Category: Ranker Webinars

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1        Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

GS-2        Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate. 

GS-3        Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

GS-4        Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

Question 1)

Q.1 Recognising unpaid work of women is a necessary but challenging task. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2 State the functions of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Also, discuss the issues faced by the Council in the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 As the world copes with the repercussions of carbon emissions, there is growing pressure to achieve climate-compatible growth. In this context what do you understand by the term green finance? Discuss how it will help to achieve climate-compatible growth along with limitations of green finance. (10 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q.4 The teachings of Arya Samaj present key ethical lessons for present day India. Discuss. (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Context

The Supreme Court of India has delivered a judgement on how to write a judgement!  A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna made this crucial observation while dealing with a judgment of the Himachal Pradesh High Court which was found to be “incomprehensible“.

• Judgment writing is a critical instrument in fostering the rule of law and in curbing rule by the law.
• That was the assertion made by the Supreme Court recently while delivering a judgment on how to write a judgment.

How can judges ensure lucidity in writing judgments? How can judgments be more structured? These are aspects on which the apex court has given directions.

Writing a Judgement

• A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and AS Bopanna noted that the purpose of judicial writing is:
• Not to confuse or confound the reader behind the veneer of complex language
• Judgments speak to the present and to the future in settling crucial issues of law, besides providing a platform for societal dialogue.
• Setting down guidelines for judicial writing, the two-judge bench underlined that confidence in the judicial process is predicated on the trust that its written word generates.
• If the meaning of the written word is lost in language, the ability of the judge to retain the trust of the reader is severely eroded.

Guidelines for making a judgment

[A] A judgment is a manifestation of reason

• A judgment culminates in a conclusion. But its content represents the basis for the conclusion.
• A judgment is hence a manifestation of reason.
• The reasons provide the basis of the view which the decision maker has espoused, of the balances which have been drawn.
• That is why reasons are crucial to the legitimacy of a judge’s work.
• They provide an insight into judicial analysis, explaining to the reader why what is written has been written. The reasons, as much as the final conclusion, are open to scrutiny.
• The validity of the decision is tested by the underlying content and reasons.

[B] A judgment speaks to the present and to the future

• Judicial outcomes taken singularly or in combination have an impact upon human lives.
• Hence, a judgment is amenable to wider critique and scrutiny, going beyond the immediate contest in a courtroom.
• Citizens, researchers and journalists continuously evaluate the work of courts as public institutions committed to governance under law.
• Judgment writing is hence a critical instrument in fostering the rule of law and in curbing rule by the law.

[C] Judgment writing is a layered exercise

• Judgment writing is a layered exercise. In one layer, a judgment addresses the concerns and arguments of parties to a forensic contest.
• In another layer, a judgment addresses stakeholders beyond the conflict.
• It speaks to those in society who are impacted by the discourse.
• In the layered formulation of analysis, a judgment speaks to the present and to the future.
• Whether or not the writer of a judgment envisions it, the written product remains for the future, representing another incremental step in societal dialogue.

[D] Brevity is an unwitting victim of an overburdened judiciary

• Brevity means concise and exact use of words in writing a judgment.
• Many judgments do decide complex questions of law and of fact.
• Hence Brevity is an unwitting victim of an overburdened judiciary.
• It is also becoming a victim of the cut-copy-paste convenience afforded by software developers.

Issue, Rule, Application and Conclusion: IRAC Method of Judgment Writing

In terms of structuring judgments, it would be beneficial for courts to structure them in a manner such that the “Issue, Rule, Application and Conclusion” are easily identifiable.

