UPSC 2017 MAINS GS 3 Paper - Quick Analysis & Comparison

Pattern remains same as in GS 1 & 2. 10 qs of 10 marks & 10 qs of 15 marks. Overall, a decent paper with many traditional  qs. Focus on Industry & manufacturing sector of Indian Economy.

The qs in order are :

1. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential? (Answer in 150 words)
2. Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.
3. Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership(PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard.
4. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?
5. What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?
6. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including leukaemia, Thallessemia, damaged sornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?
7. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically
8. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
9. Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.
10. The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.
11. One of the intended objectives of Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energize and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective.
12. “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes is Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?
13. What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth.
14. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system? (Answer in 250 words)
15. How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?
16. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?
17. ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? 
18. On December 2004, tsumani brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of Tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
19. Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.
20. The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?

NOW, focus on these issues of the Qs paper:

1. Stem Cell,
2. Cyber Attacks,
3. Armed Insurgency in North East: Our ATS Essay Qs
   "So beautiful, yet so troubled : India's North-Eastern States"
   
   http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/08/24-probable-essays-for-upsc-mains-2017.html
4. Inclusive Growth,
5. Climate Change & India,
6. Terrorist funding,
7. Exports [UPSC asked a rather specific Qs though]
8. Food Processing Units
9. Terrorism & India
10. River linking - Qs from Previous ATS
11. Mob Violence - Qs from 2016 ATS GS III 23 OCT Q18

And, now we compare with the Qs set in Trademark ATS 2017 :

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-3-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

5.       “The effects of globalization vary from country to country and from time to time. India’s economic liberalization has been calibrated and cautious especially insensitive sectors such as agriculture. The government constantly reviews its economic policies to ensure that the objective of inclusive growth is achieved. In multilateral forums, the effort is to achieve results which safeguard the interests of the poor.” Critically Discuss.

10.     “In November 2016, people in India woke up to the news about the largest data breach in the country. It involved data stolen from 3.2 million debit cards between 25 May and 10 July from a network of bank ATMs, managed by a Japanese payment services company. After demonetisation, the Government of India is pushing for digital transactions. As India goes digital, experts must recognise the huge threat to the internet from hackers.” Critically examine India’s preparedness in this regard

13.    Discuss the growth of food processing industry in North-East India

15.    A. “It is essential to break economic sources of Maoists”. Critically analyse

17.    Islamic State is on the rise in Phillipines. It has already established itself in West Asia. In these circumstances, assess the threat scenario for India.

19.    The state of Manipur, situated along the eastern frontier of the Indo-Myanmar border, has been the most disturbed state in the northeast region of India. Do you agree?

27.     According to an analysis of Himalayan glaciers and their possible future impact on livelihoods in States adjoining the region, potential hydro power projects in the Himalayan region would need to factor in chances of increased floods from the formation of new lakes and the expansion of existing ones due to melting glaciers. Elaborate.

30.   “For the first time, researchers have discovered hematopoietic stem cells in Drosophila (fruit flies), thus providing an invertebrate model to study hematopoietic stem cells.” Explain.

40.  Demonstrate, how climate change and sea level rise has contributed to the phenomenon of losing land, including mangrove forests in the Sundarbans?

Q2. What are nano-materials? How can they be used to combat climate change?

Q8. Has the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 been successful in controlling terror in India? Evaluate the role of finance in encouraging terror networks.

Q13. Is disinvestment and export-promotion the two tracks to modernize and develop India? Critically assess.

It's not poor if we can so-called 'predict' about 9-10 Qs from a set of 60 Qs.

Some claim to 'predict' 20 Qs from a set of 1000 Qs

THANK YOU !

