(Paper) UPSC IAS Mains General Studies Paper - II Categorized Exam Paper - 2016

1. Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics? (Polity: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure)

2. To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity. (Polity: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure)

3. “The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss. (Polity: Parliament and State Legislatures)

4. Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction. (Polity: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies)

5. Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances? (Polity: Indian Constitution)

6. What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key amongst the basic features of the Constitution? (Polity: Separation of Powers between various organs)

7. Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss. (Polity: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure)

8. What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples. (Polity: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies)

9. Professor Amartya Sen has advocated reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance? (Welfare: Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States )

10. “In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement. (Development processes and the development industry : NGO, SHG, Pressure Groups)

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11. “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent/” Discuss their relationship in the context of India. (Governance: Important aspects of governance)

12. In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India. (Governance: Important aspects of governance)

13. Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this change? (Welfare: Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States)

14. “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment. (Development processes and the development industry : NGO, SHG, Pressure Groups)

15. Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw on the status of its implementation. (Welfare: Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States)

16. “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable? (Welfare: Schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States )

17. “The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective. (International Relations: Bilateral, regional and global groupings)

18. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario. (International Relations: Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests)

19. “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples. (International Relations : India and its neighborhood)

20. What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India’s position on these? (International Relations: Bilateral, regional and global groupings)

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