GS 3

UPSC Mains 2018

20 questions · 250 marks · Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

GS 1 GS 2 GS 3 Ethics

Internal Security15 Marks

Q1.India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same?

View answerDirective: Explain

Internal Security15 Marks

Q2.Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitised world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to the protection of personal data in cyberspace?

View answerDirective: Analyze

Disaster Management15 Marks

Q3.Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from the ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’?

View answerDirective: Describe

Environment & Ecology15 Marks

Q4.How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, of 2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna?

View answerDirective: Discuss

Economy15 Marks

Q5.With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.

View answerDirective: Discuss

Science & Technology15 Marks

Q6.Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?

View answerDirective: Explain

Economy15 Marks

Q7.How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millet production and consumption.

View answerDirective: Elaborate

Economy15 Marks

Q8.Assess the role of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?

View answerDirective: Assess

Economy15 Marks

Q9.How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect the macroeconomic stability of India?

View answerDirective: Discuss

Economy15 Marks

Q10.How are the principles followed by NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India?

View answerDirective: Compare/differentiate

Internal Security10 Marks

Q11.Left-wing extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.

View answerDirective: Explain

Internal Security10 Marks

Q12.The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.

View answerDirective: Enumerate

Economy10 Marks

Q13.Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of an Organic State?

View answer

Environment & Ecology10 Marks

Q14.What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.

View answerDirective: Explain

Environment & Ecology10 Marks

Q15.What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes that are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?

View answerDirective: Explain

Science & Technology10 Marks

Q16.Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionised the field of Physics.

View answerDirective: Discuss

Economy10 Marks

Q17.Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate the number of intermediaries?

View answerDirective: Examine

Economy10 Marks

Q18.What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap?

View answer

Economy10 Marks

Q19.Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019.

View answerDirective: Comment

Economy10 Marks

Q20.“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.

View answerDirective: Comment