UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 2)

QUESTION 1

How Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner are appointed? Discuss with reference to the recent changes through Supreme Court Order. (150 Words, 10 Marks)

QUESTION 2

China has brokered the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. How could it affect ongoing Middle East flash points? (250 Words, 15 Marks)

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 give you an edge over the other candidates and helps in the better presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be use 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: How Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioner are appointed? Discuss with reference to the recent changes through Supreme Court Order.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about the Election Commission, CEC and EC.

— The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and such number of other Election Commissioners (EC), if any, as the President may from time to time fix and the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall, subject to the provisions of any law made in that behalf by Parliament, be made by the President.

— The conditions of service and tenure of office of the Election Commissioners and the Regional Commissioners shall be such as the President may by rule determine.

— The Chief Election Commissioner shall not be removed from his office except in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court and the conditions of service of the Chief Election Commissioner shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

Body:

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

Appointment of CEC and EC

— The Constitution does not lay down a specific legislative process for the appointment of the CEC and ECs. The President makes the appointment on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.

— The Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 (EC Act) requires that the EC and CEC must hold the post for a period of six years. This law essentially governs the conditions of service of the CEC and ECs.

Supreme Court Order Regarding Appointment of CEC and EC

— A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a high-power committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India must pick the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs).

— This is a very significant judgment that seeks to change the way in which India’s top election officials are appointed, and can potentially have far-reaching implications.

Conclusion:

Your concluding remark should be short.

— All three Commissioners now had equal decision-making powers. The amendment also introduced sections that envisaged that the CEC and the ECs would act unanimously and, in case there was a difference of opinion on any issue, the majority view would prevail.

Source: (How are the CEC and ECs appointed, and what has the Supreme Court order changed?)

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (2022)

In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (2018)

QUESTION 2: China has brokered the restoration of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. How could it affect ongoing Middle East flash points?

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a basic fact such as:

— A Joint Trilateral Statement was issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the People’s Republic of China announcing an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations and re-open their embassies and missions.

— The two countries affirmed respect for the sovereignty of states and emphasized on adherence to the non-interference in internal affairs. Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed that the Foreign Ministers of both countries will make arrangements for the return of their ambassadors and discuss means of enhancing bilateral relations.

— The two countries also agreed to implement the bilateral Security Cooperation Agreement signed in 2001 and the General Agreement for Cooperation in the Fields of Economy, Trade, Investment, Technology, Science, Culture, Sports, and Youth, signed in 1998.

(Source: http://www.icwa.in)

Body:

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

How could it affect ongoing Middle East flash points?

— The deal brokered by China has a huge significance within the Arab world as well as outside the region. First and foremost, the major beneficiaries of the deal are the bilateral partners. 

— The deal symbolizes China’s quiet diplomacy in the region and its evolution from a preferred economic partner to an emerging political ally.

— The deal indicates China’s emergence as a strong mediator in West Asian affairs; China has also announced to host the Iran-GCC summit in 2023.

— The deal is significant for the regional countries and will have long-term implications for the instability in Yemen and Syria. The conflict in Yemen might take a favorable turn with the restoration of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as the government and Houthi group have been receiving covert political, military and economic support from Riyadh and Tehran respectively. 

— Baghdad has hosted direct talks between its two neighbours but they stalled last year as Iraq faced a political crisis. Baghdad welcomed the deal as they hope for a general regional detente that would allow their country to rebuild, instead of being destabilised by U.S., Gulf Arab and Iranian score-settling.

— The deal has been welcomed by a number of countries, international institutions and non-state groups alike. The United Nations, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, Turkey, Houthis, Hezbollah and the Palestinian Authority have appreciated the deal and hope that it brings peace to the region.

Conclusion:

Your concluding remark should be short and should encapsulate both parts of the answer. You can write the possible impacts on India. For example:

— India has good relations with various countries in West Asia and we have abiding interests in the region. China’s big-ticket diplomacy in the region is sure to impact the I2U2 (Israel-India-UAE-US) grouping.

— It calls for India to work on its ties to the region independently of the US (for instance with Iran), and in ways that project its civilisational and cultural links and the positive contributions of the Indian diaspora.

Source: (How the Saudi Arabia-Iran deal could affect ongoing Middle East flashpoints by Reuters, Iran-Saudi deal: What the gambit can mean for China, West Asia, and India by  Nirupama Subramanian, http://www.icwa.in)

Points to Ponder

— India’s efforts in the Middle-East to counter China’s Influence

— Places in News (Middle-East)

Previous Mains Answer Practice:

GS 1 (Week 1)

GS 1 (Week 2)

GS 2 (Week 1)

GS 3 (Week 2)

GS 4 (Week 2)

Post your inputs and answers to points to ponder in the comment box below and engage with other aspirants too. All the best!

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Note: Catch the UPSC Weekly Quiz every Saturday evening and brush up on your current affairs knowledge.