This is question set #29 of ‘Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Test Series’. Mains High Value Answer Writing is a UPSC mains oriented program from ClearIAS.com that consists of 5 questions in each post, published around 8 pm every day. Each of the 5 questions are selected from 5 papers mentioned in UPSC Mains syllabus namely 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 choose any question they wish to answer in the comment space provided below, specifying the question.
Questions for Answer Writing – Selections for today:
- Essay Paper: Environment vs development debate. (1500 words)
- GS 1 Paper: [World History/Russian Revolution] – Though the Russian revolution had its roots in First World War, the revolution had actually affected the result of First World War. Analyze how Russian revolution influenced world history. (200 words)
- GS 2 Paper: [Foreign relations] – How important is SAARC in establishing India’s position as a major power in the modern world? Trace the opportunities and road ahead. (200 words)
- GS 3 Paper: [Indian Economy/Finance Commission] List out the overlapping areas of functions between Finance Commission and Planning Commission if any. What were the major recommendations of 13th Financial Commission? (200 words)
- GS 4 Paper: [Values] List and explain five important values you think as important each from the two major religious texts in India ie Quran and Bhagavat Gita. (200 words)
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PS: Aspirants can select any question they wish to answer in the comment space provided below specifying the question. 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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GS 2 Paper: [Foreign relations] – How important is SAARC in establishing India’s position as a major power in the modern world? Trace the opportunities and road ahead. (200 words)
India needs to play a pivotal role in the functioning of SAARC. India shares its border with most of the member countries and has strategic geographic location. India should initiate steps to ensure that the nations go beyond the rhetoric and tap the opportunities.
– With rising raw material costs and huge trade deficits among Saarc members, an integrated approach to raw material and consequently energy security with SAARC nations could help India position as major power.
– India can also explore infrastructure building opportunities in the form of heavy especially in countries such as Afghanistan which is now becoming an important raw material source and is seeking infrastructure growth.
– Have deals with Afghanistan and Bangladesh which have an abundance of unexploited natural resources.
– India can initiate the sharing of coal-based thermal power generation technology with other Saarc members
– The need to explore and optimize use of the iron-ore deposits will help India in having an integrated raw material policy to cover iron-ore.
– Exploration of member countries oil reserves (Myanmar, Afghanistan) to mitigate future risks and price volatility
– Establish hydroelectric projects in Nepal to deal with power shortage
– Integrated Resource Management Planning with proper governance, fair laws and rules will benefit the economic and industrial development of India.
Being the dominant member of the bloc, India can’t just remain a member of SAARC; rather it should look for avenues to ensure that it creates greater opportunities for its export-import community to carry out trade.
Alpa, some of your previous answers were awesome with many good points. But on this question, you deviated from the essence of the question (mainly in the first part). Just go through your answer again. PS: We did notice great improvement in your answers and your comprehension too.
Clearias,
Importance of SAARC for India
-India occupies 70% of the SAARC region, both geographically and economically
– exports,imports and FDI
– economic growth
– leader in making the Regional Economic Cooperation a reality in South Asia.
– enormous opportunities for forging closer economic relations among SAARC countries.
– regional cooperation in agri,environment,education,culture,tourism,communications etc.
– trade liberalisation and industrial restructuring
– SAPTA
– combined approach for tariff elimination, tariff reduction and preferential or concessional tariffs to boost trade
(Pl tell are the above points needed and if not provide few points)
Alpa, some suggestions/points for a model answer for this question from our end. (You can use selected points from what is given below in the exam, depending upon the availability of time. But we expect at-least these points from serious candidates on a similar question)
Qn: GS 2 Paper: [Foreign relations] – How important is SAARC in establishing India’s position as a major power in the modern world? Trace the opportunities and road ahead
Importance:
For India to establish herself as a major world power, she needs to grow economically, politically and militarily. She also needs the support of other nations. For economic growth co-operation/trade treaties with many countries is essential in this globalized world
1) Growth and development in India can happen only if the neighbourhood is tranquil and the region, physically, emotionally and intellectually interlinked.
2) SAARC is the least-connected regional organisation.
3) With the failure of WTO talks, regional trade assumes greater importance for a country like India.
4)SAFTA will enhance trade among the member countries, and ensure trade and investment flows, integration of infrastructure,and greater people to people contacts which is very important.
5) Many of the SAARC nations can act as catalyst in accelerating India’s growth by providing resources we lack. (Eg: Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan)
6) The region has the highest population density in the world. It has a large number of cities close to the borders. There is untapped trade potential in this area, which can act as cushion at the time of recession in US and Europe.
Opportunities and the road ahead:
[PS: Apart from points you listed, you may add the following:]
1) Regional consultative mechanism on UN Peacekeeping
2) Creation of Export Promotion Zones and Special Economic Zones in each SAARC member country.
