Good Morning Friends,
Following are today’s Mains Marathon Questions.
About Mains Marathon – This is an initiative of ForumIAS to help/aid aspirants in their writing skills, which is crucial to conquering mains examination.
Every morning, we post 2-3 questions based on current affairs. The questions framed are meaningful and relevant to the exam.
Write your answers in the comment box, given below.
For Mains Marathon Archives click HERE→
Questions
1) An overhaul of surveillance laws is necessary to handle the present-day surveillance challenges. Discuss.
2) Do you think Blockchain technology can help alleviate global warming and climate change? Provide reasons for your arguments.
Look great! But I feel one important dimension has been missed, that of national security vis-a-vis privacy/misuse. Surveillance is necessary for national security e.g., keeping an eye on radical groups. However, in the absence of legal provisions, the tech can be misused for political benefits or target political opponents.
Ideally, the law should establish the procedure for surveillance (who can be tracked, what can be tracked and when can be tracked and authority that will provide approval for surveillance). Also an annual report can be submitted to a Parliamentary panel which should be kept strictly confidential (i.e., to ensure Parliamentary control over Executive’s Power).
Keep writing 🙂
Look great! But I feel one important dimension has been missed, that of national security vis-a-vis privacy/misuse. Surveillance is necessary for national security e.g., keeping an eye on radical groups. However, in the absence of legal provisions, the tech can be misused for political benefits or target political opponents.
Ideally, the law should establish the procedure for surveillance (who can be tracked, what can be tracked and when can be tracked and authority that will provide approval for surveillance). Also an annual report can be submitted to a Parliamentary panel which should be kept strictly confidential (i.e., to ensure Parliamentary control over Executive’s Power).
Keep writing 🙂
Good answer! Many good points, one key point to be added is to keep a check on Executive’s power to surveillance and have a Judicial/Parliamentary oversight. The law should also balance national security and privacy/misuse. Rest of the points seem good.
Some general suggestions:
– Don’t use the word abrogation, it means to repeal the law. Appropriate word is violation.
– Some points can be rephrased better like ‘blow to surveillance industry’s growth’ (how?)
Keep writing 🙂
Thanks for the review.
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All seems good with content and structure.
The question is about blockchain and not specifically cryptocurrencies. So, in criticism mention blockchain in general and crypto have large carbon footprint. In the possibilities of fighting climate change, highlight blockchain in the sub-heading. Be mindful of the words You are using, can give a completely wrong impression.
Keep writing 🙂
Thanks for the review. I will focus on the key terms of the question.
I want to ask, how to prioritize the content. Is it important to do brainstorming before writing? will it help? Please suggest me.
Yes, take Your time, think from all possible angles and then answer. You are practicing to hone Your skill of thinking and writing. This will also help in picking what to read from the newspaper, which bit is important, and what to skip.
Don’t worry if it takes time. With consistent practice Your brain will become habitual to thinking and structuring the answer quickly. That’s why this has been named as Marathon.
Test series is different, where You have to stick to the time limit. Here, You can compromise on time and focus more on relevance, structure and word limit.
Great answer! Slight change can be done in the structure though, mention the high carbon footprint in the beginning, just after definition of blockchain technology. Then move to possibilities in alleviating climate change. All points from the article seem to be covered.
Keep writing 🙂
Thanks! I m working on structuring and presentation. Will improve. 😊
Excellent! You have addressed the core theme, that of lack of control over Executive’s power and the balance of public interest/national security with privacy/misuse. One more point can be added that the existing laws do not adequately cover advanced technologies available now.
In suggestions, can add the point that law should have appropriate safeguards against misuse.
A Quality answer!
Keep writing 🙂
Thank you
Great answer! Just one suggestion, after the introduction, highlight the concerns regarding blockchain tech with respect to its carbon footprint in 1-2 line, possibly add some data point like estimated annual emissions from global blockchain tech.
Keep writing 🙂
Thank you for your suggestions
Please upload separate answers as separate comments.
You need to work on the content e.g., in the answer related to surveillance laws, bring out the reason that there is no control to check the actions of Executive, lack of oversight results in misuse. Then clearly mention what reforms can be undertaken. Refer to answers by Rio or Neelesh, you’ll get an idea.
Keep writing 🙂
Good attempt! Some suggestions:
1. Try to elaborate the reasons a bit e.g., loopholes in existing laws, the loopholes haven’t been mentioned. You can describe in 1-2 lines.
2. Mention the key reason first, national security vs misuse, lack of oversight etc.
3. You can mention more points under solutions, refer answers by other aspirants.
4. Introduction is not complete, keep the factual/data reference relevant. NCRB data may not be relevant here, controversial issues related to surveillance/mis-use are more relavant.
Keep writing 🙂
Okay…shall improve as per your suggestion
Please review and let me know my mistakes
Excellent! Very relevant content, no unnecessary points and addressed the need of the question. Nothing specific to suggest.
Keep writing 🙂
Thanku for the review.
I thought u are not review this one!
Please review it
Good attempt! You have done well to list out the issues with the present system in a relevant manner.
The aspect of how the system can be improved/suggestions has been missed. You could have listed some reform measures like transparency and accountability measures, defining circumstances under which surveillance can be undertaken, procedures to be followed etc. Try to address all the possible dimensions of the question.
Keep writing 🙂
Great answer! I feel rather than listing the reasons for global warming, you could have put some data regarding the carbon footprint of blockchain technology.
All other points seem relevant and covered adequately.
Also as a value-ad suggestion, try to mention sub-titles of the points like auditing, smart contracts, Climate Action Monitoring etc.
Keep writing 🙂
Thank u for your review . Got the point that you mentioned
Please review it