1. UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-3: 2017 (Linear Format)
  2. Answer Sources for GSM3-2017 Paper
  3. Bookie-Mentality #FAIL?
    1. Fear for jobless and non-inclusive growth
    2. Fear ABOUT industrial sector
    3. Pingpongs b/n GSM1 & GSM3
    4. Pingpong b/n general to specific
  4. How is 2017 vs. 2016?
    1. Subjectwise Breakup
    2. Current vs Theory
    3. Opinion / Assessment Type Questions
    4. Length wise
  5. GS3: Topicwise Papers since Syllabus Change
  6. [Block #1] Economy
    1. Growth and Resource mobilization
    2. Economy: Budget
    3. Economy: Investment and Infrastructure
    4. Economy: Liberalization
  7. [Block#2] Agriculture
    1. Food: Cropping-irrigation
    2. Food: Tech. in aid of farmers
    3. Food: Food processing industry
    4. Food: Land reforms
    5. Food: MSP
  8. [Block #3] Science
    1. Disaster Management
    2. Environment and Pollution Control
    3. Science-Tech: Awareness
    4. Science-Tech: Indians
  9. [Block#4] Security
    1. Security: Terrorism, Extremists (LWE, NE)
    2. Security: Cross border
    3. Security: org. crime & money laundering
    4. Security: Cyber security and social media
    5. Security- Security forces

UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-3: 2017 (Linear Format)

Total marks 250. Total duration: 3 hours. Date: 31/10/2017.
Answer following questions each in 150 words x 10 marks.

  1. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential?
  2. Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.
  3. Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership(PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard.
  4. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?
  5. What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?
  6. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?
  7. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically.
  8. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
  9. Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.
  10. The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.

Answer following questions each in 250 words x 15 marks.

  1. One of the intended objectives of Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energize and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective.
  2. “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?
  3. What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth.
  4. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system?
  5. How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?
  6. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?
  7. ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change?
  8. On December 2004, tsumani brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of Tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
  9. Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.
  10. The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?

Answer Sources for GSM3-2017 Paper

  • If large chunk of answer is available at a single standard reference source, then I’ll count material availability as yes.
  • If answer is scattered across multiple less-known / less used sources, then I’ll count as “no*”. It doesn’t mean that given question is unsolvable, it only means that it requires much more effort.
Question Answer Available
1.factors affecting growth potential apart from savings rate
  • Yojana March 2017: page 35 onwards- “SWOT analysis of Indian Economy” by IIM Professor and member of monetary policy Committee -Dr.Ravindra Dholakia.
  • Other factors include: channelizing of the savings into investment in private sector, rather than crowing out because of fiscal repression.
  • FDI reforms, ease of doing biz, skilling for demographic dividend, currency stability, policy paralysis and so forth. And most importantly the inability to carry out big bang reforms because voting rights given to all, unlike Asian giants where de-facto autocracy facilitated faster implementation of “Washington consensus” so they grew at a very fast rate. (CEA’s argument in latest survey vol1.)
  • All of this, sufficiently covered in my BES17 series.
 Yes
2. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports. Economic survey has been highlighting this since last three years.

  • Regulatory cholesterol preventing creation of “good” jobs in organized sector. Ref: My lecture Link
  • Leather and garment industry has max. potential for job creation for every  1lakh invested but labour laws, port infrastructure, tariff anomaly and absence of FTA prevent these sectors’ growth, and therefore jobs. Ref: my lecture.
 Yes
3.JV model in Airport PPP
  • Generic points of PPP challenges given in Kelkar Committee report last year. Same can be recycled for framing this answer. Ref: my lecture link
 partially
4.how Agri. revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? Verbatim answer given in Kurkshetra 2016 March PDF  page 5 onwards in Sandip Das’s article.
Alternatively NCERT class11-Indian Economy:

  • P24 onwards: Green Revolution Phase-I and II.
  • P109: golden revolution in fisheries (1991-2003)

