Archives – Secure 2015
8 January 2015
Tomorrow’s Topic for GS-1: India Physical Environment, Class XI – Units One and Two
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General Studies – 1
Topic: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant
events, personalities, issues
1) Critically examine why did Mahatma Gandhi think Hindustani should be the national language? (150 Words)
NCERT
Topic: The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different
parts of the country.
2) Discuss the events and other factors that transformed Mohandas Gandhi into Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution
3) Examine what historical forces shaped the vision of the Indian Constitution. (200 Words)
NCERT
Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
4) During the framing of Indian constitution, what were the arguments in favour of greater power to the provinces? Examine. (150 Words)
NCERT
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability
5) “India must have a system that introduces accountability and allows the public to evaluate the claims of good governance on the basis of evidence and not mere rhetoric.” Examine the possibility, need and challenges in introducing an index similar to human development index (HDI) to measure governance in India.(200 Words)
Business Standard
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health; can be linked to Paper-3 topic – Government Budgeting
6) “Just like separate railway budget, there is a dire need for a separate health budget.” Critically comment. (200 Words)
Business Standard
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian
diaspora.
7) With suitable examples analyse how the presence of large Indian diaspora and shared colonial past have been instrumental in forging good relationship between India and few countries spread across the world. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education
8) “The key problems confronting higher education in India are quality, equity, access and financing.” In the light of many problems being faced by India’s premier educational and research institutions, critically analyse the statement. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
9) Compare and contrast with suitable examples how some of India’s neighbours across its western border have become the victims of their own religious and security policies in recent times. (200 Words)
The Hindu
General Studies – 3
Topic: mobilization of resources
10) “In its bid to mobilize resources by auctioning scarce resources such as spectrum at steep prices the government might be hurting the common man.” In the light of spectrum auctions held in last five years and government’s plan to conduct another auction in near future, critically comment on the statement. Also examine other criticisms made against spectrum auction. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies
11) What are the merits and demerits of direct benefits transfer (DBT) scheme in the Indian context? Enumerate. (200 Words)
Business Standard
General Studies – 4
Topic: challenges of corruption.
12) You are elected as Chief Minister with absolute majority. You are the absolute leader in your party. Your state is infamous for corruption. The previous government was corrupt and was mired in controversies regarding corruption scandals. You have come to power on the promise of rooting out corruption and giving clean governance.
What short-term and long-term measures will you take to fulfil your promise to the electorate? Discuss. (250 Words)
ToI
