Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing: Test Series -1

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Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series includes 5 questions in each post, every day. Each of the 5 questions are planned to be from 5 different papers mentioned in UPSC Mains syllabus like Essay, GS1, GS2, GS3 and GS4 (ethics). Selected questions of high probability to be asked UPSC mains are included in each of these mini tests. Aspirants can select any question they wish to answer in the comment space provided below, specifying the question number and question topic.

Archives of Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series

You can access archives of Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series from the hyperlink. Aspirants are advised to check the model answers and feedback given for previous entries to write better answers.

Questions for Answer Writing – Selections for today:

Essay Paper: Challenges in reaping India’s demographic dividend and solutions. (1500 words)
GS 1 Paper: [Individual Satyagraha] – Discuss the significance of Individual Satyagraha in Indian freedom movement. Why did Congress working committee decide to suspend Individual Satyagraha? (200 words)
GS 2 Paper: [Collegium system of Supreme Court] – Trace the evolution of the collegium system of selection of Judges in India. What are the main proposals in the National Judicial Appointments Commissions Bill? Can the new system affect the independence of the Indian judiciary? Critically analyse. (200 words)
GS 3 Paper: [FSLRC] – What were the main proposals of Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC)? What are the criticisms against the proposals? (200 words)
GS 4 Paper: [Indian Philosophy] – Compare and contrast the six systems of Indian orthodox philosophy?

Rules and Regulations: Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing

Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series -1

Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing is a free program from ClearIAS.com. Any UPSC aspirant, interested to polish his/her writing skills or to learn the art of writing high value answers to boost the score in UPSC Civil Services Mains can participate in it. The official team from ClearIAS.com may review selected answers, and guide aspirants to improve the answer structure. Fellow aspirants, experienced candidates or toppers can also comment and suggest improvements for each of the answers. The platform is free and open to public with a view of better sharing and learning. You can read more about the Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series objectives and rules in the hyperlink.

PS: Aspirants can select any question they wish to answer in the comment space provided below specifying the question number and question topic. Answering 3-4 questions, does not take much of your time. But for those who engage regularly in answer writing, the resultant score improvement in actual UPSC exam would be exponential.

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29 Responses to "Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing: Test Series -1"

Random says:

September 3, 2014 at 8:40 pm

Discuss the significance of Individual Satyagraha in Indian freedom movement. Why did Congress working committee decide to suspend Individual Satyagraha?After the stalemate created by rejection of constitutional advance by British and disapproval of August offer by Congress in 1940, Gandhiji took the command. He decided to initiate Satyagraha at limited level on an individual basis in every locality.
The aims were
1. To condemn the involvement in war
2. To show that inactivity at large scale by nation is not due to weakness.
3. Freedom of speech against the war through an anti0war declaration
What to be done was to march towards Delhi repeating “Delhi chalo movement” untill government did not arrest. Vinodha bhave was the first to offer. Though the movement started with great zeal, but couldn’t sustain because CWC passed a resolution offering assistance in war to British if full independence is given after the war.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 4, 2014 at 6:38 pm
  
  Dear Random,
  
  Good effort. But there is definite scope for improvement. You can structure your answers better. Please see some key points:
  
  In the significance part: First major movement after failure of August offer 1940 – Primarily a moral protest against dragging India into 2nd world war, but not an extensive anti-war movement – Also for right of speech – about 30,000 men court arrest – Result – expansion of Viceroy’s executive council to include more Indians.
  
  Regarding suspension part: Not because of expansion of executive council or release of arrested Satyagrahis later- but due to concern about the safety of India due to the entry of Japan into the war.
  
  Reply
sachin says:

September 3, 2014 at 8:53 pm

First of all I would like to thank clearias.com for starting most helpful thread for the aspirants. This is the first time I m writing an answer for a mains question.I may write a completely irrelevant answer but I wanted to start it whether right or wrong and I will gradually learn from mistakes

GS1 : Individual satyagraha
Before 1915, though there were many leaders like tilak, gokhle, lal bahdur shastri most sections of the society particularly masses couldn’t connect to them and as a result not participated in the freedom struggle. Then emerged a great leader, Mahatma Gandhi who adopted non-violence and satyagraha as his tools against the british atrocities.
Gandhiji’s popularity in South Africa and then at local incidents in india like baroli, Ahmedabad mills strike, champaran made him a nationalist leader. He felt non-violence and satyagraha as more powerful tools than anarchy. He was able to solve majority of the disputes through satyagraha. India might had attained independence little late but in the process we got gradual reforms done by the british like legislative reforms, indianisation of civil services, abolition of salt taxes etc..

