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2018-09-30 13:19:25+00:00
GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 3: UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination – 2018
1) Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is a sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (150 words) 10
2) Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gain Tax – (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019. (150 words) 10
3) What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income traps? (150 words) 10
4) Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate the number of intermediaries? (150 words)10
5) Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of physics. (150 words)10
6) What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (150 words)10
7) What is wetland? Example the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (150 words)10
8) Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State ‘in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State? (150 words)10
9) The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger “One Belt One Road” initiative .Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (150 words)10
10) Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still effects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the government of India’s approach to counter the challengers post by LWE.
(150 words) 10
11) How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India? (250 words)15
12) How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade effect macroeconomic stability of India? (250 words) 15
13) Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (250 words) 15
14) How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (250 words) 15
15) Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (250 words) 15
16) With growing energy needs should India keep on extending its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (250 words)15
17) How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002helpful in conservation flora and fauna? (250 words) 15
18) Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? (250 words)15
19) Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cybercrimes. The justice B.N Sreekrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating the protection of personal data in cyberspace? (250 words)15
20) India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same? (250 words)15
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2018-09-29 17:04:39+00:00
Mains – 2018: General Studies Paper – 2
UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam – 2018
1)I n the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (10)
2) Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (10)
3) Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (10)
4) Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (10)
5)“ The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (10)
6)“ Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.
7) Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.
8) E-governance in not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. (10)
9)“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (10 )
10) A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018. (10)
11) Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine. (15)
12) How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India. (15)
13) Indian and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
14) How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss. (15)
15) Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (15)
16) Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case. (15)
17) How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (15)
18) The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters. (15)
19) What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India? (15)
20) In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation? (15)
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2018-09-29 17:03:41+00:00
GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 1: UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination – 2018
1) Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (10)
2) Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (10)
3) Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (10)
4) Why is the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (10 )
5) Why is India taking a keen interest in the Arctic region? (10)
6) Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (10)
7) What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (10)
8) “Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, the caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (10)
9) ‘Despite the implementation of various programmes for the eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons. (10)
10) How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (10)
11) The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (15)
12) Discuss whether the formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. (15)
13) Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (15)
14) “The ideal solution of depleting groundwater resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (15)
15) Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (15)
16) What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (15)
17) Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (15)
18) ‘Women’s movement in India has not addresses the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (15)
19) ‘Globalisation is generally said to promote cultural homogenisation but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.’ Elucidate.
20) ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (15)
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2018-09-28 09:28:27+00:00
CSM 2018 Essay Q Paper. 👍
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2018-09-26 04:45:15+00:00
Aeolus satellite❓
✅It is a wind-sensing satellite launched by European Space Agency (ESA).
✅The satellite is named Aeolus after guardian of wind in Greek mythology.
✅It will be placed at altitude of 320km above the Earth.
✅It is part of the Copernicus project, a joint initiative of European Union (EU) and European Space Agency (ESA) to track environmental damage and aid disaster relief operations.
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2018-09-24 06:37:27+00:00
Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG)💡
✅ Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is a multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection on existing materials.
✅NSG was set up in 1974 as a reaction to India’s nuclear tests to stop what it called the misuse of nuclear
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2018-09-19 05:02:36+00:00
Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA)❓
🔰COMCASA is one of three foundational agreements that guide US high technology cooperation in defence sector with other countries.
🔰It was earlier called Communication and Information on Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) before name was changed to reflect its India-specific nature.
🔰Other two agreements are Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and BECA.
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2018-09-18 20:28:46+00:00
🍎EyeROV TUNA🍎
The Remotedly Operated Vehicle (ROV)/underwater drone, named EyeROV TUNA, was developed by EyeROV Technologies, a company incubating at Kalamassery-based Maker Village, Kochi.-Acumenias
It can be navigated up to a depth of 50 metres to take real-time HD video images to examine ship hulls or undersea cables or bridge moorings, eliminating the need for costlier and riskier manual inspection by divers.
It weighs less than 10 kilogram and can be used for inspection of ship hulls, ports, dams and nuclear power plants
EyeROV is a light rover which can be easily accessed and controlled with the supporting attached and connected hardware such as laptops and joysticks.
It can be used for inspection of ship hulls, ports, dams and nuclear power plants.
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2018-09-18 20:18:55+00:00
💎GARUDA (Global Access to Resource Using Distributed Architecture)💎
💎GARUDA initiative is a collaboration of the Scientific, Engineering and Academic Community to carry-out research and experimentation on a nationwide grid of computational nodes, mass storage that aims to provide the distributed data and compute intensive High Performance Computing solutions for the 21st century.
💎It will deploy a distributed networked infrastructure for universities, research labs, industry and government throughout India.
💎Department of Information Technology (DIT) has funded the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to deploy the nation-wide computational grid, GARUDA.
💎It connects 45 institutions across 17 cities, with an aim to bring Grid computing to research labs, industries and academic institutions.
💎GARUDA is part of the National Knowledge Network (NKN), an initiative to build a high-speed national network backbone with reliable quality of service (QoS) and security.
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2018-09-13 03:03:12+00:00
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/prison-of-patriarchy/article24937101.ece
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2018-09-12 04:42:56+00:00
National REDD+ Strategy❓
REDD is set of steps designed to use market and financial incentives in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from deforestation and forest degradation.
It is collaborative programme of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
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2018-09-11 04:39:07+00:00
Bhima-Koregaon battle:❓
The Battle of Koregaon was fought on 1 January 1818 between the British East India Company and the Peshwa faction of the Maratha Confederacy, at Koregaon Bhima.
The 28,000-strong Marathas, led by Peshwa Baji Rao II intended to attack Pune. On their way, they were met by an 800-strong Company force that was on its way to reinforce the British troops in Pune.
The Peshwa dispatched around 2,000 soldiers to attack the Company force stationed in Koregaon.
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2018-09-10 14:22:11+00:00
https://upsconline.nic.in/eadmitcard/admitcard_csm_2018/admit_card.php#hhh1
UPSC Mains 2018 Admit Card 👆👍
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2018-09-10 13:27:23+00:00
International Energy Agency (IEA)❓❓❓
✅ Located in Paris
✅Autonomous intergovernmental organization
✅ Established in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis.
✅The IEA was initially dedicated to responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors.
✅The IEA acts as a policy adviser to its member states, but also works with non-member countries, especially China, India, and Russia
✅India has become an associate member of IEA
🌀The Agency's mandate has broadened to focus on the "3Es" of effectual energy policy:
✅energy security
✅economic development, and
✅environmental protection
✅The IEA has a broad role in promoting alternate energy sources (including renewable energy), rational energy policies, and multinational energy technology co-operation
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2018-09-09 15:40:45+00:00
Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)
Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has introduced Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) to systematically rank education institutions and universities primarily on innovation related indicators.
ARIIA aims to promote culture of innovation and research in higher education.
Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA)👌
✅It measures some parameters which are India-specific considering current scenario and status of higher education in India.
✅ ARIIA parameters are primarily organised in five broad heads which are further elaborated into suitable sub-heads.
✅Each of five main parameters has certain weightage assigned to it and sub-heads also have appropriate weight distribution.
✅The institutions will be rank-ordered based on scores.
✅The overall score can take a maximum value of 100.
🌀Five main focus parameters of ARIIA are
✅ budget expenses and revenue generated through Innovation and entrepreneurship development (weightage: 20),
✅facilitate access to advance centres and facilities and entrepreneurial support system (10),
✅ idea to entrepreneurship (54),
✅development of innovation ecosystems supported through teaching & learning (10) and
✅best innovative solutions developed in-house for improving governance of institution (6).
Significance💡
✅ARIIA will inspire Indian institutions to reorient their mind-set and build ecosystems to encourage high quality research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
✅It will focus on quality of innovations rather than quantity and measure the real impact created by these innovations nationally and internationally.
✅It will set tone and direction for institutions for future development for making them globally competitive and in forefront of innovation.
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2018-09-08 06:25:27+00:00
💎💎Legislative Council in each state:--- The legislative council is permanent body but 1/3rd of its member retire every 2 years. The members of the council elect a chairman which is called “presiding officer”. The council also elects the Deputy chairman.
💎Total Number of the Legislative Council should not exceed the 1/3rd of the total number of members of the Legislative assembly, but it should not be less than 40 (Article 171).
💎Jammu & Kashmir is an exception to this where the upper house has strength of 36 only. This is because; J & K assembly is created as per the J & K constitution and Part VI is not applicable to Jammu & Kashmir.
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2018-09-08 06:24:28+00:00
♦️Aeolus satellite:-- It is a wind-sensing satellite launched by European Space Agency (ESA).
♦️The satellite is named Aeolus after guardian of wind in Greek mythology.
♦️It will be placed at altitude of 320km above the Earth.
♦️It is part of the Copernicus project, a joint initiative of European Union (EU) and European Space Agency (ESA) to track environmental damage and aid disaster relief operations.
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2018-09-08 06:23:43+00:00
🍎5G🍎
* 5G is wireless communication technology based on third-generation partnership project (3GPP).
* It is next generation mobile networks technology after 4G LTE networks.
* It is expected to offer enhanced mobile broadband.
* The 5G technology will offer far greater upload and download speed available at present.
* High data speed offered by 5G network will help cloud systems to stream software updates, music, and navigation data to driverless cars.
* Moreover, it holds the key to growth of artificial intelligence (AI) systems and enhance IoT.
* As per the OECD Committee on Digital Economic Policy, 5G technologies rollout will help in increasing GDP, creating employment and digitizing the economy.
* Why in news? 5G technology was tested by Airtel and Huawei in Gurugram
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2018-09-08 06:23:13+00:00
💎💎Women : Facts and Issues:-- UN report ” Cyber violence against women and girls” – 73% women reported facing violence online.
Stalkers and abusers online take advantage of anonymity and are encouraged by viral nature of the online medium which provides instant fame.
Gender Development Index: 132ndrank
Gender Equality Index: 127th rank
Suffers from one of the lowest sex ratios (940 in 2011) in South Asia
Gender ratio on the electoral rolls: 800 (almost)
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2018-09-05 06:43:39+00:00
💎AJ Paulraj committee:-- It has proposed promulgation of key norms on regulatory matters by March 2019 in order to facilitate early deployment of 5G technology.
💎It expects commercial rollout of 5G in India by 2020.
💎It noted that 5G technologies will start entering service globally beginning 2019 and advance to full range of services by 2024.
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2018-09-03 07:06:57+00:00
CSE2018 Vacancies increased from 782 to 812.
10468 candidates cleared Prelims.