December 30, 2015 by INSIGHTS

[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 30 December 2015

[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 30 December 2015

Archives – Secure 2015

Archives – Secure 2016

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General Studies – 1;

Topic: Communalism

1) Critically comment on the Ayodhya dispute and its implications on national unity. (200 Words)

General Studies – 2

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education, Human resources

2) Do you think Computer-based testing (CBT) should be introduced in our education system on a larger scale? Examine the merits and demerits. (200 WOrds)

Business Standard

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Human resources

3) The Union government has decided to amend the law in order to guarantee women working in the private sector 26 weeks’ maternity leave, up from the 12 weeks they are now entitled to. Discuss the merits of this amendment and also examine if India should also consider amending the act to provide similar leave to fathers. (200 Words)

The Indian Express

Topic: Governance – accountability and transparency

4) As the RTI starts its second decade, it is argued that India’s government should ensure that information provision has a more impersonal face and this requires the government to invest in a data infrastructure that will allow it to go from passive to active transparency. What do you understand by active transparency? Why automation is needed in RTI? Discuss. (200 Words)

The Indian Express

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

5) Criticas argue that there are many different ways by which internet can be made available to vast majority of unconnected people in developing countries rather than opting for Facebook’s Free Basics offer. Discuss. (200 Words)

General Studies – 3

Topic: Awareness in IT

6) Critically analyse the merits and demerits of Facebook’s “Free Basics” service offer in India. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Business Standard

Topic: Resource mobilization; Subsidies

7) Discuss the merits of government’s decision to bar taxpayers earning more than Rs 10 lakh per annum from availing of subsidy on LPG cylinder sales. (200 Words)

The Indian Express

Topic: Energy; Infrastructure

8) In India, electricity and telecom sectors provide a contrasting picture when it comes to profitability and debt management. Examine why telecom sector has done well in India and what electricity sector can learn from telecom’s experience. (200 Words)

Topic: e-technology; development in S&T; liberalisation

9) As India is becoming a major destination for start-ups, sectors like e-commerce or mobile payments are attracting strong interest among entrepreneurs and investors whereas health, clean-tech, agriculture and education sectors are neglected. Examine why and also suggest what type of start-ups can contribute in these sectors. (200 Words)

Topic: Infrastructure; Resource mobilization

10) Write a note on the objectives of and sources of funds for National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. (200 Words)

General Studies – 4

Topic:Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration:

11) Public servants are likely to confront with the issues of “Conflict of Interest”. What do you understand by the term “Conflict of Interest” and how does it manifest in the decision making by public servants? If faced with the conflict of interest situation how would you resolve it? Explain with the help of examples. (150 Words)

General