Current Affairs Question Sets 2015

So here we stop with this exercise. I hope these 61 question sets have acted as trigger for your Current Affairs preparation. And I reiterate, use your Current Affairs inputs wherever possible in the exam to fetch good scores. Meanwhile you can look into the topics in the following link which are currently being in news in the Government.

https://abhijitraut10.wordpress.com/2015/12/02/important-issues-from-current-affairs-for-2015-mains/

Focusing on answer writing practice, in this article we will try to get an idea of questions based on Current Affairs targeting Mains 2015. Here daily 5 questions based on current affairs will be posted. By this way we will build a Question Bank of current based questions- not really an exhaustive one, but just a sort of trigger for preparing Current Affairs.

Consider every question to be a standard GS question of 10/12.5 marks. For beginners who are not very confident about current affairs preparation, this article may be useful.

https://abhijitraut10.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/current-affairs/

DISCLAIMER: This is just to help all the friends preparing for Mains 2015. Some questions may be very simple, some may be very tough. Please use them with your own discretion.

SET 61 [30/11]

1. The Tibetans are putting up a fight not only for political freedom but also to salvage the fading culture. Elaborate.
2. Evaluate the pros and cons of the proposed move of scrapping the no-detention policy in RTE.
3. Razing the walls between India and Bangladesh erected by Partition can turn out to be a major boost to the development of the North East. Analyze the geographical issues with a map.
4. Farmers stay at centre-stage when it comes to international economics, but our domestic economics sidelines the them. Comment.
5. Explain the basic concept of genome editing. Do you feel it is ethical to edit human genome to promise cure for intractable diseases? Justify your opinion.

SET 60 [29/11]

1. Copenhagen was a stalemate in Climate change negotiations, but Paris has ignited all the hopes for a concrete output. Analyze the reasons behind this.
2. Terrorism never comes alone. It is always accompanied by other malice. Elaborate in context of the drugs- terror linkages.
3. Evaluate the pros and cons of transporting heavy input materials like Coal through inland waterways.
4. Technology is the key element of the endeavour to take healthcare to tribal pockets. Explain.
5. Explain in brief the basic lithology of Indian Peninsula. Add a note on why considering the peninsula safe from earthquakes may not be correct.

SET 59 [28/11]

1. Analyze the need for framing state wise water usage policies in contextof recurrently occurring droughts.
2. Lokayukta is a crucial institution in India governance set-up, but it is marred by various issues across the states. Elaborate.
3. Analyze the objective and performance of the Gold monetization scheme. How can be it made more effective to address the real issue?
4. India- Latin America diplomacy discourse should not be limited only to Brazil. Explain on what fronts can India engage the Latin American nations.
5. In a mature society, artists- especially authors and film makers- need to have a liberty to interpret history and to present it in a different manner. Comment.

SET 58 [27/11]

1. Explain the menace of sand mining for ecology of rivers. How can grassroot administration address the issue of wanton sand mining?
2. Analyze the issues related to the ship-building sector in India. Explain what are the promises this sector holds in context of Make in India.
3. The next World War, whenever it happens, will have strategic contests of Trade and Economics along with Military contest. Analyze.
4. The Central Armed Police Forces have always been contributing to the internal security of the nation without really getting the deserved recognition. Explain what entitlements and incentives can help to improve the morale of these forces.
5. Patriotism and Nationalism are two different concepts which should not be confused in a public discourse. Elaborate.

SET 57 [26/11]

1. Public debates and discussions are slowly gaining importance in India politics. Evaluate the pros and cons of the same in context of Party based Parliamentary for of governance.
2. Analyze the performance of the major initiatives by Government in the New and Renewable Energy sector. Explain in brief a possible roadmap for reducing the dependence on fossil fuels in the coming decade.
3. Explain the concept of Sovereign Credit Ratings. Can the rating agencies’ analysis be considered as authentic feedback on the political economy of a nation? Justify your opinion.
4. The Western countries need to address the racial overtones in the state atrocities on their citizens if they want a sustainable solution to the growing divide across the globe. Comment.
5. ‘Constitution is not a mere lawyers’ document, it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the spirit of Age.’ Has India lived up to this expectation of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in giving justice to the Constitution? Give your opinion.