Plus, lot of points spread around my [food processing] article series.

 yes
5.why poor acceptance of cost effective small processing unit? How the food processing uplift poor farmers?
  • Seems to be a random question picked from some Professor’s research paper. “why small processing units are poorly accepted”. (either that, or maybe it appeared in Yojana/Kuru. But I Missed?)
  • Second part of the question easily available in my [food processing] article series.
 partially
6. what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?
  • Yojana December 2016 Page 51 short note is given.
  • Available in the science-technology section of any general studies manual.
  • Even NIOS science-tech chapter21
  • Even Mrunal’s article (though I don’t claim credit for it, as its 4 years old so present generation of aspirants would have not read it. वेसे भी lengthy CSAT Paper-II और अतरंगी Prelim GS1 के चलते इस साल पुराने चावल तो कम ही पास हुए दीखत रहे है.
 yes
7.India has not ventured into manned space mission? Explain critically.
  • April 2017: PTI reported that ISRO is working on a human space flight Programme.
  • Originally this problem was discussed in 2006, ISRO scientists had agreed that
  • New research  required in life support systems, improved reliability and safety, crew escape system, etc.
  • estimated cost Rs.10,000 crore spread over a period of 8 years.
  • ISRO immediate priority is to meet the basic needs of communication, navigation and remote sensing. Manned program doesn’t receive necessary funding / attention
  • The real challenge is dragging these points into 150 words.
 no
8. advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. Yes
9. Cyber-attack and the security framework in India? Yes
10.The north-eastern insurgency? Yes
11. ‘transform, energize and clean India’ agenda in Budget-2017 Yes
12 Recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?
  • Seems UPSC examiner framed this question like a Postdated cheque because DIPP had announced it’d launch new industrial policy in September / October 2017. but on their website only a discussion paper is available.
  • So in absence of concrete info, I think most candidates would have made stories around FDI relaxation, ease of doing business and startup registration.
 No
13.inclusive growth in India
  • Essayish question. You’ve to link SDG goals with government initiatives. Plenty of points available in NITI3YR PDF as well as my economic survey lecture series.
 Yes
14.why declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification can help?
  • Reasons: Overuse of urea, declining water table and stagnent research in seed-development and availablility. Ref my article on NITI3yr
  • How crop diversification can help? NCERT Scienc class9 Ch.15 page 207 onwards (Cropping Patterns) OR
  • Ref: ShankarIAS’s Agriculture book Page17 onwards.
 Yes
15. subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? This is a running theme in last three years’ economic surveys, and even in the latest NITI3yr. Matter is sufficiently covered in my lecture and articles. yes
16. nuclear science and technology in India.  Yes
17.‘Climate Change’ on Himalayan and coastal states of India Yes
18.Tsunami management  yes
19.Mob violence
  • 2nd ARC 5th Public Order: page 8 onwards. It talks about “Communal riots” but you can easily recycle the same points for ‘mob violence’, along with some new developments such as (1) fake news and (2)declining tolerance in Indian society (both I had covered in my Answer writing series).
 Yes
20.terrorism? 2nd ARC 8th Report.

  • How to curb menace? Just cite points given in ‘summary of recommendations’  at page 137 onwards.
  • Terror Funding is given in Chapter 6.
 Yes

Conclusion?

  • 16 out of 20 = 80% of the questions directly covered in standard sources.
  • And 2 questions:  partially available in standard sources. So total 90% of the paper is fully or partially covered in sources that are either free or very cheap. And majority of them from Economic Survey, Yojana, Kurukshetra and 2nd ARC : all freely available on internet.
  • Only 2 questions are not directly available. [(1) manned mission and (2) industrial policy change]
  • Therefore, expensive coaching and study material is not necessary for success. Mains Success primarily depends on your ability to write less mediocre answer than others, in given time limit.
  • So, before scavenging for “Secret” material and compilations for 24/7 basis on telegram groups, you should first finish these standard reference sources.

