← All questionsGS3 · 2015 · Science & Technology ·TKDL / IPR
QUESTION 14
GS3
12.5 marks

India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations, is proving a powerful weapon in the country’s fight against erroneous patents. Discuss the pros and cons of making this database publicly available under open-source licensing.

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9 min
200 words
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What the examiner wants

Discuss the exact proposition in the PYQ — “India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations, is proving a powerful weapon in the country’s fight against erroneous…” — using concept/chronology or mechanism, evidence on both sides where relevant, and a conclusion that answers the directive rather than merely describing TKDL / IPR.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1For the prompt cue ‘India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million’, directly answer: India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations, is proving…≈45 words
  2. 2For the prompt cue ‘India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million’, directly answer: Discuss the pros and cons of making this database publicly available under open-source licensing≈45 words
  3. 3For the prompt cue ‘India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on’, add one verified official-source anchor and a limitation/counterpoint specific to TKDL / IPR≈45 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Define/contextualise TKDL / IPRExplain mechanism/chronologyQuestion-specific evidence/examplesImplicationsConcise conclusion

Where marks usually go

  • For the prompt cue ‘India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on more than’, avoid a generic note on TKDL / IPR; answer the actual wording/directive and the TKDL / IPR proposition
  • For the prompt cue ‘India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), which has a database containing formatted information on more than’, do not add examples around TKDL / IPR unless they prove, qualify or rebut the proposition asked

Value addition

  • 3-box flow: concept/context → core argument/evidence → implication/way forward
    → Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.

Official source anchors

These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.