1.

Understand the precise demands of Question (Core

and Non-core Part

Q.) E-governance, as a critical tool of governance, has ushered in

20 Mains Answer effectiveness, transparency and accountability in governments. What

inadequacies hamper the enhancement of these features? (2023)

Writing Commandments Q.1) Despite the issues faced by the investors, India
witnessed the fastest growth in the FDI inflows among all
the major economies amid pandemic. In light of this,
examine the factors driving the FDI in India. (10)

1 2

Have a look at the answer written by Shishir Singh AIR 16

Question: Effectiveness of the government system at various
levels and people’s participation in the governance system are
interdependent. Discuss their relationship in the context of
India. (15)

3 4
5 6

7 8
 2. Answer should be made as objective as possible
Examples:
Q.1) What is the criteria for recognising opposition leaders in
the Lok Sabha? What role does the opposition leader plays
in promoting democracy and good governance in India?

Q.3) Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a

prerequisite of democracy”. Comment.

Q.2) Analyze the role of the Indian Judiciary in upholding the

constitutional principles and ensuring social justice. Discuss
the challenges faced by the judiciary and suggest measures
to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.

9 10

Popular Sovereignty:

2. Answer should be made as objective as possible Free and Fair Elections:

Protection of Minority Rights:
Examples: Rule of Law:
Civil Liberties and Human Rights:
Q.1) What is the criteria for recognising opposition leaders in Transparency and Accountability:
Separation of Powers:
the Lok Sabha? What role does the opposition leader plays Independent Judiciary:
in promoting democracy and good governance in India?

Q.3) Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a

prerequisite of democracy”. Comment.

Q.2) Analyze the role of the Indian Judiciary in upholding the

constitutional principles and ensuring social justice. Discuss
the challenges faced by the judiciary and suggest measures
to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness.

11 12
SC Promoting aspects of democracy

1. Separation of Powers: In the case of S. R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court of India emphasized the
Equity, Human rights, Non discrimination, Access to
importance of maintaining the separation of powers and protecting the federal structure of government. opportunities, Participatory democracy, Sustaniable
development
3. Security of Tenure: In Raja Ram Pal v. Hon'ble Speaker, Lok Sabha (2007), the Supreme Court upheld the security of tenure for
judges and ruled that their removal should be based on the grounds of "proved misbehavior or incapacity."

4. Rule of Law: The landmark case of Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) established the principle of the "basic structure"
of the Constitution, which limits the power of constitutional amendment and underscores the judiciary's role in protecting the
Constitution's core principles.

Protecting minority rights: Public Interest Litigation (PIL):

Free and Fair elections: Lili thomas case, Recent Anoop beniwal case

Civil liberties and Human rights

Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (1978):

Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan (1997):
Narmada Bachao Andolan vs. Union of India (2000):
Aruna Shanbaug vs. Union of India (2011):
13 14
Navtej Singh Johar vs. Union of India (2018):
K.S. Puttaswamy (Privacy) vs. Union of India (2017):

3. Focus on Directives or tail words

● Phrases like define, discuss, differentiate, and critically
analyze are known as Directives. Each of these
Directives has a specific meaning and expects
information in a specific format.
● Directives like critically justify, critically discuss or
analyze should focus on both sides of the
argument(pros-con/challenges-positives). 50-50
distribution is expected.
● Directives like discuss, justify and elaborate should focus
on supporting what is given in the question. Contrarian
arguments should form 20% of the answer.

15 16
Lets see how Divyank Gupta understood this principle in his
answer writing:

17 18

4. Use toolkit to reduce your time and ensure Caste

minimum Standards Women

Class
Q.1) What are the main socio-economic implications arising
Patriachy
out of the development of IT industries in major cities of
India? Family

Marriage

Q.2) How has India's population changed over time, and

what are some of the major factors driving these changes?

