(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM:2024 Agriculture (Paper II)

• Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2024  Agriculture (Paper -II)
• Marks: 250
• Time Allowed : Three Hours

खण्ड - A / SECTION — A 

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5 = 50 

(a) Explain the ultrastructure of chloroplast with the help of diagram. Briefly discuss the chemical composition and functions of chloroplast in higher plants. 
(b) Describe the latest advances in biotechnology for crop improvement. 
(c) Describe different approaches for improving the characteristics of inbred lines. 
(d) Discuss various tests undertaken in seed testing laboratories. 
(e) Discuss various theories of ion uptake with respect to passive absorption. 

2. (a) What is chromosomal aberration? Briefly discuss the changes in chromosomal structure due to aberrations. 
(b) Discuss the importance of crop genetic resource conservation and utilization. 
(c) Briefly explain the Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum (SPAC). How are rooting characteristics related to the moisture extraction pattern from the soil? 

3. (a) What is allopolyploidy? Describe its applications and limitations in crops. 
(b) Discuss the involvement of public and private sectors in production and marketing of seeds. 
(c) Give an account of bulk method of breeding. Discuss its merits and demerits. 

4. (a) Give an account of cytoplasmic genetic male sterility and its utilization in plant breeding. Also discuss its limitations. 
(b) What is distant hybridization? Discuss its applications, achievements and limitations in plant breeding. 
(c) Discuss the guidelines for planning and organization of seed production programme. 

खण्ड - B / SECTION — B 

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5 = 50 

(a) Explain the properties and functions of enzymes in plants. 
(b) Write the methods of production of seed tubers from true potato seeds (TPS) under protected cultivation. 
(c) Discuss the systematic position, nature of damage and management of insect and mite pests of brinjal. 
(d) What is the scenario of hunger and malnutrition in the country? Discuss the initiatives taken by the government for their mitigation. 
(e) Illustrate how technology is improving the efficiency of public distribution system in the country. 
 
6. (a) Describe the process of anaerobic respiration and explain the factors affecting respiration. 
(b) Discuss banana crop in respect of its varieties, nutrient management, plant protection and post-harvest handling. 
(c) Discuss the factors which contribute to food insecurity in the country despite of significant improvement in food production and distribution. 

7. (a) Define water stress. Discuss the effects of water stress on anatomical and physiological changes in plant growth. Also discuss soil and weather based plant water stress indicators. 
(b) Discuss the causal organism, symptoms and management of tungro disease in rice. 
(c) What are the reasons behind food inflation? Discuss how it can be mitigated. 

8. (a) Explain the mode of action of organophosphate and Bacillus thuringiensis which are used in pest management. 
(b) What is phytochrome? Discuss its two forms and differentiate them. 
(c) Discuss the reasons for gap between production and consumption of cereals in the country. How can it be rectified? 

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2024

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Paper-2)

• Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration (Paper-II)
• Marks: 250
• Year : 2024
• Time Allowed: 3 Hours

खण्ड 'A' 

SECTION 'A' 

1. Answer the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 

1. (a) "Ethics in Public services has been the main concern of Kautilya's Arthashastra." Examine the statement. 
1. (b) "The Mughal Administration was by nature centralised." Analyse.
1.(c) “Autonomy to Public Undertakings is a myth.” Analyse.
1. (d) “It should be people's Prime Minister Office (PMO), it can't be Prime Minister's PMO." Comment. 
1.(e) "Implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has led to a Paradigm shift in the centre-state relations, both financially and politically.” Analyse. 

2. (a) The National Data and Analysis Platform (NDAP) of NITI Aayog facilitates a robust ecosystem to promote democratisation and inclusivity in development. Discuss. 
2.(b) Examine the impact on administration in view of changing relations between 20 political and permanent executive. 
2. (c) development and social justice. Analyse. 

3. (a) "The role of State Finance Commission in distribution of finances between state and local governments is vital.” Discuss. 
3. (b) “Centre-state relations are undergoing a drastic change.” Elaborate. 
3. (c) "There has been a strain in relations between Governor and State governments in the recent past.” Examine. 

4. (a) Public sector undertakings have been the bedrock of welfarism in India for many decades. Evaluate the pros and cons of current disinvestment scenario. 
4. (b) The collegium system of appointments to higher judiciary has been the cornerstone of independence of judiciary. It has remained as the subject of debates in the recent past. Discuss. 
4. (c) The concept of bureaucratic authoritarianism is one of the models of non-democratic rules. Explain. 

