[Insights Secure – 2015] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 13 February 2015

Archives – Secure 2015

13 February  2015

Topic for GS-1 and other static portions will be notified  soon in Time Table form

General Studies – 1;

Topic:Urbanisation – their problems and their remedies.

1) Why slums are considered as ‘problems’ in urban regions? Examine why slums have developed in many Indian cities and also critically comment if they should be treated as important stakeholders in urban economy or should be eliminated to beautify cities. (200 Words)

NCERT

Topic: changes in critical geographical features

2) What do you understand by land degradation? Suggest measures for reduction of land degradation. (150 Words)

NCERT

General Studies – 2

Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

3) Critically analyse why the West is insistent on halting Iran’s enrichment program and how it is marred by two divergent approaches sought by USA and Israel respectively. (200 Words)

The New York Times

Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

4) Strategic autonomy and no military alliances are two tenets of India’s foreign policy. In this regard what do you understand by ‘strategic autonomy’? Do you think India is strictly pursuing strategic autonomy? Critically analyse. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

5) In your opinion, which country is more important to India to build a ‘strategic partnership’ – USA or China? Critically comment why. (200 Words)

The Hindu

General Studies – 3

Topic: e-technology in the aid of farmers

6) Write a note on the importance of and role played by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in ensuring farm mechanisation in India. (150 Words)

The Hindu 

Topic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.

7) India considers the expanding footprint of extremist and terror organisations in Pakistan, and their link with various terror activities in India, is a major security challenge. In this regard, what are all the options that India has pursued to address this security challenge? Critically evaluate them. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life 

8) “The recent report of the High-Level Committee for reviewing environmental laws has a misplaced focus on speedy project clearances and wrongly attributes their delays to environmental laws.” Critically examine. (200 Words)

The Hindu

General Studies – 4

Topic:  ethical issues in international relations

9) Is the war initiated against the Islamic State by the United States ethical? Substantiate with suitable arguments. (150 Words)

Reference