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 Recent railway accidents highlight major safety concerns in the Indian railway network. Analyse the elements that contribute to such incidents and assess the steps taken by Indian Railways to reduce collision risk. QUESTION 2 Examine why India requires a clear National Security Doctrine in the current geopolitical context. 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: Recent railway accidents highlight major safety concerns in the Indian railway network. Analyse the elements that contribute to such incidents and assess the steps taken by Indian Railways to reduce collision risk. Introduction: — Railways are an essential component of the country's logistical framework, transporting millions of passengers and tonnes of freight over its length and width each day. — Collisions are the most serious type of mishap and almost always result in casualties. In 2022-23, six collisions occurred on Indian Railways, compared to only two in 2021-22. — The majority of these crashes resulted in casualties and injuries to passengers. While the data demonstrate general gains, long-term safety takes precedence over speed and comfort. Body: Factors that contribute to the collision — The Commissioner of Railway Safety is conducting an inquiry into a recent accident of the Kanchenjunga Express. The Loco Pilot violated rule 9.01 of the General and Subsidiary Rules by passing an automatic signal at a limited speed of 15 kmph, resulting in a collision with a stationary passenger train in the automatic signal region. — According to reports, the tragedy occurred in a stretch that had recently been changed to an automatic signalling system, which allows trains to follow each other at a certain speed determined by the signal aspect. — There are various other factors which lead to an accident such as human error, fire accidents, derailment, etc. Steps taken by Indian Railways to reduce collision risk — KAVACH, an anti-collision gadget that will be made available in phases, is a major step towards addressing the problem. — KAVACH requires the installation of appropriate equipment in locomotives, stations, and on the trackside, which takes time. — Finance of Indian Railways — Special funds known as Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) and the Rail Safety Fund are permitted to be used for these critical needs. Conclusion: — Despite severe mishaps involving collisions, the IR claims to have one of the best safety records in terms of accidents per million train miles, surpassing many European systems. — Indian Railways, which has suffered for decades from a lack of funds for safety-related activities such as timely repairs, replacement, and upkeep of its equipment, has now been provided with funds just for safety. (Source: Kanchenjunga Express accident: How Indian Railways can put a stop to fatal collisions by M Jamshed) Points to Ponder Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) KAVACH system Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) Related Previous Year Questions Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India. (2022) “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience. (2021) QUESTION 2: Examine why India requires a clear National Security Doctrine in the current geopolitical context. Introduction: — A National Security Strategy paper defines the country's security objectives and the strategies that will be used to accomplish them. — It describes traditional and non-traditional dangers and possibilities while establishing accountability for entities tasked with carrying out such obligations. — A national security plan would direct the military as well as crucial defence and security reforms with strategic ramifications, offering a comprehensive picture of overall national security, challenges, and a road map for addressing them. — In most cases, doctrine comes before strategy. A doctrine is a set of established or agreed-upon principles that govern behaviour. A strategy is a plan of action derived from doctrine. Body: Why does India need a national security doctrine? — A well-designed NSS would encourage a "whole of nation" approach and foster collaboration to exploit comprehensive national power (CNP). — It would also allow for the establishment of milestones for capability development in modernisation, infrastructure, and the Atma Nirbhar mission. — The current state of defence planning is concerning and in flux, as Defence Plans (five years) and Long Term Perspective Plans (15 years) have been cancelled. The revised formats of the Integrated Capability Plan (10 years) and Defence Capability Acquisition Plan (5 years) are yet to be stabilised. — The current mechanism of reviews by the Parliamentary Standing Committee and the Auditor General is subpar. These must be supported with net-assessment and statistical tools for periodic audits and, more critically, predictive and dynamic goal formulation. — The most important issue is operational clarity and ease of decision-making. Conclusion: — At a recent book-release function, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) made an interesting comment about the formulation of a National Security Strategy (NSS). — Doctrines at the national strategic level are formulated and approved at the highest echelons of government — for example, the Nuclear Doctrine. Lower doctrines are formulated at the military-strategic, operational, and tactical levels for different levels of war-fighting (in the military) or tackling internal disorder (for police/ paramilitary forces). (Source: What is a National Security Strategy and why India must have one by Biswajit Dasgupta, Why India needs a national security doctrine – now by K J Singh) Points to Ponder Difference between strategy and doctrine? Chief of defence staff (CDS) National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) Related Previous Year Questions What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (2023) What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. (2022) Previous Mains Answer Practice UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 55) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 56) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 56) 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 56) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
