UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-2 to check your progress. 🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the December issue of its monthly magazine. Click Here to read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of India's diplomatic approach to the Taliban. What implications does this involvement have for India's regional security and economic interests? QUESTION 2 Discuss the goals and significance of the Bharatpol webpage, which the Indian government launched. How does it want to improve international police collaboration and make it easier to seek assistance from Interpol? 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: Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of India's diplomatic approach to the Taliban. What implications does this involvement have for India's regional security and economic interests? Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi comes at a time when regional geopolitics are in upheaval. — While there is no movement to offer official recognition to the Taliban administration, this is an effort by India to protect its own national and security interests, with numerous moving components at play. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — There are five key factors were behind India’s move to engage at a higher level: (i) Pakistan, the Taliban's patron and ally, has now become a foe; (ii) Iran has been greatly weakened; (iii) Russia is fighting their own war; (iv) The United States and the world are preparing for Donald Trump's return to the White House; (v) China is making gains into Afghanistan by exchanging ambassadors with the Taliban. — India, which had been closely monitoring the situation, immediately concluded that now was the time to increase official participation without providing official recognition - or risk losing years of investment in Afghanistan. — India's first interest is security; no anti-Indian terrorist outfit should be permitted to operate on Afghan territory. — The Taliban have been seeking for more active engagement with India since they deposed the Ashraf Ghani government and took control of Kabul in mid-August 2021. Days later, US soldiers staged a disorderly withdrawal from Afghanistan. — India's main concern in Afghanistan has been that terrorism does not grow, and by all accounts, the security situation has improved - albeit women's rights have been violated, much to Delhi's dismay. Conclusion: — So far, the Taliban have assured the protection of Indian interests and infrastructure, including the embassy. And they have stated that they are battling the Islamic State Khorasan Province, which India is also concerned about. — Since their first encounter with Indian officials, the Taliban have emphasised that "India's help is more than welcome, when it comes to humanitarian aid and development projects." (Source: India-Taliban talks: Region in flux and 5 reasons behind Delhi’s decision to engage Kabul by Shubhajit Roy) Points to Ponder Security concerns to trade via Chabahar Afghanistan’s geopolitical significance for India Related Previous Year Questions The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests. (2013) A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. (2018) QUESTION 2: Discuss the goals and significance of the Bharatpol webpage, which the Indian government launched. How does it want to improve international police collaboration and make it easier to seek assistance from Interpol? Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The Union Home Minister launched the 'Bharatpol' portal, which aims to improve international cooperation among law enforcement authorities. — Bharatpol, a broadcast hub for support and real-time action against transnational crimes through international police collaboration, was created by the Central Bureau of Investigation. It will make it easier for central and state agencies to communicate with Interpol, allowing them to conduct investigations faster. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The CBI, as India's National Central Bureau for Interpol (NCB-New Delhi), connects all law enforcement agencies in the country with those in 195 other countries via Interpol. Currently, all central agencies and police forces in various states and union territories contact the CBI, Interpol liaison officers (ILOs), and unit officers concerned via letters, emails, and faxes, resulting in frequent delays in investigations. — The decision to create this portal was made in response to an increase in transnational crimes such as cybercrime, financial crime, internet extremism, organised crime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. In such circumstances, immediate international cooperation is required for criminal investigations. Key features of Bharatpol portal Unified Platform — This platform connects the CBI as Interpol (NCB-New Delhi) to all law enforcement authorities in India, including Superintendents of Police (SPs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs). Simplified Request Mechanism — This platform enables front-line police officers to easily and quickly request international help from the 195 Interpol member countries using defined templates. Rapid Information Dissemination — This platform allows the CBI, as the NCB, to quickly communicate criminal intelligence and inputs from 195 nations with all law enforcement agencies in India. Increase utilisation of Interpol notices — This portal will make it easier to draft Interpol Red Corner Notice requests and other colour-coded alerts. This will enable effective global surveillance of crime, criminals, and the proceeds of crime. Capacity Building and Training — This platform also provides access to necessary papers, templates, and training tools, allowing frontline officers to conduct investigations abroad and seek international help more effectively through Interpol. Conclusion: — The new platform will enable central and state investigative agencies to communicate and collect case information from Interpol's 195 member states. — Through Connect, all of our law enforcement agencies will effectively serve as an extension of Interpol's NCB-New Delhi. The system will provide the speedy, secure, and structured transmission of Interpol Notice requests, allowing for a scientific mechanism to quickly discover criminals from India and throughout the world, as well as within India. (Source: Amit Shah launches Bharatpol: how this portal aims to help probe transnational crimes by Mahender Singh Manral) Points to Ponder What are the key modules of Bharatpol? Why has the CBI developed it? Related Previous Year Questions ‘Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security.’ Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level. (2024) e-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (2023) Previous Mains Answer Practice UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 83) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 84) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 84) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 85) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 86) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 85) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
