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GS 2

UPSC Mains 2014

20 questions · 240 marks · Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

GS 1GS 2GS 3Ethics
International Relations12 Marks

Q1.WTO is an important international institution where decisions taken affect countries in a profound manner. What is the mandate of WTO and how binding are their decisions? Critically analyse India’s stand on the latest round of talks on Food security.

View answerDirective: Critically analyse
International Relations12 Marks

Q2.India has recently signed to become a founding member of New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). How will the role of the two Banks be different? Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India.

View answerDirective: Discuss
International Relations12 Marks

Q3.Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid used for sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss the merits of such terms and there exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context.

View answerDirective: Discuss
International Relations12 Marks

Q4.The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes and tariffs on Information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact would such agreements have on India’s interests?

View answer
International Relations12 Marks

Q5.With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and ever flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Government policies and interventions12 Marks

Q6.Two parallel run schemes of the Government, viz the Adhar card and NPR, one of voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits , discuss whether or not both schemes need to run concurrently. Analyse the potential of the schemes to achieve development benefits and equitable growth.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Governance12 Marks

Q7.Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow growth in India? Critically examine.

View answerDirective: Critically examine
Government policies and interventions12 Marks

Q8.Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allow more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Government policies and interventions12 Marks

Q9.An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Governance12 Marks

Q10.Do government’s schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies?

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Governance12 Marks

Q11.The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine.

View answerDirective: Examine
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q12.The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India can be most effective when its tasks are adequately supported by other mechanisms that ensure the accountability of a government. In light of the above observation, assess the role of NHRC as an effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in promoting and protecting human rights standards.

View answerDirective: Assess
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q13.The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for the obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit the consumers, the Indian Railways or the private container operators.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Governance12 Marks

Q14.Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non-news media like a trade publication and general entertainment channel, the government is mulling over the proposal for increased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increase in FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons.

View answerDirective: Critically evaluate
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q15.The size of the cabinet should be as big as governmental work justifies and as big as the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far is the efficacy of a government then inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q16.Instances of the President's delay in commuting death sentences has come under public debate as denial of justice. Should there be a time specified for the President to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse

View answerDirective: Analyse
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q17.What do you understand about the concept “freedom of speech and expression”? Does it cover hate speech also? Why do the films in India stand on a slightly different plane from other forms of expression? Discuss.

View answerDirective: Discuss
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q18.The ‘Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members’ as envisaged in Article 105 of the Constitution leave room for a large number of uncodified and unenumerated privileges to continue. Assess the reasons for the absence of legal codification of the ‘parliamentary privileges’. How can this problem be addressed?

View answerDirective: Assess
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q19.Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism.

View answerDirective: Examine
Indian Polity12 Marks

Q20.Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy.

View answerDirective: Evaluate