UPSC Mains (2011) GS (General Study) Paper 1 Question Paper

Q.1) Answer any three of the following in about 250 words each: 20 × 3 = 60

a) Essentially all that is contained in part IV-A of the Constitution is just a codification of tasks integral to the Indian way of life.’ Critically examine this statement.

b) The exercise of executive clemency is not a privilege but is based on several principles, and discretion has to be exercised in public considerations.’ Analyse this statements in the context of the judicial powers of the President of India.

c) Discuss the extent, causes, and implications of the ‘nutrition transition’ said to be underway in India.

d) Bring out the salient features of the PCPNDT Act, 1994, and the implications of its amendment in 2003.

Q.2) Answer one of the following in about 250 words: 20

a) Trace the salient sequence of events in the popular revolt that took place in February 1946 in the then, ‘Royal Indian Navy’ and bring out its significance in the freedom struggle. Do you agree with the view that the sailors who took part in this revolt were some of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle?

b) Evaluate the influence of the three important women’s organizations of the early twentieth century in India on the Country’s society and politics. To what extent do you think were the social objectives of these organizations constrained by their political objectives?

Q.3) Answer one of the following in about 250 words: 20

a) Critically examine the design of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) scheme. Do you think it has a better chance of success than the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) in achieving its objectives?

b) Highlight the structure, objectives and role of the Advertising Standards Council of India, In what way has the August 2006 government notification made it more effective?

Q.4) Comment on any five of the following in about 150 words each: 12 × 5 = 60

a) Salient recommendations of the RBI-appointed Damodaran committee on customer service in Banks.

b) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).c) Evolution of ‘Green Benches’ in our higher judiciary.

c) Distinction between ‘Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees’ and ‘Parliamentary Forums’

e) Benefits and potential drawbacks of ‘cash-transfers’ to ‘Below Poverty Line’ (BPL) households.

f) New initiatives during the 11th Five Year Plan in the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

Q.5) Examine any three of the following in about 150 words each: 12 × 3 = 36

a) The impact of climate change on water resources in India.

b) Measures taken by the Indian government to combat privacy in the Indian Ocean.

c) The significance of counter-urbanisation in the improvement of metropolitan cities in India.

d) Problems specific to the denotified and nomadic tribes in India.

Q.6) In the context of the freedom struggle, write short notes (not exceeding 50 words each) on the following: 5 × 3 = 15

a) Benoy-Badal-Dinesh’ martyrdom

b) Bharat Naujawan Sabha

c) Babbar Akali’ movement.

Q.7) Comment on the following in not more than 50 words each: 5X6 = 30

a) Phase-IV of the tiger monitoring programme in India.

b) Why the Central Statistics Office has notified a new series of Consumer Price Index from this year?

c) Composition and functions of the National Executive Comittee of the National Disaster Management Authority.

d) The Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009 and why it has been in the news recently?

f) The Telecommunications Ministry’s proposed Spectrum Management Commission. The Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to sanitation.

Q.8) Attempt the following in not more than 50 words each: 5X4 = 20

a) Distinguish either between the ‘Moatsu’ and ‘Yemshe’ festivals of Nagaland or the ‘Losar’ and ‘Khan’ festivals of Arunachal Pradesh.

b) Write a sentence each on any five of the following traditional theatre forms:

i) Bhand Pather

ii) Swang

iii) Maach

iv) Bhaona

v) Mudiyettu

vi) Dashavatar

c) What are the major different styles of unglazed pottery making in India?

d) List the classical dance forms of India as per the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Q.9) Comment on the following in not more than 50 words each: 5 × 5 = 25

a) Nisarga-Runa technology of BARC.

b) The first-aid that you can safely administer to a person standing next to you at the bus-stop who suddenly faints.

c) The Kaveri K − 10 aero-engine.

d) Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) technology.

e) E-governance initiatives by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Q.10) Who are the following and why have they been in the news recently (Each answer should not exceed 20 words)? 2 × 7 = 14 

a) Lieutenant Navdeep Singh

b) Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar

c) Lobsang Sangay

d) P. R. Sreejesh

e) Nileema Mishra

f) V. Tejeswini Bai

g) Aishwarya Narkar

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