1. [14th July 2020]:Model Answer: "India and Australia need to build a series of bilateral and minilateral platforms for regional security cooperation to limit the dangers of the growing geopolitical imbalance in the Indo-Pacific" Discuss [12.5 marks, 200 words][GS2 International Relations]
China’s aggression and its assertive policies in the Indo-Pacific have emerged as a key security challenge for both India and Australia. Further, the anxieties about USA’s strategic commitment to Indo-Pacific under the Trump administration have left most of the regional powers worried.
In these circumstances, foreign policy experts like C Raja Mohan suggest that India and Australia should explore a series of bilateral and minilateral security platforms.
1) Indonesian Archipelago are strategically located on the sea-lanes connecting Indian and Pacific Oceans. Since, Indonesia also have security threats from China, a trilateral maritime cooperation between India-Australia and Indonesia should be explored.
2) Quad Security Dialogue need to be expanded at operational level with concrete follow up steps.
3) France and United Kingdom can be other natural partners in the region.
a. France is a resident power in the region and have shown willingness to cooperate. India should endorse this move.
b. United Kingdom is already leading the Five Power Defence Agreement (PFDA) between UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. India should explore maritime cooperation with PFDA.
4) Finally, inclusion of Australia in Malabar exercise is a logical step to enhance regional security and should not be delayed.
These strategic regional cooperation can compensate for the lack of military capabilities of both India and Australia beyond their regional waters and should be actively pursued.
223 Words
#GS2 #InternarnationalRelations
China’s aggression and its assertive policies in the Indo-Pacific have emerged as a key security challenge for both India and Australia. Further, the anxieties about USA’s strategic commitment to Indo-Pacific under the Trump administration have left most of the regional powers worried.
In these circumstances, foreign policy experts like C Raja Mohan suggest that India and Australia should explore a series of bilateral and minilateral security platforms.
1) Indonesian Archipelago are strategically located on the sea-lanes connecting Indian and Pacific Oceans. Since, Indonesia also have security threats from China, a trilateral maritime cooperation between India-Australia and Indonesia should be explored.
2) Quad Security Dialogue need to be expanded at operational level with concrete follow up steps.
3) France and United Kingdom can be other natural partners in the region.
a. France is a resident power in the region and have shown willingness to cooperate. India should endorse this move.
b. United Kingdom is already leading the Five Power Defence Agreement (PFDA) between UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore. India should explore maritime cooperation with PFDA.
4) Finally, inclusion of Australia in Malabar exercise is a logical step to enhance regional security and should not be delayed.
These strategic regional cooperation can compensate for the lack of military capabilities of both India and Australia beyond their regional waters and should be actively pursued.
223 Words
#GS2 #InternarnationalRelations
Ques17-2020_07_14_Model_Answer.pdf
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Answer in PDF format
Daily Answer Writing Practice (Question 15): 15th July
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today [15th July]
[15th July 2020]: Ques-18: What were the causes of the origin of the heterodox sects in the sixth century BC? [10 marks, 150 words] [Culture: GS1]
Source to Study: Culture Booklet - 5
Model Answer would be posted at 9 pm (15th July)
#GS1 #History
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today [15th July]
[15th July 2020]: Ques-18: What were the causes of the origin of the heterodox sects in the sixth century BC? [10 marks, 150 words] [Culture: GS1]
Source to Study: Culture Booklet - 5
Model Answer would be posted at 9 pm (15th July)
#GS1 #History
[15th July 2020]: Model Answer: What were the causes of the origin of the heterodox sects in the sixth century BC? [10 marks, 150 words]
The 6th century BCE was an important stage in Indian history as far as development of new religions are concerned. The period saw the beginning of many heterodox sects including Buddhism, Jainism and Ajivikas.
Key factors behind the rise of these sects:
1) Religious Factors:
a. Growing rigidities of Vedic religion; complex and elaborate Vedic rituals; and use of Sanskrit language had created a disconnect with common masses.
b. Upnishadic thoughts, though devoid of rituals, turned out to be too abstract for common masses.
2) Socio-Economic Causes
a. Agricultural economy, increase in trade and commerce, urbanization had led to emergence of rich Gahapatis, Setthis and other Vaishya groups who wanted better social status than the Varna system.
b. Agriculture depended on animals and hence animal sacrifice was incompatible with new economy.
3) Political Factors:
a. Kshatriya as well as non-Kshatriya rulers who strengthened their political position also wanted social status higher or equivalent to Brahmans.