I don’t know 2nd part of the answer

Reply
ClearIAS.com says:

September 4, 2014 at 6:44 pm

Dear Sachin,

Appreciate your effort and humility. And regarding the answer, it touched only the periphery. Don’t worry, try to write to-the-point answers, next time. There is enough time to improve. Please see some key points:

In the significance part: First major movement after failure of August offer 1940 – Primarily a moral protest against dragging India into 2nd world war, but not an extensive anti-war movement – Also for right of speech – about 30,000 men court arrest – Result – expansion of Viceroy’s executive council to include more Indians.

Regarding suspension part: Not because of expansion of executive council or release of arrested Satyagrahis later- but due to concern about the safety of India due to the entry of Japan into the war.

Reply
1. sachin says:
  
  September 4, 2014 at 10:26 pm
  
  Thanks a lot for the feedback..right now I am preparing for ssc cgl tier 2 which will be held on sep 20..so not getting enough time to write the answers..but I ll be active from then..once again thanks a lot for the initiative
  
  Reply
  1. ClearIAS.com says:
    
    September 6, 2014 at 8:16 am
    
    Cool
    
    Reply
Raghu says:

September 4, 2014 at 10:30 pm

Q 5 – GS 4 Paper – Compare and contrast the six systems of Indian orthodox philosophy?

Ans – Among various schools of thought in Indian philosophy six systems are orthodox believing in authority of Vedas in contrast to other heterodox schools which do not accept the authority of vedas. The six orthodox systems are Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Mimamsa & Vedanta. These six orthodox systems form three allied systems thus being distinctive on that level as well as each system having salient features of their own.

Some overarching principles of these schools are similar and therefore bring a certain unity to them. For example, all orthodox schools subscribe to the authority of Vedas, law of karma, rebirth, soul, liberation, etc. However, what differentiates between these systems is the ways knowledge is obtained, path to liberation, fundamental reality, interpretation of vedas, etc.

The Samkhya-Yoga system believes in liberation of soul when the conscious being is detached from matter i.e. prakriti. While Samkhya deals with the philosophical aspect, Yoga prescribes the physical discipline for such liberation.Nyaya-Vaiseshika system gives more importance on the logic mode of liberation.

The Mimamsa-Vedanta system relates to commentaries on vedas where Mimamsa emphasizes on the earlier parts of vedas i.e. on ritualistic aspects and Vedanta emphasizes on the later parts of vedas i.e. worship aspects of vedas.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 6, 2014 at 8:23 am
  
  A fine answer Raghu. You could have highlighted the differences between Nyaya and Vaiseshika too. But you are writing well, as we can see from the other answers too. Keep it up.
  
  Reply
Tanay says:

September 5, 2014 at 10:32 am

Thank you ClearIAS for your effort , It definitely help student to improve there answer writing . Thank you once again.
GS1

Individual Satyagraha was the concept of Mahatma Gandhi to prepare people specially villagers for the mass movement in near future and safeguard freedom of speech. Vinoba Bhave initiated the movement . Mahatma Gandhi does not initiated a mass movement to show support with British and France during World War II due to the fact that INC and major party of that time condemn Fascism of Germany.
Other reasons were lack of unity among Hindu and Muslim , weak and corrupted organisation of congress and people were not ready for mass movement. It was necessary to gain trust of people specially peasent, villagers and youth which was backbone of other previous mass movement.
Congress Working committee suspended Individual Satyagraha due to invasion of Japan to Burma which become threat to other British Occupied colonies also. Even in its short life span Individual satyagraha was successful in creating nationalism and zeal for freedom at an extend. Individual satyagraha was the first foundation stone kept by Mahatma Gandhi for the Quit India Movement. Individual Satyagrah creates its own space in the history of Indian freedom movement.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 6, 2014 at 8:28 am
  
  Thanks Tanay for the comments.
  And regarding the answer, you have touched certain aspects, but missed some other. Don’t worry, try to write to-the-point answers, next time. There is enough time to improve. See an overall framework of a model answer:
  
  In the significance part: First major movement after failure of August offer 1940 – Primarily a moral protest against dragging India into 2nd world war, but not an extensive anti-war movement – Also for right of speech – about 30,000 men court arrest – Result – expansion of Viceroy’s executive council to include more Indians.
  
  Regarding suspension part: Not because of expansion of executive council or release of arrested Satyagrahis later- but due to concern about the safety of India due to the entry of Japan into the war.
  
