UPSC Essentials — Mains answer practice : GS 2 (Week 5)

The popular question for the coming week: How to make the best use of The Indian Express newspaper for UPSC CSE? and more…

You can send me your queries at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com or join Telegram: The Indian Express UPSC Hub or ask me Live! We will notify the date and time soon.

Each day, we will cover one new subject. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-2 to check your progress.

QUESTION 1

Discuss India’s interests in Central Asia as well as its diplomatic engagement with the region.

QUESTION 2

Judiciary has taken a proactive role in ensuring India’s development into a vibrant democracy. Discuss.

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: Discuss India’s interests in Central Asia as well as its diplomatic engagement with the region.

Introduction:

A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about Central Asia and the relations between Indian and Central Asia.

— The dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s led to the establishment of the Central Asian countries that gained independence.

— India was one of the first countries in the region to establish diplomatic relations with all five countries. Over the last three decades, the two sides’ diverse engagement has steadily improved.

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

— The Silk Route connected India with Central Asia from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD. From the export of Buddhism to the lasting influence of Bollywood, India has shared old and deep cultural ties with the region.

— In 1955, during a 16-day visit to the erstwhile Soviet Union, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru travelled to Almaty, Tashkent, and Ashgabat, all of which became capitals of newly-independent countries after the 1991 collapse of the USSR.

— Central Asia is extremely rich in mineral and natural resources. For example:

Kazakhstan has one of the biggest reserves of uranium, besides stores of coal, lead, zinc, gold, and iron ore.

The Kyryz Republic is rich in gold and hydro-power.

Turkmenistan has one of the world’s largest reserves of natural gas.

Tajikistan has huge hydro-power potential.

Uzbekistan has gold, uranium, and natural gas.

— India has strategic partnerships with all countries in the region except Turkmenistan, which pursues a policy of ‘permanent neutrality’. India has strong cultural presence in the region and traditionally enjoys immense goodwill among the people.

— The first India-Central Asia Summit took place in 2022 which marked the 30th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations. India has deepened its strategic engagement with the region’s republics.

— India, engagement with the Central Asian countries is important because

Security cooperation after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan;

To counter China’s influence in the region; plans for connectivity with Europe including the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC);

To meet its energy needs (Turkmenistan is part of the proposed TAPI gas pipeline).

(Sources: India’s Central Asia outreach by Shubhajit Roy, wwww.icwa.in)

Conclusion:

You may add following lines to the conclusion:

— Indian leader and the five Central Asian leaders decided to:

Hold a leaders’ summit every two years; regular meetings among their foreign and trade ministers;

A joint working group on Afghanistan;

Joint counter-terrorism exercises between India and interested Central Asian countries; and

Group to operationalise the use of Chabahar port by all five countries.

— There have been suggestions that India should provide connectivity for people and trade in Central Asia through “air corridors”, as it had done for Afghanistan. New Delhi’s leadership of the SCO this year may provide it an opportunity to diversify relations with this strategic region.

(Source: Tracing the path of China’s diplomacy in Central Asia, and where India stands by Nirupama Subramanian)

Points to Ponder

China’s strategy for Central Asia

Resources in Central Asia

Places in News (Conflict region)

Related Previous Year Question

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)

QUESTION 2: Judiciary has taken a proactive role in ensuring India’s development into a vibrant democracy. Discuss.

Introduction:

— Department of Justice is a part of the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. The functions of the Department of Justice include the appointment, resignation and removal of the Chief Justice of India, Judges of the Supreme Court of India, Chief Justices and Judges of the High Courts and their service matters.

— A reliable and speedy judicial system is essential for a healthy and self-confident society, as well as for the development of the country. When justice is seen being served, the faith of the common man in the constitutional institutions gets strengthened and continuous improvement of law and order becomes possible

Body:

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

Role of Judiciary in Ensuring India’s Development

— The judiciary in India holds a highly important position as the protector and custodian of the Constitution. It not only acts as a watchdog against violations of fundamental rights provided by the Constitution, protecting all persons, Indians and aliens alike, from discrimination, abuse of State power, arbitrariness, and so on.

— The delay in justice delivery is one of the biggest challenges being faced by the country and the judiciary is seriously working to solve this problem.

— The Indian Constitution unites us all as ‘we the people’ with its aims and objectives forming the fundamental features of our democracy.

— It is the foundation of our democracy, and it is supported by three pillars. These pillars must operate within their own domains to bring prosperity, transparency and harmony in the society.

— Liberty and Equality have well survived and thrived in India due to the pro-active role played by the Indian judiciary.

— The rule of law, one of the most significant characteristics of good governance prevails because India has an independent judiciary.

— The use of technology in the judicial system can ensure transparency, productivity and efficiency.

— The inclusion of modern technology has made the functioning of the judiciary accelerated and during the Covid-19 pandemic, virtual hearings had proved a boon for all, which saved both money and time of the people.

(Sources: Technology use in judicial system ensures transparency, boosts productivity: Sukhu, highcourtchd.gov.in)

Conclusion:

— The framers of the Constitution made accountability an integral element with respect to the Legislature and Executive. However, they consciously decided to keep the Judiciary on a different pedestal.

— The Executive and the Legislature must work in conjunction with the Judiciary to ensure complete justice as envisaged under the Constitution.

— The Executive and the Legislature must work in conjunction with the Judiciary to ensure complete justice as envisaged under the Constitution. Any deviation by the Legislature or Executive from the path prescribed by the Constitution will only lead to additional burden on the Judiciary.

(Source: Judicial interventions to nudge executive and not to target, usurp power: CJI Ramana)

Points to Ponder

Collegium System

NJAC

Related Previous Year Questions

Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions. (2021)

Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the filing of large number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive authorities. (2019)

Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India. (2017)

Post your inputs in the comment box below and let us engage with other aspirants too. All the best!

(The UPSC Essentials Indian Express is now on Telegram- Indian Express UPSC Hub. Click here to join our YouTube channel and stay updated with the latest updates.

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