All these led to growing opposition of Brahmanical tradition and greater acceptance of heterodox religions which were more egalitarian with simple moral principles and manageable rituals. Use of common language and Royal patronage also contributed to their smooth expansion.
#GS1 #History
The 6th century BCE was an important stage in Indian history as far as development of new religions are concerned. The period saw the beginning of many heterodox sects including Buddhism, Jainism and Ajivikas.
Key factors behind the rise of these sects:
1) Religious Factors:
a. Growing rigidities of Vedic religion; complex and elaborate Vedic rituals; and use of Sanskrit language had created a disconnect with common masses.
b. Upnishadic thoughts, though devoid of rituals, turned out to be too abstract for common masses.
2) Socio-Economic Causes
a. Agricultural economy, increase in trade and commerce, urbanization had led to emergence of rich Gahapatis, Setthis and other Vaishya groups who wanted better social status than the Varna system.
b. Agriculture depended on animals and hence animal sacrifice was incompatible with new economy.
3) Political Factors:
a. Kshatriya as well as non-Kshatriya rulers who strengthened their political position also wanted social status higher or equivalent to Brahmans.
All these led to growing opposition of Brahmanical tradition and greater acceptance of heterodox religions which were more egalitarian with simple moral principles and manageable rituals. Use of common language and Royal patronage also contributed to their smooth expansion.
#GS1 #History
Ques18-2020_07_15_Model_Answer copy.pdf
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Emailing Ques18-2020_07_15_Model_Answer copy.pdf
Daily Answer Writing Practice (Question 19): 16th July
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today [16th July]
[16th July 2020][Ques-19]: “Gautama Buddha was a social reformer, a revolutionary who stood against social discrimination and favoured equality for all” Critically Analyse [15 marks, 250 words]
Source to Study: Culture Booklet - 5
Model Answer would be posted after 9 pm today.
#GS1 #History
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today [16th July]
[16th July 2020][Ques-19]: “Gautama Buddha was a social reformer, a revolutionary who stood against social discrimination and favoured equality for all” Critically Analyse [15 marks, 250 words]
Source to Study: Culture Booklet - 5
Model Answer would be posted after 9 pm today.
#GS1 #History
[16th July 2020]: “Gautama Buddha was a social reformer, a revolutionary who stood against social discrimination and favoured equality for all” Critically Analyse [15 marks, 250 words]
In the background of increased complexities of Vedic rituals, social discrimination on grounds of Varna and Jati, Urbanization and emergence of new social groups like Sethis and Gahpatis, the sixth century BCE saw the emergence of many heterodox sects like Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivikas etc.
Among these, the key ideas of Buddhism, and the teachings of its founder- Gautama Buddha were seen as promoting social equality.
1) The Buddhist Sangha allowed people from lower social orders to become monks, participate in studies and achieve salvation. Varna or Jati were irrelevant.
2) The Buddhist monks accepted food from everyone, regardless of class or caste
3) The Pali Canon also reversed the Brahmanical order of rank and gave Kshatriyas higher status than that of Brahmans
4) The position of women under Buddhism was also better. They could become nuns, participate in studies and work towards achievement of salvation.
Thus, Buddha was seen as a revolutionary and a great social reformer. But at the same time, deeper analysis of Buddhist text presents existence of several forms of social discrimination in Buddhism.
1) Slaves, debtors, serving soldiers etc were not allowed to join Sanghas.
2) Large number of Monks in Sanghas were from ‘Uchcha Kula’ i.e. Brahmins or Kshatriyas
3) Followers of Buddha also had a notion of high and low status. Vinaya Pitaka mentions that occupations like accounting, writing etc were considered high occupations whereas leather works, tailor, reed making etc were considered low occupation.
4) Women were not given complete equality. Initial unwillingness of Buddha to allow women to join Sanghas, extra condition and restriction imposed on nuns, requirement of taking birth in next life as male to achieve salvation etc. indicated clear discrimination against women.
All these indicate that Buddhism was not completely egalitarian and some discrimination on the basis of background, occupation or gender existed.
But, a tradition’s progressiveness should be judged by the standards of its own time. By the standard of 5th-6th century BCE, Buddha was for sure a great social reformer and revolutionary who provided path of salvation to all the sections of society.
#GS1 #History
In the background of increased complexities of Vedic rituals, social discrimination on grounds of Varna and Jati, Urbanization and emergence of new social groups like Sethis and Gahpatis, the sixth century BCE saw the emergence of many heterodox sects like Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivikas etc.
