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:
- Essay Paper: Alcoholism in India. (1500 words)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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.
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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)
ANS:- 1. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize the free radicals generated in the body as a result of breakdown of food or environmental exposure to tobacco smoke,pollution and ultra violet radiations from the sun.
2. If left unchecked the free radicals trigger the chain reactions that can cause damage to the healthy cells of the body and causes heart disease,cancer and many other chronic diseases.
3. Different antioxidants provide health benefits to different parts of the body.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANTIOXIDANTS:
1. Antioxidants prevent the destruction of cells caused by free radicals.Free radicals are unstable molecules that take away the electrons from other molecules.this is the cause for diseases.
2..Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals to stabilize them and prevent free radicals from invading other cells and causing diseases.
3. Antioxidants play a vital role in anti aging and keeps the body young.
4.Our body can produce antioxidant enzymes and these work along with the antioxidants that come with the food we eat.
5.Spices are highly rich in antioxidants among other food.
6.There is a wide range of antioxidants found in nature so that variety of antioxidants provide health benefits to different parts of the body.
7. For example Beta carotene and other carotenoids are helpful for eye health,lycopene helps to maintain prostate health,flavonoids helps to maintain heart health,proantcyainidin helps to maintain urinary tract health and astaxanthin helps in keeping skin healthy from reactive species of oxygen.
PHYTOCHEMICALS:
1. Phytochemicals are a variety of compounds produced by plants.They are found in fruits, vegetables,beans,grains and other plants.
2. Each phytochemical comes from a variety of different plant sources and have different proposed health benefits.
3.Some of the phytochemicals are flavones,isoflavones ,carotenoids,lutein etc.
4.Phytochemicals are nothing but antioxidants and antioxidants are nothing but phytochemicals.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PHYTOCHEMICALS:
1.Phytochemicals contain anti cancer derivatives which help in cancer prevention therapy.
2.some of the phytonutrients /phyto chemicals such as cinnamon helps to reduce blood sugar and increase insulin resistance in diabetics.
3. Ginger,coriander and cumin may help in healthy digestion.
Marks : 4.0. Excellent, N.S. Vasanthasena. Keep it up!
beautifully written answer .
just one point here – antioxidants include vitamins , minerals and phytochemicals . they perform antioxidative function . not all phytochemicals are antioxidants .
Thanks for correcting my mistake Dhillonz
1. 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)
The extremists had a radical outlook and active resistance to British imperialism. They called upon people of India to sacrifice their lives for the sake of freedom. The notable activities of revolutionaries are:
– Secret Societies – Anushilan Samiti, Mitra Mela in Maharashtra, Abhinav Bharat
– Societies abroad – Ghadar party, Indian Home Rule Society
– Propagation of ideas – Newspapers – Sandhya,Kal,Yugantar
Journals – Indian Sociologist, Bande Matram,Talvar, Free Hindustan
– Assasinations – Chapekar brothers assasinated British officials at Poona; Khudiram Bose and Prafull Chaki threw bomb at carriage of Kingsford; assassination of Saunders by Bhagat Singh,Rajguru and Sukhdev
– Dacoities – Kakori robbery and Chittagong armoury raid
– Revolutionary groups – Hindustan Republican Association, Gupt Samiti, Hindustan Socialist Republic Party, Azad Hind Fauz
– Bomb in Legislature – Bhagat Singh and his companions threw bomb in Central Legislative Assembly
Importance of Revolutionaries Role
– Set rare examples of death-defying heroism
– Aroused through constant propaganda hatred in minds of people
– Failure of Anti-Partition movement of Bengal accentuated youth to rise from passive resistance to extremist methods
– Removed fear of unemployment and starvation and fostered love for freedom
– Constant demonstrations and agitations were organized
– Carried nationalism message both inside and outside the country
– Gave nationalist movement a new turn
(Words: 203)
1. 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)
The MOIA has initiated various schemes for welfare of Overseas Indians:
1.Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) –
– provides contingency expenditure incurred
– Boarding and lodging for distressed
– Extending emergency medical care
– Providing initial legal assistance
2.Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana
Encourage overseas Indian workers to
– save for their return and resettlement
– save for their pension
3.Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojana
– compulsory insurance scheme
– includes medical ,maternity, legal expenses
4.Know India Programme
– three-week orientation programme for Diaspora youths
– promote awareness on different facets of Indian life and the progress made
5.Study India Programme
– connecting youth Indian Diaspora with India through the channel of educational institutions
– to undergo short term course in an Indian University to familiarize them with the history, heritage, art, culture, socio-political, economic developments etc. of India.
