UPSC Mains 2018 GS3

GS3 — Economy · Environment · Sci-Tech — 20 questions. Click any question for full text, examiner-intent decoding, source citations, cross-year examiner pattern, and a structured answer skeleton.

  1. Q1 Energy and SDGs
    Free

    "Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  2. Q2 Indian Economy and Budgeting
    Free

    Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  3. Q3 Agriculture and MSP
    Free

    What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low income trap? (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  4. Q4 Supply Chain Management
    Pro

    Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries? (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  5. Q5 Science and Technology
    Pro

    Discuss the work of 'Bose-Einstein Statistics' done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  6. Q6 Waste Management
    Pro

    What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  7. Q7 Environment and Biodiversity
    Pro

    What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of 'wise use' in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  8. Q8 Organic Farming
    Pro

    Sikkim is the first 'Organic State' in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State? (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  9. Q9 International Relations
    Pro

    The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China's larger 'One Belt One Road' initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  10. Q10 Internal Security
    Pro

    Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India's approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE. (Answer in 150 words)

    10 marks · 150 words
  11. Q11 Planning and Institutions
    Pro

    How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission in India? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  12. Q12 Global Trade and Economy
    Pro

    How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  13. Q13 Horticulture and Agriculture
    Pro

    Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  14. Q14 Cropping Patterns
    Pro

    How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  15. Q15 Biotechnology
    Pro

    Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  16. Q16 Nuclear Energy
    Pro

    With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  17. Q17 Biodiversity Conservation
    Pro

    How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  18. Q18 Disaster Management
    Pro

    Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing 'Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)'. How is this framework different from 'Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005'? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  19. Q19 Cyber Security
    Pro

    Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words
  20. Q20 Internal Security and Drugs
    Pro

    India's proximity to two of the world's biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (Answer in 250 words)

    15 marks · 250 words