UPSC 2017 MAINS GS 2 Paper - Analysis

1. “The local self government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.  (150 words)
2. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.  (150 words)
3. ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss.  (150 words)
4. How do pressure groups influence Indian political process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as powerful than formal pressure groups in recent years?  (150 words)
5. Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people.  (150 words)
6. ‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.  (150 words)
7. Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss  (150 words)
8. Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.  (150 words)
9. ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor.  (150 words)
10. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.  (150 words)
11. Explain the salient features of the constitution(One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough ‘to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for common national market for goods and services’? (250 words)
12. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. (250 words)
13. The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof. (250 words)
14. To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (250 words)
15. Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. (250 words)
16. ‘The emergence of Self Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities’. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs. (250 words)
17. ‘Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political will’. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India. (250 words)
18. Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment (250 words)
19. The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. (250 words)
20. Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context (250 words------------------------------------

patttern is same as in GS 1

10 qs of 10 marks = 150 words

10 qs of 15 marks = 250 words

Prima facie , Qs are standard


 


Q1 - local self govt - standard - asked in our POL SC ATS Series & past GS ATS
Q2 - NJAC - Judicial appts - lingering topic - standard see 8.      A Parliamentary Standing Committee report accusing the Supreme Court of distorting the original constitutional mandate and showing an “unnecessary zeal” for primacy in judicial appointments was tabled in late 2016 in the parliament. Deliberate

Q51 The embarrassment caused by Justice C.S. Karnan, who is serving six months’ imprisonment for scandalising the Indian judiciary while serving as a High Court judge, has triggered a strong pitch within the Supreme Court to reconsider the efficacy of the age-old and recently revived collegium system of judicial appointments. Critically examine.

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-2-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q3 - thought provoking qs - not straight forward

2 reasons cud be:

a. if simult elections take place then the national issues & local issues wud obfuscate each other &

b. the bottom-up govt formation approach wud be hindered

Q4 pressure grps - std - asked in past ATS & PSIR ATSQ5 PAC - stdQ6 WASH scheme - new , not stdQ7 - disabilities - see Q2 “India signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and subsequently ratified the same on 1st October, 2007. Being a signatory to the Convention, India has an international obligation to comply with the provisions of the Convention”. In this light, discuss India’s efforts as reflected in the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (RPWD) Bill

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-2-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.htmlQ8
Hunger and Poverty - generic, but too lengthy for 150 words !!! successive govt !!!!!

 “The agenda for political, economic and social democracy remains unfinished because of continued disparity between the lives of the privileged and the rest”. Critically discuss in the Indian context.

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-2-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q16. “Since about 1980, backed by policy reforms, India’s growth performance has been robust. Yet, there are serious challenges that might impede further rapid progress emanating in part from the fact that India started out as a poor democracy with deep social fissures.” What is your opinion? How does India compare with China in the context of economic development?

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-3-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q9 India-ChinaOur 3 Qs

22. Is USA correct in its stance to suggest both India and China to resolve their contentious border issues through dialogues? Discuss.

23. Should India refrain from political and diplomatic interference in the South China Sea? Substantiate.

57.   The way India has handled Doklam issue speaks volumes of our diplomacy and Foreign Service. Do you agree?

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-2-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q10 not unusual - but pedagogic - graduation types qs

Q11 101st Const Amdt Act - GST

very much expected & asked in our Essay & GS 3 ATS

Our qs 19. How the Goods and Services Tax [GST] & Demonetisation revolutionized Indian economic scenario?

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-3-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q12 right to privacy - expected - discussed in our CA materials

q13 JOINT SESSSION - text book qs

Q14 reforms by EC

Q15 NCW - std

Q16 SHG - std & text book - past ATS Qs

20.    Banks should give more loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs). Isn’t this a biased approach?

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-3-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q17 - poverty alleviation schemes - std

Q18 - reforms in Civil services - std - past ATS

Q19 - Energy Security

hurrah !!!!!!

bull's eye

Q20. “India is one of the fast growing economies of the world. Associated with the rapid increase in incomes is rapid increase in the demand for energy.” Tell the tale for the quest of India’s energy security.

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-3-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q20 Diaspora in S_E Asia - bit unusual yet doable

