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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.
Discuss the significance of the Skill India Digital initiative. How does it aim to transform the landscape of skill education and entrepreneurship in the country?
Examine the strategic implications of China’s expanding presence in the Arctic region and its impact on India’s interests, considering the role of Russia in this context.
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.
QUESTION 1: Discuss the significance of the Skill India Digital initiative. How does it aim to transform the landscape of skill education and entrepreneurship in the country?
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— Skill India Digital (SID) is a digital platform aimed at synergising and transforming the skills, education, employment, and entrepreneurship landscape of India.
— SID is the digital public infrastructure (DPI) for skilling, education, employment and entrepreneurship ecosystem of India. The platform is driven by the vision to make skill development more innovative, accessible and personalised in its embodiment, focusing on digital technology and industry 4.0 skills.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:
Significance of Skill India Digital
— It aims to be a game changer in terms of speeding the employment of talented individuals while also facilitating lifetime learning and career advancement.
— It will also serve as a comprehensive information hub for all government skill-building and entrepreneurship initiatives.
— Skill India Digital is one more step towards realising our demographic dividend and developing India as a worldwide talent powerhouse.
— It supports many Indian languages.
— Skill India Digital would enable skilling for all, at any time and from any location, potentially revolutionising learning and skill development.
— Aadhaar-based eKYC ensures legitimate participation by providing secure access.
How will it transform the landscape of skill education and entrepreneurship in the country?
— The platform has a mobile-first approach to ensure uninterrupted learning through handheld devices.
— It presents an individual’s talents and qualifications in the form of Digitally Verified Credentials. These Digitally Verified Credentials enable individuals to present their qualifications, experiences, and certifications in a digital format with an inherent layer of legitimacy.
— The platform utilised technology to provide safe, tamper-proof, and verifiable solutions.
— The advent of digital CVs via unique QR codes allows potential employers or partners to access the candidate’s portfolio with a simple scan. It will highlight their abilities, qualifications, experience, and accomplishments.
— The platform is intended to include all training programs launched by the national and state governments, as well as various departments.
Conclusion:
— The platform aims to establish a uniform and centralised hub for skill development activities.
— With this program, the government wants to provide learners with increased accessibility, tailored learning experiences, faster verification processes, and better career advising.
— It will allow students to learn relevant skills, keep up with industry developments, and contribute to the country’s workforce development.
Points to Ponder
What are the challenges for Skill India Digital?
What are industry 4.0 skills?
Related Previous Year Questions
Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (2023)
The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of technical and higher education in the country? Discuss. (20215)
QUESTION 2: Examine the strategic implications of China’s expanding presence in the Arctic region and its impact on India’s interests, considering the role of Russia in this context.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— The visit of the Indian Prime Minister to Moscow marks a significant shift from the post-Cold War tradition of the first prime ministerial visit being to a neighbouring country.
— The India-Russia joint statement, tepid on progressive climate solutions, emphasised increasing coal supply and exploring Arctic energy opportunities — steps counter to global climate goals and India’s energy transition ambitions.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:
What is Russia’s India-China balancing act?
— The shared commitment to advancing business, security, agriculture, technology, and innovation, as well as boosting defence, energy, and geopolitical linkages, demonstrates the complex character of these links.
— Russia continues to offer India with armaments and heavily discounted energy, despite the latter’s recent trend towards increasing strategic ties with the United States to confront China, particularly since the 2020 border clashes.
— However, China remains Russia’s most important partner. Earlier this year, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed their “no limits” strategic cooperation, with Xi offering to assist Moscow economically, particularly in avoiding US-imposed sanctions.
What are the changes in the Arctic region that affect India?
— The statement expressed a “readiness to intensify trade and investment cooperation in the Arctic,” which might have a significant impact on India’s climatic and economic stability.
— According to the findings, changes in the Arctic can disrupt the Indian summer monsoon, resulting in extreme weather events that jeopardise food security in India.
— The disappearance of Arctic sea ice has an impact on the monsoon via “teleconnections,” which correspond to extreme rainfall episodes throughout the monsoon season.
— In the winter, warmer water modifies circulation patterns, weakening westerlies and leading to heavy monsoon rains in the Himalayan foothills.
China’s Arctic project — and its effect on India
— Russia, with its vast Arctic territory, sees the region as critical to its economic and geopolitical interests, particularly in energy and mining.
— During the meeting, a senior Russian government official from the Murmansk Region (Arctic) urged India to treat the Arctic as a serious enterprise and capitalise on its economic potential.
— China is aggressively developing infrastructure in the Arctic, however India has been slower and should prioritise this region due to its large oil and gas resources. Until date, India’s only interest has been in scientific research.
Conclusion:
— China’s expanding influence in the Arctic, particularly through investment and access to the Northern Sea Route, has important geopolitical ramifications for India.
— If China becomes Russia’s only option, it will re-establish an African-style reliance. In such a context, India’s voice is critical for power balance.
— India must take a stronger stand on the Arctic, combining scientific research and strategic interests to fight for the region’s conservation. This method will help to conserve the region while also ensuring India’s long-term climate and economic stability.
(Source: China’s Arctic projects, harm to India and the Russia factor by Zerin Osho)
Points to Ponder
Countries bordering the Arctic
Location of North Sea
What is the Arctic Council?
Related Previous Year Questions
“The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain. (2021)
What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (2020)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 59)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 60)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 60)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 59)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 61)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 60)
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