Among these, the key ideas of Buddhism, and the teachings of its founder- Gautama Buddha were seen as promoting social equality.
1) The Buddhist Sangha allowed people from lower social orders to become monks, participate in studies and achieve salvation. Varna or Jati were irrelevant.
2) The Buddhist monks accepted food from everyone, regardless of class or caste
3) The Pali Canon also reversed the Brahmanical order of rank and gave Kshatriyas higher status than that of Brahmans
4) The position of women under Buddhism was also better. They could become nuns, participate in studies and work towards achievement of salvation.
Thus, Buddha was seen as a revolutionary and a great social reformer. But at the same time, deeper analysis of Buddhist text presents existence of several forms of social discrimination in Buddhism.
1) Slaves, debtors, serving soldiers etc were not allowed to join Sanghas.
2) Large number of Monks in Sanghas were from ‘Uchcha Kula’ i.e. Brahmins or Kshatriyas
3) Followers of Buddha also had a notion of high and low status. Vinaya Pitaka mentions that occupations like accounting, writing etc were considered high occupations whereas leather works, tailor, reed making etc were considered low occupation.
4) Women were not given complete equality. Initial unwillingness of Buddha to allow women to join Sanghas, extra condition and restriction imposed on nuns, requirement of taking birth in next life as male to achieve salvation etc. indicated clear discrimination against women.
All these indicate that Buddhism was not completely egalitarian and some discrimination on the basis of background, occupation or gender existed.
But, a tradition’s progressiveness should be judged by the standards of its own time. By the standard of 5th-6th century BCE, Buddha was for sure a great social reformer and revolutionary who provided path of salvation to all the sections of society.
#GS1 #History
Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 5, 17th July]
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today
Q5. What do you understand by a transformational constitution? Explain how the recent judgments by the Indian Judiciary establish the Indian Constitution as a transformational document. [15 marks, 250 words]
Model Answer will be posted after 8 PM today.
#GS2 #Polity
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
[Question 5, 17th July]
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today
Q5. What do you understand by a transformational constitution? Explain how the recent judgments by the Indian Judiciary establish the Indian Constitution as a transformational document. [15 marks, 250 words]
Model Answer will be posted after 8 PM today.
#GS2 #Polity
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
https://t.me/joinchat/Hd9shExEGy-MrLR6494G4Q
This is the link to the Discussion group where you all can post your answers for review and ask doubts.
This is the link to the Discussion group where you all can post your answers for review and ask doubts.
Q5 Polity.pdf
359.2 KB
Model Answer for Q5 Polity
#GS2 #Polity
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
#GS2 #Polity
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
Hi all,
I request everyone of you to read the model answer even if you have not written the answer.
I will share something which will help you to write better answers.
I request everyone of you to read the model answer even if you have not written the answer.
I will share something which will help you to write better answers.
[Q5, 17 July 2020]
Q5. What do you understand by a transformational Constitution? Explain how the recent judgements by Indian Judiciary establish the Indian Constitution as a transformational document.
Answer:
A Constitution is a legal document that describes the basic principles of the state, the structures and processes of government and the fundamental rights of citizens in a higher law that cannot be unilaterally changed by an ordinary legislative act. Indian courts have viewed the Constitution as not merely an amalgam of parchment guarantees against state excesses, but as a document embodying a vision of a fairer, more inclusive and more progressive society.
A Transformational Constitution is one which guides the nation towards a resplendent future. It aims at transformation of the society for the better by understanding the spirit behind the constitutionalism and not merely the letters. It organically evolves with the society as an organic documents where citizens are not treated as subject but as agents.
Over the last few years, India has witnessed significant changes in its substantive law, ushered in by Indian Judiciary led by the Supreme Court rulings involving re-interpretations of the Constitution. Prominent examples in this regard include the Harsh Mander case that decriminalised begging, the NALSA judgment, which recognised the rights of the third gender; the Navtej Singh Johar case, which saw an end to decades of criminalisation of homosexuality; the decriminalisation of adultery; and even the Sabarimala judgment of 2018. The Supreme Court’s role as the custodian and interpreter of the Constitution has enabled it to bring about these changes, combined with the growing recognition of the Indian Constitution as a transformative, rather than rigid, document.
• In the Harsh Mander vs Union of India, the Delhi High Court decriminalized begging, by declaring unconstitutional several provisions of the Anti-Beggary Act – a colonial relic, on the ground of their inconsistency with Article 14 (the equality clause); Article 19(1)(a) (the free speech clause) and Article 21 (life and personal liberty clause) of the Indian Constitution.