  Reply
  1. Tanay says:
    
    September 6, 2014 at 9:51 am
    
    Thank you sir for your review . It help me to write better answers in future.
    
    Reply
Amritesh says:

September 5, 2014 at 10:58 pm

Q. Collegium system of Supreme Court – Trace the evolution of the collegium system of selection of Judges in India. What are the main proposals in the National Judicial Appointments Commissions Bill? Can the new system affect the independence of the Indian judiciary? Critically analyse. (200 words)
The appointment of Judges of Supreme Court shall be done by the President of India under Art. 124. Also the President of India acts on the ” Aid and advice” of the council of Ministers. However over a period of times ,although the appointment of Judges of Supreme Court is being made by the President but not on the aid and advice of CoM, but on the recommendation of the collegium of four senior-most judges of SC including the CJI. This collegium system got a definite shape after the 1993 judgment of SC. The National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill aims at securing the real meaning of the Art 124 by involving the executive in the selection process. As of now the Judges are appointing Judges an dexecutive has virtually no say. The NJAC aims to involve Executive(Law Minister), Eminent personalities from Law faculties nominated by SC and few judges of SC. The majority of the committee shall be non executive. Therefore the independence of the Judiciary, a basic feature of the Indian Constitution is not being affected with this bill. Following of Article 124 in letter and spirit is being established by this bill, which also a part of the basic feature of the Constitution.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 6, 2014 at 8:32 am
  
  A decent attempt Amritesh, but you touched many aspects only in general. We advice you to research every aspect of this topic, as this is widely discussed.
  
  Reply
  1. amrite says:
    
    September 6, 2014 at 9:44 am
    
    Dear ClearIAS Thnaks a lot. As I have just started writing answers and have not at all done it earlier, I would request you to give detailed comment on my answers (as you have given on Challenge three economy question). However I assure you, very soon you will see improvement in my answers.
    
    Reply
garwa says:

September 7, 2014 at 8:22 pm

individual satyagrh gandhi ji davara saru kiya gaya tha jisme unhone ashyog aandolan ke baad ke samye me logo ko tyar karne ke liye kiya
phale sayagrahi vinobha bhave the satyagrahi dehli ki traf chalte or bich me logo ko aajadi ka sandesh dete or tyar rahne ki parerna dete
log unhe gher lete taki jab tak police aati tab tak unka bhasan pura ho jata
bapu dawara chalaye gaye sabhi andolno me sab se kamjor tha par fir b aajadi ki ladae me aham h kyo ki isne aane wale bharat chodo andolan ke liye jhujharu yodha tyar kiye tha andolano ke bich ke samye me urja ko banaye rakha

Reply
anuarg says:

September 12, 2014 at 2:13 pm

Qs. Discuss the significance of Individual Satyagraha in Indian freedom movement. Why did Congress working committee decide to suspend Individual Satyagraha?

Ans. After the august offer by British govt there was demand of mass movement in congress and among people like civil disobedience movement but gandhiji launched Individual Satyagraha.
First Satyagrahi chosen was Acharya Vinoba Bhave and then Nehruji.
Significance –
Gandhiji felt that due to indiscipline and differences in congress a mass movement is not possible because it may turn violent.
It wasn’t a extensive movement. It was just to oppose british claim that india support war whole heartedly.
It was also to assert right of speech.

Individual Satyagraha was suspended by congress not because it includes extension of executive council or due to releasing of satyagrahis, but because congress was worried about safety of India due to Japan’s entry into war.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 10:53 am
  
  Good to see that you added many of the points discussed so far. Keep writing, you can improve.
  
  Reply
anuarg says:

September 12, 2014 at 2:14 pm

Qs. Trace the evolution of the collegium system of selection of Judges in India. What are the main proposals in the National Judicial Appointments Commissions Bill? Can the new system affect the independence of the Indian judiciary? Critically analyse.

Ans. Collegium is a system under which appointment of judges are decided by a forum of CJI and 4 most senior judges of SC.
The collegium system has its genesis in a series of 3 judgements together known as three judges cases. In first judgment SC refused primacy of CJI recommendation but restore it in next 2 judgements.
Collegium system was developed after 2nd judgement in 1993 to maintain judicial independence or to remove influence of executive and legislature from judicial appointments.