19 20
IR QUESTIONS SCHEMES AND POLICY
8 Dimensions 1. ADMIN SIDE
1. ECONOMIC- FTA,CECA,CEPA
2. BENEFICIARY SIDE
2. POLITICAL- Annual summit
3. OUTCOME RELATED
3. INVESTMENT- Special investment desk
4. STRATEGIC -2+2 dialogue
5. DEFENCE- Military exercise, Joint co-production Admin side: Top down, Lack of co-ordination,
6. CULTURAL- Promotion of Hindi/Maxmuller academy in Implementation gap,Monitoring and Evaluation
Germany Beneficiary: Social and cultural barriers, Awareness,Social
7. SCIENCE AND TECH : Collaboration in Space, audit,GRM
Vaccines,R&D,Nuclear
8. Educational : Collaboration between faculties,
universities, Exchange program

21 22

5 .Break the question into simple subparts and address

each subpart.

(GS Paper 2, 2022) While the national political parties in India favour
centralisation, the regional parties are in favor of State autonomy.
Comment.

The commitment to realizing the rights of persons with disabilities is

not only a matter of justice; it is an investment in a common future of
Indian society. Critically discuss the vulnerability of people with
disabilities to become a part of functional society. What measures
can be taken to reduce this vulnerability?

23 24
25 26

6. Use box to highlight Innovative points/phrases

Example:
1. Stigmatized capitalism,
2. Connectivity,Commercial ties and Cultural bonds
3. Democracy,Demography and Demand
4. 5S
5. Premature deindustrialization,
6. Race to the bottom.
7. Aaya ram gaya ram,
8. Debt trap diplomacy,
9. Wolf warrior diplomacy
10. Advancing prosperity and influence”
11. Roti-Beti ka rishta
27 28
A. Low equilibrium trap 7. Underline important terms/phrases
B. Barbell strategy

29 30

Pavan Datta AIR 22: In a factual and direct question 8. The Introduction, Body, and Conclusion should be
like this, highlighting important aspects is key. clearly visible
The Introduction, Body, and Conclusion should be separate
sections.

31 32
33 34

In this answer, see how Pavan

Datta has made sure that all the
parts are clearly demarcated and
visible for the examiner and the
content is unique for each part.

35 36
 8. Write shorter points (6 small points are better than
3 big points)

37 38

AIR 32 ANAY

39 40
 9. Introduction specific
(1) Relevant definition
Once you have identified the core theme, starting with the
definition is an easy and standard way to kickstart your
introduction.

41 42

Shishir Singh’s Intro on question: “Public Interest Litigation Also have a look on Mukund Singh Chahar’s (AIR 273)
can be an antibiotic but not a daily dose. Critically introduction for a question related on corporate governance:
comment.”

43 44
(2) Impactful quotes from famous personalities, Mukund’s introduction:
examples from contemporary events, or contrasting
comparisons.

Substantiate, with examples, the view that the Indian

Constitution is a hallmark of rigid and flexible constitution.
How has this rigidity and flexibility helped the Indian
Constitution for more than seven decades, while many other
decolonised countries have either replaced or subverted
their respective constitutions?

Indian constitution, in the words of Ivor Jennings is a perfect

blend of Rigidity and flexibility

45 46

10.Data from
reports/index/budget

47 48
One of the major improvements in Anay (AIR 32) answers was his ability to
quote institutions or reports and their data in his introduction. Here, have a look:

49 50

Body specific
11. Use sub-headings
(GS Paper 3, 2022)What are the main bottlenecks in
upstream and downstream process of marketing of
agricultural products in India?

51 52
 Consider this answer from AIR 28, Mantri
ANURADHA COPY
Mourya Bharadwaj. He approached the
whole structure with proper bullet points:

53 54

12. Point format preferred over paragraph format 13. Add timelines
(GS Paper 1, 2022) The political and administrative
reorganization of states and territories has been a
continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth
century. Discuss with examples.

This question from post-independence can be answered

using timelines like from the 1850s to 1900s and from 1900s
to 1947 and post-1947.

55 56
 Karishma Nair (AIR 14):
Q. What do you understand about price
deficiency payment? Can it be a solution to
end farmers’ woes in India? Critically Examine.

57 58

14. Use diagrams and flowcharts Diagram can be of various type

● Geography- Draw diagram in all answers I. Hub and spoke
● IR- Draw Map in questions related to neighbourhood/
geopolitics
● Art and culture
● Factual part should be answered by using flowchart
● Non-core Part

59 60
 ii. Circular diagram

Q.) Among several factors for India’s potential growth,

savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What
are the other factors available for growth potential? (2017)

61 62

ii. Circular diagram

63 64
III Map based
(GS Paper 1, 2022) Discuss the natural resource potentials of
‘Deccan trap’.