6.Tracing the Roots
– trace details of roots in India – name of close surviving relative; place of origin of their forefathers; and family tree are made available to the applicant.
7. Scheme for Legal/Financial Assistance to Indian Women Deserted / Divorced By Their NRI Husbands
– assistance will be limited to US$ 3000 per case for developed countries and US$ 2000 per case for developing countries
– Assistance will be provided to meet the legal and other costs
(Words: 216)
Marks 4.5. Suggestion : Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC).
Cleaarias,
I left that out knowingly because i already crossed the word limit…dont know how i will retrieve all the things in exam 🙂
Don’t worry, you are writing GS answers well. Suggestions for improvement : 1) Attempt more indirect questions in GS requiring more analytical skills. 2) Attempt essays. (Yes, We have gone through your earlier essay, and updated feedback there. Write more. You need to polish your essay skills.) All the best!
alpa ,
just one addition more – overseas citizenship of india scheme .
though PM Modi has merged PIO and OCI now .
sorry clearias , i know it ‘s out of the way
but one mnemonic for these schemes –
F M Pe Kaun Sunaye Tumhe Song Or Hasaye
( kindly focus on capital letters )
Fund i.e. indian community on welfare fund
M i.e. mahatma gandhi pravasi suraksha yojana
P i.e. pravasi bharitiya bima yojana
K i.e. know india program
S i.e. study india program
T i.e. tracing the roots
S i.e. scholarship program for diaspora children
O i.e overseas india citizenship card scheme
Husband i.e. scheme for financial or legal assistance to indian women deserted / divorced by their NRI husbands .
Thanks Dhillonz! We are sure that this mnemonic will help many.
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)
ANS:- 1. Attitude reflects about what kind of man a particular person is,whereas aptitude reflects the knowledge and analysis of a p[erson about anything.
2. Attitude reflects about how the man approaches a situation or a problem.Whereas aptitude reflects the ability of a person to handle a situation / a problem.
3. Attitude is a complex mental state involving belief and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways.Whereas aptitude is the inherent capacity in someone to do some work.
4. Attitude is the person’s degree of like and dislike for something.Aptitude means the ability to workout in competition.
QUALITIES THAT REFLECT IN THE RIGHT ATTITUDE OF A CIVIL SERVANT ARE:
1.A civil servant should be impartial while rendering service to the nation.
2.He should have some objectives for implementing particular schemes.
3.A civil servant should have a reliability of administrative operations.
4.He should have openess of mind.
5.He should have service principle and responsibility.
Attributes of a Good Administrator:
1. Willingness to assume responsibility.
2. A steadily enlarging ability to deal with more
3. A strong bent toward action.
4. A good listener.
5. Effective with people.
6. Capacity to build his own strength by building the competence of his organization.
7. Capacity to use his institutional resources.
8.Avoiding using power or authority for their own
9. Welcoming reports of troublesome things.
10. A good team-worker.
11. A good initiator.
Marks : 3.0.
Dear ClearIas,
I am having one of the stupidest doubt one can have at this stage.
In my coaching I was told to write Mains answers in the form of Essay, but here everyone is writing in points. My question is which writing style one should prefer?
Thanks
Either way is fine Pooja. Read our toppers’ interviews to know more.
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)
Ans.
Anti Oxidants are substances which protect our body cells from damage from free radicals generated in our body from smoking,drinking, pollution, radiation or as by product of normal metabolism. The free radicals increase the threat of development of cancer cells, chronic diseases etc in our body. Vitamin A,C,E,Selenium etc are common anti oxidant. Vegetables, whole grain, nuts fruits,legumes, lobia etc contain more anti-oxidants while meat product contain lesser anti oxidants.
Health Benefit of Anti Oxidants- The improve our metabolism, reduce risk of cancers and risk of infection, improve immunity and maintain heart health. However when taken in larges large quantities they can be harmful like excess of Vitamin A intake by pregnant women results in birth defect. Excess of Vitamin A & E increases cardio-vascular diseases.
Phytochemicals- These are naturally found chemical like lycopene,lutein,salicin compounds in plants. They have both biological and medicinal importance. They are lost when food is processed unlike frozen or fresh items which have more phytochemicals. They come form different plants and have different health benefits. They are one type of antioxidants itself.
Health Benefit- They have potential to affect the diseases like cancer, stroke, metabolic syndrome. They are also for long being used as drug for fever, pain relieving etc. Alicin found in garlic is used as anti- bacterial. Some phytochemicals bound themselves to cell walls thereby prevent adhesion of pathogens to human cell walls where as cranberries will reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and will improve dental health. They help to reduce menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.