SET 56 [25/11]

1. When it comes to PPPs, apart from other operational factors the trust deficit between Government and Private sector has been detrimental to their success. Elaborate.
2. What is Enemy property? Write about the legal arrangements regulating enemy property.
3. Explain the role and niche of APMCs in Indian Agriculture. How APMC reforms can reduce the market distortions in agri produce?
4. Person centric politics turns every contest in a democracy into a Presidential style contest. Elaborate.
5. The Syrian conflict is rapidly escalating into a major war of the current era. Analyze whether this can be termed a fresh reopening to the cold war era power struggle.

SET 55 [24/11]

1. Explain the major issues in the Real estate sector in India with reference to different stakeholders. Explain how the proposed bill can help resolve these issues.
2. Diabetes is turning out to be a major NCD threat to Indian middle class. Explain the causes of this and add a note on the Government policies addressing this threat.
3. Oceans need to become the connecting channels among countries, but they are becoming battlegrounds for conflicts. Illustrate using examples across the globe.
4. Bad debts have been chronic predicaments of Indian banking sector. Explain how NPAs need to be tackled in the era of schemes like Mudra and Start-up India.
5. In context of thedemands for new states, analyze how Article 371 of the Constitution can be a guiding light to address sub-regional consciousness.

SET 54 [23/11]

1. India-ASEAN ties go beyond political and economic issues. Analyze in brief how the India and ASEAN relationships also include socio-cultural aspects and the issues of identity and fraternity.
2. Analyze the role and objectives of ITPO in Commerce sector. Add a note on how it can play a major role in balancing BoP.
3. ‘Democracy means Government by discussion, not Parliament by disruption’. Critically analyze.
4. Over the recent period, NITI Ayog has been working on institution building, but time has come to step up and prove its relevance. Comment.
5. Apart from the volatility of political preferences, shifting alliance arrangements make the business of prediction more challenging. Analyze in context of the exit polls in India.

SET 53 [22/11]

1. Pollution and environmental concerns must be at the centre of the Smart City discourse. Explain.
2. Explain how the ‘Amul Model’ can be replicated for non-cereal crops.
3. One of the most pertinent issues regarding MGNREGS is the funding of the scheme. Explain what are these problems and suggest a brief action plan to address them.
4. Pay Commission recommendations and the consumption behavior in an economy like India are intricately linked. Elaborate.
5. What is Indology? Explain how it can be used as a part of Track-II diplomacy by India with the neighbourhood.

SET 52 [21/11]

1. With the huge pendency before judiciary, Alternate Dispute Resolution can be a way out. What are different ADR mechanisms in India? Explain the role of NLSA in this regard.
2. In all practicality, the diplomatic stance of a leader also has an eye on the domestic politics. Elaborate.
3. What are the major issues being deliberated by the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers on the GST issue? Explain how these type of committees can play a role of ‘Linking Pins’ in a federal polity.
4. Fodder security is one issue that needs to be considered with priority in order to address agrarian distress comprehensively. Comment.
5. The Literature Fests and Film Festivals cannot be restricted for elites only. They can be effectively used as tools of social awareness and empowerment by getting the masses involved. Elaborate.

SET 51 [20/11]

1. Freedom of press is a hallmark of democratic rights. In this context explain how the Press Council of India can work more proactively to uphold this freedom.
2. Terrorism in China has very peculiar features. Explain the issue of insurgency in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region.
3. Explain the major features of CCTNS. How it can further be improved to tackle crime more effectively?
4. The rural distress in India is a lot beyond agriculture. Explain.
5. In its role as an employer, any government should not think of the pay and entitlements of its employees as a ‘burden’. Comment.

SET 50 [19/11]

1. Governance has to do a lot with perceptions along with the reality. Elaborate.
2. Which are the major rice growing areas of the world? Explain why rice plays a crucial role in Asian economies.
3. It is different to draw a line between sedition and political speech, but judiciary and media need to keep this line in mind. Elaborate.
4. Explain how better diplomatic arrangements with the nations from the South East Asia may strengthen the fight against the threats to India’s internal security.
5. In context of the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of 2013 explain how Innovation has taken the centrestage in the Science policy discourse.

