[Insights Secure – 2015] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 02 July 2015
Archives – Secure 2015
02 July 2015
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General Studies – 1;
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
1) Write a note on the salient features of architecture of the Vijayanagar Empire and highlight its form and influences. (200 Words)
The Hindu
NCERT
Wikipedia
General Studies – 2
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
2) “The crisis in Greece does not in itself pose an economic risk for Indian investors and traders, but a Europe-wide crisis would.” Elaborate. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
3) Do you think both Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and ‘Belt and Road’ projects of China are complimentary? Substantiate and examine the implications for the Asian region of both these projects. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Reference
Topic: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.
4) It is found that a little over two-thirds of the total number of jailed people in the country’s jails are undertrials. Critically examine who are these undertrials? Why do they languish in jails? How their rights are infringed upon? And suggest what government and concerned authorities should do to address this issue. (200 Words)
The Hindu
The Hindu
The Hindu
The Indian Express
General Studies – 3
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas
5) It is said that a major factor preventing the return of normalcy in Kashmir is the opposition to the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1990 (AFSPA). In the light of allegations of human rights violations, critically comment of the implications of AFSPA and recommend changes to the Act to address the concerns raised against it. (200 Words)
The Hindu
The Hindu
IDSA (Page 57)
Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; Awareness in the field of Space
6) Examine the short – term urgencies and long – term objectives of India’s space program. Do you think India is in need of a ‘Space Law’ ? If yes, explain why. (200 Words)
The Hindu
The Hindu
Reference
Reference
Topic: Storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints;
7) Recently the union cabinet gave its nod to set up the National Agriculture Market. Critically discuss the need for such a market and its impact on APMCs and farmers. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Reference
Business Standard
General Studies – 4
Topic: ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
8) Rekha cleared UPSC civil services exam and became an IAS officer. She was intelligent, bold and beautiful. After her probationary training, she was posted as CEO of Zilla Panchayat in a very backward district in a far away state from her home. There, violence and discrimination against women was rampant. The politicians, including elected representatives were known for their contempt against women officers in the district. Rekha’s parents tried to persuade her to marry an IAS officer (male) from their home state who had shown interest in marrying her. This would ensure her return to her home state where, her parents thought, she would get a safe and cosy posting.
Rekha firmly told her parents that she wanted to face such hardships and serve backward regions. As soon as she assumed her office, rumours were spread about her past and alleged links with mafia in the region. She had taken extraordinary measures to stop illegal activities such as sand smuggling and encroachment of government property despite risk to her life. A recent news report alleged that she was going soft on mafia. Another report suggested that she had an affair with an IAS officer working in a neighbouring district.
Identify the elements of ethical concerns and dilemma in the above case and substantiate how you would have responded to each of such concerns and dilemma if you were Rekha. (200 Words)
The Hindu