Now coming to the analysis part….

Bookie-Mentality #FAIL?

UPSC usually doesn’t ask questions from hot-current affairs of the given year. Astrologers, Bookies and Coaching classes use this unwritten rule to predict the questions. In GSM2-2017, Examiner blatantly violated this rule. Whether GST or right to privacy- they’ve asked hot topics. However, in GSM3-2017, he has by and large avoided hot current affairs from 2016-17. For example:

  1. Nothing from artificial intelligence, drones or robots this time, even though they were hot topics in science-tech in GSM3.
  2. Nothing from black money, although it was a hot topic in the aftermath of demonetization and passing of new bills related to black money.
  3. Nothing from NPA, TBS problem.
  4. Instead of asking “funding to Kashmiri stone-pelters” specifically, they asked about “funding to terrorism” in general.
  5. Nothing from D.B. Shekatkar committee report on defense reforms or Dokhlam crisis. Senior players were expecting question in ‘security forces / border areas’.
  6. Nothing from GST (but in fairness, it was asked in GSM2-2017).
  7. Nothing from N.K.Singh’s FRBM Review panel in the Budgeting topic. (but in fairness, asked  full-scale topic essay-2017 paper.)

Examiner’s Fear for jobless and non-inclusive growth continues

Previously Mains-2017
  • 2015: The nature of economic growth in India in described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.
  • 2014: While we found India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain.
  • 2016: How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?
  • Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.
  • 2016: Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges.
 What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth.

As you can see, their pipudi (small-flute) is stuck at the same things since last three years.

Fear ABOUT industrial sector continues

Previously Mains-2017
2014: What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?

Pingpongs between GSM1 & GSM3

GSM1 GSM3
2014: Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent. 2017: ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (even though given the wording of this question, it is more suitable for asking in GSM1.)
2017: In what way can flood be converted into a sustainable source of irrigation and all-weather inland navigation in India? (here you’ve to write about river interlinking) 2017: Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
2016: Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss. 2016:  Discussing the reasons for urban floods. highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
2016: The basis of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is rooted in establishing connectivity. Comment. 2017: What are ‘Smart Cities? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.

Pingpong between general to specific

Previously Mains-2017
  • In 2014: they asked PPP problems in ‘general‘ terms:
  • Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation infrastructure projects, can transfer unsuitable liabilities to the future. What arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that successive generations’ capacities are not compromised?
  • 2017: asked specific investment model: “joint venture” model within specific sector: “airports’
  •  Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership(PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard.
2013: specific question about “Pink Revolution” in food industry. 2017: asked “general” question  about all agriculture revolutions that occurred since independence.
2013: general question on subsidies to farmers @national and state level, and how do they create distortions? 2017: asked subsidies’ impact on specific things: How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers?
  • 2016: general question on how space-tech benefits socio-economically.
  • 2014: general question on why scientific research declining in universities?
  • 2017: specific question- why are we unable to send manned space-missions? [on of the diagnosis will be poor quality of scientific research in our universities – which was asked in 2014.]
  • As such UPSC examiner’s affection for space-tech continues for third year running- 2015, 16 and now 17- again asked about it.
2015: India’s preparedness against Earthquakes. (specific) 2017: India’s preparedness against Tsunamis (earthquakes in oceans). Again specific.
In 2016 asked about allelopathy (extremely technical agro topic meant for perhaps IFoS and Agriculture optional). Thankfully no crazyness this time.

How is 2017’s Paper compared to 2016?

