UPSC Themes

UPSC Mains 2013 — GS3 questions

Technology, Economy, Environment, Security & Disaster Management. 25 questions in this collection, each linked to its theme.

  1. GS32013GS3-AGR-03-M2013-S01

    What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and at state levels? Critically analyse the agricultural subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it.

    Theme: T141 Farm subsidies, MSP & crop insurance (incl. WTO Agreement on Agriculture)

  2. GS32013GS3-AGR-03-M2013-S02

    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.

    Theme: T75 Hunger, malnutrition & food security law: NFSA, Mid-Day Meal, millets

  3. GS32013GS3-AGR-04-M2013-S01

    India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in food industry for ensuring better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement.

    Theme: T143 Food processing industry

  4. GS32013GS3-AGR-05-M2013-S01

    Establish relationship between land reforms, agriculture productivity and elimination of poverty in the Indian economy. Discuss the difficulties in designing and implementation of agriculture friendly land reforms in India.

    Theme: T144 Land reforms, tenancy & land acquisition: from Bhoodan to the 2013 Act

  5. GS32013GS3-DM-01-M2013-S01

    How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in a Disaster Management System.

    Theme: T160 Disaster management frameworks: DM Act, Sendai, resilience, community, dam safety

  6. GS32013GS3-ECO-02-M2013-S01

    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.

    Theme: T76 Inclusive growth & human development: HDI/IHDI, social spending, equity, CSR

  7. GS32013GS3-ECO-04-M2013-S01

    What were the reasons for the introduction of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness.

    Theme: T134 Budgeting & fiscal policy: capital vs revenue, FRBM, tax expenditure, budgets

  8. GS32013GS3-ECO-04-M2013-S02

    What is the meaning of the term ‘tax expenditure’? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences the budgetary policies of the government.

    Theme: T134 Budgeting & fiscal policy: capital vs revenue, FRBM, tax expenditure, budgets

  9. GS32013GS3-ECO-04-M2013-S03

    Discuss the rationale for introducing Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Bring out critically the reasons for the delay in roll out for its regime.

    Theme: T91 Fiscal federalism: Finance Commission, GST & state finances

  10. GS32013GS3-ECO-05-M2013-S01

    Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indians. Are they competing with the MNCs satisfactorily? Discuss.

    Theme: T130 Liberalisation & FDI: retail, defence, Indian firms vs MNCs

  11. GS32013GS3-ECO-05-M2013-S02

    (a) Discuss the impact of FDI entry into Multi-trade retail sector on supply chain management in commodity trade pattern of the economy. (b) Though India allowed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in what is called multi-brand retail through the joint venture route in September 2012, the FDI, even after a year, has not picked up. Discuss the reasons.

    Theme: T130 Liberalisation & FDI: retail, defence, Indian firms vs MNCs

  12. GS32013GS3-ECO-06-M2013-S01

    Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problem of conventional energy.

    Theme: T153 Renewable energy transition: solar, wind, EVs, green corridor

  13. GS32013GS3-ECO-07-M2013-S01

    Adoption of PPP model for infrastructure development of the country has not been free of criticism. Critically discuss pros and cons of the model.

    Theme: T135 Infrastructure & investment models: PPP, Gati Shakti, concession agreements

  14. GS32013GS3-ENV-02-M2013-S01

    What are the consequences of Illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of GO AND NO GO zones for coal mining sector.

    Theme: T35 Minerals & mining: resource vs environment

  15. GS32013GS3-ENV-02-M2013-S02

    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 of management and handling of hazardous wastes in India?

    Theme: T156 River pollution & Ganga cleaning

  16. GS32013GS3-SCI-01-M2013-S01

    What do you understand by Umpire Decision Review System in Cricket? Discuss its various components. Explain how silicone tape on the edge of a bat may fool the system?

    Theme: T152 Science in everyday life & Indian scientific achievement

  17. GS32013GS3-SCI-01-M2013-S02

    (a) What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their applications in aviation and automobile industries. (b) What do you understand by Run-of-river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project?

    Theme: T152 Science in everyday life & Indian scientific achievement

  18. GS32013GS3-SCI-03-M2013-S01

    (a) What is a digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Give various salient built-in features of a digital signature. (b) How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology.

    Theme: T147 AI, semiconductors, robotics & emerging digital tech

  19. GS32013GS3-SCI-04-M2013-S01

    What do you understand by Fixed Dose Drug Combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits.

    Theme: T149 Health technology & pharma: AMR, FDCs, stem cells, nanomedicine

  20. GS32013GS3-SCI-05-M2013-S01

    Bringing out the circumstances in 2005 which forced amendment to the section 3(d) in Indian Patent Law, 1970, discuss how it has been utilized by the Supreme Court in its judgement in rejecting Novratis’ patent application for ‘Glivec’. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision.

    Theme: T150 Intellectual property rights: patents, 3(d), TKDL, life forms

  21. GS32013GS3-SEC-01-M2013-S01

    Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to administration of scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyse the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the Fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing extremism.

    Theme: T161 Left Wing Extremism: development–security linkage

  22. GS32013GS3-SEC-03-M2013-S01

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

    Theme: T164 Terror financing & money laundering: FATF, NMFT, PMLA

  23. GS32013GS3-SEC-03-M2013-S02

    What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present?

    Theme: T167 Social media, disinformation & public order: mob violence, IT Rules

  24. GS32013GS3-SEC-03-M2013-S03

    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.

    Theme: T165 Cyber security & cyber warfare

  25. GS32013GS3-SEC-04-M2013-S01

    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?

    Theme: T168 Border management: China & Pakistan borders, BADP, drones, airspace, Ladakh

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