GS paper 2

 

Our ATS 2020 Questions on GS II topics. 60 questions as below.

Tomorrow on 9th January, we will see how these questions aided the aspirants for the GS II Mains paper. 

1.       Citing recent instances, bring out Supreme Court’s power to provide justice to the masses at large in India. Mention relevant articles of the Constitution associated in this context.  

2.       In Nabam Rebia Vs Deputy Speaker 2016 case, Supreme Court held that a Governor cannot employ his discretion and should strictly abide by the “aid and advice” of the Cabinet to summon the House. In this regard, discuss the issues of ‘discretion’ of the Governor in Indian polity.

3.       Critically examine the feasibility of having an All India Judicial Service. Can it bring about efficiency in judiciary? Argue.

4.       On 10 January 2020, an SC Bench ordered the Union government to review all restrictions on communications imposed in Jammu and Kashmir. In doing so, it observed, ‘the freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to practice any profession or carry on any trade, business or occupation over the medium of internet enjoys constitutional protection under Article 19(1)(a) and Article 19(1)(g)’. 
In this regard, tender your opinion.

 

5.       In a series of two judgments in 2020, the SC Bench comprising justices Chandrachud and Rastogi cemented female Armed Forces officers' right to Permanent Commission (PC). On 17 February, the Bench held that women in the Army have the same right to PC as their male counterparts. Then on 20 March, it did the same for women in the Navy. Both judgments emphasised that the Armed Forces must strive to do away with discriminatory mind-sets about a woman's role in society. Critically discuss.

6.       Analyze the position of child rights in India. State the functions and role of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

7.       The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 creates a framework for contract farming through an agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce. Discuss the salient features of this bill and how would it aid the farmers in the long run?

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

9.       The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Bill, 2020 provides preventive measures for the violence against ‘health care personnel’ and damage of property during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has provisions of imprisonment from three months to five years and a fine between 50 thousand rupees to two lakh rupees. It also expands the powers of the Central Government to prevent the spread of such diseases. What is your opinion regarding these provisions? Would you suggest any further amendments?

10.   Do you agree that religious extremism is anathema to secular democracy? In the context of the recent events in France, discuss this issue in a broader perspective. How could India position itself with respect to this issue?  

11.   Smaller states in India is not an indication towards Balkanization. What is your opinion? Discuss.

12.   Suggest possible diplomatic solutions to integrate Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir within the constitutional paradigm of India.

13.   Would a spate of Lateral Entry in Civil Service break its fabric? Can it bring about efficiency in bureaucracy?

14.    Are legislations really aiding the transgender group to mix with the Indian society? Critically examine.

15.    Would you like to suggest any amendments to Art 368 of the Indian Constitution? Posit reasons thereof.

16.    Compare and contrast the procedures of election of the Indian and the US president. Which is simpler and why?

17.    What are the reflections of the French, American and British constitutional features in the Indian Constitution? Deliberate.

18.    Has Indian Constitution and its political ethos in any way influenced Constitutions in its neighborhood or regions located in faraway geographical regions?

19.   A common refrain, particularly when the people take a critical look at the state of affairs in the country, has been that the quality of governance needs much to be desired. Those in the government, continue to feel that they are doing a fine job and nothing could be better. The citizen clearly feels otherwise. This mismatch in the perceptions of the people and the government is reflected in the credibility gap which exists between the citizen and the government. Discuss.

20. In the third decade of the 21^st century, the development of any country depends on the uses of e-Governance and also its penetration. Assess India’s achievements in this regard.

1.       What is your opinion about Mission Karmayogi? Would you suggest any amendments to it?

 

2.       If Nehru was behind the non-alignment movement, then to which paradigm would you hold Narendra Modi instrumental with regard to India’s foeign policy in the 21^st century? Explain.

 

3.       Try to evolve a pragmatic foreign policy for India in alignment with the principles enunciated in Arthasastra.

4.       Will the National Education Policy 2020 in any way deliver social justice in India? How?

5.       If you were India’s External Affairs Minister, what kinds of empowerment would you have desired? Why?

6.       Evaluate the role of think-tanks and pressure groups in the making of India’s Foreign Policy in the 21^st century, of course, by citing examples.

