Friday 25 December 2015

UPSC Mains 2015 General Studies Paper 2 -Analysis

Hi friends ,

Here is the analysis of General Studies Paper 2 of Mains .This will help both the students who have written the exam and students who are preparing for the next attempt ,to understand how questions are being asked in UPSC.

To view the General Studies Paper 2 ,click here.

Most of the questions in this paper are triggered by current affairs .Hence ,in this post, I will write down the reason for every question and its link to current affairs.


Question
Current Affairs
  1. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
A supreme court bench questioned  the government about its mandate on framing the uniform civil code so that all religions are regulated by the same law.

  1. The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.
Continuous emphasis of PM on cooperative federalism

  1. In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, `Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.
  1. Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.
A Khap panchayat in UP ordered rape of 2 sisters and it led to protests abroad and by Amnesty International.

  1. The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss.
The focus of the government in Budget 2015-2016 has shifted from primary education to higher education.

National Institutional ranking Framework was launched to improve the quality of higher educational institutions.

The Foreign Education Providers Bill and the Prohibition of Unfair Practices Bill has been  on the priority list of the HRD Minister Smriti Irani.


  1. How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.
NGOs oppose report of High Level Committee on Environmental laws.

  1. Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.
World bank estimates shows fall in India’s poverty rate .
  1. In the light of the Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency, accountability.
Satyam Case -The court found all the accused guilty in April 2015.

  1. “For achieving the desired objectives, it is necessary to ensure that the regulatory institutions remain independent and autonomous.” Discuss in the light of the experiences in recent past.
Call for independent nuclear regulatory authority in India.

Merger of FMC and SEBI

SC calling CBI as a ‘caged parrot’

  1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate.
  1. “If amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Act, 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there may be no one left to protect.” Critically evaluate.
Whistleblowers Act amended in May 2015

  1. Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest?
Need to increase health expenditure has been in news.

National health Profle 2015 was released.


  1. Resorting to ordinances has always raised concern on violation of the spirit of separation of powers doctrine. While noting the rationales justifying the power to promulgate ordinances, analyze whether the decisions of the Supreme Court on the issue have further facilitated resorting to this power. Should the power to promulgate ordinances be repealed?
President had questioned the government about the urgency of ordinance.


  1. What are the major changes brought in the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 through the recent Ordinance promulgated by the President? How far will it improve India’s dispute resolution mechanism? Discuss.
An Ordinance to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 was passed in december 2014,
  1. Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard.
SC says no to firecracker ban in New Delhi .
  1. Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.
Foreign funding of NGOs had attracted attention after a few NGOS were charged of anti-national activities.
  1. Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationship with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.
Project Mausam in response to China’s Silk road Economic Belt(SREB) and Maritime Silk Route (MRS)

  1. Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UN Security Council.
For the first time UN General Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution on Security Council reforms.
And G4 issued a joint statement on Security Council reforms ,

India has been asking for a permanent membership of UN SC.

  1. Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.
Third India Africa Forum Summit was held in New Delhi in October 2015.

  1. Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples
India -Pakistan relations have been disturbed for the last one year .



Hope you find the article helpful,
Please feel free to leave comments and feedbacks.

All the best ,
Stay tuned !

The following blogs will have an analysis of other General Studies Papers.



PS -This is a part of series of blogs on IAS preparation.

Here is the list of blogs in this series so far -

Here is the list of blogs ,on my experience as an IAS officer:


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4 comments:

  1. Unknown30 December 2015 at 09:21

    very very very very helpful sir.

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  2. Unknown7 January 2016 at 08:55

    excellent sir........

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