IAS Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 3

NOTE- 10 Marks Questions Should be written in 150 words. and 15 Marks in 250 Words.

1.     “Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is a sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.  10

2.    Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gain Tax – (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019. 10

3.    What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income traps? 10

4.    Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate the number of intermediaries? 10

5.    Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of physics. 10

6.    What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? 10

7.    What is wetland? Example the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. 10

8.    Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State ‘in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State? 10

9.    The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger “One Belt One Road” initiative .Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. 10

10.  Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still effects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the government of India’s approach to counter the challengers post by LWE.
 10

11.  How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India? 15

12.  How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade effect macroeconomic stability of India?  15

13.  Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? 15

14.  How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. 15

15.  Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?  15

16.  With growing energy needs should India keep on extending its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. 15

17.  How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation flora and fauna?  15

18.  Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? 15

19.  Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cybercrimes. The justice B.N Sreekrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating the protection of personal data in cyberspace? 15

20.  India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same? 15

IAS Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 2

1.   In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (10)

2.   Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (10)

3.   Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (10)

4.   Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (10)

5.   “The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (10)

6.   “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.

7.   Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.

8.   E-governance in not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. (10)

9.   “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (10 )

10.  A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. (10)

11. Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine. (15)

12. How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India. (15)

13. Indian and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.

14. How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss. (15)

15. Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (15)

16.Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case. (15)

17.How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (15)

18.The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters. (15)

19.What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (15)

20.In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? (15)

IAS Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 1

1.   Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (10)

2.   Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (10)

3.   Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (10)

4.   Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (10 ) Easy One

5.   Why is India taking keen interest in the Arctic region? (10)

6.   Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (10)

7.   What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (10)

8.   “Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (10)

9.   ‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons. (10)

10.      How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (10)

11.      The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (15)

12.      Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. (15)

13.      Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (15)

14.      “The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (15)

15.      Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (15)

16.      What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (15)

17.      Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (15)

18.      ‘Women’s movement in India has not addresses the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (15)

19.      ‘Globalisation is generally said to promote cultural homogenisation but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.’ Elucidate.

20.      ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (15)

Adamant Algae and Phosphorus

Nobel Literature Prize put off till 2019.नोबेल साहित्य पुरस्कार 201 9 तक बंद कर दिए गए है

G-6-L-2

• Earth is slightly flattened at the North and the South Poles and bulge in the middle.
• Jodhpur, is known as the Blue city as well as the Sun City of India.
• Japan is known as "The land of the rising sun" because of its geographical relationship with China.
•  Norway is called the Land of Sunset.
• Thailand is the country which is called the land of White Elephants.
• Finland is that country which is known as “land of thousand rivers.
• Scotland known as land of cakes.
• Bhutan is called Druk Yul - Land of Thunder Dragon.
• South Korea is called as the ''Land of Morning Calm''.
• Khajjiar of Himachal Pradesh is known as the mini Switzerland of India.
• The largest and highest plateau in the world is the Pamir mountain, called the "roof of the world".
• Iceland is a country in the North Atlantic Ocean that is aptly known as the "Land of Fire and Ice"

1. Netherlands  known as land of windmills.
2. Uttar Pradesh is called the Sugar bowl of india. It is the largest producer of sugarcane in India.
3. The Deccan Plateau is the largest plateau of India, extended up to 8 states.
4.  TheLadakh plateau is the highest plateau of India, being over 3000m.
5. Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats in India, having an elevation of 2,695 metres (8,842 ft). Anamudi is also the highest point in South India.
6. Doddabetta is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Mountains at 2,637 metres (8,650 feet) Tamil Nadu.
7. Jindhagada Peak in Andhra Pradesh has a height of 1,690 meters is highest peak In Eestern Ghats.
8. Mount Dhupgarh or Dhoopgarh is the highest point in the Satpura Range and in Madhya Pradesh.
9. Pachmarhi is a hill station of Madhya Pradesh state of central India, situated at a height of 1067 m in a valley of the Satpura Range in Hoshangabad district.