SET 49 [18/11]

1. What are Benami transactions? Write about features of the Benami transactions (prohibition) act and the proposed amendments to it.
2. Explain how bioenergy can help to curb the energy crisis in third world countries.
3. With rising threats of terror attacks, explain how the border control strategies be framed so as to avoid mixing up in migration and terrorism.
4. Penalizing environmental damage needs a serious thought in today’s world. Explain the practical aspects like feasibility and implementability of the same.
5. Write a note on motor vehicles regulation in India. Explain how convergence of departments can help streamline it.

SET 48 [17/11]

1. The Government is pretty optimistic over reducing the coal imports gradually. What interventions can be made in the Coal sector in order to achieve this?
2. Explain in short the mission and target study areas of India’s solar mission.
3. Analyze how the global activist networks can impact the issues and happenings in the international scenario.
4. Using a map explain how the retreating monsoon progresses over peninsular India. Explain its geographical impact on the Coramandal coast.
5. Give your opinion whether the veto power that the upper house of Parliament holds in a practical sense should be relooked at.

SET 47 [16/11]

1. India needs to think beyond gender awareness. To spread gender consciousness Universities are the best and most effective platforms available. Comment.
2. Explain how urban local governments can step up at local level to address fire safety issues.
3. Analyze the performance of the New Development Bank since its establishment. Can it be expanded to cover more nations? Justify your opinion in short.
4. Money laundering has often been linked very closely with terrorist activities. Explain the legal and institutional arrangements to curtail money laundering at domestic and international level.
5. While the insurgency in Sinai is on rise, Egypt is loosing control gradually. Analyze the issues in Sinai peninsula along with a short historical background.

SET 46 [15/11]

1. When G-20 leaders discuss in Turkey they can certainly not afford to ignore what is happening in Turkey’s immediate neighbourhood. Explain how G-20 can go beyond economics to offer to help the West Asian community in crisis?
2. The smoothness and firmness of decision making is directly proportional to growth rate. Comment.
3. In India, while the discourse of religion runs hand in hand with regional identities. Elaborate.
4. Explain the role and functions of Pay Commission. Add a note on Position Classification system.
5. Rural electrification has been a major electoral issue recently. Explain what are the steps taken by the Governments across India to address this issue.

SET 45 [14/11]

1. Safety of its employees working at a cutting edge level is a responsibility of Government, which must stand tall as a model employer. Comment.
2. Religion may be used as one component to raise awareness about conserving environment, but much more beyond this needs to be done in this regard. Explain.
3. Safety of elderly people needs a specially thought strategy. Frame a short action plan in this context.
4. Indian diaspora’s rising political clout further adds to India’s diplomatic strengths. Elaborate.
5. Explain the evolution and potential of digital payment market in India.

SET 44 [13/11]

1. Explain why generation and use of renewable energy can be a promising idea for Railways.
2. Commonwealth in its present form seems a bit out of date; and needs to reframe its mission goals to maintain its relevance. Explain.
3. The allegations made by WADA on Russia and IAAF are eye-opener for Sports administration at global level. Analyze citing relevant examples.
4. Timely review of Public Sector Banks can help in streamlining the Financial Services sector. Comment.
5. Dispute over river water are often having both the shades: Sub-national tendencies and question of survival of citizens. Comment.

SET 43 [12/11]

1. Write in short about: a) Treaty of Seringapatanam. b) Fathul Mujahidin.
2. What do you mean by ‘strategic partners’ in context of international diplomacy? Elaborate using the example of US and Israel.
3. 100% FDI in General Aviation sector can help in boosting the sector only if it is supported with reforms in infrastructure. Comment.
4. Write in brief about IAEA Nuclear Safety norms. Also add a note on methods of disposing off radioactive waste.
5. In your view, is it justifiable for Government to put limitations on religious celebrations in order to minimize pollution and promote cleanliness?

SET 42 [11/11]

1. In view of the controversy regarding fishermen venturing in foreign territories, explain what institutional arrangements can be made with our neighbours.
2. Give a historical account of the NSCN movement. Also enlist what other similar forces pose challenge to India’s internal security.
3. Explain the composition and role of the Tea Board. Also write a note on geography of major tea growing regions of India.
4. In your opinion what amendments can be made in the Representation of People Act to promote intra-party democracy.
5. The convention of commemorating the national heroes is becoming a tool to settle political scores; and this needs a serious relook. Comment.

