GS 3

UPSC Mains 2019

20 questions · 250 marks · Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Internal Security 15 Marks

Q1. Cross-Border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges.

Internal Security 15 Marks

Q2. Indian Government has recently strengthened the anti-terrorism laws by amending the unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA act. Analyse the changes in the context of the prevailing security environment while discussing the scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organisations.

Disaster Management 15 Marks

Q3. Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides.

Environment & Ecology 15 Marks

Q4. Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region.

Science & Technology 15 Marks

Q5. How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers?

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Economy 15 Marks

Q6. How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies?

Economy 15 Marks

Q7. Elaborate the policy taken by the Government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector.

Economy 15 Marks

Q8. What are the reformative steps taken by the Government to make the food grain distribution system more effective?

View answer Explain
Economy 15 Marks

Q9. The public expenditure management is a challenge to the Government of India in the context of budget making during the post liberalisation period. Clarify it.

Economy 15 Marks

Q10. It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement.

Internal Security 10 Marks

Q11. What is the CyberDome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India.

View answer Explain
Internal Security 10 Marks

Q12. The banning of ‘Jammat-e-Islami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency-affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs.

Disaster Management 10 Marks

Q13. Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters.

Environment & Ecology 10 Marks

Q14. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples.

Science & Technology 10 Marks

Q15. What is India’s plan to have its space station and how will it benefit our space programme?

View answer Explain
Economy 10 Marks

Q16. How did India benefit from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively?

Economy 10 Marks

Q17. Elaborate the impact of the National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas.

Economy 10 Marks

Q18. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?

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Economy 10 Marks

Q19. Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments.

Economy 10 Marks

Q20. Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the goods and services tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017.

View answer Enumerate