January 13, 2018 by INSIGHTS

[Insights Secure – 2018] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 13 January 2018

[Insights Secure – 2018] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 13 January 2018

Click on EACH question to post/read answers.

General Studies – 1

Topic: Poverty and developmental issues

1) India figures among countries with rapidly increasing income inequality, a problem that urgently needs to be addressed through systemic transformations. Discuss what systemic transformations are required. (250 Words)

Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.

2) What do you understand by El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)? Examine their impact on monsoon rains in India. (250 Words)

Topic: Political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

3) How did the 1979 ‘Islamic Revolution’ affect the Iranian polity and society? Examine the nature and causes of recent protests by working class people in Iran. (250 Words)

Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues

4) Critically analyse the significance and relevance of politics and ideals Mahatma Gandhi represented and sacrificed his life for. (250 Words)

General Studies – 2

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

5) The Consumer Protection Bill of 2018, which was introduced in Lok Sabha on January 5, 2018, seeks to replace the existing Act of 1986 to address emerging consumer vulnerabilities. Discuss the merits and demerits of this Bill. (250 Words)

General Studies – 3

Topic: Agriculture

6) Government reports say 2004-14 had the highest agriculture growth that has fast slipped back to near-zero growth despite normal monsoons and bumper yields. Critically examine the reasons for agriculture distress in recent years and urgent measures needed to salvage the crisis. (250 Words)

Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices

7) Critically examine why is a urgent need for asset creation and reorientation of the present agricultural credit policy for greater inclusiveness. (250 Words)

General Studies – 4

Topic: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems

8) How does public cynicism affect quality and outcome of public administration? Illustrate with examples. (150 Words)