• In the Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalized voluntary sexual intercourse amongst same-sex individuals. In so doing, the Court viewed the Constitution as a “great social document, almost revolutionary in its aim of transforming a medieval, hierarchical society into a modern, egalitarian democracy.”
• In the Sabrimala case, the Supreme Court struck down a prohibition on the entry of women of menstruating age in the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. One judge in the majority, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, offered a vision of the Constitution as being transformative in character, in setting up independent institutions of governance and granting the promise of full citizenship to those hitherto deprived and marginalized.
All these above transformational and progressive interpretation of the constitution establishes the notion that the Indian Constitution is a not conservative document (aimed only at facilitating transference of power), but tries to fundamentally transform the social and legal structures. Secondly, the Constitution should be viewed as embodying the hopes and aspirations of the society in which it was framed.
This vision of the constitution being a transformative document finds concrete expression in two ways. First, by the fact that it transformed the relationship between the individual and state from one between colonial rulers and their subjects to citizens of a republic with full panoply of civil and political rights. And second, by the fact that the Constitution enabled the reconstruction of State and society itself transforming the governance in the country.
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
#GS2 #Polity
Q5. What do you understand by a transformational Constitution? Explain how the recent judgements by Indian Judiciary establish the Indian Constitution as a transformational document.
Answer:
A Constitution is a legal document that describes the basic principles of the state, the structures and processes of government and the fundamental rights of citizens in a higher law that cannot be unilaterally changed by an ordinary legislative act. Indian courts have viewed the Constitution as not merely an amalgam of parchment guarantees against state excesses, but as a document embodying a vision of a fairer, more inclusive and more progressive society.
A Transformational Constitution is one which guides the nation towards a resplendent future. It aims at transformation of the society for the better by understanding the spirit behind the constitutionalism and not merely the letters. It organically evolves with the society as an organic documents where citizens are not treated as subject but as agents.
Over the last few years, India has witnessed significant changes in its substantive law, ushered in by Indian Judiciary led by the Supreme Court rulings involving re-interpretations of the Constitution. Prominent examples in this regard include the Harsh Mander case that decriminalised begging, the NALSA judgment, which recognised the rights of the third gender; the Navtej Singh Johar case, which saw an end to decades of criminalisation of homosexuality; the decriminalisation of adultery; and even the Sabarimala judgment of 2018. The Supreme Court’s role as the custodian and interpreter of the Constitution has enabled it to bring about these changes, combined with the growing recognition of the Indian Constitution as a transformative, rather than rigid, document.
• In the Harsh Mander vs Union of India, the Delhi High Court decriminalized begging, by declaring unconstitutional several provisions of the Anti-Beggary Act – a colonial relic, on the ground of their inconsistency with Article 14 (the equality clause); Article 19(1)(a) (the free speech clause) and Article 21 (life and personal liberty clause) of the Indian Constitution.
• In the Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which criminalized voluntary sexual intercourse amongst same-sex individuals. In so doing, the Court viewed the Constitution as a “great social document, almost revolutionary in its aim of transforming a medieval, hierarchical society into a modern, egalitarian democracy.”
• In the Sabrimala case, the Supreme Court struck down a prohibition on the entry of women of menstruating age in the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. One judge in the majority, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, offered a vision of the Constitution as being transformative in character, in setting up independent institutions of governance and granting the promise of full citizenship to those hitherto deprived and marginalized.
All these above transformational and progressive interpretation of the constitution establishes the notion that the Indian Constitution is a not conservative document (aimed only at facilitating transference of power), but tries to fundamentally transform the social and legal structures. Secondly, the Constitution should be viewed as embodying the hopes and aspirations of the society in which it was framed.
This vision of the constitution being a transformative document finds concrete expression in two ways. First, by the fact that it transformed the relationship between the individual and state from one between colonial rulers and their subjects to citizens of a republic with full panoply of civil and political rights. And second, by the fact that the Constitution enabled the reconstruction of State and society itself transforming the governance in the country.
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
#GS2 #Polity
Hello students,
Here is something that I want all of you to read and rather understand.
The question given for today was a perfect example of the UPSC standard that we generally discuss. Now to answer such a question which needs conceptual clarity along with current affairs updates is sine quo non.
