[Insights Secure – 2015] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 19 May 2015
Archives – Secure 2015
19 May 2015
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Static Part – Timetable
Click on EACH question to post/read answers.
General Studies – 1;
Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
1) A wide spectrum of the national movement’s leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, the Socialists and Communists were agreed that cooperativization would lead to major improvement in Indian agriculture and would particularly benefit the poor. Examine how cooperativism was implemented post – independence and how successful it was in helping agriculture and poor people. (200 Words)
Bipan Chandra, India Since Independence, Chapter 32
Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
2) Was India’s Green Revolution a total success? Critically analyse. (200 Words)
Bipan Chandra, India Since Independence, Chapter 33
Topic: Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
3) Write a critical note on the nature and objectives of post – independence peasant movements in India. (200 Words)
Bipan Chandra, India Since Independence, Chapter 34
General Studies – 2
Topic: Functioning of the Judiciary
4) Critically examine the causes of judicial delays and remedies to address this issue in India. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
5) Do you think India is capable of countering Chinese influence in its neighbourhood? If yes, how should India counter China? Critically comment. (200 Words)
Financial Times
Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
6) Critically examine the role of World Health Organisation in addressing various health issues across the world. Also write a note on India’s participation in WHO’s activities. (200 Words)
Livemint
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, (Paper -1 – related to location of industries; Paper – 3 – IPR issues)
7) It is argued that pharmaceutical companies are less and less interested in creating new antibiotics, because it’s too hard to make money there. Critically discuss the problems faced by pharma companies around the world and how can government help them address these problems. (200 Words)
Livemint
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian economy – growth and development, inclusive growth, food security
8) Do you think the agricultural growth and the expansion of good jobs in industry and services can go hand-in-hand to bring rapid elimination of poverty in India? In the light of fears expressed by a section of society that land acquisition for developmental projects is affecting food security in India, critically comment. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Topic: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology
9) Critically analyse the merits and demerits of India’s defence procurement policy (DPP) and discuss the steps needed to address demerits of this policy. (200 Words)
Livemint
Topic: Indian economy – issues
10) Some economists are arguing that the Indian government should stop publishing Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation data. Examine if there is any merit in their argument. (200 Words)
Livemint
Topic: Security issues; Paper – 2 (Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
11) Critically comment on the success of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in stopping proliferation of nuclear weapons around the world. Looking at ongoing geopolitical struggles around the world, do you think non – proliferation can be achieved? Discuss. (200 Words)
Livemint
Topic: Infrastructure – Energy
12) Recently the United States published its first Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) with many insights into the problems and prospects of its and world’s energy sector. In the light of important findings of this report, critically examine what India can learn and adopt from this report to efficiently manage its energy sector. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Topic: Investment models
13) Write a short note on EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) model of investment and its merits over PPP model. (150 Words)
Business Standard
General Studies – 4
Topic: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions;
14) Highlighting the Supreme Court of India’s view, critically comment on the ethical aspects of administering euthanasia to a person or person’s nearest relative or friend seeking it. (200 Words)
Livemint
The Hindu
The Indian Express
Topic: Ethics and Human Interface:
15) A pregnant woman, who is a teacher, along with her lover brutally kills seven members of her family including her father for opposing her relationship with an unemployed man. She is found guilty by the court and is sentenced to death along with her lover. Now she has a five year old child. Once the death sentence is carried out, the child will become an orphan.
a) In your opinion, in the context of the above case, what constitutes true love? Elaborate. (150 Words)
b) Is it ethical to sentence both teacher and her lover to death considering the fact that their five year old child will be orphaned once they die? Justify. (150 Words)
The Times of India
The Hindu
