[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 01 October 2016
Click on EACH question to post/read answers.
General Studies – 1;
Topic: Social empowerment; Poverty and developmental issues
1) Critically analyse social, political and economic causes of recent agitations by people belonging to powerful castes in Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues
2) “Nathuram Godse was a product of the political climate created by the Hindu right in the run-up to Partition.” Critically examine. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger
3) Data from the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for Maharashtra reveals that just in the month of August, 1,588 children below the age of five died, the majority of them from tribal pockets and dies due to malnutrition. Examine why Maharashtra has failed to prevent these deaths and measures it should take to address this issue. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Role of civil services in democracy
4) There is a widening civil-military “gap” in India today which stems from developments on both sides of the divide. What are these developments? Analyse. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes
5) October 2, 2016 marks the second anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). Critically evaluate performance of the scheme in meeting its objectives. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
General Studies – 3
Topic; Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
6) “Ruralisation, an alternative development paradigm, which entails creation of self-sufficient villages and urban republics with attached common pool resources, can be adopted to promote equitable and sustainable local economic development and decentralised governance.” Discuss. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Investment models
7) Analyse the causes of the increasing incidence of PPP project cancellations in India. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Environmental pollution
8) WHO estimates that at least 600,000 deaths are being caused annually in India by fine particulate matter pollution in the air. Discuss the sources of these particulate matters and measures needed to reduce their magnitude in the air. (200 Words)
The Hindu
General Studies – 4
Topic: Attitude: social influence and persuasion.
9) In recent months, few governments across the world – which have witnessed large-scale violence by rebel groups – are making deals with rebel leaders with record of killing thousands of innocent civilians in the past. Do you think it is ethical for governments to make such deals? Critically comment. (150 Words)
The Hindu
NYT
