GS 2 Sample Questions

See Qs 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17  & 20 of the UPSC Paper & 

Look at the Qs marked in RED of our ATS 2018 as below. 

Rest is up to you to decide.

                                                              Comparison Table

Trademark’s Advance Test Series Qs of 2018	UPSC CSE Mains GS 2 2018
“In the recent years, India has done well to digitise.” Critically assess.  & Can India go totally digital by 2050 as far as administration is concerned? Discuss how digitalization has helped the public at large in India especially while dealing with the executive and judiciary.	E-governance in not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain
USA has a spoils-sytem for the higher civil service, whereas India has a merit-based service. Should India switch to the US-model? & Can it be said that Indian federalism has some unique features which are missing in other major democracies in the world? Discuss.	India and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
Can we say that India-Israel ties have found a new order of late? Tender your opinion.	“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.
“India is facing a unique combination of diplomatic, security and strategic challenges today. The growing economic, defence and strategic partnership with the U.S. is being questioned on account of the trade demands of USA, its focus on other issues such as North Korea, and its sanctions related to Iran and Russia that are unmindful of India’s interests and costs.” Critically analyse.	In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation?
What has been the innovative contribution of the Union government in the fields of health, human resources and education insofar as the financial year 2017-18 is concerned?	Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
India has somehow not been able to push its relations with the Central Asian Republics. What have been the bottlenecks?	A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.
Are poverty and hunger related or can they be dissociated? Should poverty be treated as a feature emerging out of the lack of merit of the individual? Is poverty still a pressing problem for India?	How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?
Post a critique of India’s posture towards climate change. [GS 3 Sample]	Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.

                                                                        

UPSC GS 2 MAINS 2018

1. In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (10)
2. Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (10)
3. Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (10)
4. Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (10)
5. “The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (10)
6. “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.
7. Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
8. E-governance in not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. (10)
9. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (10 )
10. A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. (10)
11. Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine. (15)
12. How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India. (15)
13. Indian and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
14. How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss. (15)
15. Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (15)
16. Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case. (15)
17. How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (15)
18. The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters. (15)
19. What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (15)
20. In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? (15)

This is the third module in the series. 
These 60 questions of our Advance Test Series [ATS] 2018 pertain to GS II

                      General Studies Paper II [Part A]

                  Polity, Governance, Constitution & Case laws

                                 

Time Allowed: 180 mins                                        Max Marks: 250

There are twenty questions. All Questions are compulsory. Marks are stated against each question.

Questions carrying 10 marks are to be answered in 150 words each.

Questions carrying 15 marks are to be answered in 250 words each.

Use plain A-4 size sheets for your answers. Keep sufficient margins on at least three sides of the answer sheets for comments, if any. Any blank page / portion of the page should be clearly struck off.

1.     Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ welfare has done a commendable job insofar as welfare schemes for the target audience is concerned. Do you agree?             15

2.     “In the recent years, India has done well to digitise.” Critically assess.           10

3.     Articles 14 and 21 of the Constituiton have been stoked a number of times in the Supreme Court. Discuss, citing case laws.                                                        15

4.     USA has a spoils-sytem for the higher civil service, whereas India has a merit-based service. Should India switch to the US-model?                                               10

5.     Sevottam Model was proposed by 2nd ARC (Administrative Reforms Commission) for public service delivery. What do you know about this model?                           10

6.     According to the World Bank: “Civil society ... refers to a wide array of organizations: community groups, non-governmental organizations [NGOs], labour unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, and foundations.” Examine the role of the civil society in India.                        15

7.     State and discuss the Constitutional provisions related to social justice and empowerment. Would you suggest any amendments?                                            15

8.     Is Community Policing a viable solution in the long run? Or is it taking away the authority of the police force?                                                                                             10

9.     Post a debate on the features of the anti-defection law in India.                  15

10.   The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) has achieved the desired objectives. Explain.                      

                                                                                                                       10

11.   In what way was the Supreme Court judgment on Right to Privacy a revolutionary one? Discuss.                                                                                                          15