3)Concrete regional policy.
4) Slash the number of items on the sensitive list of commodities that are banned from trading.
5) SAARC satellite.
6) New SAARC head quarters in Delhi.
7) Co-operation on social issues.
8) Platform for solving bilateral issues.
clearias,
thanks for the valuable inputs
Though the Russian revolution had its roots in First World War, the revolution had actually affected the result of First World War. Analyze how Russian revolution influenced world history.
ANSWER:
1. Russian revolution had its roots in the 1st WW: the participation of russia in the world war had disastrous effect on the people who face economic hardships. There were famous bread riots in the petrograd in march 1917 which forced the tzar to abdicate power. The provisional government also could not improve the conditions as it continued participation the war. This led to rising discontent amongst the people, ultimately giving rise to the bolshevik revolution or the october revolution in november 1917.
2. The revolution affected the result of the war: with the rule of the bolsheviks, russia withdrew from the war. The bolsheviks promised ‘ land, peace and bread’ the people which was highly appealing to all the sections. The decree on war was proclaimed. Russia signed treaty of brest- litovsk with germany and handed over large territories under its control. It is said that revolution help end the war as the germans withdrew from the eastern front. Had there been no revolution, german forces would have continued to remain on the eastern borders.
3. Influence of the revolution over the world history: The rise of socialist ideas appealed to the people in the colonies and led to spread of socialism in the world. The revolution changed the course of the world war itself. The rule of communist dictatorships was instituted in russia. The abolition of right to property was a significant contribution which was done with the objective of establishing an egalitarian society.
Thus the revolution was a defining landmark in the course of world history.
TALEB’SECONOMIST, You understood the question well and covered many aspects including spread of socialism. Good. But this question had plenty of scope for elaborating. Keep writing.
sir please review
Though the Russian revolution had its roots in First World War, the revolution had actually affected the result of First World War. Analyze how Russian revolution influenced world history. (200 words)
The Russian revolution in 1914 had an immediate impact on the first world war-
1) Due to internal struggles, the Czar had to divert forces for handling the internal uprising, it was detrimental for its efforts on the front.
2) After the revolution, the Bolsheviks entered into an agreement with the Germans to end the hostilities on Eastern front. The terms were concessional to the Germans and they were able to focus their resources and men on the western front. This led to prolonging of the war.
3) Russian withdrawal eased the trade embargo on Germany and enabled it to procure material essential for war effort.
4) Later central powers of Turkey and Bulgaria were able to defend themselves better due to absence of threat from Russia.
5) The revolution inspired people for similar revolution through the countries, creating additional threat to the war effort.
6) At the end of the war, the allies distributed the colonies and territories of central powers among themselves. But since Russia had withdrawn, it was not a part of these. Had it not been the case, Turkey could have been at a great loss.
How important is SAARC in establishing India’s position as a major power in the modern world? Trace the opportunities and road ahead.
Ans.
SAARC is the most important organisation from the point of view of establishing India as a major power.
1) Political support; to be a major world power, any nation has to first emerge as a regional power and the leader of regional interests at world stage. ( case with Brazil and Argentina in South America)
2) Soft power; SAARC region is one of the world’s poorest, most populated and unstable regions. If Indian influence can turn things for better, it will create enormous goodwill in other such nations worldwide. (recent standoff at WTO with little support for India)
3) Neutralizing opposition; a member of SAARC, has repeatedly opposed Indian rise in the world stage and demanded parity. Till the issues are not resolved, the world will be hesitant in accepting Indian rise as major power.
4) Trade and commerce; There is a large untapped trading potential within the region and the member’s per-capita-incomes are still very low. SAARC offers increased trade potential that can improve lifestyles of millions of people. As the GDPs rise, so will their weightage in organisations like IMF.
5) Stability; the region has been marred with instability, civil wars and terrorism. These represent potential threats to India aswell.
Avi, Not bad; but please see our reply to Alpa on this question. That might give you some insights regarding expectations from our end.
List out the overlapping areas of functions between Finance Commission and Planning Commission if any. What were the major recommendations of 13th Financial Commission? (200 words)
Ans
Both the commissions are involved in allocation of money to the states however while planning commission grants it for planned development, finance commission grants it for non-planned developments.
Following are the major recommendations of 13th financial commission-
– Allocation to the states to be 30% of central governments of revenues.
– Allocations to local bodies to be 2.28% of the taxes.
– Reduction in the centrally sponsored schemes.
– Lower the losses in power sector.
– Implementation of GST. Separate GST for state and centre and centre to cover the losses state is to face.
– To stop diversion of plan development grants to non-plan grants.
– Revenue deficit to be removed and reduce debt to GDP ratio to 68%
– National disaster relief fund to be provided 250 crores and to keep essential goods for facing disaster.