[Insights Secure – 2015] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 01 October 2015

[Insights Secure – 2015] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 01 October  2015

Archives – Secure 2015

01 October 2015

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Click on EACH question to post/read  answers.

General Studies – 1;

Topic: Social empowerment; features of Indian society

1) Recently, governments of Haryana and Rajasthan amended their Panchayat Raj act such that no one can contest elections for the post of sarpanch or member of the panchayat samiti or zilla parishad if they have not passed Class X. Critically discuss the implications of this amendment. (200 Words)

The Indian Express

General Studies – 2

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes

2) Do you think implementation and true potential of MGNREGA scheme is suffering due to politics at national and local level? Critically comment. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Topic: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes

3) Examine the objectives of the National Food Security Act (NFSA). Also examine why its implementation is still lagging behind. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Topic: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

4) Critically analyse the role, potential and performance of IMF in the present times. (200 Words)

Livemint

 

Topic: Powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.

5) Discuss the difficulties faced by Election Commission in preparing clean electoral rolls. How can it overcome these difficulties using available policies and technologies? Examine. (200 Words)

The Hindu

General Studies – 3

Topic: Indian economy – Growth

6) At present it is evident that Indian economy is growing at reasonably good rate compared to other emerging economies. Do you think this growth is the result of India’s monetary policy? Analyse. (200 Words)

Livemint

Topic: Minimum Support Prices; Indian economy – issues

7) It is argued that the merger of the commodities market regulator, the Forward Markets Commission (FMC), with the capital market watchdog, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), is a game-changing mov. Examine why. (150 Words)

Business Standard

Topic: Resource mobilisation; Indian economy – planning

8) Critically discuss the effectiveness of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act 2003 in meeting its objectives. (200 Words)

Business Standard

Topic: Conservation

9) What do you understand by Compensatory Afforestation? Critically comment on the provisions of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill. (200 Words)

The Hindu

Topic: Linkages between development and spread of extremism.

10) “Representative institutions in the villages must be made party to decision-making in the development process, which should go beyond the infrastructure needs of the security personnel.” In the light of developmental activities undertaken by government in naxal affected areas, critically comment on the statement. (200 Words)

The Hindu

General Studies – 4

Topic: Emotional intelligence; code of conduct

11) You are working as Block Development Officer. Recently local MLA came to your office to attend a meeting of panchayat members.  During the meeting few representatives complain to MLA that you are not listening to their demands related to NRREGA scheme and other housing schemes where they want list sent by Gram Sabha to be fudged. You have been strict and honest from day one. Unlike your predecessors, you are keeping a distance from elected representatives to avoid some of their unreasonable demands. A member who has been spreading lies about you starts abusing you in the meeting. When you object to member’s comment, MLA too abuses you and insults you in the meeting. When you try to object again, his followers raise their voices and shout against you. The situation turns into a tense moment. You have no one to support you in the meeting hall.

In such a situation, what course of actions are available to you? Which one will you choose? Justify. (150 Words)

General