1. Issue: It refers to the question of law that the court is deciding. A court may be dealing with multiple issues in the same judgment. Identifying these issues clearly helps structure the judgment and provides clarity for the reader on the specific issue of law being decided in a particular segment of a judgment.
2. Rule: It refers to the portion of the judgment which distils the submissions of counsel on the applicable law and doctrine for the issue identified.
3. Application: This rule is applied to the facts of the case in which the issue has arisen. The analysis recording the reasoning of a court forms the “Application‟ section.
4. Conclusion: Finally, it is always useful for a court to summarize and lay out the “Conclusion‟ on the basis of its determination of the application of the rule to the issue along with the decision vis-à-vis the specific facts. This allows stakeholders, especially members of the bar as well as judges relying upon the case in the future, to concisely understand the holding of the case.

Significance of lucid judgments

• Judgments of the High Courts and the Supreme Court serve as precedents to guide future benches.
• A judgment must make sense to those whose lives and affairs are affected by the outcome of the case.
• While a judgment is read by those as well who have training in the law, they do not represent the entire universe of discourse.
• If the meaning of the written word is lost in language, the ability of the adjudicator to retain the trust of the reader is severely eroded.

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1        Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

GS-2        Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies; Governance

GS-3        Disaster Management

GS-4        Case Studies

Question 1)

Q.1 Reservation for locals in private sector has again brought the debate around regionalism into focus. In this context, examine whether regionalism is a threat to national integration. (10 Marks)

Question 2)

Q 2. The National Sports Federation’s usual governance practices do not place either the sport or the athlete in front and centre; that space is reserved for official egos. What do you think on this? Explain the term sport governance and mention some changes needed in it. (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 Climate change is driving more intense and widespread forest fires by fuelling more extreme heat and deepening drought. Why forest fires are cause of concern? Discuss our preparedness level for the same. (10 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q.4 Recently, the government has proposed a bill to increase the age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. It has been argued that it will help women improve their nutritional status, lower maternal mortality rate and improve the overall health status of women. However, some critics have stated that the proposed law would be counterproductive to women’s cause and the desired objectives will not be met. In this context, answer the following questions: (a) What effect will an increase in the age of marriage have on women in India? (b) Can legislation be used as an effective tool for social change? (c) Discuss other agents that can be used for social change in this context. (20 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Context: Political Crisis in Pakistan

• The Pakistani police have charged Imran Khan under anti-terror law, days after the former PM attacked the police and a judicial officer at a huge rally in the capital, Islamabad.
• He recently said that Pakistan would be de-nuclearized and broken into pieces.
• These days, the ousted PM got global attention for openly praising India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar for pursuing sovereign foreign policies.

Pakistan conundrum: A quick recap

(1) Attempt for a constitutional coup

• In a high stage political drama, Imran Khan was ousted as the PM after a political and constitutional crisis emerged in Pakistan.
• Pakistani National Assembly Speaker dismissed a no-confidence motion against PM during a session in which it was expected to be taken up for a vote, alleging foreign country’s involvement.
• The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) took a suo moto notice of the ongoing situation, creating a constitutional crisis, as effectively, Imran Khan led a constitutional coup.

(2) Questions over Pak Army’s role

• Meanwhile, Imran Khan had ordered termination of its Army Chief who was his staunch supporter turned opponent.
• He has broken that consensus within Pakistan’s political class on deference to the Pakistan army and has demonised his political opponents.
• Shortly after midnight on 10 April, a majority of members voted and passed the no-confidence motion, removing Khan from office, and making him the first prime minister in Pakistan to be removed from office through a no-confidence motion.

Geopolitical impacts of the Pakistan Crisis

The nation of more than 220 million people lies between Afghanistan to the west, China to the northeast and India to the east, making it of vital strategic importance.

• Defiance from the US: Since coming to power in 2018, Khan’s rhetoric has become more anti-American.
• Support for Russian invasion of Ukraine: He expressed a desire to move closer to China and, recently, Russia – including talks with President Putin on the day the invasion of Ukraine began.

