6 days ago
Mains answer practice — GS 2: Questions on India-Paraguay relations and the role of Lok Sabha Speaker (Week 105)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-2 to check your progress.
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Examine the possibilities for India-Paraguay relations to strengthen India's engagement with Latin America. Discuss the strategic importance of their partnership in countering terrorism and addressing transnational threats like cybercrime and drug trafficking.
Examine the Lok Sabha Speaker's constitutional position, powers, and responsibilities with reference to regulating the Business of the House.
Introduction
— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.
— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.
Body
— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.
— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.
— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.
— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.
— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.
Way forward/ conclusion
— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.
— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.
Self Evaluation
— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.
QUESTION 1: Examine the possibilities for India-Paraguay relations to strengthen India's engagement with Latin America. Discuss the strategic importance of their partnership in countering terrorism and addressing transnational threats like cybercrime and drug trafficking.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Paraguay's President Santiago Peña Palacios, stating that the two countries are 'united in the fight against terrorism' and can work together to combat 'shared challenges' like cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking.
— President Peña's State Visit to India marks his first visit and only the second by a Paraguayan president. On June 2, 2025, President Peña paid a visit to India and met with the Prime Minister to discuss bilateral relations.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— India and Paraguay established diplomatic relations on September 13, 1961, fostering warm and friendly connections between the two countries. Both countries have since collaborated in a variety of fields, including trade, agriculture, health, medicines, and information technology.
— Paraguay is a significant trade partner for India in the Latin American region. Several Indian companies in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors have a presence in Paraguay, while certain Paraguayan companies, primarily through joint venture corporations, have a presence in India, contributing to the two countries' economic links.
— The two countries have similar views on a variety of international topics, including UN reforms, climate change, renewable energy, and terrorist prevention.
— India and Paraguay are unified in their fight against terrorism. There is enormous potential for collaboration in combating common threats such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking.
Conclusion:
— There are new prospects for collaboration in fields such as digital technology, essential minerals, energy, agriculture, healthcare, defence, railways, space, and global economic partnership.
— The Prime Minister also mentioned New Delhi's advantageous trade relationship with the South American trading bloc MERCOSUR, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
(Source: India, Paraguay vow to boost ties; united against terror: PM)
Points to Ponder
Read more about MERCOSUR
Read more about India and South American countries relationship
Related Previous Year Questions
'India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.' Discuss India's role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)
Terrorism has become a significant threat to global peace and security.' Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations Security Council's Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and its associated bodies in addressing and mitigating this threat at the international level. (2024)
QUESTION 2: Examine the Lok Sabha Speaker's constitutional position, powers, and responsibilities with reference to regulating the Business of the House.
Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.
Introduction:
— The Speaker's Office plays an important role in our parliamentary democracy.
— The Speaker's Office has been described as representing the complete authority of the House, whilst members of Parliament represent individual constituencies.
— He/she represents the dignity and power of the House over which he/she presides.
— The Speaker serves from the date of his/her election until the first sitting of the Lok Sabha following the dissolution of the one to which he/she was elected. He or she is eligible for re-election.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:
— The Speaker's Chair is prominently positioned in the Lok Sabha Chamber, providing him or her with a commanding view of the whole House.
— He/she also benefits from the directions issued by his/her predecessors, which are collated on a regular basis. In addition, the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha and senior Secretariat staff assist him/her with parliamentary duties, as well as practice and procedure.
— In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker performs his or her duties. When the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not present, a member of the Panel of Chairmen preside over the House.
Regulating the Business of the House
— The Presiding Officer decides if a Question is admissible; he or she also decides what forms amendments to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address can be moved in.
— If a bill is pending in the House, the Speaker determines whether or not to allow modifications to specific parts of the bill.
— Under Article 110(3), only the Speaker has the authority to certify that a bill is a money bill. The advantage of this procedure is obvious: the money bill cannot be enacted or rejected by the Rajya Sabha. It can simply make a suggestion that may or may not be adopted by the Lok Sabha, which alone has a final say in the matter.
— He/she regulates all topics not specifically covered by the rules, as well as all concerns about how the rules work.
— The Speaker also serves on the tribunal that determines cases of MP defection, which can be extremely beneficial to the parties in power.
Conclusion:
— The Speaker is the head of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, which is completely under his or her supervision and guidance. The Speaker has supreme responsibility over the House's Secretariat staff, precincts, and security measures.
(Source: The importance of Om Birla: Why the office of the Speaker matters by P D T Achary,
Points to Ponder
Read more about functions of speaker of the Lok Sabha
Read about history of speaker of Lok Sabha
Role of deputy speaker in the Lok Sabha
Related Previous Year Questions
Discuss the role of Presiding Officers of state legislatures in maintaining order and impartiality in conducting legislative work and in facilitating best democratic practices. (2023)
Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (2022)
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