UPSC Mains 2015 - GS 2

Analysis & HITS

• Supreme Court Case Laws ought to be studied - we have stressed on that aspect in the Polity Classes as well as Test Series
• Only 4 qs = 50 marks on Foreign Policy ! Ought to have been more !!

Q1 - nice qs, though old topic - but seems to have been raked up considering the present political context

Our Partial HIT - 12 OCT 2014 Polity Test

In light of the Shah Bano Case (1985), discuss the uniform civil code and section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code. 

Q2 - Partial HIT - 11 OCT 2015 Polity Test

4.   “Federalism is typically done for a dual purpose – that of limiting the possibility of a tyranny of the majority, and of generating strength through the Union.” Explain. 

Q3 - Panchayat remains an age-old, yet pertinent topic !

Q4 - We opine that this is a very difficult qs. To highlight legislative, executive & judicial actions - would take a lot of doing !

Oblique HIT - 2013 FULL LENGTH GS I

A.  Write on Nyaya Panchayats Vs Khap  Panchayats.        

A.  “To be young and in love has proved fatal for many young girls and boys in parts of north India”. Opine.                             

Q5 - Challenging Qs indeed 

Q6 - Googly ! Not at all expected

Q7 - Interesting qs 

             Our Partial HIT : 11 OCT 2015 Polity Test

"The Supreme Court has passed far-reaching orders in hundreds of environmental cases, through which it is believed to have fostered an extensive and innovative jurisprudence on environmental rights.” Do you agree? 

           & 12 OCT 2014 Polity Test

How has Supreme Court expanded the scope of Right to Life?

Q8 - foreign funding of NGOs was a topical issue - expected - but probably not in this manner ! Quite technical qs

Q9 - SHG is a standard topic - but again not at this angle

Q10 - Again an NGO qs !! 

Our Partial HIT: GS 25 OCT 2015 Test

Evaluate the role of Non-Governmental Organisations [NGOs] in ameliorating poverty and hunger in India.                         

Q11. Old topic again !

Our semi-direct HIT : GS 21 SEP 2014

“There are no Indian Universities in Top 200 in the world”. Comment                  

Q12 Our DIRECT HIT : GS FULL 6 DEC 2015

What is Public Health? How has it evolved in independent India? 

Q13 Nice qs, but not so easy to answer in totality !

Q14 Corporate Governance !!! Companies Act 2013

Our Partial HIT : GS FULL 29 NOV 2015

How has the Indian government taken pro-active stance in prodding the corporate sector in contributing towards the weaker sections of the society? 

Q15. Whistleblowers !!

We too blowed the Whistle - did you listen ?

12 OCT 2014 GS Test

“The Whistleblower’s Protection Act (2011) has certain gaps.” Do you agree?

Q16. Hmm -interesting indeed !

Q17. India_Africa - Well, we got it ~!!!

 GS FP Test 25 OCT 2015

To what extent has India forayed into Africa? “In its overseas ventures, India has to face maximum competition from China” – do you agree?                

Q18. Very Standard Qs - Classroom discussion

Q19. Well, fooled us !! But we asked China's Maritime Silk Route in our Test Series - Project Mausam has a strategic dimension which makes it the counterpart of the Chinese venture !

Q20. Standard again ,,,well, we asked a similar qs : 

GS FULL 2013

“CBMs between India and Pakistan are simply 

wastage of time. Peace won’t come so easily. In fact,

almost impossible….” Comment.  

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UPSC Mains 2015 - GS II

Each Question is worth 12.5 marks and maximum word limit is 200. But content of the answer is more important than its length.

1. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
2. The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.
3. In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, `Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.
4. Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.
5. Resorting to ordinances has always raised concern on violation of the spirit of separation of powers doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying the power to promulgate ordinances, analyze whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate ordinances be repealed?
6. What are the major changes brought in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 through the recent Ordinance promulgated by the President? How far will it improve India’s dispute resolution mechanism? Discuss.
7. Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard.
8. Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.
9. The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate.
10. How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.
11. The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss.
12. Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest?
13. Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.
14. In the light of the Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency, accountability.
15. “If amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Act, 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there may be no one left to protect.” Critically evaluate.
16. “For achieving the desired objectives, it is necessary to ensure that the regulatory institutions remain independent and autonomous.” Discuss in the light of the experiences in recent past.
17. Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.
18. Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UN Security Council.
19. Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationship with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.
20. Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples