[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 16 January 2016
Archives – Secure 2015
Archives – Secure 2016
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General Studies – 1;
Topic: Resources; Indian geography; Location factors
1) What do you understand by rare earth materials? Critically discuss importance of these materials for India and India’s position in rare earth materials industry at global level. (200 Words)
EPW
General Studies – 2
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
2) Critically analyse India’s deepening strategic relationship with Israel and its benefits for both the countries. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation; Governance
3) The growing focus on climate policy in India requires effective institutions that are needed for the design, coordination and implementation of environment related policies. Critically examine formation and functioning of such institutions in India. (200 Words)
EPW
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation; Environmental pollution
4) “The Paris Agreement has set targets for limiting temperature rise due to global warming which will be virtually impossible (1.5°C) or very difficult (well below 2°C) to realise. ” Why is it argued that it’s either impossible or difficult to to realize latest targets for limiting temperature? In the light of climate change science, discuss. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Indian economy – Growth
5) India’s exports to every major region of the world declined during April–November 2015 year-on-year. Why do you think this has happened? What measures has government taken to halt this decline? Critically examine. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Indian economy – growth; Inclusive growth and development
6) “Human development in India remains inadequate because the focus remains on GDP growth.” Critically comment. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
7) “The government funding of start-ups, either directly or indirectly, in the midst of a thriving venture-capital industry, is ill advised. ” In the light of India’s new start-up policy, comment on the statement. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
General Studies – 4
Topic:Ethics in human actions; Ethical concerns and dilemma
8) You are heading a district administration in a particular department. Your senior officer calls you from the State Headquarters and tells you that a plot in Rampur village is to have a building constructed on it for a school. A visit is scheduled during which he will visit the site along with the chief engineer and the senior architect. He wants you to check out all the papers relating to it and ensure that the visit is properly arranged. You examine the file which relates to the period before you joined the department. The land was acquired for the local panchayat at a nominal cost and the papers showed that clearance certificates are available for the two of the three authorities who have to certify the site’s suitability. There is no certification by the architect available on file. You decide to visit Rampur to ensure that all is in the order as stated on file. When you visit Rampur, you find that the plot under reference is a part of Thakurgarh fort and that the walls, ramparts, etc., are running across it. The fort is well away from the main village, therefore a school here will be a serious inconvenience for the children. However, the area near the village has potential to expand into a larger residential area. The development charges on the existing plot, at the fort, will be very high and question of heritage site has not been addressed. Moreover, the Sarpanch, at the time of acquisition of the land, was a relative of your predecessor. The whole transaction appears to have been done with some vested interest. (25 Marks) (250 Words)
(a) List the likely vested interest of the concerned parties.
(b) Some of the options for action available to you are listed below. Discuss the merits and demerits of each of the options:
(i) You can await the visit of the superior officer and let him take a decision.
(ii) You can seek his advice in writing or on phone.
(iii) You can consult your predecessor/ colleagues, etc, and then decide what to do.
(iv) You can find out if any alternate plot can be got in exchange and then send a comprehensive written report.
Can you suggest any other option with proper justifications?
CSM 2015