SET 41 [10/11]

1. A remarkable sign of a maturing democracy is the progressive process of delinking of domestic politics and economic policies. Comment.
2. Explain the promises and problems in developing rivers and river-fronts as tourism destinations.
3. Give an account of the rise of Coalition politics in India after 1989.
4. Branding becomes a necessary exercise in today’s market economy. Explain in context of the current Government programmes.
5. The Afghan element can never be ignored in the Indo-Pak bilateral discourse. Comment.

SET 40 [9/11]

1. In a well informed democracy, during any election anti-incumbency works in a combined manner at levels of state and centre. Comment.
2. Describe in short the historical process of Balkanization. Add a note on significance of Balkan nations in Europe- West Asia relations.
3. Explain how African nations can help to restructure Indian PSUs.
4. How can Government promote Mixed Farming as a way ahead in farm sector?
5. Pushing reforms through executive route instead of legislative process may be termed undemocratic, but it often becomes a necessity in a fractured polity like India. Comment.

SET 39 [8/11]

1. Setting up dedicated Universities can be a good way forward to conserve folk literature and culture. Comment.
2. Explain how Packaging sector can help in improving nation’s export scenario.
3. Along with a brief historical background, describe the how the China-Taiwan relationship is poised as of today.
4. Collection of road taxes is often criticized for slowing down the speed of traffic. Explain in short how technology can be used to tackle this issue.
5. Enlist the National Parks of Odisha. Write in brief about any two of them.

SET 38 [7/11]

1. Several social factors are also responsible for farmers’ suicides apart from the economic and agricultural factors. Elaborate.
2. Suppressing dissent is a serious threat to economic growth. Comment.
3. What is Particulate Organic Matter? Explain how it can be tackled at the level of local governments.
4. Explain what are the major pros and cons of using cess as a medium to raise funds for Social sector schemes.
5. No doubt the world powers occupy an important position in India’s foreign policy paradigm, but the smaller countries actually test the wisdom of diplomats. Elucidate.

SET 37 [6/11]

1. Discoms need much more than bail-out packages. Explain what reforms are needed in power distribution sector to ensure efficiency and sustainability.
2. Social media regulation is necessary for prevention of online radicalization. Giveyour opinion backed with relevant example.
3. Write notes on A) SGPC, B) Sarbat Khalsa.
4. What are the major features of China-Nepal border agreement? Explain the likely impact this agreement on the dynamics of South Asia.
5. Solid waste management is becoming the most critical indicator of health of an urban place. Write in short about some innovative models of managing solid waste being followed in Indian cities.

 SET 36 [5/11]

1. The Plantation labours’ agitation has brought to the forefront the issue of dissent in labour class. Explain in short the trends and themes of labour agitations in post-independence India.
2. Explain the issue of crop burning practices with a focus on its environmental hazard.
3. Amidst the crisis in Maldives, the stand of Indian establishment has to be guided by the Nepal experience. Comment.
4. Explain the location of leather industry in India. What are the major economic factors leading to declining leather exports from India?

5. Analyze the evolution and significance of the Model Code of Conduct. What further improvements are necessary in it as per your opinion?

SET 35 [4/11]

1. Journalists offer vital inputs from war-torn and sensitive regions worldwide, but often end up paying a heavy price for their duty. Elaborate.
2. Analyze in context of the local geography what kind of interventions are required in the ‘Zero districts’ like Nabrangpur.
3. Given the minimal web penetration statistics in India, the concerns about Net neutrality have elitist connotations. Give your opinion.
4. Explain the concept of Bitcoin. Explain whether we can use a similar mechanism to streamline the payment of non-tax revenue to Governments in India.
5. The politics at centre and state level is entirely different in India from the politics of PRIs and ULGs. Explain the factors behind this pattern.

SET 34 [3/11]

1. Despite its uneven history in India, decentralization is vital to strengthen participatory democracy, facilitate responsive governance and enable public service delivery. Elaborate.
2. Describe the possible consequences of the US warship in South China Sea on the Asian Geopolitics.
3. What is Historiography? Explain the role of ICHR.
4. Enlist the eight core sector industries. Explain in details the geographical distribution of any one of them.
5. Write a note on the scope and potential of Thorium reactor programme of India.