UPSC 2017 MAINS GS 1 Paper - Analysis

1.  How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times? (150 words)
2. Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.  (150 words)
3. Why did the ‘Moderates’ failed to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?  (150 words)
4. What problems are germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula?  (150 words)
5. How does the Juno Mission of NASA help to understand the origin and evolution of the Earth?  (150 words)
6. “Inspite of adverse environmental impact, coal mining is still inevitable for development”. Discuss  (150 words)
7. Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by United Nations.  (150 words)
8. How does the cryosphere affect global climate?  (150 words)
9. In the context of the diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your view point.  (150 words)
10. What are the two major legal initiatives by the State since Independence addressing discrimination against Scheduled Tribes(STs)?  (150 words)
11. The spirit of tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate.  (250 words)
12. Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy.  (250 words)
13. Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian Independence since the twenties of the last century.  (250 words)
14. Account for variations in oceanic salinity and discuss its multi-dimensional effects.  (250 words)
15. Petroleum refineries are not necessarily located nearer to crude oil producing areas, particularly in many of the developing countries. Explain its implications.  (250 words)
16. In what way can floods be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India?  (250 words)
17. What characteristics can be assigned to monsoon climate that succeeds in feeding more than 50 percent of the world population residing in Monsoon Asia?  (250 words)
18. The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What are the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?  (250 words)
19. Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.  (250 words)
20. “The growth of cities as I.T. hubs has opened up new avenues of employment, but has also created new problems”. Substantiate this statement with examples  (250 words)

General Observations:

order of topics NOT maintained

Variable Marking

10 marks - 150 words

15 words - 250 words




In fact, we just told our aspirants last night that we shouldn't be taken aback if variable marking scheme is adopted by UPSC

These are the few areas in which UPSC wants to outmaneuvre you

You have to be ready for the unexpected !






09 Qs from Geography - paper skewed towards Geog.

05  Modern India : expected

02 Post Independence : more or less expected

02 on Social issues : a bit ignored

01 from World History - extension of Decolonisation - in fact an offbeat Qs : this section may go up in the coming years as 1 qs each has been asked from this section in the last 2 years
01 from Culture : a tuf qs - but can be played with logic. 

Culture may shoot up next year !

---------------------------------------

Q1 - difficult - the examiner wants to derail you - do not get disturbed, use logic & obviously knowledge. However, if the qs seems unplayable, move on to the next & come back after you finish other qs.

HINTS for the answer:

a. The Gupta monarchs were famous for their gold coins. They also issued silver coins.

b. The gold coins of the Gupta rulers are the extraordinary examples of artistic excellence. The coins depicted the ruling monarch on the obverse and carried legends with the figure of a goddess on the reverse.

c. The artists depicted the ruler in various poses. The study of these imageries is very interesting. Mainly the images celebrated the martial qualities and the valor of the ruler. In many coins of Samudragupta, he is depicted as carrying an axe. 

In others, he is carrying a bow in his left hand and an arrow in his right hand. The coins of Kumaragupta I (c. 415-450 CE) depicted him riding an elephant and killing a lion. Another very interesting image of Samudragupta depicted him as playing a ‘veena’, a stringed musical instrument.


d. However, even Rajput coinage were usually of gold, copper or billon, very rarely silver. These coins had the familiar goddess of wealth, Lakshmi on the obverse. In these coins, the Goddess was shown with four arms than the usual two arms of the Gupta coins; the reverse carried the Nagari legend. The seated bull and horseman were almost invariable devices on Rajput copper and bullion coins

e.  The Sultanate coins were a reused version of Rajput coins - without any ingenuity. 

f.  Much later, Sher Shah and then Akbar tried to consolidate coinage in the form of currency. 

It may be said that coinage by Sultanate or Mughals were more with a pragmatic approach for using as a currency. Moreover, heavy use of Gold coins during Gupta period indicate abundance of Gold. 

Furthermore, workmanship in Gupta coinage shows the perspective of the Gupta rulers to promote art. Islam does not encourage depiction of human figures. 

Coinage was one component which bolsters the historical notion that Gupta period was the Golden Age of Indian History.




Q2 - good one - discussed in our Classroom programme last cycle



Reasons for Fragmented Polity in mid-18th century:

a. Weak Mughal Centre - ineffectual emperor

b. Foreign invasions/depredations of Nadir Shah & Abdali

c. Rise of regional power centres : Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad, Carnatic, Maratha consolidation

d. Mughal factional politics, Court intrigues

e. Penetration of Europeans & their involvement in internal affairs of Indian princes



Q3 - Straight forward - only the language of the qs is twisted 



HINTS:

a. The pinnacle of glory of the Moderates was the Indian Council Act 1892 & Welby Commission formation in 1895. Thereafter, it reached saturation.

b. Their methodology of Prayer-Petition & Mild Protest was being questioned by new radical leadership of Aurobindo & Tilak

c. The Moderates garnered the authority to discuss & debate on bills in the legislature, but that was NOT enough.

d. Dialectically, every movement gradually emerges into a fork-shape with thesis & anti-thesis of ideas.

