[Insights Secure – 2017] UPSC Mains Questions on Current Affairs: 31 December 2016
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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 and rights of dalits, critically comment. (200 Words)
EPW
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
General Studies – 2
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 extrapolated for India. Examine the causes of these suicides and how they can be reduced. (200 Words)
EPW
EPW
General Studies – 3
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
Topic: Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems
5) Examine the historical evolution of irrigation in India, the nature of shifts that have occurred over the years, and the major challenges it faces now. (200 Words)
EPW
Topic: Different types of irrigation and irrigation systems
6) Critically comment on the National Water Commission. Also discuss major problem areas in India’s water management and suggest ways forward. (200 Words)
EPW
General Studies – 4
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 was to provide the best quality modern education at a nominal cost. She soon discovered that she has to seek permission from a number of Government agencies. The rules and procedures were quite confusing and cumbersome. What frustrated her most was delays, callous attitude of officials and constant demand for bribes. Her experience and the experience of many others like her has deterred people from taking up social service projects.
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? (300 words).
CSE Mains 2016 GS-IV
