GS 2 : Question Bank for UPSC Mains 2017

 
60 Questions

1.      Supreme Court has made National Anthem mandatory in cinema halls. Tender your opinion on this move, citing the law / constitutional position, if any.

2.      “India signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and subsequently ratified the same on 1st October, 2007. Being a signatory to the Convention, India has an international obligation to comply with the provisions of the Convention”. In this light, discuss India’s efforts as reflected in the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (RPWD) Bill

3.      Critically examine the feasibility of having Education & Judiciary as All India Services.

4.      What are the salient features of the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers, 2016 and the Draft Inland Vessels Bill, 2016

5.      In the context of contract workers vis-a-vis permament workers, assess the observations made by the Supreme Court in the Jagjit Singh Case.

6.      Critically analyse the position of child rights in India. State the functions and role of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)

7.      The Commission of Inquiry on Socio-Economic and Educational Conditions of Muslims in Telangana has recommended 12 per cent reservation or a minimum of 9 per cent to the community in social and educational sectors. Discuss

8.      A Parliamentary Standing Committee report accusing the Supreme Court of distorting the original constitutional mandate and showing an “unnecessary zeal” for primacy in judicial appointments was tabled in late 2016 in the parliament. Deliberate

9.      The Supreme Court has ordered closure of all liquor shops along national and state highways in the country. What is your opinion?

10. Recently, free speech in Algeria was apparently threatened. Discuss. Do you think India has an ambience of free speech? Analyse from the constitutional perspective.

11. “Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is a viable solution for the demands of the Gorkhas within the state of West Bengal.” Do you agree?

12. “Jammu and Kashmir has “no vestige” of sovereignty outside the Indian Constitution” Critically discuss

13. Should Lateral Entry be institutionalised in Civil Service, especially at the upper-middle levels of Director & Joint Secretary? In Civil Service, what should be the factor in promotion – seniority or merit? Explain.

14.  “The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a complete ban on burning of waste in open places” Critically examine.

15.  “The agenda for political, economic and social democracy remains unfinished because of continued disparity between the lives of the privileged and the rest”. Critically discuss in the Indian context.

16. “Our traditions have always celebrated the ‘argumentative’ Indian not the ‘intolerant’ Indian.” Critically evaluate.

17. Are Lodha Committee recommendations enough to curb corruption in cricket? Overall, what could be done to tame corruption in sports in India?

18. Are legislations helping the transgenders to mix with the normal society in India?

19. Recently, the government has decided to review the performance of autonomous bodies that have mushroomed over the years. Analyse the need for such a step and suggest a strategy to ensure an effective review

20. Highlight India’s major internal water-sharing disputes, with special emphasis on Ken-Betwa & Satluj-Yamuna.

21. “Today, both India and Russia, need to find new ways to reignite their ties in a

rapidly changing international system”. Critically examine and tender your opinion.

22. Is USA correct in its stance to suggest both India and China to resolve their contentious border issues through dialogues? Discuss.

23. Should India refrain from political and diplomatic interference in the South China Sea? Substantiate.

24. Syrian conflict zone has turned almost global. Yet, India is not a party to it. Do you think this foreign policy posture is pragmatic?

25. How can India utilize the permanent member status in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation [SCO] to leverage strategic gains in the Central Asian region?

26. Is a politically volatile Pakistan good for India’s interests?

27. Discuss the important factors pushing India and UAE to enhance their engagement.

28. What could be the trajectory of India-USA relations in the present regime of USA?

29.  Don’t you think that India should be more assertive with respect to its minor neighbours – like Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and the like?

30. What made India’s foreign policy divert from Panch-sheel to Panch-amrit? Or is it a diversion at all?

31. “Latin America has always been a rather neglected arena in Indian diplomacy.” Critically evaluate.

32. Can you highlight some success stories related to Stand Up India?

[http://pib.nic.in/ndagov/InstitutionaStory.aspx]

33. “19-year-old Romila Das was a victim of an abusive marriage. She lived at Rail Gate, Dimapur, Nagaland. Her husband forcibly married her, and thereafter made her life a living nightmare. He exploited her emotionally and financially. She could not have survived it anymore, and so she sought divorce. One-Stop Centre (OSC), Dimapur, ensured justice to her.” Critically discuss the efficacy of the scheme One-Stop Centre.