Moderates & their anti-thesis Extremists was in that sense a dialectical formation.

Radicalisation of any movement in the natural progression in revolutionary actions.


Q 4 - not expected qs - bit bizarre, there are so many areas in World history from where Qs cud have been asked !!!


HINTS:

a. Japanese invasion & Communist insurgency against the British in Malay peninsula were the peculiarities in its decolonisation

b. similar issues cropped up in Vietnam too. After Ho Chi Minh's guerrillas fought against the Japanese, along with the imperial forces, they had to fight the French in the famous battle of Dien Bien Phu to get formal independence

http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/malayan-independence


Q5 - Juno misison - bouncer !!!! unexpected, almost impossible to prepapre for such qs


Q6 - standard

Q7 - standard

Q8 - standard

Q9 - region vs provinces - requires application of mind

HINTS:

a. provinces/states were formed on the basis of language


b. regions provide a better cultural bond - transcends beyond language only

c. festivals, food, worldview, history, climate are the defining bonds for the different regions in India

d. East, North-East, Peninsular India, Western part, Central India, Northern India

e. the recently mooted policy of GoI to have All India Service cadres on the basis of region is a welcome step in that direction



Q10 - within syllabus


The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996

&
Forest Rights Act 2006 

 
Q11 - spirit of tolerance & love - not unexpected, syncretic culture has to be stressed upon

See our  16. “Our traditions have always celebrated the ‘argumentative’ Indian not the ‘intolerant’ Indian.” Critically evaluate.

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-2-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q12 - standard

See : 4.       Account for the decline of urban handicraft under the British rule. [http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-1-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html]

Q13 Objectives which got added to the Vision: 

non-violence, satyagraha, anti-untouchability, values & morality:

basically Gandhian principles - Qs on Gandhi always expected

women emancipation, egalitarian society, secularism



Importance of the objectives: the formed the bedrock of socio-economic and political fabric of post-colonial India. Provided an ethical foreign policy. Projected India's image as the largest democracy in the comity of nations.

Helped to usher in a New India

Q14 - standard

Q15 - Petroleum

See Q57 of http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-1-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q16 - Floods See : 40. “Among all the disasters that occur in India, floods are the most commonly occurring natural disasters due to the irregularities of the Indian monsoon. About 75% of the annual rainfall in India is concentrated in 3-4 months of the monsoon season. As a result there is very heavy discharge from rivers during the period causing widespread floods.” In light of this statement, discuss the ways and means of controlling floods in India.

[http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-1-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html]Q17 - Monsoons

See Qs 54 & 60 of 
http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-1-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

Q18 -  standard

19th c reform movs in colonial India - with focus on Women's movs - Sati, widow remarriage, women education - focus on reformers like Rammohun, Vidyasagar

Basically the debate was whether to keep women within the 4 walls or allow her to interact with the outside world? 

A fight between Obscurantism+Tradition Vs modernity.

Q19 - communalism in independent India

Salafi ideology turning into Islamist communalismQ20 - Cities as IT hubs

See
38.   Examine the trends of urbanisation in India in the 21^st century.
http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/09/gs-1-question-bank-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

UPSC 2017 Essay Test - Analysis

UPSC MAINS 2017 has commenced today

Gung ho !!

It has been yet again proved that if 1 essay per week is practiced as per our directives & ATS is taken, then Essay paper is a cakewalk. 

------------

Pls find below Essay Qs paper

Now, pls see our projected essays: 

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/08/24-probable-essays-for-upsc-mains-2017.html

http://trademark-ias.blogspot.in/2017/07/30-essays-for-practice.html

Section A : 

On farmers 

[16. Has India failed its farmers? of our ATS]

New Economic Ties on Fiscal Relations 

[1. Demonetisation, GST, Make-in-India : India has come a long way, 24 probable Essays, 

Q17. Present a pen picture of the impressive fiscal performance of the states after the introduction of Fiscal Responsibility Legislation (FRL). of 

GS 3 : Question Bank for UPSC Mains 2017]