SET 33 [2/11]

1. Describe the geographical details of the Tulu Nadu region. Evaluate the demand for its statehood.
2. If there is a constitutional assumption that party members must follow the party line inside Parliament, it is not unreasonable to extend this assumption outside. Explain why legal checks are must to curb political vandalism.
3. North Sri Lanka also has religious minority’s issues to address apart from the linguistic minorities. Analyze.
4. Describe the role of NPPA in Pharmaceuticals sector. Add a note on the patenting issues involved.
5. The theme of backward caste politics is witnessing a paradigm shift from identity politics to entitlement politics. Explain.

SET 32 [1/11]

1. Explain why the bankruptcy system in India needs a rejig.
2. The ‘March of Dignity’ in Paris sends a strong message across the world against racial acts by State. Elaborate.
3. Explain the major features of GSAT 15.
4. Analyze the features of Poultry as an allied activity in India. What can be done to promote allied activities to address agrarian distress?
5. Explain the significance of the corridor regions in context of man-animal conflict.

SET 31 [31/10]

1. A peaceful flow of the Irawaddy is in strategic interest of the Brahmaputra. Comment.
2. Discuss the key features of draft civil aviation policy. Also explain the impact of ‘Right to first refusal’ policy on civil aviation sector.
3. Explain in short the key features of the Sovereign Gold Bonds.
4. Analyze the issue of farmers’ suicide in Odisha. How can micro-finance help to address the agrarian distress in states like Odisha?
5. Enlist the national parks of the North-East. Add short note on the details of a) Manas, b) Murlen and c) Mouling national parks.

SET 30 [30/10]

1. In wake of the push for a third industrial revolution, creating cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels is of paramount importance to ensure sustainability. Comment.
2. Elaborate the concept of Line of Credit. Explain how it can be used a s an effective tool of foreign policy.
3. Indian criminal justice system needs to look at the victim first, rather than focusing merely on penalizing the culprits. Elaborate.
4. In a map delineate the major Tobacco growing area in India and explain the features of Tobacco industry.
5. Explain how demographic strain on economy forced China to abolish the ‘One Child Norm’.

SET 29 [29/10]

1. The recent ‘Doing Business Report’ by World Bank highlights worsening credit access in India. Analyze the factors behind this.
2. Explain the concept of Zero rating in context of Internet.
3. Write a note on the features of the proposed law on surrogacy in India. Add a note on ‘altruistic surrogacy’.
4. Nuclear weapons are not for war, but for preventing one. Elaborate.
5. Iran’s presence in the world powers’ meet over Syria will have sizable repercussions in the West Asia dynamics. Comment

SET 28 [28/10]

1. Gender equality must be at the centre of discourse about personal laws. Comment.
2. Explain the geopolitics of South China sea with reference to its location.
3. Explain the how simplification of Income tax laws can be a major factor in ease of doing business.
4. Give an account of cooperation between India and Australia in context of the proposed FTA.
5. Give your opinion on whether it is feasible to limit individual freedom over internet in order to address security threats.

SET 27 [27/10]

1. What is difference between extradition and deportation? Explain how extradition treaties play a crucial role in internal security.
2. Child malnutrition is a major issue but old age malnutrition should not be neglected either. Elaborate.
3. What is Plate tectonics? Explain the seismic zones of India and add a note why Himalayas are considered to be seismically vulnerable.
4. Analyze the pros and cons of private sector funding in R&D.
5. The recent happenings in Eastern Europe have reaffirmed the ever-volatile nature of the bloc. Comment.

SET 26 [26/10]

1. Write a note on ‘White flag killings’ in Sri Lanka.
2. Insurance in India is still considered as an expense, and not a necessity. Explain the major features of Indian Insurance sector.
3. The real challenge in SSA is to guarantee learning of children. Comment.
4. Describe the geographical location of Diego Garcia and add a note on its strategic importance for India.
5. Identification of the No-Go or inviolate areas for coal mining has not helped forests substantially. Elaborate.

