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GS 2

UPSC Mains 2013

25 questions · 250 marks · Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

GS 1GS 2GS 3Ethics
International Relations10 Marks

Q1.The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions, and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate.

View answerDirective: Elucidate
International Relations10 Marks

Q2.What is meant by the Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today? Discuss.

View answerDirective: Explain
International Relations10 Marks

Q3.In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy.

View answerDirective: Discuss
International Relations10 Marks

Q4.Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?

View answerDirective: Discuss
International Relations10 Marks

Q5.The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?

View answer
International Relations10 Marks

Q6.Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints that are inhibiting this growth

View answerDirective: Elucidate
International Relations10 Marks

Q7.What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.

View answer
International Relations10 Marks

Q8.The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine because India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its strategic interests.

View answerDirective: Examine
Indian Polity10 Marks

Q9.‘A national Lokpal, however strong it may be, cannot resolve the problems of immorality in public affairs’. Discuss.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Governance10 Marks

Q10.Though Citizen’s charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations, there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided. Analyse.

View answerDirective: Analyse
Government policies and interventions10 Marks

Q11.Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health.Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government to achieve the same.

View answerDirective: Identify, discuss
Government policies and interventions10 Marks

Q12.The basis of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is rooted in establishing connectivity. Comment.

View answerDirective: Comment
Government policies and interventions10 Marks

Q13.An electronic cash transfer system for welfare schemes is an ambitious project to minimize corruption, eliminate wastage, and facilitate reforms. Comment.

View answerDirective: Comment
Union and States — federal structure and devolution10 Marks

Q14.The Central Government frequently complains about the poor performance of the State Governments in eradicating the suffering of the vulnerable sections of the society. Restructuring of Centrally sponsored schemes across the sectors for ameliorating the cause of vulnerable sections of the population aims at providing flexibility to the States in better implementation. Critically evaluate.

View answerDirective: Critically evaluate
Governance10 Marks

Q15.The legitimacy and accountability of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their patrons, the micro-finance outfits, need systematic assessment and scrutiny for the sustained success of the concept. Discuss.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Governance10 Marks

Q16.Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the informal face of politics. With regards to the above, assess the structure and functioning of pressure groups in India.

View answerDirective: Assess
Government policies and interventions10 Marks

Q17.The concept of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India with early beginnings in the Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates, and success.

View answerDirective: Critically examine
Statutory, regulatory and quasi-judicial bodies10 Marks

Q18.The product diversification of financial institutions and insurance companies, resulting in overlapping of products and services strengthens the case for the merger of the two regulatory agencies, namely SEBI and IRDA. Justify.

View answerDirective: Justify
Indian Polity10 Marks

Q19.Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Governance10 Marks

Q20.Many State Governments further bifurcate geographical administrative areas like Districts and Talukas for better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that a larger number of smaller States would bring in effective governance at the State level? Discuss.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Indian Polity10 Marks

Q21.Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Indian Polity10 Marks

Q22.The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on the arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.

View answerDirective: Discuss critically
Indian Polity10 Marks

Q23.Recent directives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the ‘Nagas’ as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Indian Polity10 Marks

Q24.Discuss Section 66A of the IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Indian Polity10 Marks

Q25.The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result, healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention?

View answerDirective: Analyze