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)
Ans. The main programs/schemes of MOIA include following-
1. Bilateral Labor Welfare and Protection Agreement and Bilateral Social Security cooperation- These are being done with major receiver countries with aim of social security and protecting interests of our migrants specially skilled ones.
2. India Centre for Migration- This act as Think Tank for GoI to draw policies related to migrant workers abroad.
3. Know Your Country- This is designed for OCI/NRIs youth in 18-26 age group to know the country from different aspect including cultural,economy,media,democracy, yoga etc. by spending 3 weeks times. 90% of air travel fares arereimbursed by GOI on successful completion of the programe.
4. Overseas Citizenship of India-The PIOs can register themselves as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) if they were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 or there after or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January, 1950, except those who are citizens of Pakistan Bangladesh or as notified by the GOI. The OCI do not enjoy political rights.
5. Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre-
6. Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre
7. Pravasi Bhartiya Divas and Pravasi Bhartiya Awards- To commemorate the
contribution of diaspora towards upkeeping the name of India directly/indirectly, PBD in celebrated and PBAs are conferred on 9 Jan every year.
8. OCI YouthClub-The OIYC is an institutional mechanism in the Indian Missions/Posts abroad to engage young overseas Indians, students and professionals, including facilitation of their work in social sectors at the district level in India
9. Overseas Workers Resource Centre- It is established with aim to facilitate information dissemination, receiving complaints and grievance reddressal mechanisms of migrant workers.
10. Scholarship programme for Diaspora Children- Under this programme financial assistance is given to wards of Indian diaspora to attain higher education.
Essay – Alcoholism in India
Many people stop drinking after few pegs of alcoholic beverages but those who are daily indulged into this habit of drinking are at great risk of alcoholism. Many drink to enjoy, relax and have fun. Some take it as a tension relieving medicine while others cite reasons that it is just for taste. Alcholism in India is no less than an evil which has imbibed millions of Indians into its shackles who find it now impossible to refrain from it. The one-stop solution for societal tensions, family problems, employment problems is now resorting to alcoholism.
It is of utmost importance to identify why people get attracted to this giant evil and what forces them to have a desire to be alcoholic. Taking teens into consideration it is more of show-off or trying to raise oneself in eyes of the friends. To drink alcohol has become a fashion now-a-days and speaks about the social standard. Other reasons which could be cited are feeling of denial by constantly potraying a person as irresponsible and careless. The emotional breakdown, sarcastic remarks or any other tension creates the conditions for the one to resort to alcoholism. If a child gets less marks and severe scolding from parents what he looks for is something which could get him out of these depressing remarks. The answer is alcohol. The genetics also has a huge impact on inculcating the habit to take alcohol. The question of nurture too arises here. What if a child has grown up seeing his parent drink daily and has brought up in environment full of family issues or tensions; the child will definitely have more probability to move on the path which leads him to darkness.
International brewers and distillers of alcoholic beverages are keen to become popular in India, because it is potentially offers a large market for their product globally. India has also become one of the largest producers of alcohol – it produces 65% of alcoholic beverages in South-East Asia. Most urban areas have witnessed an explosion in the number of bars and nightclubs that have opened in recent years. There has been huge increase in the per capita consumption of alcohol. Today, while planning a party, get-together or travel tours the first thing that comes to mind is – would alcohol be available there. It has become common to first enquire the price of alcohol while travelling to a place rather than the tourist spots. The culture to visit restaurant cum bar is now being linked to social status.
The advertisement world today openly displays the drinks with vigour and especially celebrities and female models. The message of regarding alcohol as a friend as in Bagpiper advertisement or something which could make you stand with pride among others has totally misguided the youth. Many cricketers and bollywood stars signing great deals with alcohol brands have to look deeper into their conscience that how they are inducing people to inculcate a wrong habit. The placing of beer bottles or other drinks adjacent to fruit juices in shopping malls has all the more boosted the culture of alcoholism.
Indians have forgotten the teachings of “Simple living, high thinking” of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi has always urged people to abstain alcohol. All the more in our constitution, the directive principles commit the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health, particularly by prohibiting intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health except for medicinal purposes. The question today is who cares about these principles. The newspapers carry daily the news of accidents citing reason that the driver was in drunk condition. Often the drunkards create nuisance and indulge in conflicts some of which even lead to heinous crimes like rape and murder. Where our values and morals have gone? The Gandhian principles need to be revived for betterment of the society and guide it in a correct direction.
The effects of alcoholism are of all the more concern. The alcoholism lead children to divert from their path, leave their studies and get indulged in wrongful acts. The habit or addiction to alcohol in adults may result in renal failure or malfunctioning of other organs. The person becomes irritated very easily which leads to domestic violence. The nervous system gets impaired and the result is enormous health issues. The women today are no behind man in getting drenched in alcoholism. Many women take alcohol mainly due to depression. The pregnant woman indulging in drinking results in defects in foetus which may later lead to many complexities.
