UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice

UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 41)

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.

What is India’s disability law? What does the law mandate for public buildings?

How India-Mauritius relations are significantly improving India’s maritime domain awareness in this critical region where China is seeking to expand its footprint. Discuss.

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: What is India’s disability law? What does the law mandate for public buildings?

Introduction:

— The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 gave effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2006, and entered into force in 2008. India ratified the convention in 2007.

— The 2016 Act, which repealed and replaced The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunity, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, commenced in April 2017.

— It mandated the central government to notify guidelines and standards for public buildings, and to review them “from time to time” based “on the latest scientific knowledge and technology”.

Body:

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

What does the law mandate for public buildings?

— Rule 15 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rules, 2017, which flowed from the PwD Act, covers accessibility of physical environment, transport, and information and communication technology.

— Every establishment is expected to comply with the Act’s standards, which for public buildings are the 2016 harmonised criteria.

— In 2023, Rule 15 was amended to make compliance with the 2021 harmonised guidelines mandatory which covered everything from planning and tendering of building projects to specifications for ramps, grab rails, lifts, toilets, and other accessibility features.

— They recommended incorporating universal accessibility into the project’s site planning and detailed working drawings. The recommendations also addressed the implementation, evaluation, and maintenance stages.

— All building plans must correspond to the norms and requirements. Existing buildings must become accessible within five years.

Conclusion:

— The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the central government’s flagship infrastructure construction and maintenance management agency, has asked its regional offices to ensure that “all [public] buildings [are] accessible to people with disabilities”.

— Lifts must have both audio announcements and visual displays, and emergency evacuation routes for persons with disabilities (PwD) must be “appropriately” displayed, with signage in Braille.

(Source: What is India’s disability law; how accessible are govt buildings to PwD? by Damini Nath)

Points to Ponder

Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016