UPSC Mains 2020 GS-4 | General Studies Question Paper – Civil Services IAS Mains Exam 2020

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UPSC on the 3rd day of Mains examination is conducting, GS (General Studies) 3 and 4. GS -3 has been conducted in the 1st half and GS-4 in the 2nd half of the day.

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Mains General Studies – IV

Questions Paper

   SECTION ‘A’ 

1(a) व्यापक राष्ट्रीय शक्ति (सी.एन.पी.) के तीन मुख्य घटकों जैसे मानवीय पूँजी, मृदु शक्ति (संस्कृति और नीतियां) तथा सामाजिक सदभाव की अभिवृद्धि में नीति–शास्त्र और मूल्यों की भूमिका का विवेचन कीजिए। (150 शब्द) 

Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social harmony. (150 words) 10 

1(b) “शिक्षा एक निषेधाज्ञा नहीं है, यह व्यक्ति के समग्र विकास और सामाजिक बदलाव के लिए एक प्रभावी और व्यापक साधन है।” उपरोक्त कथन के आलोक में नई शिक्षा नीति, 2020 (एन.इ.पी., 2020) का परीक्षण कीजिए । (150 शब्द)  

“Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all round development of an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement. (150 words)  10 

2(a) ‘घृणा व्यक्ति की बुद्धिमत्ता और अन्तःकरण के लिए संहारक है जो राष्ट्र के चित् को विषाक्त कर सकती है। क्या आप इस विचार से सहमत हैं? अपने उत्तर की तर्कसंगत व्याख्या करें । (150 शब्द)  

‘Hatred is destructive of a person’s wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation’s spirit.’ Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. (150 words) 10 

2.(b) संवेगात्मक बुद्धि के मुख्य घटक क्या हैं? क्या उन्हें सीखा जा सकता है? विवेचना कीजिए । (150 शब्द) 

What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI)? Can they be learned? Discuss. (150 words) 10 

3.(a) बुद्ध की कौन सी शिक्षाएं आज सर्वाधिक प्रासंगिक हैं और क्यों? विवेचना कीजिए । (150 शब्द)  

What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (150 words) 10 

3(b) ‘शक्ति की इच्छा विद्यमान है, लेकिन विवेकशीलता और नैतिक कर्तव्य के सिद्धांतों से उसे साधित और निर्देशित किया जा सकता है।‘ अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सम्बन्धों के संदर्भ में इस कथन का परीक्षण कीजिए । (150 शब्द)  

‘The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.’ Examine this statement in the context of international relations. (150 words) 10 

4.(a) विधि और नियम के बीच विभेदन कीजिए । इनके सूत्रीकरण में नीति–शास्त्र की भूमिका का विवेचन कीजिए। (150 शब्द)  

Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them. (150 words) 10 

4(b) सकारात्मक अभिवृत्ति एक लोक सेवक की अनिवार्य विशेषता मानी जाती है जिसे प्रायः नितान्त दबाव में कार्य करना पड़ता है। एक व्यक्ति की सकारात्मक अभिवृत्ति में क्या योगदान देता है? (150 शब्द) 

A positive attitude is considered to be an essential characteristic of a civil servant who is often required to function under extreme stress. What contributes to a positive attitude in a person? (150 words) 10 

5(a) भारत में लैंगिक असमानता के लिए कौन से मुख्य कारक उत्तरदायी हैं? इस संदर्भ में सावित्रीबाई फूले के योगदान का विवेचन कीजिए । (150 शब्द) 

What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard. (150 words) 10 

5(b) ‘सामयिक इंटरनेट विस्तारण ने सांस्कृतिक मूल्यों के एक भिन्न समूह को मनासीन किया है, जो प्रायः परम्परागत मूल्यों से संघर्षशील रहते हैं।‘ विवेचना कीजिए । (150 शब्द) 

 “The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict with traditional values.’ Discuss. (150 words)  10  

6. निम्नलिखितमें से प्रत्येक उद्धरण का आपके विचार से क्या अभिप्राय है?  

What do each of the following quotations mean to you?  