Subjectwise Breakup 2016 2017
Economy 75 75
Agriculture 50 50
Sci. Env. 75 75
Security 50 50
Total 250 250

No change in weightage to each subject:

Area 2016 2017
Theory 62.5 20
Current 75 40
Contemporary 112.5 190
Total Marks 250 250
  • In both 2016 and 2017, majority of the questions came from contemporary issues i.e. topics older than one year. But in 2017, there is heavy focus on contemporary issues, over 75% questions from this area only.
  • 2017 has just two theory questions: 1) factors affecting growth potential (2) principles & benefits of stem cell therapy. In every other question – at least partially they’ve asked some contemporary issue e.g. crop-diversification benefits is “theory” but simultenously they asked in the same question “why rice-wheat yields declining (in recent times)?
  • Implications: rather than doing haay-haay for ‘next’ current affairs, one should look back at what has been happening in last 3-5-7-10 years in contemporary perspective.

Opinion / Assessment Type Questions

Type of Question 2016 2017
  • Write Opinion, assessment, suggestion, prospects.
  • Analyse impact of xyz, examine how abc’s role in achieving pqr
  • Discuss whether  good x is true but bad y is also happening.
 62.5 95
  • Non-Opinion.
  • Just describe, narrate things as they are, steps that already taken, without judging their merit / impact.
 187.5 155
Total Marks 250 250

In 2017, there is slight increase in the ‘opinion / assessment’ type questions.

2016 2017
20 questions: all have to be answered in 200 words
  • 10 questions in 150 words each
  • 10 questions in 250 words each
Total 4000 words. Total 4000 words.

Length wise there is no difference, but paper is tougher because this time more ‘contemporary, opinion, analysis’ type questions where you’ve to pause, think, arrange points in logical sequence and then answer.

GS3 Topicwise Papers since Syllabus Change

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies (GS) papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-3 deals with Economy, Agriculture, Environment, Disaster management, science technology and security. Here are the topicwise sorted questions since the pattern change:

Block GSM3 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
1: Economy Growth 10 25 37.5 25 35
Budget 30 0 12.5 12.5 15
Liberlization 20 25 0 12.5 15
Infra, Invest 10 37.5 12.5 25 10
2: Food land Reform 10 0 0 12.5 0
Cropping 0 0 0 37.5 15
MSP-PDS 20 12.5 0 0 15
E-Tech in aid 0 0 12.5 0 10
Food Processing 10 12.5 37.5 0 10
3: Science Sci.Tech 40 12.5 25 0 10
Sci.Tech (Indian) 0 25 12.5 25 25
Environment 35 25 25 25 25
Disaster 10 12.5 12.5 25 15
4: Crime Develop vs Exterm. 10 0 12.5 12.5 40
Border 10 62.5 25 25 0
Cyber Security 25 0 25 12.5 10
Money Laundering 10 0 0 0 0
Total 250 250 250 250 250

[Block #1] Economy

Topics related to economy, infrastructure, investment
UPSC IAS Mains exam General Studies Paper 3 Analysis

Growth and Resource mobilization

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Indian Economy (issues re: planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development, employment); Inclusive growth and issues therein

Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential? 2017
Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports. 2017
What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth. 2017
Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion. 2016
Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges. 2016
The nature of economic growth in India in described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer. 2015
Craze for gold in Indians have led to a surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of Gold Monetization Scheme. 2015
Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages shortsightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism driving inclusive growth in India? Discuss. 2014
With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new companies bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also discuss other provisions in the bill and their implications. 2013
“Success of ‘Make in India’ programme depends on the success of ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms.” Discuss with logical arguments. 2015
While we found India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain. 2014

Economy: Budget

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Government Budgeting

One of the intended objectives of Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energize and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective. 2017
Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context? 2016
In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. 2015
What are the reasons for introduction of Fiscal responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) act, 2003? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness. 2013
What is meaning of the term tax-expenditure? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences budgetary policies of the government. 2013
Discussion the rationale for introducing Good and services tax in India. Bring out critically the reasons for delay in roll out for its regime. 2013

Economy: Investment and Infrastructure

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Infrastructure (energy, ports, roads, airports, railways); Investment models

Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership(PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard. 2017
What are ‘Smart Cities? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission. 2016
Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India. 2016
There is a clear acknowledgement that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are a tool of industrial development, manufacturing and exports. Recognizing this potential, the whole instrumentality of SEZs requires augmentation. Discuss the issues plaguing the success of SEZs with respect to taxation, governing laws and administration. 2015
The right to fair compensation and transparency land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement act, 2013 has come into effect from 1 January 2014. What implication would it have on industrialisation and agriculture in India? 2014
National urban transport policy emphasizes on moving people instead of moving vehicles. Discuss critically the success of various strategies of the government in this regard. 2014
Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation infrastructure projects, can transfer unsuitable liabilities to the future. What arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that successive generations’ capacities are not compromised? 2014
Adaptation of PPP model for infrastructure development of the country has not been free from criticism. Critically discuss the pros and cons of the model. 2013

Economy: Liberalization

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Effects of Liberalisation on the economy; Changes in Industrial policy & their effects on industrial growth

“Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? 2017
How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country? 2016
Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? 2014
Foreign direct investment in the defence sector is now said to be liberalised. What influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and long run? 2014
Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indian. Are the competing with the MNCs satisfactorily? 2013
Discuss the impact of FDI entry into multi-trade retail sector on supply chain management in commodity trade pattern of the economy. 2013
Though India allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) in what is called multi brand retail through joint venture route in September 2012, the FDI even after a year, has not picket up. Discuss the reasons. 2013

[Block#2] Agriculture

Topics related to farming, food processing and food security
UPSC IAS Mains exam General Studies Paper 3 Analysis

Food: Cropping-irrigation

What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system? 2017
What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency. 2016
What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture. 2016
Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) 2016

Food: Tech. in aid of farmers

GS3 Syllabus Topic: e-technology to aid farmers, Technology missions;

Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? 2017
How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regards? 2015

Food: Food processing industry

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Food processing and related industries in India (scope & significance, location, upstream-downstream requirements, supply chain management); storage, transport & marketing of agro-produce and related issues & constraints; Economics of animal-rearing

What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers? 2017
Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sectors in India 2015
In view of the declining average size of land holdings in India which has made agriculture non-viable for a majority of farmers, should contract farming and land leasing be promoted in agriculture? Critically evaluate the pros and cons. 2015
What are the impediments in marketing and supply chain management in industry in India? Can e-commerce help in overcoming these bottlenecks? 2015
There is also a point of view that agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) set up under the state acts have not only impeded the development of agriculture but also have been the cause of food inflation in India. Critically examine. 2014
India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in food industry for better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement. 2013

Food: Land reforms

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Land Reforms in India

Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India. 2016
Establish the relationship between land reform, agriculture productivity and elimination of poverty in Indian Economy. Discussion the difficulty in designing and implementation of the agriculture friendly land reforms in India. 2013

Food: MSP

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Farm subsidies and MSP and issues therein (direct and indirect); PDS (objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping, issues of buffer stocks & food security)

How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers? 2017
“In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except the cooperative society.” – All Indian rural credit survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agriculture finance in India. What constrain and challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finances? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients? 2014
Food security bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO 2013
What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyze the agriculture subsidy regime with the reference to the distortions created by it. 2013

[Block #3] Science

Topics related to environment, science-tech and disaster management
UPSC IAS Mains exam General Studies Paper 3 Analysis

Disaster Management

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Disasters & Disaster Management

On December 2004, tsumani brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of Tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. 2017
The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods. highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. 2016
With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand. 2016
The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects. 2015
Drought has been recognised as a disaster in view of its party expense, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National disaster management authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India. 2014
How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management. As an administrator ,what are key areas that you would focus in a disaster management 2013

Environment and Pollution Control

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Environmental conservation; Environmental pollution and degradation; Environmental Impact Assessment

