[Insights Secure – 2015] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 14 February 2015

Archives – Secure 2015

14 February  2015

General Studies – 1;

Topic:Salient features of Indian Society; poverty and developmental issues; Effects of globalization on Indian society 

1) According to recent Global Slavery Index, vulnerability of the average Indian citizen to modern slavery is rated at 56.7 per cent. Why do you think such high rate of vulnerability exists in India? Also examine the role of NHRC in addressing the issue of modern slavery. (200 Words)

Frontline

General Studies – 2

Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

2) “The U.S. has been trying to draw India into the anti-China security grouping as part of its “pivot to the East” policy. But such a tilt may not serve India’s interests.” How far do you agree with this assessment? Critically comment. (200 Words)

Frontline

Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

3) Both the union and state governments sometimes resort to ordinance route to ‘expedite development process’ by passing related new legislations or amending existing ones. Do you think the promulgation of such ordinances is unconstitutional? In the light of recent ordinances passed by the union government, critically comment. (200 Words)

Frontline

Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

4) Examine why India is still opposed to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Do you think India should change its stance on the treaty? Explain why. (200 Words)

The Hindu

General Studies – 3

Topic:Indian economy – employment

5) “Recent efforts made by information technology (IT) majors in India to terminate large number of their employees in order to cut costs brings to the fore the necessity of forming employee unions and also highlights the fact that the growth of India’s IT industry is over.” Critically analyse. (200 Words)

Frontline

Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

6) Recently researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in Delhi found a drug candidate that prevented TB and malaria pathogens from infecting human blood cells. Examine the importance and implications of this breakthrough for India. (200 Words)

The Hindu

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

7) A  few days ago social media giant Facebook launched internet.org in India with an intention of providing internet for free to all sections of population. But this also has given rise to many concerns among various stakeholders. Critically examine these concerns. (200 Words)

The Hindu

General Studies – 4

Topic:  Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics

8) Recently few juveniles escaped from juvenile home after attacking the staff and police. Some of these juveniles were ‘convicted’ of murder and rape by the courts. The relatives of victims had plead the government and courts to treat some of these juveniles as adults and punish them accordingly.

You might have read about such cases in recent times.Identify various ethical issues involved in cases such as above and critically analyse them. (200 Words)

The Hindu