Why we have not been able to deal with this menace of alcoholism? Why are the government schemes, NGOs and rehabilitation centres not effective in curbing this bad habit? Why people are not made aware regarding the health effects? Why prevention is not given more importance than cure? These are some questions which need to addressed effectively and efficiently. We need to rethink that we are compromising our health to give huge profits to these alcohol companies. Why not divert this money for some productive use which may result in overcoming problems of poverty, unemployment, literacy etc.
As per many claims of many studies conducted, drinking certain ml of alcohol may not have any drastic effects on a person’s health. What is needed to look over those studies and carve out certain rules rather than giving justification regarding controllable drinking of alcohol. Those driving while drunk should be fined heavily and if caught second time in the same state their driving license should be cancelled. No more license for liquor shops and night bars should be allotted. The concept of “pay days as dry days”should be emphasized. The leaders, stars, sportsperson need to come forward for this great cause to create mass awareness. It is true that many laws can be framed but the individual needs to change personally to bring about this moral revolution.
The alcoholism is a disease which has destroyed many people and families. It has plagued the mankind. There is no easy solution to addiction. Many people ask “Why don’t these addicts understand how alcohol is ruining their life.”The answer is, they cannot. Alcholism has many possible causes but the consequences it has are always deadly. To begin to solve this problem, the urgency and the seriousness of this problem has to be brought in limelight. The view of people seeing alcohol as non-threatening dilemma needs to be changed to save the lives of thousands of people which are at stake.
Distinguish between attitude and aptitude for civil services. What are the qualities that reflect in the right attitude of a civil servant?
Attitude denotes the positive or negative valuation of the people, objects, acivities, ideas, events, environment etc. Aptitude enables the person to develop the skill to perform a task .However attitude determines how a person actually do the job.
Aperson may have the talent to develop the skill required for a job . But the attitude determines the person to actually do the task , This clearly shows that attitude gets more preference than aptitude.
The conducted by Cote and Levine in attitude vs aptitude published in the journal of Adolesent research. The results shows that the attitude acts as the engine to determine what and how much one do.
Qualities that reflect the right attitude for civil servants:
1)Acceptance: The civil servant should have an ivory tower attitude. He/she needs to accept mistakes. Acceptance gives the attitude which rectified the mistakes to achive success.
2)Love fellow humanbeings: Very important quality that gives the attitude of approchbility.
3)Optimism: There is a something good in every situation. A problem is opportunity to something different.
4)Tolernance: Enables the lisenting capacity for civil serrvants.
5) Honesty to work: Gives the respect to the work and makes the civil servant hard worker.
6)puntuallity:Respect toward the time. In the world , time is an impotant factor for all the matters. Respecting the time will only save work.
7)Trust:Gives the belief and confidence to the fellow workers. This inturn generates positive attitude among them.
These are only the glimpses of qualities required by a civil servant. The list is endless and a civil servant must grow consistenly to serve better.
* (not ivory tower attitude)
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
Ans. The mainstream national movements on mass basis was paralled with large
number of revolutionary movement in different parts of the country. For instance, during Swadeshi movement, extremists were involved in revolutionary activites.During non cooperation movement, Hindutan Socialistic Revolutionary army was active . During quit india movement, Indian national Army under Bose was marching towards india.
All the revolutionary movement believed in the violent means of overthrowing the British imperialistic power and attin freedom.
Notable Activities:
• Organisations- Anushilan Samiti, India House,Jugantar,Bangal Voluntareirs,HSRA, Gadar party.
• Assasinations- Robert Ashe, collector of Tirunelveli was assassinated in 1911 by Vanchi Iyer.
• In 1929 Lt. saundas assasinated by Bhagat Singh, sukhdev
• In 1897 Lt. Rand assassinated by chapekar brothers
Conspiracy case:
• Delhi – Lahore conspiracy case (1911)
• Alipore conspiracy case
• Rakori train robbery (1923)
• Chittagong armoury raid (1928)
• Central Assembly Bomb Case (1929)
Role played revolutionaries:
1) They were fighting for the justice of various atrocities committed by the imperial power
2) Their means was violent because they believed that an unjust law should be repelled by force. They were mainly inspired by Russian revolution in 1917.
3) They were mostly youngsters who laid their lives for the cause of freedom. They inspired many young people to freedom movement
Conclusion: Their action should be looked from the times have been in. They still remain in our hearts as martyrs.