12.   What was the significance of the Krishna Kumar Singh v. State of Bihar, 2017, Supreme Court case?                                                                                                    10

13.   The number of deaths due to road accidents in India is said to be over 100,000 in a year, which translates to about one death every three minutes. In this regard, what has been the role of the legislature, executive and the judiciary?                     15

14.   “Any request for banning a book…………….has to be strictly scrutinized because every author or writer has a fundamental right to speak out ideas freely and express thoughts adequately. Curtailment of an individual writer/author’s right to freedom of speech and expression should never be lightly viewed” Critically examine.                   10

15.   Prison reforms need to be undertaken expeditiously in India. Suggest innovative ideas in this regard and also refer to the Apex Court’s viewpoint on the issue.       15

16.   The Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) has approached the Supreme Court with a Review Petition challenging dismissal of its Petition demanding an independent probe into allegations of corruption in the higher judiciary. What is the background? What is a Review Petition in the Supreme Court? How is it different from a Curative Petition?                                                                            [5+2+3 = 10]

17.   Can you bring out the contribution and role of women in India’s higher civil service, post-independence?                                                                                         10

18.   How can Civil Services in India be made more citizen-centric? Opine.             10

19.   What is Right to Recall? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the right? What has been the opinion of the judiciary on this issue?                                         15

20.   What are the challenges of institutional arbitration in India? Discuss the recommendations of B N Srikrishna committee in this regard.                         15

                       General Studies Paper II [Part B]

                     India’s Foreign Policy + Govt. Yojanas

                                

Time Allowed: 180 mins                                        Max Marks: 250

There are twenty questions. All Questions are compulsory.

All questions carry equal marks. Answer questions in 200 words each.

Use A-4 size sheets for your answers. Keep sufficient margins on at least three sides of the answer sheets for comments, if any. Any blank page / portion of the page should be clearly struck off.

Q1. The data collected by Swiss National Bank (SNB) in collaboration with Bank for International Settlements (BIS) shows that the loans and deposits of Indians, other than Banks, in the Swiss banks decreased by 34.5% in the year 2017 as compared to 2016.

Critically examine how schemes by the government could be related to this information.

Q2. “If US military aid to Pakistan for more than six decades did not come in the way of the current upswing in defence trade between India and the United States, there is no reason why Russia’s strategic benevolence towards China and Pakistan should be a serious factor influencing India’s defence trade with Russia.” Discuss.

Q3. India is not a party to the conflict zones in Afghanistan, Yemen, Libya or Syria. Do you think this foreign policy posture is pragmatic insofar as India’s ambition to be a global power is concerned?

Q4. Can we say that India-Israel ties have found a new order of late? Tender your opinion.

Q5. How should India leverage its newfound position in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? Examine.

Q6. “Political volatility in India’s immediate neighbourhood is not good for India’s interests”. What do you think?

Q7. Should India join China’s ‘One Belt One Road’ programme? Post a debate.

Q8. The Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh was a historic achievement, no doubt; yet the water issues still remain as a hindrance to smoother bilateral relationship. Suggest possible solutions.  

Q9.  Can we say that amidst a multipolar, multilateral global discourse, India’s foreign policy has revamped itself in tune with the times and moved quite ahead of its previous avatar? Cite instances to substantiate your viewpoint.

Q10. “India ought to take notice of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands and expand its foreign relations in that direction.” Critically evaluate this statement.

Q11. Both India and China can grow with cooperation and without collision. Analyse.

Q12. For India, what is the strategic importance of Africa? Elaborate.

Q13. “India is facing a unique combination of 

diplomatic, security and strategic challenges today. The 

growing economic, defence and strategic partnership 

with the U.S. is being questioned on account of the trade

demands of USA, its focus on other issues such as North 

Korea, and its sanctions related to Iran and Russia that 

are unmindful of India’s interests and costs.” 

Critically analyse.

Q14. How has Niti Ayog helped in promoting inclusive growth and in giving fillip to government's goal of ‘SABKA SAATH SABKA VIKAS’?