Here is what the upheaval, which comes as the economy is in deep trouble, means for countries closely involved in Pakistan:

[A] INDIA

• Terrorism: Any regime change in Islamabad has always been monitored closely by New Delhi for potential changes in the border scenario, and militancy.
• Ongoing Ceasefire: As with Afghanistan, it is Pakistan’s military that controls policy in the sensitive area, and tensions along the de facto border there are at their lowest level since 2021, thanks to a ceasefire.
• Absence of formal dialogue: There have been no formal diplomatic talks between the rivals for years because of deep distrust over a range of issues, including Khan’s extreme criticism of Indian PM.
• Push of geo-economics: The Pakistani military has put pressure on the new government in Islamabad to build successful ties for geo-economics and bilateral trade.
• Change in Kashmir rhetoric: The powerful army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa said recently that his country was ready to move forward on Kashmir if India agrees.

[B] AFGHANISTAN

• Ongoing crisis: Now that the Taliban are back in power in Afghanistan, and facing an economic and humanitarian crisis due to a lack of money and international isolation.
• Row over Durand Line: Tensions have risen between the Taliban and Pakistan’s military, which has lost several soldiers in attacks close to their mutual border.
• Putting curb on terror activities: Pakistan wants the Taliban to do more to crack down on extremist groups and worries they will spread violence into Pakistan by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction.

[C] CHINA

• “All weather” friends: Khan consistently emphasised China’s positive role in Pakistan and in the world at large.
• Continuance of CPEC: The $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which binds them together was actually conceptualised and launched under Pakistan’s two established political parties, both of which are set to share power in the new government.

[D] UNITED STATES

• No priority for US: Pakistan’s political crisis is unlikely to be a priority for President Joe Biden, who is grappling with the war in Ukraine, unless it led to mass unrest or rising tensions with India.
• Pak retreat on alleged US involvement: With the Pakistani military maintaining its behind-the-scenes control of foreign and security policies, the change of government was not a major concern.
• Damage control over Russian ties: Imran Khan’s visit to Moscow had been a “disaster” in terms of U.S. relations, and that a new government in Islamabad could at least help mend ties “to some degree”.

Pakistan- the way it is: A rogue State

• Obsession for Kashmir: Ever since Pakistan came into being, its biggest obsession has been India and Kashmir. Even after losing 3 crucial wars, the saga has never ended.
• Obsession with India: The deploring economic condition, ever-increasing scarcity of water, dishevelled education system and growing radicalisation take a back seat in the breadth of bleeding India by a thousand cuts.
• Perceived ‘conspiracy’ in all walks of polity: The only thing that helps the army/govt to stay in power is by vilifying India and delineating India as the biggest threat to their survival.
• Lack of credible civilian leadership: Pakistan’s founders expected the idea of Pakistan to shape the state of Pakistan; instead, a military bureaucracy governs the state and imposes its own vision of a Pakistani nation. 
• Army is the Deep-State: This shortcoming gave the army a chance to intervene and take over the functioning of the civilian government.  Ever since its inception, the army has played a decisive role in the internal governance and foreign policy.
• Demographic bottlenecks: At the time of partition, Pakistan received a large share of military personnel as compared to the share of civilian migrants from India.
• De-indigenization of own history:  Pakistan has always tried to de-indigenise its history, culture. It has always tried to attach its cultural habits with the Arabs and the invader Turks.
• Crusade for Islam: Pakistan often stunts to be the khalifa of the Islamic world. It has propagated the rhetoric of Islamophobia despite being a Islamic republic.
• Terrorism as a diplomatic tool: Pakistan is idiosyncratic to the common notion of diplomacy. Pakistan is the only state in the world that sponsors terrorism as a state policy be it in India or Afghanistan

Dilemma for India

• Leadership vacuum in Pakistan: Indian policymakers have not been able to engage in a formal diplomatic talk due to the leadership vacuum and deep distrust.
• No talks amid Terrorism: India has tried both the diplomatic and the military ways to find a solution to the problem.  But nothing has worked out so far that could deter Pakistan from sponsoring terrorism.
• Offensive defence: Even after 26/11, India’s responses were mostly limited to diplomatic and covert operations. Indian responses pre-surgical-strike were mostly dictated by the nuclear hangover.
• Short-lived military deterrence: Surgical strike and Balakot strike manifested change in India’s attitude to take punitive and decisive action. But the deterrence which was expected to have been created have been short-lived.
• Atomic hangover of Pakistan: It often reiterates the stance of being a potential atomic superpower, whenever reference to the ties with India are invoked.