7.       The presence of the Islamic state in particular and/or Islamic fundamentalism as a whole in countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Pakistan shape not only the foreign policy but also domestic policies and programmes in India. Do you agree?

8.       A robust defence architecture aids a rising India in the United Nations and in the comity of nations. Critically evalaute.

9.       Assess the various dimensions of bilateral trade between India and Pakistan, citing figures of the last five years.

10.   China can at best risk a limited war with India. Argue.

11.   India shouldn’t risk the all-weather friendship of Russia. However, there are glitches which need to be smoothened. Discuss.

12.   India should think beyond UN peace-keeping missions in countries like Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and Iraq. Deliberate on this issue.

13.   In what way would Atmanirbhar Bharat benefit the progress of the country? Explain.

14.   Start-up India was a campaign that was first addressed by Shri Narendra Modi on 15th August 2015 at Red Fort, New Delhi. This campaign was introduced as an initiative to develop over 75 start-up support hubs in the country. Map the performance of this scheme over a period of 5 years.

15.   Do you think that a regime change in the US affects India’s relationship with U.S.A.?

16.   A pro-China government in Nepal is always a matter of concern for India. Critically discuss.

17.   What has been the contribution of India’s intelligence agencies in shaping the foreign policy?

18.   Suggest ways and means to counter Chinese presence in Africa.

19.   In cities, the pressure of population on land, infrastructure, environment is massive and civic agencies are grappling with problems like clean air, mobility, sanitation, water, public safety. There is a need for developing a sustainable solution. In this context, bring out the salient features of the Smart Cities mission and how it negotiates with these challenges.

20.   Central Asia though very much strategic, yet has remained a comparatively neglected region in connection with India’s foreign policy. Opine.

1.       Insofar as the evolving macroeconomic conditions are concerned, is the Indian Constitution a dynamic document to the extent of catering to Union-State relations? Discuss.

 

2.       Comment on the impact of the non-constitutional bodies on the constitutional development in India. Cite instances.

3.       How has e-governance brought about transparency and accountability in India?

4.       Citing government schemes of 2019-20, discuss how social justice has been served at large.

5.       Comment on the role of Governor in Indian polity. Should it be a post based on merit?

6.       Define Pressure Groups. Critically discuss the role of formal as well as informal associations in the Indian Polity.

7.       Suggest possible amendments to the Representation of People’s Act. Has the Act succeeded in emboldening India’s political structure?

8.       Evaluate the role of advocates in dispensing speedy justice in the lower judiciary in India. Cite examples.

9.        Health, Education, and Human Resources need to be the focal points for any government. Do you agree? Why?

10.   Why poverty and hunger are still prevalent in India? How is population growth linked with poverty and hunger?

11.   What do you understand by vulnerable sections of the population? Of late, how has the government been successful in ameliorating their position? What has been the role of NGOs and SHGs in this context? Have they performed better than the government in this regard?

12.   Do you find the concept of citizen’s charters too Western? Do they have much applicability in the Indian context?  

13.   Everywhere there are talks of reforming the bureaucracy. Citing instances of China, USA, and UK, deliberate what possible changes could be ushered in for the Indian bureaucracy in the coming 10 years. Layout a roadmap.

14.   Elaborate on the scope of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, citing Supreme Court case laws.

15.   Considering the powers and privileges of the members of Parliament, and the scope and independence of the judges of the High Courts and Supreme Court, do you think that the de facto authority is being wielded by a closed group and not the people at large in India? Critically opine.

16.   Has the Indian polity done well in devolution of powers and finances up to local government level? How? Suggest additional measures.

17.   Does Indian diplomacy in the 21^st century pay heed to the thinkers and academics while managing the foreign policy issues? Is India’s foreign policy paradigm dominated by the corridors of power in Delhi only?

18.   How did 2020 shape India-China-USA trilateral relations? In this backdrop, comment on the following: “Slapdash efforts to sever risky dependencies on China could end up lopping off healthy and important economic relations with not only that country but the rest of the world.”

19.   Posit your assessment of India’s management of the middle-east and north Africa in 2019 and 2020.

20.   Do you believe India’s approach of inclusive dialogue to usher in peace in conflict zones is an outmoded concept? Evaluate this approach with respect to the conflict zones in Africa.