Q15. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister has given its approval for the Umbrella Scheme, "Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana" in agriculture sector beyond the 12^th Five Year Plan for the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20 with the Central Share of Rs. 33,269.976 crore. Elaborate.

Q16. Government of India is committed to provide clean cooking fuel through LPG to all the uncovered households in the country. Examine.

Q17. What do you know about Atal Bhujal Yojana? Write briefly on Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana.

Q18. How is the government attempting to realize “Young India-Vibrant India”?

Q19. CSIR has contributed significantly in the development, nurturing and positioning of essential oil-based aroma industry in the country. Discuss.

Q20. Creating employment and employment 

opportunities was priority of the Ministry of Minority 

Affairs during the year 2017. Would you agree?

General Studies Paper II  [Polity, Governance, Govt Schemes, Foreign Policy]                               

Time Allowed: 180                                                                                                                  Max Marks: 250

Instructions

1.      There are 20 questions printed in ENGLISH.

2.      All questions are compulsory.

3.      Question nos. 1-10 are of 10 marks each & question nos. 11-20 are of 15 marks each.

4.      Questions with 10 marks are to be answered in 150 words & questions with 15 marks are to be answered in 250 words

5.      Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

Q1. Will it be correct to say that the Indian constitution was a gift by the western world? Defend your position.

Q2. Do you think that the procedure of amendment of the Indian Constitution is good enough to meet the changing requirements of the country? Should there be a separate constituent body for the purposes of amendment of the Constitution?

Q3. Can it be said that Indian federalism has some 

unique features which are missing in other major 

democracies in the world? Discuss.

Q4. What are the different types of Dispute Redressal institutions in India. In that context, evaluate the role of Lok Adalat and Gram Nyalayaya.

Q5. State the powers and privileges of the members of Legislative Assemblies. Would you suggest any amendments?

Q6. What is the role of Pressure Groups in Indian polity? Cite instances.

Q7. What are the salient features of the Representation of People’s Act? What changes would you recommend?

Q8. State the functions of the Public Service Commissions. Should we continue with them?

Q9. Pakistan's focus for decades has been to undermine India's territorial integrity through the "explicit use of terrorism" as a state policy. Positing instances, substantiate your argument.

Q10. UNESCO seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. Discuss. Further, write about India’s contribution in this regard.

Q11. According to the Supreme Court [SC], "absence of law recognizing hijras as third gender could not be continued as a ground to discriminate them in availing equal opportunities in education and employment." Discuss the context and give your opinion.

Q12. What has been the innovative contribution of the 

Union government in the fields of health, human 

resources and education insofar as the financial year 

2017-18 is concerned?

Q13. Are poverty and hunger related or can they be 

dissociated? Should poverty be treated as a feature 

emerging out of the lack of merit of the individual? Is 

poverty still a pressing problem for India?

Q14. Can India go totally digital by 2050 as far as 

administration is concerned? Discuss how digitalization 

has helped the public at large in India especially while 

dealing with the executive and judiciary.

Q15. Do you think that the civil services of India are yet to get attuned to the demands of a welfare state? Critically examine the concept of lateral entry into the civil services.

Q16. The SC ruled that the right to register a 'none of the

 above' vote in elections should apply, and ordered the 

Election Commission to provide such a button in the 

EVMs. In 2015, the specific symbol for NOTA was

 introduced. Did SC usher in a revolution through this 

verdict? 

Has this feature been a successful reform in Indian

 democracy?

Q17. Evaluate the role of the Indian diaspora in shaping the relationship of USA with India in the recent years. Can we say that brain drain has been ultimately beneficial to India?

Q18. India has somehow not been able to push its 

relations with the Central Asian Republics. What have 

been the bottlenecks? What should India do to negotiate

China’s forays into Africa?

Q19. How is transparency linked to good governance? Cite illustrations to prove your point. Has the Indian government done enough in this regard?

Q20. Have the Non-Governmental Organizations [NGO] impacted the developmental process in India post-independence? Suggest ways and means for government cooperation with NGOs.