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48 Hrs. Answer Writing, Copy Evaluation and Marks Improvement Cycle
Instruction:
Question #1. Explain and critically examine the following statement: “Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
Question #2. How is Social Security and Protection of Informal Sector Workers not only an administrative but also an ethical obligation of the state? Suggest what ethical measures a state can adopt to grant social security to informal sector workers and also discuss the efficacy of these measures?
(Examiner will pay special attention to the candidate's grasp of his/her material, its relevance to the subject chosen, and to his/ her ability to think constructively and to present his/her ideas concisely, logically and effectively).
Question #1. Explain and critically examine the following statement: “Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”
Model Hints
It is human behavior to think and act according to what people want us to think and act as. All of us at some point in time, worry about the opinions of others, or about what people think about us; how they perceive us.
Many times it happens that we start living with our false self. The false self is influenced by the perception and opinion of others so that we are able to impress them or get accepted by them. We unconsciously start living the way people want us to live, according to their expectations. In this process, we forget our very own real self, the person we actually are. Many times conflicts between the false self and the real self-make life confusing and difficult.
It is true that we should value the opinion of others, as they help us to improve and grow, but an excess of it can hamper our overall development also. We should make sure that while we are listening to the opinions of others, we don’t drown our own inner voice or what our conscience has to say. There is no harm in listening to others opinions as many times they may help to resolve a problem. But it is always better to analyze this opinion whether it would suit you or not. The opinion may have been helpful for the person who is giving it, but it is not necessary that it will work the same for you too. Whenever making a decision or doing something listen to your inner voice, your real self. As the inner voice or the real self-speaks on behalf of you, your nature, beliefs, and qualities that you possess. Make sure that your real self is comfortable with the decision being made.
In today’s world where social media is taking over people’s mind and life, the noise created by it is shaping our actions and behavior. Youth is getting influenced by it in every possible way. It is impacting their choice, preferences and the way youth thinks. This is also shaping people’s opinion and sometimes acting as a rift between the people from different ideologies. This noise is resonating more in the absence of proper regulation of social media.
Even the current mode of communication which is fast and unregulated is changing people's thoughts significantly by radicalizing them on important matters such as communal issues, hatred, prejudices etc.
In such a situation it is the duty of every man to not to follow whatever is said or done but to follow the things with a rational mind.
Question #2. How is Social Security and Protection of Informal Sector Workers not only an administrative but also an ethical obligation of the state? Suggest what ethical measures a state can adopt to grant social security to informal sector workers and also discuss the efficacy of these measures?
Model Hints
Social Security and protection of every section is the state’s responsibility which is covered in different articles of the Indian Constitution. So, the social security of Informal sector workers is. Providing protection and security should not be seen as a burden on the state, and instead, is an important bedrock for a country, especially developing countries. Rather, providing social security can offer resilience against socio- economic shocks. Article 38 and 39 of Indian constitution, specifically deals with the promotion of welfare of the people by eliminating inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities. This is also the responsibility of a state to ensure the equal distribution of wealth and material resources.
Administrative and Ethical challenges of Informal sector social security
Despite the enthursting of responsibilities on state, the Indian labor market has continued to be predominantly informal. These workers are either inadequately covered or not covered under the existing labor legislations, social protection schemes, and other employment benefits. Due to lack of governmental oversight, a large proportion of these workers work in exploitative and precarious conditions. The Covid-19 pandemic threw up unprecedented policy challenges as it exposed the gaps in India’s social security policies, especially towards informal workers. They became jobless and migrated in masses towards their hometowns during uncertainty.
On ethical grounds, we may say that the state has not realized the right to social security though the state has an obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the right of access to social security. Most vulnerable and marginalized groups are excluded from social security legislation mainly because they do not form part of the formal workforce of the country. Social security provisions are intended to bring socialistic order by they are not enforceable in the court of law, as they are not fundamental in the governance.
Not having a minimum social security net at the workplace adds to the vulnerability of informal workers. The government has introduced several measures on labor and welfare to extend social security benefits to informal workers. But the reach remains limited. The administrative and delivery systems have been fragmented in such a way that a unified database of unorganized workers does not exist. Social security schemes are run by different Union government ministries. In addition to this state-level schemes have different implementation apparatuses.
Ethical measures a state can adopt
To participate in the answer writing program, Register yourself for the test. Copies will be evaluated only for the registered students. Registration will be closed after the scheduled date.
Step 1 (Theme, Details & Its Topics):
Step 2 (Answer Writing):
Note: Answer sheets without the proper guidelines given above will not be accepted for evaluation.
Step 3 (Copy Evaluation): Copies will be evaluated in the next 72 hours of the test date. After evaluation, copies will be uploaded into your account. During the copy evaluation period, doubt clearing and discussion about the theme or topic of the test with respective mentors of the test will be done in the telegram group.
Step 4 (Mentorship): Evaluated copies will be sent to you via mail and also uploaded into your account on the website. After that a mentorship session for the marks improvement with respective faculty will be conducted on the Google Meet, so that students can get a wider perspective of the topics. Here you can discuss your evaluated copies also with the faculty. Top 5 copies of every test will be shared in the telegram group for reference.
Note: Aspirants who have not written the test can also participate in the mentorship session.
For Updates and Mentorship of the session, you will be notified through SMS or Telegram Group.
Note: You have to write your answers on an A4 size sheet leaving margins on both sides based on UPSC pattern. Mention Your Name on 1st page and Page Number on each page. After writing the answer, Click pictures of each page of your answer sheet, merge them all in a single PDF and upload in the Your Answer Copy section of the same question.
Verifying, please be patient.
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