SET 25 [25/10]

1. Volatile scenario in Maldives’ domestic politics has sizable impact on South Asian regional dynamics. Comment.
2. Compare and contrast the functions of ED and DRI.
3. Crackdown on pulse hoarding is only a short term measure which might aggravate the issue in long term. Comment.
4. Urban heritage conservation has been overpowered by the commercial stance of local decision makers. Comment.
5. Apart from profiteering, originality is a major issue involved in Ethics in Science. Analyze in context of the occurrences of retraction of research papers submitted by Indian scientists.

SET 24 [24/10]

1. “Post cold-war the conflict at global level will be more of cultural one.” Comment.
2. Write a note on the global nuclear deals involving Pakistan and its impact on global peace.
3. Explain how financial stress and debt servicing is hampering Indian corporate scenario.
4. The Pulse inflation crisis can be a harbinger for larger reforms in agri-marketing. Explain how the APMCs can be reformed to tackle similar issues.
5. Explain how Genetics can help in designing tailor-made drugs.

SET 23 [23/10]

1. There is a clear conflict of interest in Defence market in India, talking of self-reliance in defence on one side and attracting foreign defence firms showcasing India as a prime arms market on the other. Comment.
2. Analyze the growing Russia- Bangladesh ties and their implications on South Asia.
3. Describe the evolution and peculiar styles of Mithila paintings.
4. Explain the role and goals of UGC. Also give your opinion on whether the non-NET scholarships should be discontinued or not.
5. The model of land acquisition employed for Andhra Pradesh’s new capital can be a way forward for Metro cities of India. Explain.

SET 22 [22/10]

1. Explain how Anganwadis can be strengthened in order to achieve the six ICDS goals effectively.
2. Write a note on the rivers flowing  in the western coast region. Add a note on Bharatpuzha revival strategy.
3. Speedier settlement of commercial disputes is one indispensible component of ‘ease of doing business’. Analyze.
4. Describe the Western Wall issue. Also comment on UNESCO’s role in the same.

5. Tackling infections is the most neglected part of Indian healthcare system. Illustrate.

SET 21 [21/10]

1. Sugarcane mills across the country owe more than Rs. 12,000 Cr. to cane growers. Describe what changes in the operation and management of sugar mills can resolve this issue.
2. The geopolitical changes around Afghanistan and the organisational struggles within the Taliban make the time right for India to reassess its role in Afghanistan. Justify.
3. Inflation has fallen strikingly over the last several months, but the gains are not equally distributed. Analyze in context of the widening gap between Rural and Urban inflation.
4. Analyze the geographical location and discuss the major issues related to Zangmu hydel project.
5. Farmers are not getting due representation in the climate change consultations at domestic level. Comment.

SET 20 [20/10]

1. Blasphemy laws are antithetical to democracy and individualism. Critically comment.
2. Describe in short: A) Nadigar Sangam. B) Significance of Tarn Taran Sahib.
3. What is RNA Interference? Explain its significance in drug chemistry.
4. A major hampering factor in Indian health sector is the shortage of public funding. Comment critically taking NHM as centre point.
5. Compare the two options with relevant examples in context of any newly formed state: Building a new capital city or developing an established city into capital.

SET 19 [19/10]

1. India needs to create a new edifice of engagement with Africa, one that is free of stereotypes and takes into account Africa’s quest for a good life. Comment.
2. Cities cannot become smart unless people live smart lives. Comment.
3. Write a note on Synthetic biology. Explain how Artificial life can help in biological research.
4. Industrial promotion policies should be focusing on creating jobs rather than creating wealth. Comment.

5. The trends in Indian Nationalism have changed in an urbanizing and technology-friendly society. Critically analyze.

SET 18 [18/10]

1. Write in short about: A] Natti, B] Mangalgiri,C] Ziro Festival.

2. Bonn meet is not merely a prelude to Paris climate summit, rather it is a tone setter before Paris. Comment.
3. Police Modernization is the most crucial, yet least-talked about element of Police reforms. Explain what different Police reforms reports have said about modernizing Police.
4. Egypt still awaits a stable system after Mubarak’s ouster. Analyze with respect to the elections in Egypt.
5. Public procurement in India needs a serious re-look if it has to benefit the start-ups. Comment.

