UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice

UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 35)

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-1 to check your progress.

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How did the Indian National Army (INA) help India to gain independence—but not on the battlefield?

Why does India celebrate Republic Day on January 26? How did India observe its first Republic Day?

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: How did the Indian National Army (INA) help India to gain independence—but not on the battlefield?

Introduction:

— The Indian National Army was formed on February 17, 1942, two days after the British surrendered to Japanese forces in Singapore.

— It primarily consisted of Indian prisoners of war (PoWs) seized by the Japanese during their Southeast Asia campaign. The Japanese believed that a native Indian force would be an effective weapon in their intended takeover of India.

— However, the army was in disarray, lacking vision and leadership. Bose arrived in Singapore in July 1943, having courted both the Nazis and the Japanese for assistance in India’s independence campaign. On July 4, he assumed command of the INA’s 12,000-strong force.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— Over the next six months, he would pull off a public relations coup, gaining support — both material and human — from the Indian diaspora in Japanese-occupied Southeast Asia.

— The INA soon expanded to more than 40,000 members, and many Indians contributed their life savings to the cause.

— Bose had hoped for a large-scale insurrection within the country to supplement the INA’s offensive on the border. “When the British government is thus attacked from both sides — from inside India and from outside — it will collapse, and the Indian people will then regain their liberty,” he declared in a speech delivered on July 9, 1943.

— After being unable to take Imphal and Kohima, the supply starved INA, along with its Japanese allies, was forced to retreat, all while suffering heavy losses due to the enemy’s air superiority and gunpowder, as well as starvation and disease.

— By 1945, the British had launched their own campaign to retake Burma, and the INA once again found itself in retreat.

— After the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan surrendered on August 15.

— Bose wanted to stay with his troops for the surrender, but was persuaded to leave by his subordinates.

(Source: How Bose’s INA helped India win independence — but not on the battlefield by Arjun Sengupta)

Points to Ponder

Red Fort trials

Regiments of INA