UPSC Mains 2013 GS3 Previous Year Questions

Question list

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1. Q1 · With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new Companies Bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also discuss other provisions in the Bill and their implications.
2. Q2 · What were the reasons for introduction of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness.
3. Q3 · What is the meaning of the term ‘tax expenditure’? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences budgetary policies of government.
4. Q4 · Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with concerns it has generated in WTO.
5. Q5 · What are the different types of agricultural subsidies given to farmers at national and state levels? Critically analyse the agricultural subsidy regime with reference to distortions created by it.
6. Q6 · India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in food industry for ensuring better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement.
7. Q7 · Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indians. Are they competing with MNCs satisfactorily? Discuss.
8. Q8 · Establish relationship between land reforms, agricultural productivity and elimination of poverty in the Indian economy. Discuss difficulties in designing and implementing agriculture-friendly land reforms in India.
9. Q9 · Discuss the impact of FDI entry into multi-brand retail sector on supply chain management in commodity trade pattern of the economy.
10. Q10 · Though India allowed FDI in multi-brand retail through the joint venture route in September 2012, the FDI, even after a year, has not picked up. Discuss the reasons.
11. Q11 · Discuss the rationale for introducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Bring out critically the reasons for delay in roll out of its regime.
12. Q12 · Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problem of conventional energy.
13. Q13 · Adoption of PPP model for infrastructure development of the country has not been free of criticism. Critically discuss pros and cons of the model.
14. Q14 · Bringing out circumstances in 2005 which forced amendment to Section 3(d) in Indian Patent Law, 1970, discuss how it was used by the Supreme Court in rejecting Novartis’ patent application for ‘Glivec’. Discuss briefly pros and cons of the decision.
15. Q15 · What do you understand by Fixed Dose Drug Combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits.
16. Q16 · What do you understand by Umpire Decision Review System in cricket? Discuss its various components. Explain how silicone tape on the edge of a bat may fool the system.
17. Q17 · What is a digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Give various salient built-in features of a digital signature.
18. Q18 · How does 3D printing technology work? List advantages and disadvantages of the technology.
19. Q19 · What is an FRP composite material? How is it manufactured? Discuss applications in aviation and automobile industries.
20. Q20 · What do you understand by run-of-river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project?
21. Q21 · How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what key areas would you focus on in a Disaster Management System?
22. Q22 · What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of GO and NO-GO zones for coal mining sector.
23. Q23 · Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss strategies for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India?
24. Q24 · Money laundering poses a serious security threat to a country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to control this menace?
25. Q25 · What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present?
26. Q26 · Cyber warfare is considered by some defence analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by cyber warfare? Outline cyber threats to which India is vulnerable and bring out the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with them.
27. Q27 · Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyse the impact of non-implementation of provisions of the Fifth Schedule on growth of Left Wing extremism.
28. Q28 · How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?