SET 17 [17/10]

1. The idea of primacy of judiciary is flawed. Comment.

2. Explain what impact the Russia- Pakistan gas pipeline will cause on the Energy politics of Asia.
3. Explain the concept of Call drop. Analyze the TRAI regulations on the same.
4. Evaluate the role and contribution of IISERs in the Research and Development sector.

5. ‘There is a qualitative difference between the interventions of the legacy media and the activism on social media.’ Comment.

SET 16 [16/10]

1. Aadhar is much more than an identity proof. It is digital identity of an individual. Elaborate.

2.  Explain how Ports sector can be revived in India taking any one port as a case.
3. Explain what possible impact will the Mynamar Government’s ceasefire with armed groups have on India.
4. Critically evaluate the recent guidelines for app based radio-taxi-aggregators. Does the flourishing business of these firms indicate failure of public transportation?

5. Software patents need to be abolished to ensure greater reach of benefits. Comment.

 SET 15 [15/10]

1. Write a note on Mission Indradhanush and analyze its impact on health sector.

2. Intervention of Russia and the US may further complicate the Syrian crisis. Comment.
3. Banks need to revise their risk handling processes. Critically analyze in context of the Bank of Baroda scam.
4. Use of ICT in classrooms need not always translate into better learning outcomes. It is time to give up over-reliance on technology when it comes to school education and focus on teacher training instead. Comment.
5.  Absolute privacy is a futile notion in this digital era. Analyze in context of the Aadhar issue.

SET 14 [14/10]

1. Although Law and Order is a state list subject, the Union Government has certain vital responsibilities in this regard. Comment.

2.  Upcoming National Energy Policy has to factor in for role of NGOs and SHGs. Comment.
3. Analyze how the Russia- Ukraine dynamics have evolved in recent years.
4. Becoming rich is not necessarily the same as becoming better-off. Analyze in context of the Economics of consumption.

5. In your view, does returning literary awards as a mark of protest amount to demeaning of the award, or does it accord prestige to the award by symbolizing it as a mark of freedom and liberty?

SET 13 [13/10]

1. Private defence industrial base needs strong Government support, so as to ensure the all-round success of ‘Make in India’. Comment.

2. Explain how ‘Polluter Pays’ principle can be implemented to clean up the air in India cities.
3. Analyze the trends in Industrial Output and CPI in the year 2015-16.
4. Evaluate the impact of RTI on the governance in India since its birth. What kind of changes are require in it to facilitate the ‘Second RTI Revolution’?
5. Weaker political leadership is turning democracy in Pakistan into a facade. Analyze.

SET 12 [12/10]

1. Jaya Prakash Narayan (JP) was more like an analyst or a critic of the Indian political system, and never desired to be a part of this system. Comment.

2. Pushing for financial inclusion beyond a point can negatively impact the stability of the financial system. Comment.
3. Explain what steps can be taken to prevent the endangered languages from getting extinct.
4. Democratization is invariably a slow and tortuous process. Critically analyze with respect to pro-democracy movements worldwide.

5. Write in short about: a) Types of Neutrino. b) Antiparticles. c) Quantum Physics.

SET 11 [11/10]

1. Analyze how ‘Discharge free trains’ pilot project can be a harbinger to shed the image of India Railways as the biggest open toilet.
2. ‘While pushing for faster green clearances, we should not dilute the strictness of Environmental regime.’ Comment.
3. Give an account of regulation of organ donation in India and the role of NOTTO.
4. Jordan can play an enhanced role in India’s food and energy security. Comment.

5. When it comes to Internal security, Media is trusted neither by the Government nor the extremists. Critically analyze the role of media in internal security.

SET 10 [10/10]

1. Giving vocational education to inmates in prisons can be an effective crime control measure. Comment.
2. Give an account of the journey of Tunisia since the Jasmine revolution.
3. Achieving SDGs will need use of unconventional means. Analyze.
4. ‘When we talk of Indian diaspora, the labour class working abroad gets minimum attention.’ Evaluate.
5. Explain how farm sector can gain from Space research.

SET 9 [9/10]

1. What is transfer pricing? Explain in brief the Vodafone tax dispute issue.

2. Explain how journalism and literature have gone hand in hand in India.
3. Prime Minister’s Mudra Yojana has the potential to be a game-changer in banking sector. Comment.
4. India’s stand on Balochistan has always been cautious but firm. Analyze.
5. Encroachment on faith and social mores can make situation difficult in the North-East. Analyze.