Draw a map of Deccan traps in the question and mark

various natural resources on the map, this will help to
identify the region also.

65 66

IV. Table approach Use a table to differentiate the 2 presidential procedures, it

(GS Paper 2 , 2022) Critically examine the procedures through which the will improve the representation of the answer. Something on
Presidents of India and France are elected. similar lines.

67 68
Use a table to differentiate the 2 presidential procedures, it Have a look at Karishma Nair’s (AIR 14) approach for
will improve the representation of the answer. Something on following elements:
similar lines.

69 70

71 72
(GS paper 3, 2018) Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a
downward trend but still affects many parts of the country.
Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to
counter the challenges posed by LWE.

For the above questions, a map can be very effective in

demonstrating the current area under LWE.

73 74

15. PESTLE Approach is needed for broad based

questions.
Analyzing the issue through:
● Political
● Economic
● Social
● Technological
● Legal
● Environmental
And additionally
● Administrative
● Geographic

75 ● Historical 76
77 78

79 80
81 82

16. Apply Temporal and Vertical approaches to

certain kinds of questions
Temporal Approach means:
● Past - Present - Future: Highlight how reforms or
scheme/policy has changed over long course of time
● Short - Medium - Long term: Here you can highlight say
solutions from immediate or Long term. This is
especially useful in case of writing the right course of
action in case studies (GS 4). Allows you to write holistic
solutions.
Vertical approach means:
● Go from macro level to micro level or vice versa.
● Individual Level - Society Level - National Level -
International Level
● Both approaches allow you to generate points with
83 diverse angles. 84
85 86

87 88
17. Add case studies/real-life examples and contemporary examples

89 90

Example: If a question is asked on the role of Governor. Add

recent examples like West Bengal, Maharashtra, Delhi etc.

91 92
Conclusion specific 19. Add committee/commission/Economic Survey
recommendations in the solution part
18. Never end your answer with bullet points
Most of these reports discuss conclusions and the way
An answer that ends abruptly on a bullet point may appear forward to pressing issues of our times. Hence, references to
incomplete - to be missing the conclusion, way forward. reports such as the 2nd ARC, Punchhi Committee, NITI
State 2 lines but logically end your answer. Aayog reports, and Law Commission can greatly enhance
your conclusions.

93 94

95 96
 20. Always take a middle ground in your answers and have
a positive and solution-oriented approach with the way
forward
● Dalhousie changed the map of India with speed and
thoroughness which no campaign could equal.
Comment? (15 marks)

Q) In the twenty-first century, whosoever has control over

the Indian Ocean will decide the world's fate. Comment.

Q) What is a bad bank, can it help create good banks in

India? Critically analyse

97 98

99 100
DIRECTIVES AND TAIL-WORDS 1. Evaluate/Critically evaluate/Analysis/Assess/

Examine/Comment

Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti literature and its

contribution to Indian culture. (2019)

101 102

Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary
keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable
parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such development.” Analyse.(2021)
committees with suitable examples (2021) Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of National Legal Services
Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in Authority (NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India. (2023)

infrastructure projects? Examine the role of PPP model in

the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India.

Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on

‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with
reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in
India. (2017)

103 104
 2. Explain,Elaborate and Elucidate,Enumerate
A.Explain

● Explain: Provide a detailed account, breaking down complex

ideas.

105 106

Q.) Constitutional Morality’ is rooted in the Constitution itself Q.) Explain the constitutional provisions under which
and is founded on its essential facets. Explain the doctrine of Legislative Councils are established. Review the working and
‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial current status of Legislative Councils with suitable
decisions.(2021) illustrations. (2021)

Q 1: Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient

India

107 108
B. Elucidate: Make something clearer by shedding light on its intricacies.
B.Elucidate
Eg. The Self Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Program (SBLP),
which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the
most effective poverty alleviation and women
empowerment programme. Elucidate (2019)

Border management is a complex task due to difficult

terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate
the challenges and strategies for effective border
management.(2016)

Only add way forward

109 110

C. Enumerate (to name a list of things separately, one 3. Do you agree

by one) Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low
Enumerate: List or count specific points without going into detailed inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give
explanations. reasons in support of your arguments

Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently

Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in
experienced a V-shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of
the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on
your answer (2021)
the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since
July 2017 (2019) Do you think marriage as a sacrament is loosing its value in Modern India?

