[Full Length Mock] UPSC Mains GS2: Set#2- US Senate vs Rajya Sabha, Modi’s De-hyphenated Policy vs Nehru’s NAM

1. Instructions
2. Polity, rights issues, various bodies (90 marks)
3. Welfare, Protection & HDI (60 marks)
4. Governance, Pressure Groups, Civil Services (50 marks)
5. International Relation (50 marks)

Instructions

• Here is a mock question paper for GS2 for the upcoming UPSC Civil Services IAS/IPS Mains exam.
• Time: 3 hours, Max. Marks: 250
• All sections, and all questions are compulsory.
• Write answer in blank pages with 1” (inch) margin on each side.

Polity, rights issues, various bodies (90 marks)

Answer following questions in 150 words and 10marks each: 10 x 3 = 30

1. “Constitutionally, the American Senate is the more powerful than Indian Rajya Sabha”- Analyze.
2. Discuss the constitutional and legal dimensions related to the issue of OBC sub-categorization (उप-वर्गीकरण).
3. Does Article 239AA provide a room for absolutism (निरंकुशता) to the office of the Lieutenant Governor (उप-राज्यपाल)? Examine in the light of recent judgement of the Supreme Court.

Answer following questions in 250 words and 15marks each: 15 x 4 = 60

1. Enumerate the major points of the ‘Assam accord (1985)’. How is it associated with the present issue of the National Register of Citizens (राष्ट्रिय नागरिक रजिस्टर)?
2. Economic Survey 2017-18 has identified ‘Timely Justice’ (समय पर न्याय) as the next frontier of the Ease of Doing Business. Examine critically the factors responsible for judicial delay (न्यायिक देरी) in India and suggest steps to remedy them for boosting economic activity.
3. The Law Commission of India (भारत का विधि आयोग), in its 276th report, has recommended the legalisation of sport betting and gambling activities in India’ (भारत में खेल सट्टेबाजी और जुआ गतिविधियों का वैधीकरण). Discuss your stand on this issue.
4. What are the terms of reference (विचारार्थ विषय) of the 15th finance commission (वित्तीय आयोग)? Why are some state governments apprehensive (आशंकावान) about them?

Welfare, Protection & HDI (60 marks)

Answer following questions in 150 words and 10marks each: 10 x 3 = 30

1. Why was Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017 introduced in the Parliament? Enumerate its salient provisions. (मुस्लिम महिला विवाह अधिकार संरक्षण बिल)
2. What is the “no-detention policy” (बच्चो को पिछली कक्षा में नही रोकने की नीति) under the Right to Education Act? Examine critically the need to abolish it.
3. With suitable examples, explain the significance “Affordable Housing for All” (सबके लिए किफायती आवास) in the human and economic development of India.

Answer following questions in 250 words and 15marks each: 15 x 2 = 30

1. How is Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) (राष्ट्रीय स्वास्थ्य संरक्षण मिशन) different from the previous centrally sponsored schemes (केंद्र सरकार द्वारा प्रायोजित योजानाए) on health insurance? Identify the fiscal and administrative challenges (वित्तीय व् प्रशासनिक चुनौतिया) in its implementation.
2. What do you understand by the term “Son Meta-Preference” (पुत्री के बाद पुत्र की चाह)? How does it impact India’s performance in the Gender Inequality Index (लिंग असमानता सूचकांक) of UNDP ?

Governance, Pressure Groups, Civil Services (50 marks)

Answer following questions in 150 words and 10marks each: 10 x 2 = 20

1. With suitable examples illustrate the significance of technological innovations (तकनिकी नावाचार) in improving the electoral transparency (चुनावी पारदर्शिता) and voter turnout (मतदाता उपस्थिति).
2. Examine critically the need of restructuring the regulatory bodies in the higher education sector of India (उच्च शिक्षा क्षेत्रमें नियामक संस्थाओ की पुन:रचना). Enumerate the recent attempts made in regard.

Answer following questions in 250 words and 15marks each: 15 x 2 = 30

1. Taking note of alarming shortage of personnel in the armed forces, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defense has recommended five-year compulsory military service (अनिवार्य सैन्य सेवा) for those aspiring for gazetted jobs in the state and central governments. Discuss the implications of such initiative.
2. Differentiate a political party (राजनैतिक पक्ष) from a pressure group (दवाब-समूह). List the factors responsible for the upsurge of pressure groups in India in the recent times.

International Relation (50 marks)

Answer following questions in 150 words and 10marks each: 10 x 2 = 20

1. Discuss the importance of membership to Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (शंघाई सहयोग संगठन) in furthering India’s interests in the Central Asian region.
2. In 2018, the 25th Anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations was commemorated under the theme of “Shared Values, Common Destiny (साझा मूल्य, समान भाग्य) ”. In what areas do India and ASEAN nations share common values and common destiny?

Answer following questions in 250 words and 15marks each: 15 x 2 = 30

1. “The USA-China and USA-EU trade wars (व्यापार युद्ध) present new sets of threats and opportunities for India.” Examine.
2. Compare and contrast PM Modi’s ‘de-hyphenated foreign policy’ (बिन-योजक विदेश नीति) with PM Nehru’s ‘Non-Alignment policy (गुटनिरपेक्षता नीति)’.

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