UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on Significance of Amaravathi and Digital technologies in conducting exams (Week 58)

QUESTION 2

How can digital technologies enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in conducting exams across the country?

General points on the structure of the answers

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.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: Discuss the significance of Amaravathi as a prominent Buddhist site in India, highlighting its rise and eventual decline.

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

Introduction:

— Amaravathi was a centre of Buddhism before the Satavahanas rose to power. Under the Mauryan Empire, a stupa and monastery were constructed there under Emperor Ashoka (269–232 BC).

— Colonel Colin Mackenzie, India’s first surveyor general, opted to investigate the site, which he discovered on a visit in 1798. During his initial visit, he was unable to do much more than observe the few ruins. On his return, he began a thorough survey, which resulted in further ruin of the enormous monument, but it also opened the door to the rediscovery of the region’s grandest Buddhist architectural marvel, the Amaravathi stupa.

Body:

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

Significance of Amaravathi as a prominent Buddhist site in India

— Buddhism first appeared in the fifth century BCE in the ancient kingdom of Magadh, which is located in the eastern Ganges plain in southern Bihar. It appears to have arrived in the Andhra region of the Krishna River Valley very early on, primarily through trade.

— The primary impetus for Andhra Buddhism came in the third century BCE, when Emperor Ashoka established an inscription in the region. Buddhism thrived in the region for over six centuries, until around the third century CE.

— Historian Sree Padma, who co-edited and authored the book Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra (2008) with Professor A W Barber, observes that “the presence of Buddhism in Andhra coincides with Andhra’s first urbanisation process”.

— Patrons at Amaravathi came from all walks of life, including traders, craftsmen, and itinerant monks interested in accepting and spreading Buddhism.

— Another distinguishing element of Buddhism’s development in this region was the ease with which local practices were incorporated into Buddhist beliefs. For example, the concept of the Buddhist stupa appears to have evolved naturally from the existing practice of venerating the dead in megalithic tombs.

— Other Andhra-specific religious expressions, including Goddess and Naga (snake) worship, were also absorbed into the Buddhist canon.

— Acharya Nagarjuna who propounded the Madhyamika philosophy which is the basis of Mahayana Buddhism, lived in Amaravathi for a long time, and his teachings brought about a significant shift in the practice of Buddhism.

Rise and Decline of Amaravathi

— The stupa gave rise to what became known as the ‘Amaravathi school of art,’ which is considered one of the three most prominent schools of ancient Indian art, alongside Mathura and Gandhara.

— In his book chapter Amaravati at Lens: Envisioning Buddhism in the Ruins of the Great Stupa, Comparative Religions scholar Jacob Kinnard describes the ruined stupa at Amaravati as a high point of Buddhist art and architecture.

— Scholars have long debated the various causes of Buddhism’s collapse in this region, which eventually contributed to the demise of Amaravathi, a once-grand Buddhist sanctuary. Kanisetti adds that one likely reason is the emergence of Shaivism.

— Sree Padma’s studies suggest that the emergence and collapse of Buddhism in Andhra is strongly related to the region’s socioeconomic situation.

— Buddhism appealed to traders because it emphasised a casteless society, which meant fewer hurdles to commerce. Six centuries later, the faith fell into decline as the region’s economy deteriorated.

Conclusion:

— The attraction of Amaravathi art may be shown in the fact that it influenced Buddhist artistic outputs in various other places of India, including the Ajanta caves, as well as South and Southeast Asia.

— According to Kinnard: “These sculptures also presented a visual blueprint for a range of ritual performances that established a model of Buddhist practice that would be replicated for centuries in India and elsewhere in the Buddhist world.”

(Source: Amaravathi: The rise and fall of one of the greatest Buddhist sites in India by Adrija Roychowdhury)

Points to Ponder

Other Buddhist sites in Andhra Pradesh

What is Mahayana Buddhism?

Related Previous Year Questions

Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (2020)

Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (2016)

QUESTION 2: How can digital technologies enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in conducting exams across the country?

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

Introduction:

— As worries over the fairness of competitive exams have grown, the government has moved quickly and decisively to address the problems. Events like the NEET-PG exam postponement, the claims of paper leaks during the NEET-UG retests in six cities, and the current UGC NET paper leak have naturally caused students all around the country to have severe concerns about the dependability and fairness of these important exams.

— However, the proactive measures taken by the Indian government, such as creating expert committees and changing the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) leadership, show that they are serious about rebuilding confidence and protecting the validity of the testing procedure.

Body:

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

How can digital technologies enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency?

— Implementing cutting-edge encryption techniques and multi-factor authentication can help defend against unauthorised access during online exams. Blockchain technology can be used to track and safeguard exam papers from creation to evaluation, guaranteeing that any manipulation is detected instantly.

— Real-time GPS tracking for logistics, as well as the use of digital watermarking, can help to reduce leak risk dramatically.

— Using AI-powered proctoring technologies can improve exam monitoring and reduce the likelihood of cheating. Biometric verification can confirm that candidates are who they claim to be, adding an extra degree of security to the examination process.

— Independent audits can assist reveal flaws in the examination process.

— Transparent and regular reviews. Ensure that security measures are followed and any irregularities are promptly resolved.

— To avoid future digital lock failures that result in the manual opening of examination booklet boxes and delays in distributing question papers, strict maintenance schedules and backup mechanisms must be instituted.

— Staff should also be trained in emergency protocols, including secure manual overrides under supervision. These procedures will help to reduce disruptions and maintain examination integrity.

Conclusion:

— The future of Indian competitive exams depends on creative solutions that ensure fairness and efficiency. As digital technologies continue to change education, implementing strong digital security measures becomes increasingly important.

— To ensure that the exam is conducted transparently, smoothly, and fairly, the Ministry of Education has formed a High-Level Experts Committee. This group intends to provide practical suggestions within two months that will reform examination methods, improve data security protocols, and maybe restructure the NTA to better protect against future breaches.

— The combination of technical improvements with educational aspirations may result in shortened processes and increased legitimacy for Indian competitive exams.

(Source: The digital revolution that India’s exam system needs by Himanshu Rai)

Points to Ponder

What is NTA?

Digital technologies for examinations

Role of AI in conducting hassle-free examinations

Related Previous Year Questions

Elucidate the relationship between globalisation and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India. (2022)

How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (2020)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 57)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 56)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 58)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 57)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 57)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 58)

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