To answer it you need to understand-
1. That constitution can be transactional or transformational
2. Indian judiciary means , both the HC & SC
3. Civil rights propagated through the judiciary , especially through its power as ultimate interpretor of the constitution
4. Social equality, egalitarian society, dreams and aspirations of founding fathers etc.
Now there a few questions that pop up naturally in mind - How does one know all these things from the very first day she attempts to write an answer? Is this the correct time to attempt answer writing? Do I need to change my resources and rather read bulky difficult books.
The answer for all these above questions is - you have to write answers regularly. Mains is all about the art of writing good answers. If you can't put what is there inside your mind, the evaluators would never understand your extent of knowledge and understanding.
Now comes the next part - when should we start writing the answers.
The simple answer is the the day when you decided to get into the civil service preparation. If you can go back and start writing answer you can really change a lot for yourself. But since we are logical practical being, the answer is today.
Now comes, the most difficult part, do we need to know so many concepts before attempting a question.
The answer is, read the below questions-
1. What do you mean by constitutionalism?
2. Write the salient features of Indian constitution
3. Is the indian a rigid or flexible constitution/ is it organic in nature. If yes, how?
4. How is the role of judiciary important as final interpretor of the constitution
5. What were the aspirations of the founding fathers/ How the French revolution has shaped the Indian constitution etc etc.
These questions are very basic questions which a student can attempt to write even after a good understanding of a basic book, like Lakshmikanth.
Had you attempted such easy and direct questions in the first instance, you would have gained the conceptual clarity and framework to attempt today's question.
The idea is not to demoralise you, rather it is awaken you. Answer writing needs a lot of discipline and dedication. It is an art which can only be specialised by continuous practise.
Here, we intend to make it a discipline for all of you. So that your success in the prelims must not stop with mains. Rather, every opportunity of mains should be converted into an interview call and finally a rank.
Always remember - every change in the beginning is harder, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.
All the very best!
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
Here is something that I want all of you to read and rather understand.
The question given for today was a perfect example of the UPSC standard that we generally discuss. Now to answer such a question which needs conceptual clarity along with current affairs updates is sine quo non.
To answer it you need to understand-
1. That constitution can be transactional or transformational
2. Indian judiciary means , both the HC & SC
3. Civil rights propagated through the judiciary , especially through its power as ultimate interpretor of the constitution
4. Social equality, egalitarian society, dreams and aspirations of founding fathers etc.
Now there a few questions that pop up naturally in mind - How does one know all these things from the very first day she attempts to write an answer? Is this the correct time to attempt answer writing? Do I need to change my resources and rather read bulky difficult books.
The answer for all these above questions is - you have to write answers regularly. Mains is all about the art of writing good answers. If you can't put what is there inside your mind, the evaluators would never understand your extent of knowledge and understanding.
Now comes the next part - when should we start writing the answers.
The simple answer is the the day when you decided to get into the civil service preparation. If you can go back and start writing answer you can really change a lot for yourself. But since we are logical practical being, the answer is today.
Now comes, the most difficult part, do we need to know so many concepts before attempting a question.
The answer is, read the below questions-
1. What do you mean by constitutionalism?
2. Write the salient features of Indian constitution
3. Is the indian a rigid or flexible constitution/ is it organic in nature. If yes, how?
4. How is the role of judiciary important as final interpretor of the constitution
5. What were the aspirations of the founding fathers/ How the French revolution has shaped the Indian constitution etc etc.
These questions are very basic questions which a student can attempt to write even after a good understanding of a basic book, like Lakshmikanth.
Had you attempted such easy and direct questions in the first instance, you would have gained the conceptual clarity and framework to attempt today's question.
The idea is not to demoralise you, rather it is awaken you. Answer writing needs a lot of discipline and dedication. It is an art which can only be specialised by continuous practise.
Here, we intend to make it a discipline for all of you. So that your success in the prelims must not stop with mains. Rather, every opportunity of mains should be converted into an interview call and finally a rank.
Always remember - every change in the beginning is harder, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end.
All the very best!
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
Daily Answer Writing Practice
[Question 6, 18th July]
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today
Q6. What do you understand by de-industrialisation? Discuss it's impact on Indian economy during colonial era. [15 marks, 250 words]
Model Answer will be posted after 8 PM today.
#GS1 #History
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily
[Question 6, 18th July]
Dear Students,
Please find below the question for daily answer writing practice for today
Q6. What do you understand by de-industrialisation? Discuss it's impact on Indian economy during colonial era. [15 marks, 250 words]
Model Answer will be posted after 8 PM today.
#GS1 #History
Join for daily answer writing practice for UPSC Mains @AnswerWritingDaily