[http://pib.nic.in/ndagov/InstitutionaStory.aspx]

34. Of late, to what extent has slogans been effective in implementing government schemes? Posit instances.

35. Present a discourse on Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

36. State and discuss the major initiatives of the present government with regard to the betterment of farmers in India.

[http://pib.nic.in/ndagov/Initiatives.aspx]

37. NITI Aayog has emerged as the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India fostering the spirit of cooperative federalism. Ever since its inception the institution has taken a series of initiatives aimed at giving a push to the economy and transforming the lives of millions across the country. Do you agree?

38. “Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) is creating a Silent Revolution in achieving Health Security by providing Affordable, Quality Medicines for All.” Critically examine.

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39. “Bangladesh is gradually becoming a terror hub and naturally fostering tension for India”. Explain.

40. Which is a better prescription for Indian foreign policy makers – a case by case approach or to have a grand strategy? Why?

41.     “In the context of government being formed by a non-majority party recently in Goa and Manipur, it has once again questioned the discretion of governor in calling a person to form a government”. Citing illustrations and rule/law position, critically discuss the issue.

42.     With the Gorkhaland agitation at the forefront, again the old yet persistent question of smaller provinces comes up. Would a consistent acceptance of such demands ultimately lead to the Balkanisation of India?

43.     Explain the ongoing tussle between Puducherry Lt Governor and Chief Minister. Further, discuss the greater issue related to this.

44.     “The Supreme Court has said though free speech is a ‘highly valued and cherished right’, imprisonment is a proportionate punishment for defamatory remarks”. Critically examine.

45.     The Union government has recently notified Prevention of cruelty to animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules, 2017 under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 for restricting trade in cattle. Discuss the pros & cons of the rule and give your opinion.

46.     The Supreme Court has said that the right to access Internet comes under fundamental right of expression and cannot be curtailed at any cost. Do you agree with this view?

47.     What is PRAGATI scheme? What are the limitations of e-governance system?

48.     The committee on urban infrastructure (2011) had estimated that Indian cities would need to invest around Rs 40 trillion at constant prices in the two decades to 2031. Examine.

49.     Do you think that the SC decision to allow abortion of ailing foetus is a revolutionary one? Deliberate

50.    The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2017, has finally received Presidential assent. With this, all the hurdles for resuming Kambala — the traditional slush-track buffalo race of the coastal districts — are cleared. Critically discuss.

51.   The embarrassment caused by Justice C.S. Karnan, who is serving six months’ imprisonment for scandalising the Indian judiciary while serving as a High Court judge, has triggered a strong pitch within the Supreme Court to reconsider the efficacy of the age-old and recently revived collegium system of judicial appointments. Critically examine.

52.   Assess the efficacy of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.  What are the key features of the UDAN [Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik] scheme?

53.   The Supreme Court has frozen the status of “legal persons” accorded to rivers Ganga and Yamuna by the Uttarakhand High Court in March 2017. Discuss and debate on the issue.

54.   Of late, an MP has sent notice for a private members Bill in the Lok Sabha to combat mob violence. What are the highlighting features of the bill? Do you think this Bill is a timely intervention?

55.   In a major recognition of India’s efforts to benchmark global spices trade, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) has adopted three Codex standards for black, white and green pepper, cumin and thyme, paving the way for universal agreement on identifying quality spices in various countries. Explain.

56.   Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel has generated a lot of interest as the first to the country by an Indian Prime Minister. India-Israel ties are on a steady upward trend. What is your assessment?

57.   The way India has handled Doklam issue speaks volumes of our diplomacy and Foreign Service. Do you agree?

58.   Discuss the India-Maldives relations in light of political turbulence in Maldives and its closer relations with China.

59.   Pakistan’s anti-India rhetoric in world forums has of late, grown by volumes. In this backdrop, recommend India’s foreign policy doctrine towards Pakistan.

60.  “India has done its balancing act well – since 2001 – with USA & Russia pulling at both ends”. Analyse.