Insights Daily Current Affairs, 31 December 2016

  Insights Daily Current Affairs, 31 December 2016   Paper 2 Topic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.   ‘Mobile App and Facebook Page’ of ‘National Trust’   The government has launched the ‘Mobile App and Facebook Page’ of the National Trust to mark the ‘National Trust Foundation Day’ on the theme “Celebrating Inclusion”.   …

[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 31 December 2016

[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 31 December 2016 Click on EACH question to post/read  answers. General Studies – 1; Topic: Social empowerment 1) “Dalit liberation is essential to the liberation of all the Indian people, and impossible without it.” In the light of recent events that have taken place against the interests …

ETHICS CASE STUDY: A measure of Government control over voluntary social work is necessary. But it should not be exercised in a coercive a corrupt manner. What measures can you suggest to ensure that due control is exercised but well meaning, honest NGO efforts are not thwarted?

Topic: Ethical dilemmas in public and private institutions 7) Saraswati was a successful IT professional in USA.  Moved by the patriotic sense of doing something for the country she returned to India. Together with some other like-minded  friends, she formed an NGO to build a school for a poor rural community. The objective of the school …

4) The Reserve Bank of India’s biannual Financial Stability Report has once again expressed concern about high risks to the banking sector. What measures have been taken to address these risks? What new ideas have been mooted to address these risks? Discuss.

Topic: Indian economy – growth and development 4) The Reserve Bank of India’s biannual Financial Stability Report has once again expressed concern about high risks to the banking sector. What measures have been taken to address these risks? What new ideas have been mooted to address these risks? Discuss. (200 Words) The Hindu

3) The National Mental Health Survey of India, 2015–16, a 12-state survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, found that 1% of those surveyed had “high suicidal risk.” This figure could be around 76 lakh persons if extrapolated for India. Examine the causes of these suicides and how they can be reduced.

Topic:Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Human Resources.  3) The National Mental Health Survey of India, 2015–16, a 12-state survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, found that 1% of those surveyed had “high suicidal risk.” This figure could be around 76 lakh persons if …

2) There is a growing awareness that water endowments in India are severely under the threat of exhaustion and degradation. However, scant attention has been paid to maintaining the health of rivers, their catchments, and aquifer systems. In this regard, examine what needs to be done.

Topic: Resources, changes in critical geographical features 2) There is a growing awareness that water endowments in India are severely under the threat of exhaustion and degradation. However, scant attention has been paid to maintaining the health of rivers, their catchments, and aquifer systems. In this regard, examine what needs to be done. (200 Words) EPW EPW

1) “Dalit liberation is essential to the liberation of all the Indian people, and impossible without it.” In the light of recent events that have taken place against the interests and rights of dalits, critically comment.

Topic: Social empowerment 1) “Dalit liberation is essential to the liberation of all the Indian people, and impossible without it.” In the light of recent events that have taken place against the interests and rights of dalits, critically comment. (200 Words) EPW

Insights into Editorial: Why more than note-ban, India needs a Big Bad Bank

    Insights into Editorial: Why more than note-ban, India needs a Big Bad Bank   Summary: The withdrawal of Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes on 8 November has changed the composition of money supply in the economy. A large part of what was currency in circulation is now coming to banks as deposits. The sudden …

Insights into Editorial: Comment on the Proposed National Water Commission

    Insights into Editorial: Comment on the Proposed National Water Commission   Summary: India faces unprecedented challenges of water management in the 21st century. As the water crisis deepens by the day, the old 20th century solutions appear to be distinctly running out of steam. These solutions were devised in an era when India …

[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 30 December 2016

[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 30 December 2016 Click on EACH question to post/read  answers. General Studies – 1; Topic: World history; Impact of globalizaton; Political philosophies 1) What do you understand by an open society? At present the world is witnessing the rise of of closed societies. What danger do closed …

ETHICS CASE STUDY: Suppose you have been entrusted with the task of drafting a better compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy for such displaced persons, how would you approach the problem and what would be the main elements of your suggested policy?

Topic: Ethical dilemmas in public and private institutions 7) Land needed for mining, dams and other large-scale projects is acquired mostly from Adivasis, hill dwellers and rural communities. The displaced persons are paid monetary compensation as per the legal provisions. However, the payment is often tardy. In any case, hit cannot sustain the displaced families for …

6) A recent survey in USA has revealed that nearly a fourth of Americans use cash for all or almost all of their purchases during a typical week and more than half tended to use a mix of both cash and cashless payment modes, in an economy that is overwhelmingly dominated by non-cash payment options, unlike India. In the light of this survey, critically comment on ongoing push towards cashless economy by the Indian government.

Topic: Indian economy  6) A recent survey in USA has revealed that nearly a fourth of Americans use cash for all or almost all of their purchases during a typical week and more than half tended to use a mix of both cash and cashless payment modes, in an economy that is overwhelmingly dominated by …

5) It is argued that leaving everything to the market can lead to social and political turmoil. It is also said that the evolution of vicious politics is due to steady march of technology. Discuss.

Topic: Economic growth; Employment; Developments in S&T 5) It is argued that leaving everything to the market can lead to social and political turmoil. It is also said that the evolution of vicious politics is due to steady march of technology. Discuss. (200 Words) Livemint Livemint

4) On 2 October 2014, Prime Minister announced the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), which targets eradicating open defecation in India by 2019. Halfway through its term in office, how close is the government to achieving this ambitious target? What needs to be done to make this mission successful? Examine.

Topic: Welfare schemes and their performance 4) On 2 October 2014, Prime Minister announced the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), which targets eradicating open defecation in India by 2019. Halfway through its term in office, how close is the government to achieving this ambitious target? What needs to be done to make this mission …