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: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
1. Many of the splendid Chola sculptures that survive till date represent the fine craftsmanship of the Chola artists and religious beliefs of that age. Discuss. (250 words)
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
A Chola-era Buddha idol that was reportedly stolen from Arpakkam near Kancheepuram is now stuck with the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S., without any claim having been made by the Indian authorities.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the developments in sculpture during the Chola period.
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 by giving context about the grandeur of the Chola sculpture.
First, write about the Chola sculptures – salient and important features, marked changes which were started during this period and emphasis on Hindu iconography. Substantiate with examples.
Next, write about the overall nature of the sculptures which portray a classic grace, grandeur and taste.
The Cholas belonged to one of the three mighty dynasties that ruled the Tamil country in the early historical period. Described as the Muvendhar in the Sangam literature, they were known for the valour and for their patronage of the Tamil language.
Bronze sculptures and statuettes of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain icons have been discovered from many regions of India dating from the second century until the sixteenth century. Most of these were used for ritual worship and are characterised by exquisite beauty and aesthetic appeal. the ‘Dancing Girl’ from Mohenjo-Daro is the earliest bronze sculpture datable to 2500 BCE.
A Chola-era Buddha idol that was reportedly stolen from Arpakkam near Kancheepuram is now stuck with the Department of Homeland Security in the U.S., without any claim having been made by the Indian authorities.
Given these unique features, great demand of Chola bronze sculptures not only among the devotees but also among the art collectors across the world. Thus, Chola bronze sculptures give us a glimpse of the finesse in metallurgy during the early medieval India. Hence appreciated by the art lovers across the world.
Topic: population and associated issues
2. What are the factors influencing the distribution and density of population in India? Why is understanding population dynamics important for Indian policymakers? Discuss. (250 words).
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
Explain the factors determining population density and importance of population dynamics.
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.
Give a brief introduction to Population dynamics.
First, give a detailed description of various factors that influence the distribution and density of population in India – Terrain, Climate, Soil, Water Bodies, Mineral resources and Industries.
In the next part, explain the importance of population dynamics for policy makers and recent measures taken in this regard.
One of the most important aspects of India’s population is its uneven distribution. On one hand, population in India is highly concentrated in some pockets, such as in highly urbanized, industrialized, and in areas of high agricultural productivity While on the other hand, there are virtually demographic deserts in high mountains, arid lands, thickly forested areas and in some remote corners of the country. Hence density distribution gives a clear picture and makes evidence-based policy making easy.
Factors affecting distribution and density of population
Today it is inevitable to have data about density of population as policy making is becoming evidence based. The success of a policy will depend on many factors and density is the most significant factors that must be included while making a policy. It will lead to targeted approach.
Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
3. Cities are the growth engine of national wealth and income production; however, the existence of slums in the urban units is a challenging issue in urban planning which has major social-economic ramifications. Analyse. (250 words)
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the issues regarding the development of slums in India.
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.
In brief, give a scenario of Urbanisation in India. Mention fact and figures with respect to level of Urbanisation in India.
In the first part, write about why Slums are considered to a necessary evil – Cheap accommodation, Migrants agglomeration, Lack of housing, communitarian interests etc.
Next, mention the social consequences of living in slums – Crime, Poor living conditions, diseases, lack of basic amenities. Mention how the plight of slum dwellers worsened during the pandemic.
Mention steps to improve the living conditions in the slums at policy as well as implementation level.
Conclude with a way forward.
Slum is a contiguous settlement where the inhabitants are characterized as having inadequate housing and basic services. Cities Alliance Action Plan describes slums as neglected parts of cities where housing and living conditions are appallingly poor.
Census of India 2011 explained slums as residential areas where dwellings are unfit for human habitation by reasons of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangements and design of such buildings, narrowness or faulty arrangement of street, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitation facilities or any combination of these factors which are detrimental to the safety and health.
The slum is an inevitable part of modern urbanization and the urban poor are active agents serving the non-slum dwellers and contribute to economic growth.
Factors responsible for growth of slums:
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
4. While perpetrators of rape and other forms of sexual violence must be held accountable, but capital punishment might not be the answer. Critically Examine. (250 words)
At a press conference last week in Delhi, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot criticised the legislative expansion of the death penalty for sexual offences, holding the Centre responsible for encouraging sexual offenders to kill the victims after raping them in an attempt to destroy evidence and avoid prosecution.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about whether or not death penalty for rape would be a sufficient deterrent for perpetrators of the crime.
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.
First, write about the Problems with death penalty. Emphasises on the fact that punishing rape with death may actually be counterproductive to women’s safety. Substantiate with facts and reports.
