PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: 19 October 2016

    PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: 19 October 2016   Significant issues in Indian Administration: Bureaucratic agencies, characterized by established procedures, specialization, leadership, clean objectives, are not ideal to handle disaster Management. examine with reference to the need for Administrative “Information Communication Technology (ICT) improves the quality of public service delivery, but fails to check bribery.” Local …

Insights Daily Current Affairs, 19 October 2016

    Insights Daily Current Affairs, 19 October 2016   Paper 2 Topic: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.   10th India and United States Trade Policy Forum   10th India-United States Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meetings are being held at New Delhi. These meetings aim to increase …

Insights into Editorial: Changing the course of the planet

    Insights into Editorial: Changing the course of the planet   Summary: After seven years of negotiations, 197 countries have finally reached a historic agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, to amend the Montreal Protocol and phase down hydrofluorocarbons. The Kigali Amendment is one that could avoid global warming by up to 0.5° C. What are …

AIR spotlight summary on “Growth in Industry Sector and GDP Target”

    AIR spotlight summary on “Growth in Industry Sector and GDP Target”   Introduction The recent announcement of IIP by the government shows that in August IIP figures have contracted by 0.8% and we see a GDP growth of 7.6%. We see a mismatch where the industry is not able to perform well and …

[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 19 October 2016

[Insights Secure – 2016] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 19 October  2016 Click on EACH question to post/read  answers. General Studies – 1; Topic: Role of women and social empowerment 1) A quarter century after the recommendations of the Mandal Commission and more than half a century after the Indian Constitution mandated reservations for SCs …

9) The recent tragic death of at least 22 people and injuries caused to dozens of others in the SUM Hospital fire in Bhubaneswar throws up many questions. In your opinion, who shall be held responsible and why? Justify. Also discuss what should be done to prevent such incidences in future.

Topic: Ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions 9) The recent tragic death of at least 22 people and injuries caused to dozens of others in the SUM Hospital fire in Bhubaneswar throws up many questions. In your opinion, who shall be held responsible and why? Justify. Also discuss what should be done to …

8) Recently, 197 countries reached a historic agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, to amend the Montreal Protocol and phase down hydrofluorocarbons. What role did India play in these negotiations? Do you think India will be a beneficiary of this agreement? Examine.

Topic: Conservation; Environmental pollution 8) Recently, 197 countries reached a historic agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, to amend the Montreal Protocol and phase down hydrofluorocarbons. What role did India play in these negotiations? Do you think India will be a beneficiary of this agreement? Examine. (200 Words) The Hindu

7) India is witnessing the rapid emergence of a militarised political environment in which political discourse is easily cast in a militarised language. Any questions on military actions are labelled as anti-national. Do you think this trend is in the interest of national interest and security? Critically comment.

Topic:Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate 7) India is witnessing the rapid emergence of a militarised political environment in which political discourse is easily cast in a militarised language. Any questions on military actions are labelled as anti-national. Do you think this trend is in the interest of national interest and security? Critically comment. …

6) While there are many technological advancements taking place all around us, in your opinion, which five big themes will play a very important role in defining the next 20 years? What implications will these technologies have on India? Discuss.

Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life   6) While there are many technological advancements taking place all around us, in your opinion, which five big themes will play a very important role in defining the next 20 years? What implications will these technologies have on India? Discuss. (250 …

4) With India emerging as the diabetes and coronary heart disease capital of the world, it is also among the fastest growing markets for pharma products. Critically comment how does the nexus between Big Pharma and hospitals affect various stakeholders. In this regard, what government can do to protect interests of patients?

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, 4) With India emerging as the diabetes and coronary heart disease capital of the world, it is also among the fastest growing markets for pharma products. Critically comment how does the nexus between Big Pharma and hospitals affect various stakeholders. In this …

3) “Until we can see that the government has a realistic plan to manage the risks involved in placing all Indians’ proof of identity in one big box, making Aadhaar registration mandatory means imposing on every Indian citizen an unmanaged, possibly unmanageable, risk of digital environment catastrophe.” In the light of recent theft of personal data from Yahoo! database, critically comment on the statement.

Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. 3) “Until we can see that the government has a realistic plan to manage the risks involved in placing all Indians’ proof of identity in one big box, making Aadhaar registration mandatory means imposing on every …

2) Do you think the recent agreements between India and Russia have improved relations between two countries? What more needs to be done to address thorny issues between them? Critically discuss.

Topic:Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests 2) Do you think the recent agreements between India and Russia have improved relations between two countries? What more needs to be done to address thorny issues between them? Critically discuss. (200 Words) The Hindu

1) A quarter century after the recommendations of the Mandal Commission and more than half a century after the Indian Constitution mandated reservations for SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs or Adivasis), caste inequality and caste-based reservations continue to remain contentious issues in the Indian polity. Critically analyse why.

Topic: Role of women and social empowerment 1) A quarter century after the recommendations of the Mandal Commission and more than half a century after the Indian Constitution mandated reservations for SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs or Adivasis), caste inequality and caste-based reservations continue to remain contentious issues in the Indian polity. Critically analyse why. …

1) A quarter century after the recommendations of the Mandal Commission and more than half a century after the Indian Constitution mandated reservations for SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs or Adivasis), caste inequality and caste-based reservations continue to remain contentious issues in the Indian polity. Critically analyse why.

Topic: Role of women and social empowerment 1) A quarter century after the recommendations of the Mandal Commission and more than half a century after the Indian Constitution mandated reservations for SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs or Adivasis), caste inequality and caste-based reservations continue to remain contentious issues in the Indian polity. Critically analyse why. …