Essay 2021 Essay Paper 125 marks 1200 words Critically analyse
Q8
There are better practices to "best practices".
हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें
"सर्वोत्तम कार्यप्रणाली" से बेहतर कार्यप्रणालियाँ भी होती हैं ।
Directive word: Critically analyse
This question asks you to critically analyse. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.
See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.
How this answer will be evaluated
Approach
Critically analyse the tension between rigid 'best practices' and adaptive 'better practices' by examining how context-specific improvements challenge universal templates. Structure: introduction defining the paradox with a clear thesis → body exploring domains where better practices emerge (governance, technology, social policy) with critical evaluation of limitations → conclusion synthesizing when to standardize versus customize.
Key points expected
- Definition of 'best practices' as standardized, evidence-based protocols versus 'better practices' as iterative, context-responsive improvements
- Analysis of why best practices fail: cultural mismatch, temporal obsolescence, one-size-fits-all assumptions, institutional inertia
- Domains illustration: India's Aadhaar evolving from best-practice biometric systems to better practices through iterative course-correction; MGNREGA's decentralized implementation improving upon rigid templates
- Critical balance: when standardization ensures equity (vaccination protocols) versus when flexibility enables innovation (education pedagogy)
- The role of feedback loops, local knowledge, and participatory adaptation in generating better practices
- Caution against 'better practice' becoming excuse for inconsistency, lack of accountability, or ad-hocism without evaluation
Evaluation rubric
| Dimension | Weight | Max marks | Excellent | Average | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thesis clarity | 20% | 25 | Presents a nuanced, arguable thesis that captures the dialectical relationship—neither rejecting best practices wholesale nor celebrating better practices uncritically, with clear position on when each approach dominates | States a general position on the topic without clear analytical tension; thesis may lean entirely toward one side without acknowledging trade-offs | Thesis is missing, vague, or merely restates the question; no discernible argumentative stance on the better/best practice tension |
| Multi-dimensional coverage | 20% | 25 | Covers minimum 3 distinct domains (e.g., public administration, healthcare, education, technology, environment) with explicit analysis of how better practices emerge differently in each; addresses temporal, spatial, and institutional dimensions | Covers 2-3 domains superficially or stays within single domain; limited exploration of why context matters for practice adaptation | Single-domain treatment or list-like coverage without analytical depth; ignores structural factors enabling or constraining practice evolution |
| Examples & evidence | 20% | 25 | Uses specific Indian and comparative examples: Kerala's health model vs. national norms; ISRO's frugal innovation; Swachh Bharat's course corrections; COVID-19 protocol adaptations; contrasts with failed transplantations (smart cities without sanitation planning) | Generic or partially accurate examples; mentions schemes without specificity; over-relies on common knowledge without analytical application | No concrete examples, factually incorrect references, or purely hypothetical illustrations without evidentiary grounding |
| Language & flow | 20% | 25 | Sophisticated vocabulary appropriate to policy discourse; seamless transitions between critique of standardization and defense of adaptation; balanced sentence structure; effective use of connectives showing causal and contrastive relationships | Clear but unremarkable prose; occasional awkward transitions; some repetitive phrasing; functional but not elegant expression of complex ideas | Grammatical errors, choppy paragraphs, poor transitions between ideas, inappropriate register, or excessive jargon without clarity |
| Conclusion & forward look | 20% | 25 | Synthesizes into actionable framework: institutional mechanisms for distinguishing when to adopt best practices versus cultivate better practices; specific recommendations for India's administrative reform; acknowledges unresolved tensions | Summary restatement of points without synthesis; generic call for 'balance' without operational guidance; weak connection to future governance challenges | Abrupt ending, entirely new argument introduced, or purely platitudinous closing without engagement with the essay's analytical work |
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- Q8 There are better practices to "best practices".