[Insights Secure – 2018] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 08 January 2018

[Insights Secure – 2018] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 08 January 2018

Click on EACH question to post/read  answers.

General Studies – 1

Topic: Poverty and developmental issues

1) Examine how can all the stakeholders work together more effectively to achieve the  United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). (250 Words)

Livemint

General Studies – 2

Topic:   Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability,

2) Do you consider introduction of electoral bonds as an improvement over past attempts at election funding reform in India? Critically analyse. (250 Words)

The Indian Express

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

3) The Supreme Court judgments reinforce the fact that merely enacting legislations to empower persons with disabilities will not suffice. Analyse how the Supreme Court of India is shifting the paradigm on disability rights. (250 Words)

The Wire

Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability,  

4) Self-regulation is more desirable compared to statutory regulation for the media. Discuss. (250 Words)

The Hindu

Topic:  Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. 

5) The torture of individuals in state custody remains a brazen human rights abuse that mocks our governance even as we claim human dignity as the end objective of the Indian state. Why torture is a cause for concern and what should be India’s stand on this issue? Comment. (250 Words) 

The Hindu

Topic:  Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

6) A recent UN report has underlined that fulfilment of national pledges related to carbon emission reductions under the Paris Agreement would be inadequate to keep global warming below 2°C. Thus, a renewed focus on climate governance is imperative. Examine how can India set the precedent in deepening the dialogue process through its actions. (250 Words)

The Hindu

General Studies – 3

Topic:  Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.; Infrastructure

7) Both central and state governments own huge swathes of land properties whose actual measurement is unclear. Examine critically the issue of land hoarding by government agencies and its impact on economy. (250 Words)

The Hindu

Topic:  Conservation; S&T

8) With the rate of zoonotic diseases (pathogens that jump from animals to humans) on the rise, migratory animals have been under increasing suspicion of aiding the spread of devastating diseases such as bird flu, Lyme disease and even Ebola. Examine if it’s right to put blame squarely on migratory birds for increase in the rate of zoonotic diseases. (150 Words)

The Wire

General Studies – 4

Topic:   Ethics in human actions; Attitude; Emotional intelligence