6.(a)“किसी की भर्त्सना नहीं कीजिए: अगर आप मदद का हाथ आगे बढ़ा सकते हैं, तो ऐसा कीजिए। यदि नहीं तो आप हाथ जोड़िए, अपने बंधुओं को आशीर्वचन दीजिए और उन्हें अपने मार्ग पर जाने दीजिए।“–स्वामी विवेकानंद (150 शब्द) 

“Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand (150 words) 10 

6.(b)“स्वयं को खोजने का सर्वोत्तम मार्ग यह है कि अपने आप को अन्य की सेवा में खो दें।” – महात्मा गाँधी (150 शब्द)  

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi (150 words) 10 

6(c)“नैतिकता की एक व्यवस्था जो कि सापेक्ष भावनात्मक मूल्यों पर आधारित है केवल एक भ्रांति है, एक अत्यंत अशिष्ट अवधारण जिसमें कुछ भी युक्तिसंगत नहीं है और न ही सत्य ।” सकरात (150 शब्द

“A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion. A thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.” –Socrates (150 words) 10 

SECTION ‘B’ 

Rajesh Kumar is a senior public servant, with a reputation of honesty and forthrightness, currently posted in the Finance Ministry as Head of the Budget Division. His department is presently busy in organising the budgetary support to the states, four of which are due to go to the polls within the financial year. 

This year’s annual budget had allotted Rs.8300 crores for National Housing Scheme (NHS), a centrally sponsored social housing scheme for the weaker sections of society. Rs. 775 crores have been drawn for NHS till June. 

The Ministry of Commerce had long been pursuing a case for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state to boost exports. After two years detailed discussions between the centre and state, the Union Cabinet approved the project in August. Process was initiated to acquire the necessary land. 

Eighteen months ago a leading Public Sector Unit (PSU) had projected the need for setting up a large natural gas processing plant in a northern state for the regional gas grid. The required land is already in possession of the PSU. The gas grid is an essential component of the national energy security strategy. After three rounds of global bidding the project was allotted to an MNC, M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons. The first tranche of payment to the MNC is scheduled to be made in December. 

Finance Ministry was asked for a timely allocation of an additional Rs.6000 crores for these two developmental projects. It was decided to recommend re-appropriation of this entire amount from the NHS allocation. The file was forwarded to Budget Department for their comments and further processing. On studying the case file, Rajesh Kumar realized that this re-appropriation may cause inordinate delay in the execution of NHS, a project much publicized in the rallies of senior politicians. Correspondingly, non-availability of finances would cause financial loss in the SEZ and national embarrassment due to delayed payment in an international project. 

Rajesh Kumar discussed the matter with his seniors. He was conveyed that this politically sensitive situation needs to be processed immediately. Rajesh Kumar realized that diversion of funds from NHS could raise difficult_questions for the government in the Parliament. 

Discuss the following with reference to this case: 

(a) Ethical issues involved in re-appropriation of funds from a welfare project to the developmental projects.  

(b) Given the need for proper utilization of public funds, discuss the options available to Rajesh Kumar. Is resigning a worthy option? (250 words)     20 

8. The Chairman of Bharat Missiles Ltd (BML) was watching a program on TV wherein the Prime Minister was addressing the nation on the necessity of developing a self-reliant India. He subconsciously nodded in agreement and smiled to himself as he mentally reviewed BML’s journey in the past two decades. BML had admirably progressed from producing first generation anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) to designing and producing state of the art ATGM weapon systems that would be the envy of any army. He sighed in reconciliation with his assumptions that the government would probably not alter the status quo of a ban on export of military weaponry. 

To his surprise, the very next day he got a telephone call from the Director General, Ministry of Defence, asking him to discuss the modalities of increasing BML production of ATGMs as there is a possibility of exporting the same to a friendly foreign country. The Director General wanted the Chairman to discuss the details with his staff at Delhi next week. 

Two days later, at a press conference, the Defence Minister stated that he aims to double the current weapons export levels within five years. This would give an impetus to financing the development and manufacture of indigenous weapons in the country. He also stated that all indigenous arms manufacturing nations have a very good record of international arms trade. 

As Chairman of BML, what are your views on the following points?  

(a) As an arms exporter of a responsible nation like India, what are the ethical issues involved in arms trade? 

(b) List five ethical factors that would influence the decision to sell arms to foreign Governments. (250 words) 20 

9. Rampura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme backwardness and abject poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local population, though it is primarily subsistence due to the very small land holdings. There is insignificant industrial or mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programs have inadequately benefited the tribal population. In this restrictive scenario, the youth has begun to migrate to other states to supplement the family income. Plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by labour contractors to send them to work in the Bt Cotton farms of a nearby state. The soft fingers of the minor girls are well suited for plucking the cotton. The inadequate living and working conditions in these farms have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the districts of domicile and the cotton farms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused the twin issues of child labour and development of the area. 

You are appointed as the District Collector of Rampura. Identify the ethical issues involved. Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve the over-all economic scenario in the district? (250 words) 20 

 10. You are a municipal commissioner of a large city, having the reputation of a very honest and upright officer. A huge multipurpose mall is under construction in your city in which a large number of daily wage earners are employed. One night, during monsoons, a big chunk of the roof collapsed causing instant death of four labourers including two minors. Many more were seriously injured requiring immediate medical attention. The mishap resulted in a big hue and cry, forcing the government to institute an enquiry. 