Theme Question Year
EIA ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? 2017
EIA Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects. 2016
Energy-Thermal What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the ministry of environment and forests’ concept of “GO AND NO GO” zones for coal mining. 2013
Energy- RNW Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). 2016
Energy- RNW To what factors can the recent dramatic fall in equipment costs and tariff of solar energy be attributed? What implications does the trend have for the thermal power producers and the related industry? 2015
Energy- RNW Should the pursuit of carbon credit and clean development mechanism set up under UNFCCC be maintained even through there has been a massive slide in the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. 2014
Thermal energy Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at Pitheads. 2014
Thermal energy Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problems of conventional energy. 2013
River Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. 2017
River What do you understand by run of the river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project? 2013
River The Namami Gange and National mission for clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs? 2015
River Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? 2013

Science-Tech: Awareness

GS3 Syllabus Topic: S&T developments and everyday applications & effects; Awareness in fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotech, Biotech, IPR issues

Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments? 2017
India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations is proving a powerful weapon in the country’s fight against erroneous patents. Discuss the pros and cons making this database publicly available under open-source licensing 2015
What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation. 2015
In a globalised world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms – copyrights, patents and trade secrets. 2014
What do you understand by Umpire decision review in cricket? Discuss its various components. Explain how silicon tape on the edge of a bat may fool the system? 2013
What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their applications in aviation and automobile industry 2013
Bring out the circumstances in 2005 which forced amendment to section 3(d) in the India n Patent Law, 1970. Discuss how it has been utilized by Supreme court in its judgment rejecting Novartis patent application for “Glivec”. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision. 2013
How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology. 2013
What do you understand by fixed dose drug combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits. 2013

Science-Tech: Indians

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Achievements of Indians in S&T; Indigenisation of technology & development of new technology

India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically. 2017
Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India? 2017
Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development? 2016
Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country. 2016
What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning Systems’ and ‘Protection Positioning Systems’ in the GPS era? Discuss the advantages India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites. 2015
Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as our business operations, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer oriented. Critically comment. 2014
Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription, the contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. 2014

[Block#4] Security

Topics related to security, crime, extremism

UPSC IAS Mains exam General Studies Paper 3 (GS3) Analysis

यदि काले धन के बारे में पूछना ही नही तो सिलेबस में रख्खा क्यों है?

Security: Terrorism, Extremists (LWE, NE)

GS3 Syllabus Topic:

  1. Linkages between Development & spread of Extremism;
  2. Linkages of Organized crime and Terrorism
  3. Linkages of Pakistan and Terrorism
Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence. 2017
The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding? 2017
The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region. 2017
“Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.” Analyse the above statement. 2016
The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements with Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the left wing extremism (LWE) doctrine affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth. 2015
Religious indoctrination via digital media has resulted in Indian youth joining the ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous for the internal security of our country? 2015
Article 244 of Indian Constitution relates to Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism. 2013

Security: Cross border

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Border Areas (security challenges and management thereof); Security forces & agencies (mandate); Role of External State & Non-State actors in creating internal security challenges

The terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions. 2016
Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management. 2016
International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggests ways to contain the threat. 2014
The diverse nature of India as a multireligious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighbourhood. Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment. 2014
How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration. 2014
In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns? 2014
China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India’s security? Critically examine. 2014
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? 2013

Security: org. crime & money laundering

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Money laundering & Prevention

Money laundering poses a serious threat to country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace? 2013

Security: Cyber security and social media

GS3 Syllabus Topic: Basics of Cyber Security; Role of media and social-networking sites in internal security challenges; Internal security challenges through communication networks

Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. 2017
Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major concern. How have these have misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat. 2016
Discuss the advantage and security implications of cloud hosting of server vis-a-vis in-house machine-based hosting for government businesses. 2015
Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a “Digital Armed Force” to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation. 2015
What is digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Giver various salient built in features of a digital signature. 2013
What are social networking site and what security implications do these sites present? 2013
Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyber warfare? Outline the cyber threats which India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with the same. 2013

Security- Security forces

Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by the security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by the Apex Court. 2015