खण्ड 'B'

SECTION ‘B’ 

5.Answer the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 

5. (a) The constitutional stature provided to the Public Service Commissions accord them the autonomy to work towards fair recruitments. Comment. 
5.(b) "The neutrality of civil service has become a myth." Comment
5.(c) Examine the role of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in protecting the interests of consumers.
5. (d) "Parliamentary control over public expenditure is declining." Comment. 
5. (e) "The Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG) has enhanced the participation of private sector in Indian Economy." Comment. 

6. (a) "The success of administrative reforms in a country like India depends upon the political will." Comment. 
6. (b) The journey of transformation of local governance has been long. Examine the challenges to realise the spirit of gram swaraj. 
6.(c) With what aims and objectives was the Capacity Building Commission established? Evaluate how far it has come in realising the goals. 

7.(a) The separation of police investigation and prosecution has its own benefits and challenges. Analyse in context of recent developments. 
7.(b) Lack of financial resources and independence in managing local funding is hindering the economic and social development of urban areas. Discuss. 
7. (c) important role in countering terrorism. Comment. 

8. (a) Police-Public relations are poor in India. What measures are required to strengthen these relations? 
8. (b) public eye. Still it is one of the most important office under the constitution. Discuss. 
8. (c) Critically examine the problems of administration in coalition regimes. 
 

(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Budget 2024-25: A Step Towards Viksit Bharat

(GIST OF YOJANA) A New Chapter in India’s Employment Story

(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) National Quantum Mission

(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Blueprint for Sustained Growth in Rural India

(GIST OF YOJANA) Inclusive Human Resource Development and Social Justice

(GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER) Human Spaceflight

(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Budget 2024-25: Strengthening Rural Economy

(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM : 2024 ANTHROPOLOGY (Paper-2)

• Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2024 ANTHROPOL0GY (Paper II)

• Marks: 250

• Time Allowed : Three Hours

खण्ड A : SECTION A 

Q1. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10x5= 50

(a) Digitisation of rural economy 
(b) Origin of State Societies 
(c) Syro-Malabar Christians 
(d) Artisan tribes of Jharkhand 
(e) Causes of stunting and wasting among tribal children 

Q2. (a) Critically discuss the recent welfare measures initiated by the Government for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Comment why PVTGs were erroneously called Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs).
(b) How is PESA Act empowering local self-governance and impacting women's political participation ?
(c) Deconstruct the colonial history of Indian Anthropology highlighting the critical role played by the Indian Anthropologists in sustaining its autonomy.  

Q3. (a) Critically describe evidences from Rakhi Garhi and its linkages to Harappan civilization.  
(b) Compare and contrast the approaches of M.N. Srinivas and L.P. Vidyarthi to social change in village India. 
(c) Examine the impact of Forest Policies from 1878 to 2006 on land alienation and deprivation of rights of tribal communities in India. 

Q4. (a) What are the ethical concerns in biological and socio-cultural anthropology because of recent advances in AI and genetic research?  
(b) Write an essay on the life history of tribal activist and freedom fighter Birsa Munda. What was the impact of his sacrifice on tribal society? 
(c) What are the demographic challenges of India's changing population dynamics in the next 50 years ? 

खण्ड B SECTION B 

Q5. Write short notes on the following in about 150 words each: 10x5=50 

(a) B.K. Roy Burman's concept of 'Buffer Zone' 
(b) Describe ILO's Convention No. 169 (1989) on Indigenous and Tribal people. Is India a signatory to it ? 
(c) Agricultural practices of the Apatani 
(d) Status of Sixth Schedule Areas 
(e) Constitutional Safeguards for Backward Classes

Q6. (a) Custodians of natural resources are the tribals, but they are the most deprived. Critically examine how climate change will impact their survival in future. 
(b) Elucidate the difference between secularism, religiosity, religious fundamentalism and spiritualism from an anthropological perspective. 
(c) Discuss the contribution of P.K. Bhowmick in decriminalising the status of the Lodha tribe. 

Q7. (a) Critically examine existing paradigms of holistic health for the marginalised sections of society drawing inferences from COVID-19 pandemic.
(b) Discuss the theories on origin of caste system and its criticism in India. Differentiate between caste, class and race. 
(c) Elucidate the resurgence of ethno-nationalism from an anthropological lens. 

Q8. (a) Describe the important Paleolithic sites from South India with suitable examples. What is the significance of South Indian Paleolithic cultures?
(b) Distinguish a Theocratic State' from a secular, liberal, democratic state. Illustrate your answer with examples from tribal and contemporary societies. 
(c) Discuss the economic, social and developmental impacts on tribal communities with special reference to mining.