111 112
4. Discuss 7. To what extent/How far
● When you're asked to discuss, it means you need to look at Q.) To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to
different aspects of a topic, present various points of view, ensure accountability of the executive in India?
and provide a well-rounded analysis. Q 16: Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have
● Example: If the question is about the impact of globalization, the financial committees helped in the institutionalization of Indian Parliament?
discussing it would involve examining economic, cultural, and (2023)

social dimensions, presenting both positive and negative What extent/How far means that other side is also there
effects, and providing a balanced conclusion.

113 114

Q.) To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation 8.Comment

of power in India changed the governance landscape at the
● Commenting involves expressing your opinion or viewpoint on a given topic. You're
grassroots ? expected to share your thoughts and provide a reasoned evaluation.
● Example: If asked to comment on the role of technology in education, you would
Q.) How far do you think cooperation, competition and express whether you believe it has positively transformed education, negatively
confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? impacted it, or perhaps a combination of both, supporting your view with reasons.
Cite some recent examples to validate your answer.

Q.) How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in

solving India’s water crisis?

115 116
Discuss the impact of social media on society. Comment on its positive and negative aspects. Comment on the important changes introduced in respect
Discuss: of the Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend
Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019.
● Present different views on how social media affects communication, relationships, and
information dissemination.
● Discuss positive aspects like increased connectivity and negative aspects like the
spread of misinformation. The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally
as well as financially.” Comment.
Comment:

● Express your personal opinion on whether you believe social media has overall positive
or negative effects.
● Support your comment with reasons, citing specific examples of positive and negative
impacts.

117 118

9.Identify 10.Illustrate
Eg. What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying Eg. What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with
industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (2018-15M) examples, the difference between the actual and potential
conflicts of interest (2018)
Here, you are expected to identify the particular issue that is asked for in the
question ie., Industrial corridor locations. Sticking to the keyword is of utmost ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or
significance. relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations.
(2018 – 15marks)
Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health.
Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government for achieving the
same.

119 120
11. Compare 12.Highlight (No deeper analysis needed)
How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different it means you are expected to emphasize or bring attention to the
from those followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission most significant points or features of a given topic.
in India? (2017)
Q 4: Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary
sovereignty.

121 122

Highlight the key features of India's economic reforms in the 1990s." The strength and sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from
their formative phase of ‘Functions, Functionaries and Funds’ to the
Response:
contemporary stage of ‘Functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced
● "The economic reforms in India during the 1990s were characterized by: by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times (2017)
Liberalization: Opening up the economy to foreign investment and reducing trade Rajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless stepney tyre’ to the most
barriers.
useful supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as well as
Privatization: Transfer of state-owned enterprises to the private sector.
the areas in which this transformation could be visible. (2020)
Globalization: Integration of the Indian economy with the global market.
Deregulation: Reduction of government intervention in various sectors."

123 124
14.Justify 15. Account for (Not what but also why that event happened)
Judicial Legislation is antithetical to the doctrine of separation of powers as Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of
envisaged in the Indian Constitution. In this context justify the filing of large labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest
number of public interest petitions praying for issuing guidelines to executive measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.
authorities. (2020)
Here one has to give a detailed description of the topic/issue asked.
● You are expected to present logical and well-thought-out arguments. ‘Account for’ asks you not only what, but why that specific topic/issue has
● Imagine you're trying to convince someone by providing strong reasons for your happened.
viewpoint.
● Supporting your answer with real-life examples strengthens your justification.

125 126

● You are expected to identify and present the underlying causes, factors, or COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation
circumstances that led to the given situation. worldwide. However, technological advancements are being
● Think about why something happened and what contributed to it. availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how
● Look at the broader context and consider various angles. technology was sought to aid management to the pandemic
Use Examples if Applicable: (2020)
● While not always necessary, using examples can strengthen your explanation.
Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear
● Examples help illustrate your points and make your response more concrete.
science and technology in India. What is the advantage of
fast breeder reactor programme in India? (2017)

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