On NAM : Standard topic & related to Foreign Policy & history & discussed in classroom 

[Q17. Do you think that the Non-Aligned Movement [NAM] still holds relevance in a post Cold War era?  : 
of Class Test 15 OCT 2017 

9.       India' Foreign Policy post-1991, 

27.       SAARC & India

28.       Diplomacy in the modern world is a judicious mix of soft and hard power, and this holds all the more true in the context of India.  ::: 

from 30 Essays for practice]

Section B

Joy-gratitude

[not exactly ; but 15. "In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart."

of 24 probable essays]

New Woman in India is Myth

[not exactly, but 

2. Triple Talaq and condition of Muslim women in India, 

23. Supreme Court says that “Indian Temples can’t ban women or restrict their entry”. And Malala Yousafzai says that “We cannot all succeed if half of us are held back”. of 24 probable essays]

Social Media

[1.       "Selfies & Social Media : Are we becoming self-obsessed?" of 30 essays for practice, 4. Social Media and Secular India of 24 probable essays]

GS 4 Ethics Questions for UPSC Mains 2017

SECTION—A 130 marks: Answer Qs A to M in about 200 words each. The questions carry equal marks

A.       Citing illustrations, explain the following aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service: dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.

B.       Is it correct to say that the bureaucracy is ailing? Is it that mostly due to corruption and lethargy the bureaucracy suffers?

C.       Suggest ways & means to improve Work culture & Quality of service delivery in Civil Service.

D.      What is the difference between ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Code of Ethics’? Which one is more important on the Indian context?

E.       “Help others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life” [Arnold Schwarzenegger] Do you agree?

F.        “I think there's no higher calling in terms of a career than public service, which is a chance to make a difference in people's lives and improve the world”. [Jack Lew] Explain with instances.

G.      Have controlling officers, over period of time been giving less attention to curb corruption among their subordinates? Would creation of institutions by itself eliminate corruption? Are external institutional mechanisms a substitute to internal vigilance? How to strengthen internal vigilance?

H.      Could the ‘sting operations’ be given a legal backing?

Should there be a system of evaluating and ranking offices based on corruption indices and then linking incentives to such evaluation.

I.         Does the Constitution and laws give undue protection to the civil servants? Is there a case to revisit Article 311?

J.        Can one individual put his own conscience or moral integrity/turpitude above law? Discuss in the context of Socrates’ philosophy.

K.       “Consequentialism is a theory of morality that derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end to be achieved”. Critically examine.

L.        Select and discuss the contributions of two moral thinkers and philosophers, one from India and one outside India.

M.     Assess the role educational institutions in inculcating values.

SECTION—A 120 marks

1A. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” 
― Mahatma Gandhi. Do you agree? In this context, can India be termed a great nation?
1B. “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.” 
― C.S. Lewis. Explain the statement. Cite illustrations.                                  [10x2=20]

2A. Do you think that Kantian ethics exists only in the realm of philosophy and imagination?
2B. What are the recommendations of the 2^nd Administrative Reforms Commission to protect the honest civil servant?                                                                                                         [10x2=20]

3A. Can India considered to be an ethical country in the comity of nations? Justify.
3B. Giving examples, discuss how law can act as deterrent to curb corruption in India? Is corruption limited to only public sector in India?                                                                             [10x2=20]

4A. Critically examine whether change in lifestyle of urban children and youth in India has given / is giving rise to a ‘different generation’ altogether?
4B. Why should a Civil Servant be impartial in his discharge of duties? Cite examples. How would you define ‘dedication’ to public service?                                                                         [10x2=20]

5A. Is there any utility of Emotional Intelligence? How does society help shape our attitudes to life?
5B. Can Yoga help alienate stress in daily life? Would you suggest any alternative to overcome stress and tension?                                                                                                         [10x2=20]

6A. “The transfer is the politicians’ basic weapon of control over the bureaucracy and thus the lever for surplus-extraction from the clients of the bureaucracy. With the transfer weapon not only can the politicians raise money by direct sale; they can also remove someone who is not being responsive enough to their monetary demands or to their request for favours to those from whom they get money and electoral support- in particular, the contractors.” Critically discuss.

6B. Carry out a comparative study of Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam insofar as ethical conduct is concerned.                                

                                                                                                                     [10x2=20]