(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM : 2024 ANTHROPOLOGY (Paper-1)

• Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2024 ANTHROPOL0GY (Paper I)

• Marks: 250

• Time Allowed : Three Hours

खण्ड - A / SECTION —A 

1.Write notes on the following in about 150 words each : 10×5=50

(a) Attributes of culture 
(b) Harappan maritime trade 
(c) Critical perspective on avoidance and joking relationship 
(d) Lethal and sublethal genes 
(e) Hemoglobin in health and disease 
 
2. (a) Discuss historical particularism as a critical development to the classical evolutionism. 
(b) Describe the evidences of food production and domestication of animals with special reference to Mehrgarh. Throw light on its significance. 
(c) Critically comment on the lifestyle diseases and their impact on human health. 

3. (a) What is meant by karyotype? How does its analysis help in diagnosis of the chromosomal aberrations in man? 
(b) Define urbanization and discuss its impact on family in India with examples. 
(c) Discuss the contemporary challenges in fieldwork method in anthropological research. 

4. (a) Critically discuss the characteristics of the psychological types in the cultures of the American South-West as observed by Ruth Benedict. 
(b) Discuss the Acheulian and Oldowan traditions of Indian Paleolithic cultures with suitable illustrations. 
(c) What is genetic counselling? Briefly discuss various steps involved in it. 

खण्ड - B / SECTION — B 

5. Write notes on the following in about 150 words each :10 × 5 = 50 

(a) Chronometric dating 
(b) Cultural relevance of the Kula 
(c) Heritability and its estimation 
(d) Authority and forms of political organization 
(e) Single-gene mutation disorders in man 

6. (a) Discuss the geographical distribution of Homo erectus. Taking into account its physical features, where does it fit in human evolutionary line? 
(b) Discuss the applications of forensic anthropology with suitable examples. 
(c) How does Lévi-Strauss look at the Tsimshian myth of Asdiwal? Critically discuss Lévi-Strauss' theory of structuralism in the light of his study of mythologies. 

7. (a) Critically explain the notion of 'deconstruction' in the light of the postmodern works of Jacques Derrida. 
(b) What is a multifactorial trait? Illustrate your answer with suitable human examples. 
(c) Discuss the applicability of various sampling techniques in selecting the study group. 

8. (a) Examine critically the concept of social stratification as a basis for sustaining social inequality. 
(b) Describe the genetics and inheritance patterns of the ABO and Rh blood groups in man. 
(c) Critically discuss the synergistic effect of biological and cultural factors in human evolution. 

(Download) CS (MAIN) EXAM:2024 Agriculture (Paper I)

• Exam Name: CS (MAIN) EXAM:2024  Agriculture (Paper I)
• Marks: 250
• Time Allowed : Three Hours

खण्ड 'A' SECTION ‘A’ 

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :10 × 5 = 50

1. (a) Briefly discuss the principles of agro-ecology. 
1. (b) What are the factors responsible for low production and productivity of pulses in India? Discuss strategies adopted for enhancing the pulse production and productivity. 
1. (c) Describe the objectives of social forestry. Write down the plant species suitable for social forestry. 
1. (d) Discuss the cultural methods of weed control. 
1. (e) What are the two steps of nitrification and enlist micro-organisms responsible for each ? Write down the importance of nitrification. 

2. (a) Write down the physical environmental factors affecting the crop production. Discuss the effects of changing rainfall pattern on crop production in India. 
2. (b) Describe the improved cultivation practices of Chickpea under the following heads:
(i) Improved varieties 
(ii) Seed rate and row to row spacing 
(iii) Nutrient management 
(iv) Weed management 
(v) Insect-pest and disease management 

2. (c) Discuss about the cropping patterns of Middle Gangetic Plain and Western Plateau and hills. 

3. (a) What is the Arnon and Stout (1939) criteria for plant nutrient essentiality ? Give account of forms of each essential plant nutrient element absorbed by plants. 
3. (b) What do you mean by Forest products? Write about the value added products from forest. 20 
3. (c) Give account of soil fertility evaluation techniques. Enlist the points to be considered along with soil test values for fertiliser dose recommendation. 

4. (a) Explain the term conventional and conservation tillage. Give account of their comparative effects on soil properties and green house gas emissions. 
4. (b) Discuss the Remote sensing system used for ecosystem analysis. Briefly discuss the use of Remote sensing for drought monitoring. 
4. (c) Describe in detail about the weed control measures in Black Gram and Sesame. 

खण्ड 'B' SECTION 'B' 

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10 × 5 = 50

5. (a) Write down the principles involved in Integrated Watershed Management. Briefly discuss the relevance of Integrated Watershed Management under climate change scenario.
5. (b) Explain the term irrigation scheduling. Elaborate the criteria IW/CPE ratio of irrigation scheduling along with its merits and demerits. 
5.(c) Briefly discuss the price instability and its types. Write down the measurements for price instability. 
5. (d) Give the account of new tools and methods used in agricultural extension. 
5. (e) It is proposed to give four ( 4 ) irrigations to six ( 6 ) hectare area of wheat crop. Depth of each irrigation is 60mm, which will be given with a pump of discharge @ 5 litre / second. Find out the duration (in days) of pump operation to discharge the required quantity of water.

