UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 28)

QUESTION 2

India and South Korea are celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relationship this year. Discuss the major developments between the two countries.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— An introduction 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 a trusted source and include authenticated 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 important findings of the report ‘Crime in India’ released by the National Crime Records Bureau.

Introduction:

— The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released its annual report on crime in India for the year 2022.

— The report is a compilation of data on reported crime from across the country, and provides the big picture of broad trends in crime registration.

— The data cover overall crimes, and separately note crimes against women, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), cyber crimes, etc.

Body:

— In 2022, a “total of 58,24,946 cognizable crimes comprising 35,61,379 Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes and 22,63,567 Special & Local Laws (SLL) crimes were registered”. This was a decline of 4.5% in the registration of cases over the second pandemic year, 2021.

— The crime rate, or the number of crimes committed per lakh people, has dropped from 445.9 in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022. This is considered a better indicator because absolute crime rates rise as the population grows.

— In 2022, 4,45,256 cases of crime against women were reported. This was a 4% increase over the 2021 figures. The most common IPC section for crimes against women was ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’ (31.4%), followed by ‘Kidnapping & Abduction of Women’ (19.2%), and ‘Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty’ (18.7%).

— Reporting of cyber crime increased significantly by 24.4 percentage points compared to 2021, to 65,893 cases. Around 64.8% of registered cases were of fraud, followed by extortion (5.5%), and sexual exploitation (5.2%).

— An increase of 4.2% was observed in suicides reported during 2022 (1,70,924 suicides) as compared to 2021. ‘Family Problems (other than marriage-related problems)’ (31.7%), ‘Marriage Related Problems’ (4.8%) and ‘Illness’ (18.4%) have together accounted for 54.9% of total suicides in the country during the year 2022.

Conclusion:

— The NCRB was established in January 1986 as a body mandated to compile and keep records of data on crime. It also acts as a “national warehouse” for the fingerprint records of Indian and foreign criminals, and assists in locating interstate criminals through fingerprint search.

— The states/ UTs reporting the highest chargesheeting rate under IPC crimes are Kerala (96.0%), Puducherry (91.3%), and West Bengal (90.6%).

(Source: How to read the NCRB 2022 report on crime in India, 24% rise in cybercrime in 2022 by Rishika Singh, 11% surge in economic offences: NCRB report by Mahender Singh Manral and Jignasa Sinha)

Points to Ponder

State-wise data

National Crime Records Bureau

Related Previous Year Question

Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (2021)

QUESTION 2: India and South Korea are celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relationship this year. Discuss the major developments between the two countries.

Introduction:

— Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, India and South Korea have come a long way. Both countries’ official relationship is now over a half-century old, and they continue to collaborate in various fields such as culture, technology, business, and defence, making their relationship more robust and dynamic.

— India and South Korea established a full diplomatic relationship (ambassadorial level) in 1973, roughly 25 years after Independence.

Body:

— India and South Korea did not establish direct diplomatic engagements until the 1960s. The countries could not engage in trade or cultural links for nearly two decades after gaining Independence.

— India established Consular Level diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1962 followed by Ambassador Level relations in 1973.

— India played the role of peacemaker in the Korean peninsula and aimed to unify Korea with the consent of the Korean people.

Major Developments

— South Korea is willing to share submarine and missile technology with India, citing the K9 Vajra, a 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer designed by a South Korean firm to strengthen defence cooperation.

— South Korea will provide USD 4 billion to India as a line of credit over the next three years for “high-value” projects.

— In FY21, India’s total exports to South Korea were approximately $4.68 billion, compared to $12.77 billion in imports. South Korean imports include microphones and cameras. Aluminium and mineral fuels are important exports to South Korea.

— India and South Korea aims to make “substantive progress” in the special strategic partnership.

— The ministers agreed to impart fresh momentum to the discussions on CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) up-gradation negotiations and also promote extensive B2B interactions on trade and investment between the Industry leaders of the two countries.

Conclusion:

— India has a large trade deficit with South Korea and is aiming to address issues of market access and non-tariff barriers faced by Indian exporters.

— India and South Korea are set to accelerate discussions on upgrading their bilateral trade agreement signed in 2009.

(Source: Why India and South Korea were unable to establish diplomatic ties for two decades after gaining Independence, South Korea committed to boosting defence ties with India, says envoy, India, Korea agree to ‘impart fresh momentum’ to bilateral trade pact)

Points to Ponder

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

Special Strategic Partnership

Related Previous Year Questions

India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South East Asian countries economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South-East Asia in this context. (2017)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 28)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 27)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 27)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 26)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 26)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 27)

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