[Insights Secure – 2015] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Events: 16 November 2015
Archives – Secure 2015
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General Studies – 1;
Topic: Poverty and developmental issues
1) Write a note on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the impact of poverty on child rights. (200 Words)
Livemint
General Studies – 2
Topic: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections
2) Critically comment on the the One Rank One Pension (OROP) issue and government’s response to it. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
3) Despite frequent visits by heads of respective countries, the U.K.’s and India’s shares in each other’s exports, both goods and services, have steadily declined, and bilateral trade at $14 billion falls far short of their $30-billion goal announced in 2010. Discuss why and what measures both countries need to take in this regard. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.
4) Recently India and Bangladesh signed the standard operating procedure (SOP) to operationalise the Agreement on Coastal Shipping. Examine the significance and advantages of this agreement for both countries. (150 Words)
Business Standard
General Studies – 3
Topic: Economics of animal rearing
5) Critically analyse the economic impact of strident campaign against cow slaughter in India. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
6) It is said that despite 26/11, the Indian intelligence agencies continue to be ill-equipped to prevent future attacks. In the light of recent terrorist attacks on Paris by ISIS terrorists, critically comment on the threats to India by Daesh and its preparedness to handle such attacks. (200 Words)
The Hindu
Topic: Mobilization of resources
7) The Companies Act of 2013 mandates a contribution of two per cent of post-tax profits of companies to corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and some see this as a backdoor tax. Some argue that as companies spend at individual levels, the impact is less visible and also there is no guarantee of ensuring efficiency, accountability and competency. In this regard, what should be done to efficiently spend CSR funds? Discuss. (200 Words)
Business Standard
General Studies – 4
Topic: Ethical concerns and dilemmas
8) Your son has fallen in love with a girl belonging to lower caste, once considered as untouchables , and wants to marry her at any cost. Both are in love with each other since school days. Your wife is completely against this relationship, so is your entire family. Your wife thinks even if the girl is brilliant in academics and earning high salary, she can not digest the fact that her family would be entering into a relationship with formerly untouchable family.
The girl’s parents, despite her pleadings, still work in leather industry as cleaners. They are not ready to move to city with their daughter. The girl is highly educated. She is a pass-out from country’s top universities. She recently got a job in a top company with a high salary package. Your son, on the other hand is a college drop-out. He is trying to establish his own software development company banking on his good computer skills. He is dependent on you for funds.
Your close friend who is also a big businessman is very fond of your son and wants him to marry his daughter. His daughter who is very beautiful and better educated from top foreign universities is ready to marry your son. Moreover, they belong to your caste. Your entire family wants your son to marry this girl.
They all think that his small sacrifice can help him and his family stay happy. Some of them think that love can happen twice and there is no harm in letting go a girl who belongs to lower caste and who doesn’t fit in the family. Your family, a joint one, which runs a big exports business is conservative and has a strict tradition of maintaining its caste identity in its social interactions. Some family members threaten of dire consequences if your son goes ahead and marries the girl whom he loves.
What are the ethical issues involved in this case? As a father, will you support your son? Justify. (200 Words)
What is wrong in marrying your friend’s daughter as desired by your family? If your son voluntarily agrees to marry your friend’s daughter, will you support him? Explain why. (100 Words)
General
