[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 14 January 2017
Click on EACH question to post/read answers.
General Studies – 1;
Topic:Distribution of key natural resources
1) The Ken-Betwa river-linking project was cleared by the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). Why is this project controversial? Also discuss implications of NBWL clearance. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
General Studies – 2
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education
2) Analysis of the ‘District Information System on Education’ (DISE) data that in the four-year period after the implementation of the RTE Act, between 2010 and 2014, despite the number of public (government) schools increasing by 13,498 in the country, total enrolment in such schools fell by 1.13 crore, and enrolments in private schools rose by 1.85 crore. Critically comment on this finding. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
Topic: Transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
3) The RBI board’s decision to recommend withdrawal of legal tender of high denomination notes after a short board meeting is seen as a loss of independence of the RBI. In this light, examine why RBI board’s meeting should be transparent and what should be done to ensure this. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
General Studies – 3
Topic: Conservation
4) What do you understand by ‘captive breeding ‘? Is it a viable option to conserve threatened or endangered wild animals? Discuss. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: Conservation
5) A recent Gauhati High Court verdict assumes that the existence of human beings in Protected Areas is inherently dangerous to wildlife. Critically discuss issues and challenges involved in managing conservation and community rights of forest dwellers. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Resource mobilization
6) Most of the infrastructure funding in India stems from the government or from banks. What can be done to mobilize funds from domestic bond and capital markets towards infrastructure sector? Examine. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Resource mobilization
7) As the history of the license permit quota raj shows, unless the economic incentive favour voluntary tax compliance and less political, bureaucratic and police corruption, any benefits are soon frittered away and negative effects multiply over time. In this regard, should there be a flat income tax rate for all citizens? If yes, what should be its rate? Substantiate. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethical issues in international relations
8) Under oppressive regimes, it’s common for governments or government agencies to suppress voices of people – or even make such people disappear – who frequently protest against unjust government policies. In such instances, what’s the role of international community to protect these individuals? Is it ethical for outside governments to interfere and raise concern against oppressive regimes? Critically examine. (150 Words)
The Hindu
