Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing: Test Series -36

This is question set #36 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.

Note from Clear IAS Team

We have been noticing great improvement in the answer quality and comprehension skills in regular participants in Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing Program. Our vision is to cover most of the important conventional and current topics for mains, so that serious and deserving aspirants who participate in this free program are always one step ahead in the competition. We have already seen many excellent answers from serious participants. Regarding evaluation, in the first 30 days, Clear IAS Team had been giving overall guidelines to write a good, high value answer, but in the coming days, we plan to award marks, so that aspirants will get a realistic idea about the UPSC expectations and quality they need to maintain in the answer.

Please note: Last year the toppers’ marks for General Studies varied from 300-400 out of 1000. (2013 CSE AIR 1, Gaurav Agrawal scored 338/1000 for GS). This means, 4 marks out of 10 for every answer in UPSC exam was excellent performance as far as 2013 mains GS was concerned. So our marking scheme too would be keeping those figures in mind. Please have a look at our marking scheme for coming days:

• 0.0-1.9/10 – Not satisfactory.
• 2.0-2.4/10 – Average.
• 2.5-2.9/10 – Good.
• 3.0-3.9/10 – Excellent.
• 4.0+/10 – Exceptional.

Questions for Answer Writing – Selections for today:

1. Essay Paper: Alcoholism in India. (1500 words)
2. GS 1 Paper: [Indian History/Revolutionary movements] – Though the mains stream nationalist movement was widely non-violent, there was a parallel stream of revolutionary movement of Indian Independence. Trace the notable activities of revolutionaries, and analyse the importance of the role played by revolutionaries in Indian freedom. (200 words)
3. GS 2 Paper:  [Indian Diaspora/MOA] The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is the quintessential people’s agency, a one-stop address for the Overseas Indians. What are the schemes of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Explain the salient features of the same. –  (200 words)
4. GS 3 Paper: [Science and Technology/Anti oxidants and Phytochemicals] What are antioxidants and phytochemicals? What are the health benefits of the same? (200 words)
5. GS 4 Paper: [Attitude and Aptitude] Distinguish between attitude and aptitude for civil services. What are the qualities that reflect in the right attitude of a civil servant? (200 words)

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.

Rules and Regulations: Clear IAS Mains High Value Answer Writing

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. 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.