UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice | GS 1 (Week 20)

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: The battle of Colachel was of huge significance in the history of India and Asia. How did it put an end to Dutch plans of colonial expansion in India?

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The Dutch landed a fleet of men from their Ceylon colony at Colachel in February 1741 and began assaulting various villages and the Travancore army.

— Historian P Shungoony Menon in History of Travancore from the Earliest Times (1878) writes, “They committed many depredations and atrocities, plundered all the valuables in the bazaars and houses of rich people”.

— After hearing about the attack, Marthanda Varma deployed his military commander, Rama Iyer Dalawah to take on the Dutch.

— A furious Varma shot off written complaints to the Government in Batavia — the Dutch East Indies — and the Government of Cochin. The French joined hands with Varma and supported him against the Dutch in exchange for some commerce in Travancore.

— On June 6, 1741, the estranged Dutch officials and the English also attacked the Dutch company at Colachel. According to the De Lannoy, the siege was carried out in a European way with batteries, gabions, trenches and casemates.

— Regular attacks and the long siege at the Colachel Fort depleted the Dutch supplies and manpower. With the Dutch on the backfoot, the Travancore army began to make its way into Colachel.

— The fisherman population in the region, known locally as the ‘Mukkuvar,’ played an important part in Travancore’s triumph. According to De Lannoy’s work, the Dutch required the Mukkuvar’s assistance to create fortifications, trenches, improvised sheds, and storerooms in order to continue the fight.

— The Dutch were ultimately defeated due to the fisherman’s refusal to cooperate due to their staunch allegiance to the Travancore ruler. Members of the Mukkuvar community are also suspected of delaying the arrival of Dutch forces in Colachel.

— The victory at Colachel affected and provided resilience to Varma’s expansion plans and resistance to colonial rule.

— After the war though, Varma treated the Dutch prisoners respectfully and made them a part of his army. Most of them served as majors, captains in Travancore.

(Source: Battle of Colachel: How an accidental shot ended Dutch plans for India)

Points to Ponder

What was the condition of Travancore before 1741?

Related Previous Year Question

The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat? (2014)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the status of women in the workforce of India.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about women in workforce in India.

— In India, women make up a significant portion of the workforce. According to data from the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, 149.8 million women were employed in India as of the 2011 Census, with urban and rural employment totaling 121.8 and 28.0 million women, respectively.

— As we commemorate India’s 75th anniversary of independence, there are numerous reasons to honour all those who are devoted to gender equality. Women have made significant progress in gaining access to school, even at the secondary and tertiary levels. Large public investments are being undertaken to improve sex ratios at birth, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and improve access to sanitation, menstrual health care, and family planning approaches.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2019-20 clearly demonstrates women’s labor-force absence. Importantly, the most recent PLFS extends from July 2019 to June 2020, including the Covid-19-induced nationwide lockdown from March to June 2020.

— The female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) for working-age women (15 and older) fell from 47 percent in 1987-88 to 23 percent in 2017-18. FLFPR has now rebounded somewhat to 30% in 2019-20.

— The rural female workforce participation rate (FWPR) decreased from 53% in 1987-88 to 25% in 2018-19. This reduction was caused by gendered occupational segregation and persistent gender skill disparities, which create hurdles to women’s employment in the manufacturing industry.

— However, during 2018-19 and 2019-20, the rural FWPR climbed from 25% to 32%, the proportion of women engaged in agriculture went from 72% to 76%, and the number of rural women working as unpaid assistance in home enterprises increased from 38% to 42%.

— The urban FWPR fell from 25% in 1987-88 to 18% in 2018-19, owing primarily to fast growth in urban family incomes and sustained pressure from unpaid work and societal conventions, with families not expecting “secondary income earners,” or women, to work.

— Between 2018-19 to 2019-20, urban FWPR rose from 18 per cent to 21 per cent.

— In rural regions, FWPR increased by 9 percentage points among non-literate women, 7 percentage points among those with up to basic school, and 3 percentage points among graduates between 2018-19 and 2019-20. In metropolitan regions, however, gains among illiterate women, those with only an elementary education, and graduates were comparable to 3 percentage points.

— Except for informal rural labourers, gender wage disparities have shrunk modestly. Overall, from 2009-10 and 2019-20, the female salary climbed from 71% to 75% of the male wage, with over half of the rise occurring in the final year.

Conclusion:

You conclusion should be short and you many include:

— The female labour force participation rate was at 9.4 per cent for the period between September-December 2021, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This is the lowest female labour force participation rate since 2016 when the data was first compiled.

— As per Census 2011, the work participation rate for women is 25.51 percent as compared to 25.63 per cent in 2001. The Work Participation Rate of Women has reduced marginally in 2011 but there is an improvement from 22.27 per cent in 1991 and 19.67 per cent in 1981. The work participation rate for women in rural areas is 30.02 per cent as compared to 15.44 per cent in the urban areas.

(Source: Bringing women into the workforce, Making all workplaces safer for women by Ranjana Das, labour.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

What are protective provisions for women employees?

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2019-20

Related Previous Year Questions

‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (2018)

Examine the role of ‘Gig Economy’ in the process of empowerment of women in India. (2021)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 18)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 19)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 19)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 20)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 19)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 20)

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