SET 8 [8/10]

1. Lack of transparency and accuracy in direct benefits transfer may end up undermining the efficacy. Comment.
2. Write a note on DNA repair. Also add a note on major research institutions in India working on Molecular Biology and Genetics.
3. Road sector in India has been killed by banks. Comment.
4. Evaluate the impact of Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme on Indian MSME sector.
5. Analyze the crucial role Myanmar can play in India-China ties.

SET 7 [7/10]

1. Analyze the factors behind the recent volatile situation in Bangladesh and comment what impact this will cause in South Asian countries.
2. There is still enough room for India to grow its coal consumption while continuing to accelerate its thrust on the expansion of renewable energy. Comment.
3. Evaluate whether a separate Skill Development cadre can bring sea change in the sector.
4. Analyze the occupational pattern of rural poverty in India with reference to the India Rural Development Report by IDFC RDN.
5. Israel may be a natural ally for India but Palestine makes this relationship complicated. Comment.

SET 6 [6/10]

1. The Trans-Pacific partnership between US and 11 Pacific rim countries can change the Geopolitics of Asia-Pacific region. Critically analyse.
2. Write in short about A) Palmyra B) Aleppo C) Anjar.
3. Evaluate the importance of learning foreign languages at school level in context of a globalizing economy.
4. Parasitic diseases pose major threat to public health in developing world. Elucidate.
5. Censorship of plays is more about politics and less about aesthetics or arts. Comment.

SET 5 [5/10]

1. Explain how Mutual Funds sector has been hit by significant exposure of a small mutual fund to distressed debt securities. Add a note on Mutual Funds regulatory framework in India.
2. Sea erosion and subsequent transgression of sea water in coastal villages is a potential threat for Indian coasts. Comment.
3. Write a note on Jashn-e-Usttad and explain how it can be replicated at state level.
4. Enlist major tribes and ethnic groups of Mizoram. Add a note on Hmar insurgency.
5. Russia’s excessive intervention in Syria and US’s defensive tactics in Afghanistan will keep Asia boiling for some time. Analyze.

SET 4 [4/10]

1. Identify major Pulses growing regions of India. Write a note on role of A3P in Indian agriculture.
2. Evaluate the potential of Homecare services in Indian health sector.
3. ‘Politicizing Gun violence in US may help find a solution to it.’ Critically analyse.
4. Urban farming may be a difficult, but effective way to make cities sustainable. Comment.
5. Evaluate the pros and cons of bringing sports governing bodies like BCCI under Government control.

SET 3 [3/10]

1. Critically analyse the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) submitted by India to the UNFCCC.
2. The Gandhi-Mandela bilateral Cricket series is a classic example of Sports Diplomacy strengthening bilateral cooperation. Comment.
3. A strong Germany in Europe will facilitate a more balanced global dispersal of power. Comment.
4. Give an account of the e-Commerce sector in India. Add a note on how it can be regulated to ensure business ethics and consumer satisfaction.
5. Eraviperoor became the first Gram panchayat to offer free Wi-Fi facility in India. Explain how Internet connectivity can contribute to rural development.

SET 2 [2/10]

1. ‘Unified city transport’ is the future of Urban transport. Elucidate.
2. Analyze how the recent UNHRC resolution can impact the human rights scenario in Sri Lanka.
3. Enlist key features of Astrosat. Explain why it is called a game-changer in Indian space research development.
4. Explain the importance of Venture capital funds in context of ‘Start-up India’.
5. Evaluate the outcome of Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan after one year.

SET 1 [01/10]

1. What are major aspects of the New Domestic Natural Gas Pricing Policy 2014? Analyze the impacts of price cut in Natural gas in line with the policy.
2. Give a brief historical account of the Madhesi issue of Nepal. Add a note on the current demand of the Madhesis for proportionate political participation.
3. Analyze the impact of organizations like Samadhan Sena on communal harmony in India in context of the Bisara incident.
4. Comment whether the Maharashtra Government decision to tax liquor, cigarettes to raise funds for drought mitigation entails to ‘Good Politics’ or ‘Innovative Economics.’
5. Analyze the changing role of Governor in context of demand of more powers to States.

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