclear-weapon states parties under the NPT are defined as those that manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device before January 1, 1967.
An international conference to review the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty concluded at the United Nations in New York last week without a consensus document. Given the growing great power conflict today, that was not unexpected. Surprisingly, though, the NPT review elicited little interest in Delhi. India, one of the world’s nuclear weapon powers, ought to be paying a lot more attention to the international nuclear discourse that is acquiring new dimensions and taking a fresh look at its own civilian and military nuclear programmes.
India’s stand on NPT
Today, India is one of the only five countries that either did not sign the NPT thus becoming part of a list that includes Pakistan, Israel, North Korea (withdrew later), and South Sudan.
Credible minimum deterrence does not imply indefinite expansion of the nuclear arsenal; rather it is built on an assured second-strike capability. This implies that in the event of another nation carrying out a first nuclear strike of any magnitude against India, India’s nuclear forces shall be so deployed as to ensure survivability of the attack and the capability to carry out a massive, punitive nuclear retaliation aimed at inflicting damage that the aggressor will find “unacceptable”. Additionally, CMD requires a robust command and control system; effective intelligence and early warning capabilities; comprehensive planning and training for operations in line with the strategy; and the will to employ nuclear forces and weapons.
Should India revisit the Credible Minimum Deterrence
Delhi must ask itself if its nuclear weapons can deter China’s expanding atomic arsenal. After 1998, India premised its strategy on building “credible minimum deterrence”. The time has come to reflect on the “credible” side of that strategy and redefine what the ‘minimum’ might be. Thus, there is a need to relook at the Credible Minimum Deterrence strategy of Indian Nuclear Doctrine.
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.
6. To deal with these challenging circumstances prevailing across the world in the recent past, the world requires compassion, cooperation and complete solidarity. Discuss. (150 Words)
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance compassion, cooperation and complete solidarity in dealing with contemporary challenges.
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 challenging circumstances prevailing across the world in recent past – pandemic, extreme weather events, wars, social strife etc.
Next, write how compassion, cooperation and solidarity can play a part in overcoming the above-mentioned challenges. Substantiate with examples.
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics – in private and public relationships.
7. Do you think the concept of moonlighting is ethical in your opinion? (150 Words)
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Conceptual Tuesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To form an opinion on ethicality of moonlighting.
Begin by defining the concept of moonlighting.
First, give reasons as to why there is need of moonlighting and cite reasons as to why it maybe considered ethical.
Next, given reasons as to why moonlighting maybe considered unethical.
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion the issue.
Compassion, cooperation and solidarity are the guiding stars of humanitarianism. Today in a world mired by wars, terrorism, trafficking, hunger and poverty, the three saviours will be amalgamation of compassion, cooperation and solidarity.
The tragic war between Russia and Ukraine is now almost in its seventh month. The assault and humiliation faced by Ukrainian citizens in this period will be remembered as the stigma of the 21st century.
Compassion is our first guiding star to advance humanity in crisis settings. Without compassion, which literally means ‘suffering together,’ we would not be able to put ourselves into each other’s shoes, or see a crisis through the eyes of a child and realise that other human lives are worth saving, sometimes by taking risks.
Solidarity comes next. Countless times I have seen solidarity shape into a collective force to do good. Solidarity does not always have to be heroic: sometimes, it can mean giving voice to the powerless, protesting injustice, or not letting others suffer alone. Other times, it can make the difference between life and death.
Eg: In India, people came together to go the extra mile and lend a hand during covid-19 pandemic. Several initiatives- from distributing food to migrant workers to buying protective gear for healthcare workers – brought a sense of solidarity among the society.
Cooperation is needed to provide a mindset and solid anchor to compassion and solidarity; it is also what enables us to ‘make things happen’. In wars, disasters and emergencies, there are a hundred jobs to be done, and it is natural that we may get paralysed. Only cooperation can save the day and humanity.
More than ever, it is imperative to stand up against stigma, hate speech, xenophobia, racism, war and all forms of discrimination that are an affront to universal human values and rights
“If we want societies to be inclusive, cohesive and peaceful, this is the time to foster an alliance between cultures, civilizations, and people”. Global fraternity and global village must become a reality to save human kind from an impending apocalypse which is man-made.
The practice of working for one organisation while also taking up extra responsibilities and jobs, typically without the employer’s knowledge, is referred to as moonlighting. It is called so the side employment is typically performed at night or on the weekends. The phrase became well-known when Americans began looking for second jobs in addition to their regular 9-to-5 jobs to supplement their income.
Need for moonlighting and its ethical basis
Ethical issues that may arise
No longer a stop-gap measure, many companies and employees have embraced the benefits of moonlighting, as long as it is done ethically. There must be a water-tight contract hiring which can alleviate problems related to confidentiality. This can lead to gig economy for organised sectors too.
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