Page-2 of Previous Year Questions

Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organisation been the cause of slow change in India? Critically examine.

The causes of slow change in India are multiple, and the cadre based civil services organization can be said to be one of the reasons that hold the...

February 1, 2022

Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid to be used for sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss on merits of such terms and if, there exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context.

As a developing country with a growing economy, India has a responsibility to its people to put the needs of the nation before all else. Through recent campaigns...

February 1, 2022

India has recently signed to become founding a New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) .How will the role of the two Banks be different? Discuss the significance of these two Banks for India.

The NDB and the AIIB are both international financial institutions that are in the early stage of their existence. While the NDB is formed and will lend to...

February 1, 2022

Should the premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allowed more academic independence in designing courses and also decide mode/criteria of selection of students. Discuss in light of the growing challenges.

Though the IITs/IIMs are considered premier institutes in India, they still rank just average when compared to international educational institutions. A major reason cited for these excellent institutions...

January 31, 2022

Do government’s schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economics?

Governmental schemes are aimed at assisting the underprivileged and backward communities in their endeavors, and not give them freebies that discourage them from taking up initiatives of their...

January 31, 2022

The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine.

SHGs have been a path-breaking development in many ways. However, the women-centric SHGs suffer from a variety of socio-cultural hurdles in rural India. India is a patriarchal society,...

January 31, 2022

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in India can be most effective when its tasks are adequately supported by other mechanisms that ensure the accountability of a government. In light of the above observation assess the role of NHRC as an effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in promoting and protecting human rights standards.

The thrust of the NHRC, in accordance with the legislation that created it, is w.r.t civil and political rights, and not socio-economic ones. The NHRC cam review safeguards...

January 31, 2022

The setting up of a Rail Tariff Authority to regulate fares will subject the cash strapped Indian Railways to demand subsidy for obligation to operate non-profitable routes and services. Taking into account the experience in the power sector, discuss if the proposed reform is expected to benefit the consumers, the Indian Railways or the private container operators.

The RTA (Rail Tariff Authority) has been constituted to engage with all the stakeholders, including Railways, consumer groups, container operators etc before it advises the government on determination...

January 30, 2022

Though 100 percent FDI is already allowed in non-news media like a trade publication and general entertainment channel, the Government is mulling over the proposal for increased FDI in news media for quite some time. What difference would an increase in FDI make? Critically evaluate the pros and cons.

Currently, 26% FDI is allowed in news media, and the government has tabled a proposal to increase it to 100%. Increase of FDI to 49% would ensure that...

January 30, 2022

The size of the cabinet should be as big as governmental work justifies and as big as the Prime Minister can manage as a team. How far the efficacy of a government then is inversely related to the size of the cabinet? Discuss.

Article 75 (1) of the Constitution of India states that the total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers must not exceed 15%...

January 30, 2022