National judicial appointments commissions bill –
Commission is consist of CJI, 2 most senior judges of SC, union law minister, and 2 eminent persons appointed by a committee which include CJI,PM, and leader of opposition.
Commission shall recommend the senior most judge of SC for appointment as CJI.
For appointment as judge of SC Commission shall recommend name of persons on the basis of their ability, merit, and other criteria mention in regulations.
Commission shall not recommend a person for appointment if any two of its member do not agree to such recommendation.

As NJAC include half of its members outside of judiciary it can be said that it will reduce the judicial independence in case of appointments and executive’s say will increase.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 12:37 pm
  
  Though your answer covers the basic details, the analysis part is too peripheral. Keep reading. You can improve soon.
  
  Reply
anuarg says:

September 12, 2014 at 2:15 pm

Qs. What were the main proposals of Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC)? What are the criticisms against the proposals?

Ans. FSLRC was setup by finance ministry in march 2011under the chairmanship of justice B.N.srikrishna to rewrite and harmonise financial sector legislations, rules and regulations. This commission submitted its report in march 2013.
Main proposals –
– Indian financial code bill to create a unified financial authority(UFA) and bring about reforms in financial sector regulations.
– Suggested that SEBI, IRDA, PFRDA(pension fund regulatory and development authority) and the Forward markets commission be merged under one regulator- UFA.
– RBI as supervisor of banking industry and UFA as supervisor of insurance, capital markets, pension and commodities.
– All financial laws and regulations are intended to protect the interest of consumers so proposed a dedicated forum for relief to consumers and detailed provisions for protection of unwary customers against mis-selling and defrauding by smaller print etc. has been recommended.
– Proposed certain basic rights for all financial consumers.
– Proposed additional set of protection for lay investors.
– Recommended judicial review of regulations after every 10 years.

Criticisms-
– Against UFA – due to its regulatory monopoly, failure in international experience and due to lack of required skill set for such an organization.
– Against changes in power and objectives of RBI.
– Against drastic nature of proposed proposals.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 12:53 pm
  
  Good answer anuarg…Keep it up.
  
  Reply
anuarg says:

September 12, 2014 at 2:16 pm

Qs Compare and contrast the six systems of Indian orthodox philosophy?

Ans. There are 6 systems of Indian orthodox philosophy known as shad darshanas
1. Nyaya – by sage gautama
2. Vaisheshika – by sage kannada
3. Samkhya – by sage kapila
4. Yoga – by sage patanjali
5. Mimansa – by sage jaimini
6. Vedanta – by sage vyasa
All 6 schools are directly out of Vedas. All 6 have same goal but they provide different path of to achieve these goals.
They all have one aim – removal of ignorance and its effects of pain and sufferings and the attainment of freedom, perfection, immortality and eternal bliss by union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul.
The followers of nyaya believed that valid knowledge was only way to obtain release from suffering.
Vaisheshika system emphasized on logical explanation. It explains how god has made all material world out of small molecules or atoms.
Samkhya system regards the universe as consisting of two realities – purusha(spirit/consiousness) and prakrti(matter). It donot accept ishwara or god.
Yoga system accept all principles of samkhya and in addition to god.
Mimansa deals with karma-kanda(ritualistic component) of Vedas
Vedanta deals with jnana-kand(knowledge).
The Vedanta school is most popular of all the schools today.

Reply
Nisha Singh (@nisha0086singh) says:

September 12, 2014 at 7:14 pm

Q GS PAPER 2 – DISCUSS THE STEPS, POLICIES AND ACTS RELATED WITH WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN INDIA? (200 WORDS)
ANSWER – IN INDIA FROM THE TIME OF ANCIENT TIME PERIOD THERE IS WORST CONDITION OF WOMENS DAY BY DAY . IN GUPTA AGE ONLY PROVEN THERE EQUALITY OF MAN AND WOMEN IN EACH AREA. SO THERE AFTER THAT AGAIN WOMEN COMES DOWN .
IN THE TIME OF BRITISH RULE THERE IS NOT GUD CONDITION OF WOMEN BUT WHEN RAJA RAM MOHAN RAY AND BRITISHIANS PROHIBTED SATI PRATHA AND CHILD MARRIAGE BY MADE A MARRIAGE ACT. THE CONDITION OF WOMEN COMES UP OF ONE SCALE ABOVE ACCORDING TO SOCIAL RESPECT AND SENSE OF EDUCATION.
AFTER MODERATE PERIOD THERE IS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED BY WOMEN IN REVOLUTIONARY ACTIVITIES, BY THIS WOMEN HAVE THEIR IDENTITY AND PROVE SHE IS ALSO DO ANYTHING WHICH SHE LIKES TO DO . LIKE WISE IN PRINCELY AGE FEW WOMENS SHOW THAT SHE IS BETTER IN FEW CASES IN COMPARISON OF MALES.
. ACCORDING TO THAT MANY ARTICLES ACT HAS BEEN MADE SO FAR FOR IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF FEMALES IN OUR SOCIETY TO SAVE HER DIGNITY OR RESPECT IN SENSE OF HUMANITY.
BUT IN FEW CASE I FEEL THERE IS ACT AND IMPROVEMENT DOES NOT ACTIVELY OR TRUELLY BY MEANS TO ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATIONS OF LAW WHICH MAKES FOR SAVE FEMALES RIGHT LIKE – BRIBE , MARRIAGE, DIVORCE COMPENSATION, EDUCATION, MATERNITY FACILITY, SAFE ENVIRONMENT IN PLACE OF JOB AND EDUCATION, ETC.
SO HOW COULD WE FEEL FREE TO SAY ABOUT WOMEN ACT AND OR LAW WORK PERFECTLY , THERE HAS BEEN MADE LAW FOR GIVE PROTECTION AND SELF RESPECT TO ALL FEMALE BUT IS THERE RISES THE CASES OF RAPES , ACID ATTACK, DOWRY, MURDER OF FEMALE FOETUS, UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT IN JOBS AND EDUCATION PLACES, ETC.
I THINK THERE HAS BEEN REBOOT OUR SYSTEM TO STRONGLY FOLLOWED AND IMPLEMENTED ALL ACT WHICH MADE BY LAW FOR GIVE PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMNT OF ALL WOMENS.

Reply
1. ClearIAS.com says:
  
  September 15, 2014 at 12:50 pm
  
  Nisha, evaluators expect specific details and not too general answers which everyone can write. Keep writing taking inputs from the feedback given to others in this test series.
  
  PS: Make sure, you answer each questions in the right test series. This is not a question in Test Set #1. And don’t use uppercase letters through out 🙂
  
  Reply
  1. nisha singh says:
    
    November 25, 2014 at 11:54 pm
    
    Thanx sir , next time I don’t write in uper case . I believe cause of ur guidelines I definitely improve my answers writing skill. Please ever response nd guide all of those who really want to practice. Thnx again clear ias gudd efforts done by you.
    
    Reply
Amrit says:

October 31, 2014 at 5:53 pm

Dear ClearIAS,
Please review the essay sent to you as PDF.

Reply
1. Sa says:
  
  May 10, 2016 at 8:20 pm
  
  Can you pl send me too in my email?
  
  Reply
Mktr says:

November 25, 2014 at 1:31 am

GS 1 Paper: [Individual Satyagraha] – Discuss the significance of Individual Satyagraha in Indian freedom movement. Why did Congress working committee decide to suspend Individual Satyagraha? (200 words)

It is a form satyagraha ,simple in form,non violent in nature but a new and strong way to criticize. it was conducted by INC under the supervision of ghandhi as a protest against august offer and other British anti Indian policies,though the radicals and leftist proposed a mass protest but ghandhi do not want to disturb British in world war. Acharya vinoba bave , J.nehru and Brahma dutt are
the respective satyagrahies
significants
-adopted a new form of satyagraha
-criticized effort of white to drag India in to world war
-a peaceful gathering against British
-mass participation especially in its second phase 1941-around 20000 above arrested

Congress working committee decide to suspend satygraha as they realized the threat to India’s safety due to japans entry in to war

Reply
sandeep choudhary says:

August 27, 2015 at 10:07 pm

Q-1 individual satyagraha
Ans-Individual Satyagraha was launched by congress under the aegis of mahatma gandhiji to show resent among the Indians against the decision of British government to involve India in world war 2 without consultation.Acharya vinoba bhave was chosen as the first satyagrahi followed by pt.jawahar lal nehruji.

Objective-
A-to show that India don’t want to take advantage of war but it is aginst involvement of India into war.
B-to pressurise British government to provide more rights to the Indians.
C-to keep revolution feeling awake

Outcome-
Allied powers felt the need of support of India so august offer was presented conceding dominion status to India but congress rejected it.

Why it was suspended-
A-August offer created a gulf by offering dominion status while congress passes resolution of complete independence way back in Lahore session of 1929.
B-setback to britishers in war and fear looms of Japanese attack on India.
So congress working committee decided to suspend individual Satyagraha and finally quit India movement was launched on 6aug 1942.

Reply