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.

Discuss the advantages and drawbacks of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Highlight the major recommendations of the High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election.

What is the significance of India’s participation in the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in the context of regional security and economic cooperation amidst China’s increasing influence?

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: Discuss the advantages and drawbacks of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Highlight the major recommendations of the High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Simultaneous elections, popularly referred to as “One Nation, One Election”, means holding elections to Lok Sabha, all state Legislative Assemblies, and urban and rural local bodies (municipalities and panchayats) at the same time.

— From the first elections in 1952 until 1967, elections were held simultaneously across the country. But since the Lok Sabha and Assemblies can be dissolved before their tenures end, over time the state and national elections became misaligned.

Body:

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

— There are several advantages and drawbacks to contesting simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies:

Advantages

(i) Reducing the cost of holding elections.

(ii) Smooth operation of the government machinery.

(iii) It will ensure continuity in central and state government policies and programmes.

(iv) If elections are not held every year, the government does not need to tempt the people with attractive schemes or to develop caste and religion-based programming.

Drawbacks

(i) There would also be logistical issues, requiring about twice as many electronic voting machines and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines.

(ii) The simultaneous polls would benefit the nationally dominant party at the cost of regional players.

(iii) There is a chance that regional parties will be unable to effectively raise local issues.

(iv) If elections are held in a single time frame, the results will be announced much later.

Major recommendations

— The High-level Committee (HLC) on One Nation, One Election had submitted its report to President Droupadi Murmu on March 14. Former President Ram Nath Kovind was the Chairman of the High-Level Committee (HLC) on ‘One Nation, One Election’. The recommendations of the committee are:

1. For holding simultaneous elections, the committee had recommended 15 amendments to the Constitution of India to be carried out through two Constitution Amendment Bills.

(i) The first Bill will deal with the transition to a simultaneous election system, and the procedure for fresh elections to Lok Sabha or a state Assembly before the expiration of their stipulated five-year term.

(ii) The second Bill will deal with municipal and panchayat elections, as well as the creation of a Single Electoral Roll by the ECI, with details of every voter and the seat for which they are eligible to vote.

2. For the purpose of preparation of single electoral roll and electoral photo identity cards for use in elections to all the three tiers of government, the Constitution should be amended, so that the Election Commission of India can prepare a single electoral roll and election ID in consultation with the State Election Commissions.

3. In the event of a hung House, a no-confidence motion, or any such event, fresh elections should be held to constitute the new Lok Sabha or state Assembly for the unexpired term of the House.

(Source: One Nation, One Election: Highlights of the Kovind panel’s recommendations)

Points to Ponder

When was the idea of simultaneous elections, or “One Nation, One Election”, was first formally proposed by the Election Commission of India?

What are the arguments around holding simultaneous elections?

Related Previous Year Questions

In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (2018)

‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (2017)

QUESTION 2: What is the significance of India’s participation in the ASEAN and East Asia Summits in the context of regional security and economic cooperation amidst China’s increasing influence?

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— The Indian Prime Minister attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR. In a statement, the PM said, “This year we are marking a decade of our Act East Policy.”

— The ASEAN grouping is one of the more successful examples of multinational organisations globally, with the 10 neighbouring countries leveraging their cultural and historical links for successful economic and political ties.

— The East Asia Summit (EAS) process was initiated in 2005 with 16 participating countries: the ASEAN Member States, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea. The United States and the Russian Federation joined later on. It refers to the Meeting of Heads of State/Governments of these countries and is convened annually.

Body:

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

Significance of India’s participation in the ASEAN and East Asia Summits

— ASEAN is central to India’s ‘Act East’ policy, which focuses on the extended neighbourhood in the Asia-Pacific region. It was formulated as the next step to the ‘Look East’ Policy which originated in the 1990s.

— The India-ASEAN relationship subsequently gained political, strategic and cultural dimensions, including the establishment of institutional mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation. India is part of the ASEAN Plus Six grouping, which includes China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia.

— In 2010, a Free Trade Agreement was signed and entered into force between India and ASEAN. In recent years, trade has grown in value, barring the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.

— Speaking at the 20th ASEAN-India summit in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, the Indian Prime Minister said in 2023 that ASEAN was the “central pillar” of India’s Act East Policy and India fully supported the group’s centrality and outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

— India’s concentration on regional geopolitics is significant given China’s recent rise to prominence in global events. China’s economic power affords it the ability to fund numerous infrastructure projects and lend to other countries. These initiatives have been viewed with scepticism as leading to “debt traps,” in which the inability to repay the loans results in Chinese control of vital national assets.

— China’s claims over the South China Sea (many of which compete with ASEAN members such as the Philippines and Brunei) and the subject of armed strife in one of its members, Myanmar, have further hampered collaboration.

Conclusion:

— India has attempted to provide an alternative and deepen its relationship. The Indian PM said in a statement, “We share close cultural and civilisational ties with the region, including with Lao PDR, which are enriched by shared heritage of Buddhism and Ramayana. I look forward to my meetings with the Lao PDR leadership to further strengthen our bilateral ties. I am confident that this visit will further deepen our engagement with ASEAN countries.”

— Indian participation in the East Asia Summit will “provide an opportunity to deliberate on the challenges to peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”

(Source: All about ASEAN and East Asia Summits, to be attended by PM Modi)

Points to Ponder

When ASEAN was formed?

Members of ASEAN- mark on map

Recent developments between north-eastern states and ASEAN countries

Related Previous Year Questions

‘Virus of Conflict is affecting the functioning of the SCO’ In the light of the above statement, point out the role of India in mitigating the problems. (2023)

Do you think that BIMSTEC is a parallel organisation like the SAARC? What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the two? How are Indian foreign policy objectives realised by forming this new organisation? (2022)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 71)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 72)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 72)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 71)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 73)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 72)

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