UPSC CSE Mains 2027 • Daily Practice
Daily Mains Answer Writing – 4 October 2026
2 Questions • Current Affairs + Static GS • Model Answers
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Today's Practice:
Attempt both questions before viewing the model answers. Focus on answering
the exact directive, building 4–5 analytical dimensions and using facts only
where they improve the argument.
GS Paper III • Science & Technology / Cyber Security
Q1. Quantum communication can significantly strengthen the security of
critical digital infrastructure, but technology alone cannot create cyber
resilience. Discuss in the context of India's emerging quantum-secure
communication capabilities.
Directive: Explain the significance of quantum-secure
communication, assess its limitations and show why it must form part of a
wider cyber-security architecture.
Answer Framework
- Briefly explain the emerging quantum-security challenge.
- Explain QKD and post-quantum cryptography.
- Assess applications for India.
- Identify technological, economic and institutional constraints.
- Suggest a layered quantum-resilient cyber-security strategy.
Model Answer
Introduction
Quantum computing creates both an opportunity and a security challenge. Powerful future quantum computers could weaken some conventional public-key cryptographic systems. Therefore, protecting sensitive communications requires transition towards technologies capable of remaining secure in the quantum era.
Role of Quantum-Secure Communication
- Quantum Key Distribution: QKD enables communicating parties to generate encryption keys using quantum states. Interception can disturb these states and make eavesdropping detectable.
- Protection of strategic networks: Defence communication, government networks, financial systems, satellite links and critical infrastructure can benefit from stronger key-management security.
- Data sovereignty: Indigenous quantum-security systems reduce dependence on foreign cyber-security technologies.
- Long-term confidentiality: Sensitive information that must remain secret for decades requires protection against future quantum-enabled attacks.
Current Value Addition:
India recently demonstrated its first
5.56-km free-space Quantum Key Distribution link between
BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar. The field trial maintained a
Quantum Bit Error Rate below 5% and generated secure
keys at approximately 230–260 bits per second. QKD was
also integrated with post-quantum cryptography for end-to-end secure
communication.
Why QKD Alone Is Not Sufficient
- Distance and infrastructure constraints: Quantum links require specialised optical systems and reliable transmission environments.
- Cost: Deployment at national scale can require significant investment in hardware and secure-network architecture.
- Endpoint vulnerability: Even a secure quantum channel cannot protect compromised devices, servers or users.
- Implementation risks: Poorly designed hardware or software can create side-channel vulnerabilities.
- Legacy systems: Banks, government departments and enterprises cannot instantly replace existing cryptographic infrastructure.
- Human factor: Phishing, credential theft and insider threats remain outside the problem directly solved by QKD.
Complementary Role of Post-Quantum Cryptography
Post-quantum cryptography uses classical algorithms designed to resist attacks from powerful quantum computers. Unlike QKD, it can potentially be deployed through existing digital networks more easily. Therefore, the two approaches should be viewed as complementary rather than competing.
Way Forward
- Develop a national inventory of cryptographic assets.
- Prioritise quantum protection for strategic and critical networks.
- Accelerate indigenous hardware, photon sources and secure components.
- Adopt crypto-agility so algorithms can be upgraded without redesigning entire systems.
- Expand quantum-skilled human resources and industry-academia collaboration.
- Combine QKD, post-quantum cryptography and conventional cyber-security controls.
Conclusion
Quantum communication can become an important layer of India's future digital-security architecture, but cyber resilience cannot depend upon a single technology. India therefore requires a layered approach combining quantum technologies, post-quantum cryptography, secure hardware, strong institutions and continuous cyber-risk management.
GS Paper II • Parliament & Governance • Static
Q2. Parliamentary Committees are often described as the instruments through
which Parliament performs detailed scrutiny that is difficult to undertake
on the floor of the House. Examine their role in ensuring executive
accountability and discuss the limitations of India's committee system.
Directive:
Explain how committees strengthen Parliament's scrutiny function, but also
critically examine the institutional factors that limit their effectiveness.
Answer Framework
- Begin with the need for committee-based legislative scrutiny.
- Explain financial, departmental and other committee functions.
- Show how committees improve executive accountability.
- Discuss major institutional limitations.
- Suggest reforms without undermining parliamentary flexibility.
Model Answer
Introduction
Parliament performs not only a law-making function but also a constitutional function of holding the executive accountable. Since modern governance involves complex budgets, policies and legislation, Parliamentary Committees provide a specialised forum for detailed and relatively less partisan scrutiny.
How Committees Strengthen Accountability
- Detailed examination of Bills: Committees can study technical provisions, consult stakeholders and identify unintended consequences that may escape short floor debates.
- Scrutiny of expenditure: Financial committees such as the Public Accounts Committee examine government expenditure and CAG findings.
- Budget oversight: Department-related Standing Committees examine Demands for Grants of ministries before Parliament votes on expenditure.
- Policy scrutiny: Committees examine annual reports and long-term policy documents of ministries falling within their jurisdiction.
- Expert consultation: Officials, specialists and stakeholders can provide evidence before committees, improving informed law-making.
- Cross-party deliberation: The relatively less adversarial environment allows members from different parties to develop issue-based recommendations.
- Continuity of oversight: Committees enable parliamentary scrutiny even beyond major floor debates.
Institutional Value Addition:
India currently has 24 Department-related Parliamentary Standing
Committees. Their purpose is to facilitate specialised scrutiny
of ministries and strengthen accountability of the executive to Parliament.
Limitations
- Non-binding recommendations: The executive is generally not legally compelled to accept committee recommendations.
- Limited referral of Bills: Not every important Bill is mandatorily sent to a committee before passage.
- Short tenure: Annual reconstitution can reduce institutional continuity and subject expertise.
- Research capacity: MPs require stronger professional and technical research support for increasingly complex policy areas.
- Time constraints: Large mandates and numerous ministries can restrict depth of examination.
- Weak public visibility: Committee scrutiny receives less public attention than debates on the floor of Parliament.
- Follow-up gap: Government Action Taken Reports do not always translate into timely substantive reform.
Way Forward
- Provide stronger permanent research and technical staff to committees.
- Encourage routine pre-legislative referral of major Bills.
- Allow sufficient time for evidence-based stakeholder consultation.
- Improve public access to reports and government responses.
- Strengthen systematic tracking of accepted recommendations.
- Promote longer institutional continuity without weakening parliamentary control.
Conclusion
Parliamentary Committees do not replace debate in Parliament; they deepen it. A strong committee system allows legislative oversight to become more continuous, informed and evidence-based. Strengthening committees is therefore essential for converting the constitutional principle of executive accountability into effective parliamentary practice.
Official References:
Digital Sansad – Parliamentary Committees
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Digital Sansad – Department-related Standing Committees
Self-Evaluation Checklist
- Did your introduction answer the central issue within 2–3 lines?
- Did you use subheadings instead of writing one long paragraph?
- Did the current example support your argument rather than dominate the answer?
- Did you include limitations/counterpoints?
- Did your way forward directly address the challenges identified?
- Is the conclusion forward-looking and connected to the question?
