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-3 to check your progress. 🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the June edition 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 concept of direct seeding of rice (DSR) and its possible benefits and drawbacks. QUESTION 2 The approval of Donanemab, a new Alzheimer's disease treatment, has stirred arguments over its efficacy and safety. 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 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 concept of direct seeding of rice (DSR) and its possible benefits and drawbacks. Introduction: — Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) refers to the practice of cultivating rice from seeds put in the ground rather than transplanting seedlings from a nursery. It is also known as ‘tar-wattar’ technique. How does DSR work? — Traditionally, paddy farmers create nurseries where seeds are first planted. After 25–35 days, the immature plants are plucked and transplanted in the flooded main field. While this practice is labour and water expensive, it is known to increase yields and improve crop health. — Paddy seeds are seeded directly, approximately 20-30 days before transplantation. The field is irrigated and laser levelled before seeding, which is done using a seed drill or fortunate seeder. Seed care is critical, with seeds soaking in a fungicide solution for eight hours and then drying for half a day before planting. — The first cycle of irrigation occurs 21 days after sowing, followed by 14-17 more rounds at 7-10 day intervals, depending on soil type and monsoon quality. The final watering occurs 10 days before harvest. The typical strategy calls for 25-27 irrigations in total. Body: Benefits of DSR — It can reduce water use by 15% to 20% (the traditional puddling method requires 3,600 to 4,125 litres of water to grow a single kilo of rice). — DSR requires less labour. — It matures 7 to 10 days faster, giving farmers more time to manage paddy straw. — It offers low production cost — DSR provides better soil physical conditions for following crops and less methane emission. Challenges associated with DSR — Weeds are the biggest significant impediment to the success of DSR. Weeds are more problematic in DSR than in puddled transplanting because sprouting weeds compete with simultaneously emerging DSR seedlings. — While direct planting can help to reduce CH4 emissions, aerobic soil conditions can also increase N2O emissions. Nitrous oxide generation increases with redox potential. — Micronutrient deficiencies are a prominent cause of concern in DSR. Conclusion: — By using several cultural strategies, including choosing appropriate cultivars, timing the sowing process, using the right amount of seed, and managing weeds and water, it is possible to achieve comparable yields in DSR. — Farmers must be encouraged to transition from conventional transplanting to DSR culture through better short-duration and high-yielding cultivars, nutrient management systems, and weed control strategies. (Source: Why direct seeding of rice (DSR) is yet to pick up in Punjab by Anju Agnihotri Chaba, www.agriculturejournal.org) Points to Ponder Subsidies in DSR Importance of soil for DSR Related Previous Year Questions What is Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India? (2022) What are the major factors responsible for making the rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India? (2020) QUESTION 2: The approval of Donanemab, a new Alzheimer's disease treatment, has stirred arguments over its efficacy and safety. Discuss. Introduction: — Donanemab, a new Alzheimer's disease treatment created by Eli Lilly, has gotten unanimous endorsement from independent experts advising the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), putting it one step closer to clinical trials. — "The potential risks of donanemab, when appropriately managed as instructed in labelling, are outweighed by the demonstrated benefits on clinical endpoints in those with AD (Alzheimer's disease)," the FDA advisory committee stated in a briefing document. Body: How do the benefits of the drug stack up against its risks? — The medicine is exclusively intended for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, who have mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. — The medicine causes a significant clinically meaningful slowing of the disease, which means that a person taking it can maintain their functions for a longer period of time. — According to the FDA paper assessing the risks and benefits, the majority of ARIA events – amyloid-related imaging abnormalities such as brain bleeding and seizures — were non-serious and resolved or stabilised when medication was discontinued. — Labelling and clinical monitoring can reduce major concerns, while post-authorization research can further characterise them. Overall, considering the severity of Alzheimer's disease and the scarcity of disease-modifying medications, donanemab delivers a clinically substantial treatment benefit for AD patients, according to the statement. How does it work? — Donanemab is a monoclonal antibody that targets amyloid beta protein accumulation in the brain, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. — The phase 3 trial found that donanemab decreases cognitive loss in early Alzheimer's patients by 35.1% after 76 weeks. The findings were based on a trial of 1,736 participants, of which 860 had the infusion every four weeks until the amyloid beta plaque was removed. — The drug's main side effect is swelling or bleeding in the brain, which is typically asymptomatic. According to the study, 24% of those who received donanemab experienced brain edoema, while 19.7% experienced brain bleed. The study documented three treatment-related deaths. (Source: Scientists back new Alzheimer’s drug: its benefits vs risks by Anonna Dutt) Points to Ponder Alzheimer United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) Related Previous Year Questions Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in healthcare? (2023) What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? (2022) Previous Mains Answer Practice UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 55) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 54) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 54) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 55) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 55) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 54) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