Implications for India

From India’s point of view, two positive developments have taken place in the course of this turmoil:

• Praise for India: First, Imran Khan, the outgoing prime minister who has alleged a US-led foreign conspiracy to oust his government, has heaped fulsome praise on India for its independent foreign policy.
• Army wants ties with India: Pakistan’s powerful army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, has yet again reached out to India with a message of peace, which the Modi government must not reject. He regards religious extremism, not India, to be a greater threat to Pakistan’s national security.

What could be the reasons compelling Pakistan’s military to seek peace with India?

Ans. Looming Economic Crisis

• Pakistan is going through an acute economic crisis, which has made its military leaders to do some introspection.
• Today, Pakistan stands at the crossroads of its economic and strategic goals. It has north-south connectivity (Pakistan to Afghanistan to Central Asia and Russia).
• It now wants to capitalize the build connectivity from east to west (India to Iran) that will increase trade and benefit Pakistan and the region.

Do you know?

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the largest militant organization fighting against the state in Pakistan. It was once bred by Pak Army and ISI to wage Jihad in Kashmir Valley.

This has now become biggest existential threats to Pakistan as a nation.

Way forward

• Capitalizing on-going conundrum: India cannot let these tactical advantages go in vain. It will have to capitalise on them.
• Resumption of dialogue: The visionary Pak army chief will retire this year. Hence, there is a small window of opportunity in which India and Pakistan can resume dialogue and achieve a meaningful breakthrough.
• Alert policy imperatives: India should respond careful to the peace message from our western neighbour — coming from none other than its army chief.
• All-factor considerations: India needs to prepare a grand strategy to decipher this Pakistan conundrum which should take into consideration all the facets of the problem.
• Balancing China: Another important aspect of this grand strategy, which would need greater accentuation, is the bonhomie between China and Pakistan. Pakistan is now a part of India’s larger China problem.

UPSC 2023 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1        Urbanization, their problems and their remedies

GS-2        Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

GS-3        Disaster Management

GS-4        Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

Question 1)

Q.1 Slums in urban areas are a reality of mega cities. Do you agree that India’s urban development is yet to be inclusive? (10 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2 It is said that those who hold the pen, write the rules. The time has come for India to both hold the pen and write the rules for a more equitable global economics and governance. Discuss in the context of India’s presidency of G20 summit with challenges and opportunities ahead. (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 India ranks third in the world in terms of number of large dams. Ageing dams poses several challenges for India. In this context, discuss the importance of Dam Safety bill 2021. (10 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q.4 The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence. — Rabindranath Tagore. What does this quote mean to you? (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

Topics for Today’s questions:

GS-1        Population and associated issues

GS-2        Poverty & Hunger

GS-3        Major crops and cropping patterns

GS-4        Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.

Question 1)

Q.1 Explain why child labour continues to persist in India, despite stringent measures taken by the government for its eradication. (10 Marks)

Question 2)

Q.2 While the Mid-Day Meal scheme was aimed at fulfilling the nutritional needs of students, it is far behind in achieving this objective. Discuss. Also, suggest remedial measures in this context. (10 Marks)

Question 3)

Q.3 Highlighting the factors that affect the cropping pattern in India, discuss the need for modifying it in the context of the emerging agro-ecological concerns. (15 Marks)

Question 4)  

Q.4 How will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices? (10 Marks)

HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 11th  February is uploaded on 11th February then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 11th February is uploaded on 13th February , then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Staff so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

*In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. 

1. For the philosophy of AWE and payment: