28 questions
General Studies Paper III
UPSC Civil Services Mains 2013
- How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology.
- What is a digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Giver various salient built-in features of a digital signature.
- Discuss the impact of FDI entry into the multi-trade retail sector on supply chain management in the commodity trade pattern of the economy.
- What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their applications in the aviation and automobile industry
- Though India allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) in what is called multi-brand retail through a joint venture route in September 2012, the FDI even after a year, has not picked up. Discuss the reasons.
- What do you understand by a run-of-the-ride hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project?
- What is the meaning of the term tax-expenditure? Taking the housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences the budgetary policies of the government.
- Discuss the rationale for introducing Goods and services tax in India. Bring out critically the reasons for delay in roll out for its regime.
- Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problems of conventional energy.
- What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyze the agriculture subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it.
- The circumstances in 2005 forced an amendment to section 3(d) in the Indian Patent Law, 1970. Discuss how it has been utilized by the Supreme Court in its judgment rejecting Novarti's patent application for “Glivec“. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision.
- What do you understand by the Umpire decision review in cricket? Discuss its various components. Explain how silicon tape on the edge of a bat may fool the system.
- What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of “GO AND NO GO” zones for coal mining.
- Adaptation of the PPP model for the infrastructure development of the country has not been free from criticism. Critically discuss the pros and cons of the model.
- Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies that may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for managing and handling hazardous wastes in India?
- How important are vulnerability and risk assessments for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in disaster management?
- Money laundering poses a serious threat to a country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace?
- India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in the food industry for better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement.
- With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the New Companies Bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also, discuss other provisions in the bill and their implications.
- What are social networking site and what security implications do these sites present?
- What are the reasons for the introduction of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness.
- Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyberwarfare? Outline the cyber threats that India is vulnerable to and highlight the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with them.
- What do you understand by fixed-dose drug combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits.
- Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to the Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism.
- Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indians. Are they competing with the MNCs satisfactorily?
- The Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in the WTO.
- Establish the relationship between land reform, agriculture productivity and elimination of poverty in the Indian Economy. Discuss the difficulty in designing and implementing agriculture-friendly land reforms in India.
- How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly given the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?