Next, Arguments supporting for Death Penalty and how it acts as deterrent. Cite examples from all over the world.
Conclude by giving a fair and balanced opinion about death penalty.
The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women defines “violence against women” as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.”
The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Act unanimously. With the passage of the Bill, it became the second state in India after Andhra Pradesh to approve death penalty for heinous offences of rape and gangrape.
Death Penalty is not the panacea
Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
5. Economic growth can be transformed into meaningful development only if it brings about an improvement in the living conditions of people. Examine the reasons for growing inequalities in India. Suggest structural and policy measures needed to reduce economic inequality in the country. (250 words)
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Although poverty lines and poverty estimates are always a source of contention, the number of poor people in India in 2022, perhaps 20-25% of our population, might be close to the total population of India in 1947.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about reasons for inequalities in the country and its implications. The structural and policy measures needed to overcome them.
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.
First, in brief, trace the growth and development story of India since independence with a special emphasis on growing inequalities. Cite statistics to substantiate.
Next, write about various reasons for growing inequalities in the country.
Next, write about the structural measures that are needed to fix the above.
Next, write about the policy changes needed to reduce inequalities.
Concluding by writing a way forward.
There are different kinds of inequalities in India that are multidimensional and intersectional in nature. Economic growth in India has been associated with unequal outcomes that have created divides between regions, sectors and people. The west and south of the country have surged ahead, while the east and north have lagged behind, widening the gap between richer and poorer states.
Reasons for growing inequality in India
As we celebrate the past 75 years, flying the national flag in every home, let us also think about our people for whom little has changed in their lives, with a resolve to ensure that poverty and illiteracy do not exist 25 years from now when we celebrate the first centenary of our independence from colonial rule.
Topic: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, – different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints.
6. The National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), a mission mode approach to increase the edible oil production is welcome, the major thrust on oil palm requires careful reconsideration and emphasis should be on greener alternatives. Comment. (250 words)
India is the second-largest consumer of edible oil globally and its largest importer. While the government has taken several initiatives over the years to increase the domestic production of edible oils, its shortage and high price are often in the news.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the potential drawbacks of the National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) with respect to overzealous push on cultivation of oil palm.
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Write about National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), its aims and objectives.
Mention the recent push by the government towards cultivation of palm in India. The areas chosen for its cultivation.
Next, mention benefits India will accrue from achieving self-reliance in palm oil.
Write about potential pitfalls and negative outcome of this mission with respect to Oil palm. Deforestation, damaging effects on the environment and human rights violation etc.
Conclude with a way forward.
India is the second-largest consumer of edible oil globally and its largest importer. India needs 25 million tonnes of edible oils to meet its requirement at current consumption level of 19 kg per person per year. India is dependent on imported edible oils, with nearly 15 million tonnes (MT) of edible oils getting imported to meet the country’s annual requirement of about 22 mt. Of the total 15 MT of import, about 9 MT (or nearly 60 per cent) is palm oil and its derivatives.
Aimed at making India self-sufficient in edible oils, National Mission on Edible Oils and Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) involves an investment of over ₹11,000 crore towards palm oil development.
NMEO – OP will help achieve the much-desired self-reliance in palm oil:
India must become self-sufficient in edible oil production and this must become a part of India’s Aatmanirbharta. Certain WTO compliant incentives must be given to farmers in increasing the growth of oilseed production in the country to ensure domestic cultivation.
National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO – OP):
To increase domestic availability and reduce import dependency, a National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO) is proposed for next five years (2020-21 to 2024-25).
Aims and Objectives of the scheme:
Topic: social influence and persuasion.
7. Examine the importance of persuasion in marketing of corporate products. In order to achieve profits, can marketing be ‘partially truthful’? (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 role of persuasion in marketing and role of truth and lies in marketing.
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.
Write about the role of persuasion in marketing of corporate products which leads to consumers buying more products and various ways to do so.
Next, use of part truth – hiding facts, misrepresentation, white lies used in marketing and ethicality of such marketing tactics.
Conclude by giving your view on partial truth during marketing.
Persuasion is symbolic process in which communicators try to convince other people through transmission of a message to change their attitudes or behaviours. Persuasion is the process of changing or reinforcing attitudes, beliefs or behaviour of a person.
Persuasion marketing can be understood as using the knowledge of human psychology for developing techniques for marketing products or services.
Importance of Persuasion in marketing of corporate products
can marketing be ‘partially truthful’ ?
Persuasion can bring a lasting change in people’s behaviour and is highly effective in implementation of marketing strategies provided the tools are used in a right way.
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