Your preliminary enquiry has revealed a series of anomalies. The material used for the construction was of poor quality. Despite the approved building plans permitting only one basement, an additional basement has been constructed. This was overlooked during the periodic inspections by the building inspector of the municipal corporation. In your enquiry, you noticed that the construction of the mall was given the green signal despite encroaching on areas earmarked for a green belt and a slip road in the Zonal Master Plan of the city. The permission to construct the mall was accorded by the previous Municipal Commissioner who is not only your senior and well known to you professionally, but also a good friend. 

Prima facie, the case appears to be of a widespread nexus between officials of the Municipal Corporation and the builders. Your colleagues are putting pressure on you to go slow in the enquiry. The builder, who is rich and influential, happens to be a close relative of a powerful minister in the state cabinet. The builder is persuading you to hush up the matter, promising you a fortune to do so. He also hinted that if this matter is not resolved at the earliest in his favour there is somebody in his office who is waiting to file a case against you under the POSH Act. 

Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case. What in this situation? Explain your selected course of action made Involved in the case. What are the options available to you elected course of action. (250 words)     20 

11. Parmal is a small but underdeveloped district for agriculture, though some subsistence agriveloped district. It has rocky terrain that is not suitable land. The area receives adequate rainfall and I me subsistence agriculture is being done on small plots of adequate rainfall and has an irrigation canal flowing through hospital, an Industrial Training Institute and some privatentre, is a medium sized town. It houses a large districtal Training Institute and some privately owned skill training centres. It has all the facilities of a district headquarters. All ties of a district headquarters. A trunk railway line passes approximately 50 kilometres from Amria. Its poor connectivity com Amria. Its poor connectivity is a major reason for the absence of any major industry therein. The state government offers a 10 years tax holiday as an incentive to new industry. 

In 2010 Anil, an industrialist. Decided to take benefits to set up Amria Plastic Work (APW) in Noora village, about 20 km from Amria. While the factory was bens built, Anil hired the required key labour and got them trained at the skill trams centres at Amria. This act of his made the key personnel very loyal to APW. 

APW started production in 2011 with the labour drawn fully from Noora village. The villagers were very happy to get employment near their homes and were motivated by the key personnel to meet the production targets with high quality. APW started making large profits, a sizeable portion of which was used to improve the quality of life in Noora. By 2016, Noora could boast of a greener village and a renovated village temple. Anil liaised with the local MLA to increase the frequency of the bus services to Amria. The government also opened a primary health care centre and primary school at Noora in buildings constructed by APW. APW used its CSR funds to set up women’s self-help groups, subsidize primary education to the village children and procure an ambulance for use by its employees and the needy. 

In 2019, there was a minor fire in APWIt was quickly extinguished as fire safety protocols were in place in the factory. Investigations revealed that the factory had been using electricity in excess of its authorized capacity. This was soon rectified. Tủe next year, due to a nationwide lockdown, the requirement of production fell for four months. Anil decided that all employees would be paid regularly. He employed them to plant trees and improve the village habitat. 

APW had developed a reputation of high quality production and a motivated workforce. 

Critically analyse the story of APW and state the ethical issues involved. Do you consider APW as a role model for development of backward areas? Give reasons. (250 words) 20 

12. Migrant workers have always remained at the socio-economic margins of our society, silently serving as the instrumental labour force of urban economics. The pandemic has brought them into national focus. 

On announcement of a countrywide lockdown, a very large number of migrant workers decided to move back from their places of employment to their native villages. The non-availability of transport created its own problems. Added to this was the fear of starvation and inconvenience to their families. This caused, the migrant workers to demand wages and transport facilities for returning to their villages. Their mental agony was accentuated by multiple factors such as a sudden loss of livelihood, possibility of lack of food and inability to assist in harvesting their Rabi crop due to not being able to reach home in time. Reports of inadequate response of some districts in providing the essential boarding and lodging arrangements along the way multiplied their fears. 

You have learnt many lessons from this situation when you were tasked to oversee the functioning of the District Disaster Relief Force in your district. In your opinion o what ethical issues arose in the current migrant crisis? What do you understand by an ethical care giving state? What assistance can the civil society render to mitigate D the sufferings of migrants in similar situations? (250 words) 20 

Previous Question Papers

• To download UPSC Mains 2020 GS -3 Question Paper – Click Here
• To download UPSC Mains 2020 GS -2 Question Paper – Click Here
• To download UPSC Mains 2020 GS -1 Question Paper – Click Here
• To download UPSC Mains 2020 Essay Question Paper – Click Here

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