UPSC CSE Mains 2016 - GS 1 & 2

DEC 5 - GS 1 & 2 Mains to be held

Let us share our Advanced Test Series papers on GS 1 & 2

Simulated General Studies Paper I:

Culture, History, Geography & Society

1.     From Harappan city planning to Brahmagupta’s formulas on cyclic quadrilateral, what has been the development of mathematics in ancient India?

2.     “The Rig Vedic education system was an inclusive one” Discuss

3.     “The two-nation theory gave birth to Pakistan. But the formation of Bangladesh overtly showed the contradictions of the theory”. Give your opinion

4.     “Attacks by Nadir Shah and Abdali were not deciding factors for the rise of the British in the sub-continent. The fundamental reason was their diplomatic acumen and armed wherewithal”. Is it correct?

5.     Gandhi has been brutally criticised by Marxist scholars as being skewed towards the bourgeoise. What do you think?

6.     Trace the US ascendancy as a superpower. What are the present challenges faced by USA?
 

7.     “After the First World War, representative electoral regimes were frequent enough. And yet, the 20 years between Mussolini’s so-called ‘March on Rome’ and the peak of the Axis success in the Second World War saw an accelerating, increasingly catastrophic, retreat of liberal political institutions.” Do you agree? 

8.     Citing instances, discuss the impact of intrastate conflicts on women in India.

9.     “Rapid rise in urban population, in India, is leading to many problems like increasing slums, decrease in standard of living in urban areas, also causing environmental damage.” Critically discuss

10.   A report of Intelligence bureau (IB) stated that the working of few NGOs in the name of protests against the government activities have become detrimental to the national development. What is your view in this regard?

11.   “India although being home to Sufism and Bhakti cult, of philosophers professing syncretism and with a pantheon of reformers, just couldn’t thwart the growth of communalism” Assess the statement

12.   “Protests, mostly violent, by groups for inclusion in reserved category is simply unjustified and irrational” Do you agree?

13.   National Sample Survey Office released a report titled ‘Health in India’. According to it, over 80 per cent of India’s population is not covered under any health insurance scheme. Bring out the reasons for this apparent failure.

14.   Can interlinking of rivers in peninsular India solve the water crisis in the region?

15.   What solutions would you suggest for maintaining the ecological balance of Great Barrier Reef?

16.   “Salinization occurs when the irrigation water accumulated in the soil evaporates, leaving behind salts and minerals” Discuss

17.   “Southeast Asia has captivated the attention of global community over space and time as a geo-strategically significant region” Posit explanation for this global perspective

18.   “Though coffee and tea both are cultivated on hill slopes, there is some difference between them regarding their cultivation.” Examine

19.   “Winter in 2015 has been lesser cold and temperatures were 4-5 degrees Celsius above the normal.” What were the reasons?

20.  “Recent observations present a contrary picture in the two poles of earth. While the sea cover around Antarctica is rising, the sea ice in Arctic sea is melting away.” Discuss.

Simulated General Studies Paper II:

Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

1.     “Each House of the Indian Parliament collectively and its members individually enjoy certain powers, privileges and immunities which are considered essential for them to discharge their functions and duties effectively without any let or hindrance” Explain

2.     “In the third-judges case (1998), the Supreme Court opined that the ‘consultation’ process to be adopted by the Chief Justice of India requires consultation of plurality judges”. Discuss in the context of the recent discourse on appointment of judges in the higher judiciary.

3.     What is the scope of application of the writ of Mandamus and Art 136 respectively?

4.     Present a brief on the Italian Marines issue. Has it marred India-Italy bilateral relations?

5.     Posit the salient features of the nuclear deal with Iran. What are its implications for India?

6.     Elucidate the significance of India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime.

7.     How has India dealt with the recent constitutional development in Nepal? Illustrate the China factor in India-Nepal relations

8.     “Until 2009, India was regarded as one of the most stringent opponents of the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ (R2P) norm; it was, historically, a staunch advocate of a state-centred system. Since 2009, the fundamental change that has taken place is also quite remarkable” Critically evaluate.
 [http://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ORF_OccasionalPaper_90.pdf]

9.     “Unfortunately, the IAS is hamstrung by political interference, outdated personnel procedures, and a mixed record on policy implementation, and it is in need of urgent reform.” What are your thoughts on this?
[http://carnegieendowment.org/2016/09/01/indian-administrative-service-meets-big-data-pub-64457]

10.   “The Diaspora is very special to India. Residing in distant lands, its members have succeeded spectacularly in their chosen professions by dint of their single-minded dedication and hard work. What is more, they have retained their emotional, cultural and spiritual links with the country of their origin” Critically discuss.
[http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/]

11.   Has the Transparency International succeeded to curb corruption? Similarly, to what extent ‘Doctors without Borders’ have addressed the issue of women’s health?
[http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/because-tomorrow-needs-her]

12.   “Energy Security is the key element for India’s relations with Central Asian Republics”. Do you agree?

13.   Critically assess the features of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2016
[http://www.prsindia.org/billtrack/the-mines-and-minerals-development-and-regulation-amendment-bill-2016-4228/]

14.   Of late, what has the union government done towards the bonded labours and contract labours? Did the Apex Court pitch in this regard?

15.   Critically examine the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Corruption Act.

16.   Define Hijacking within the framework of law. In what way the Anti-Hijacking (Amendment) Act, 2016 is an emboldened version of its earlier avatar?

17.   What are the chief features of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Bill? How does the code function?

18.   The Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme is a correct ameliorative measure by the government. Along with this, can you cite more such similar schemes which target the below poverty line as well as disabled in India?

19.   Do you think that the power of removal of the Governor needs to be curtailed? Should constitutional provisions be framed in this regard?

20.  Place your arguments for and against the Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code.