January 18, 2016 by INSIGHTS

[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 18 January 2016

[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 18 January 2016

Archives – Secure 2015

Archives – Secure 2016

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General Studies – 1;

Topic:Urbanization – problems and remedies

1) How is air pollution measured in India? What are the major sources of air pollution in Indian cities? In the light of recent Odd – Even road rationing experiment in Delhi, examine what long term solutions are needed to improve air quality. (200 Words)

The Indian Express

General Studies – 2

Topic: Indian Constitution-features

2) “In India, court rulings have furthered the reformist agenda of the Indian state at the expense of religious freedom and neutrality.” Critically analyse. (200 Words)

Topic:Constitution features; Devolution; RPA

3) Recently the Supreme Court upheld the legality of a Haryana law which disqualifies as candidates for panchayat seats those without requisite educational qualifications among other similar criterion. What implications do you think this decision has on democracy? Critically analyse. (200 Words)

General Studies – 3

Topic: Environmental pollution; S&T

4) Upgrading to upgrade to meet BS-VI norms has implications both for consumers and oil marketing companies (OMCs). Examine what are these implications and why OMCs will be affected.(200 Words)

Business Standard

Topic: S&T; Employment; Industrial policy and effect

5) Critically analyse the provisions of union government’s “Start-up India” plan and the challenges that lie in its implementation. (200 Words)

Business Standard

The Indian Express

Business Standard

Topic: S&T; Awareness in biotechnology

6) What do you understand by optogenetics? Examine how is it different from CLARITY – another related method. Also discuss applications of CLARITY and Optogenetics. (200 Words)

General Studies – 4

Topic: Ethics in public administration

7) You are recently posted as district development officer of a district. Shortly thereafter you found that there is considerable tension in the rural areas of your district on the issue of sending girls to schools.

The elders of the village feel that many problems have come up because girls are being educated and they are stepping out of the safe environment of the household. They are the view that the girls should be quickly married off with minimum education. The girls are also competing for jobs after education, which have traditionally remained in boys’ exclusive domain, adding to unemployment amongst male population.

The younger generation feels that in the present era, girls should have equal opportunities for education and employment, and other means of livelihood. The entire locality is divided between sexes in both generations. You come to know that in Panchayat or in other local bodies or even in busy crosswords, the issue is being acrimoniously debated.

One day you are informed that an unpleasant incident has taken place. Some girls were molested, when they were en route to schools. The incident led to clashes between several groups and a law and order problem has arisen. The elder after heated discussion have taken a joint decision not to allow girls to go to school and to socially boycott all such families, which do not follow their dictate. (250 words) (25 Marks)

(a) What steps would you take to ensure girls’ safety without disrupting their education?

(b) How would you manage and mould patriarchic attitude of the village elders to ensure harmony in the inter- generational relations?

CSM 2015