6. (a) Briefly discuss the crop management practices for stabilising yield in dryland areas. Enlist 20 the crops with their characteristics suitable for dryland agriculture. 
6. (b) Discuss the changes in irrigated area through different sources of irrigation in India since independence. Classify the irrigation projects based on cultivable command area, purpose served and financial return. 
6. (c) Describe the five steps of effective extension education process as per Leagans (1967).

7. (a) Discuss the chronological developments of National Extension System of India after independence.
7. (b) Briefly discuss the decisions involved in Farm management. Write down the principles applied in Farm management. 
7.(c) Justify the statement that Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is playing vital role in solving location specific problems and transfer of technologies in agriculture. 

8. (a) Explain different types of farming. Discuss the factors affecting types of farming.
8. (b) Explain the term water use efficiency in relation to crop production. Discuss the role of pressurised irrigation methods to achieve the objectives of more crop per drop 20 programme. 
8. (c) Briefly discuss the factors affecting soil erosion. Write down the agronomic measures for soil conservation. 

(Download) UPSC IAS Mains Exam 2024

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (Paper-1)

• Exam Name: UPSC IAS Mains Public Administration (Paper-I)
• Marks: 250
• Year : 2024
• Time Allowed: 3 Hours

खण्ड - A / SECTION — A 

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 

(a) “Politics-administration dichotomy debate is still alive.” Comment. 
(b) "Formal organisations are made up of informal groups." Discuss. 
(c) "Grapevine is a necessary evil." Examine. 10×5 = 50 
(d) Healthy Headquarters and Field Agencies relationship thrives on effective communication. Comment. 
(e) Media has become more of a societal lens than institutional lens. Analyse. 

2. (a) McGregor's Theory X' and Theory Y' provide insights into human motivation at workplace differently. Examine in detail. 
(b) Good governance adds normative and evaluative attributes to the process of governing. Comment. 
(c) Regulatory Authorities are independent and effective for controlling service delivery activities, but are subjected to extraneous factors. Do you agree? Give reasons. 20 

3. (a) Strengthening social audit through appropriate ways will promote inclusive government. Comment. 
(b) The development of administrative law in Welfare State has made administrative tribunals a necessity. Examine. 
(c) Ineffectiveness of legislative control over administration can stem from various factors, hence in ensuring effectiveness a comprehensive approach is the need of the hour. Discuss. 

4. (a) ERG theory of motivation attempts to reconceptualise the theory of Hierarchy of Needs. Comment. 
(b) Scientific Management and Human Relations theory are two distinct approaches for improving efficiency and production. Explain. 
(c) New Public Governance, an emerging paradigm, is contrasted with market- based approach of New Public Management. Comment. 

खण्ड - B / SECTION — B 

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : 10×5=50 

(a) The Anti-Development Thesis is a critical perspective on the traditional development models. Comment. 
(b) Civil Servants should be allowed only to cast vote or to participate in the electoral process of the country. Examine. 
(c) Critical Path Method (CPM) is a project management technique used to plan and manage project effectively. Discuss. 
(d) Auditing is not about finding faults, it is about ensuring the accuracy and Baubintegrity of financial information. Analyse. 
(e) The study of Public Administration must include its ecology. Discuss. 

6. (a) A trend to adopt innovative practices in administrative ethics is gaining ground for improving public trust in government. Discuss. 
(b) The future of e-governance is shaped by emerging trends for making government services efficient and accessible. Analyse. 
(c) Undoubtedly, social and historical factors play a significant role in shaping administrative system, but side by side, understanding of these influences is essential for designing responsive governance structure. Examine.

7. (a) Riggs' Prismatic Model has been criticised as overly gloomy and technical complex, but it remains as a useful starting point for Comparative Public Administration research. Analyse. 
(b) Performance Management and Performance Appraisal are two distinct activities in Public Personnel Administration. Discuss. 
(c) Balancing State intervention and Market freedom is the need of developing countries. Comment. 

8. (a) Bureaucracy in developing countries faces several challenges and tackling of these will make them more responsive, adaptive and align with development needs. Discuss. 
(b) Modern economists think public debt is an essential means of increasing employment, and element of economic policy, but it also shifts the burden to future generations. Analyse. 
(c) Unless there is a sound mechanism for policy evaluation, policy formulation process remains redundant. Examine.