Author: wasim

A large population, needs of agricultural economy and urbanization have created situation of water stress in India. The irrigation needs of agriculture are at the heart of the problem of water stress. In this perspective, micro-irrigation is seen as a solution.  Micro-irrigation can help in solving India’s water crisis in following ways:  It can address needs of dryland farming in regions with depleting groundwater aquifers. For example, in Punjab.  It… Continue reading [Answered] How and to what extent would micro irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis?

Land reform refers to efforts to reform ownership, operation, leasing, sales, and property rights of land in India. Post Independent India has seen movements like Bhoodan and Gramdan which were persuasive in nature. Apart from that State sponsored initiatives like Operation Barga tried towards land reforms.  How Land Reform improved socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers:  Abolition of… Continue reading [Answered] How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers.

Budget is an Annual Financial Statement of yearly estimated receipts and expenditures of the government in respect of every financial year.  Capital Budget  Revenue Budget  Capital budget is a statement of the government’s estimated capital receipts and capital expenditure. Capital budget covers capital items which are of non-recurring nature.    Revenue budget is a statement of… Continue reading [Answered] Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within an economy in a given period. The GDP data is calculated by National Statistical office (NSO).  GDP Calculation Before 2015  GDP Calculation After 2015  The earlier base year for calculation of GDP was 2004-05.  GDP was calculated at factor… Continue reading [Answered] Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015.

AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between the United States of America, Australia, United Kingdom in the Indo-Pacific region. It may supersede existing partnerships in the region as:  May undermine the more well-rounded/balanced objectives of QUAD.  May weaken the five eyes alliance group, (New-Zealand has shown displeasure over the formation of AUKUS)  May weaken the ASEAN centrality in the region.  USA promoting security partnership with its Anglo-Saxon allies may leave India and others out from the regional security architecture.  The strength… Continue reading [Answered] The newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is an intergovernmental organization found in Shanghai, with the objective of political, economic and security cooperation between the member nations. India became a permanent member of the SCO in 2017.   The aims and objectives of the SCO includes the following:  To strengthen the relations between member states, by deepening political, security and economic cooperation.  To… Continue reading [Answered] Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India?

Civil Society organizations (CSOs) refer to collectives that are separate from the state, government and business. These are organized by individuals for their private interests. A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a private, non-profit, voluntary, citizen-based group which functions to serve a specific social or political purpose.  Utility of CSOs and NGOs as alternative model of public service delivery:  Civil society organizations can provide a ready pool of volunteers and resources that the government can tap into. Issues… Continue reading [Answered] Can Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative model.

Status of women in post-independent India has continuously changed with changing socio-economic and political realities. This change has been a result of external agents and catalysts like government initiatives and from within with the help of women-led movements.   Women like Kalpana Chawla, Sindhutai Sapkal and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw represent diverse fields of social work and professional life where women have left their mark. But issues like Sabrimala controversy or Triple Talaq highlight that patriarchal barrier to women empowerment remain deeply entrenched in society.  Education… Continue reading [Answered] “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?

“Digital Literacy is the ability of individuals and communities to understand and use digital technologies for meaningful actions within life situations”. It would bring the benefits of ICT to daily lives of rural population especially in the areas of Healthcare, Livelihood generation and Education.  However, Issues with internet connectivity in rural areas and lack of access to… Continue reading [Answered] Has digital illiteracy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with lack of information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification.