General Studies Mains Questions And Answers

1 1.Munich Pact, instead of easing tensions proved to be the last act of appeasement by Imperialist nations towards Fascism. Comment.

2 1.Despite its inclusive objectives Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana has not made any perceptible impact or achieved its desired purpose. Analyse.

3 1. Discuss about the Peasant’s, handicrafts and tribal uprisings in India during nineteenth century.

4 1.Despite heavy floods in different statesof India, there exists a critical dangers of national water emergencies.Elaborate on the aggravated problem by providing some possible solutions.

5 1. Analyse the need for strengtheningthe Civil Rights Act of America in contemporary times.

6 Q1. Analyse the need for strengtheningthe Civil Rights Act of America in contemporary times.

7 Q1. ‘Raja Ravi Varma was not only a prolific artist who brought Hindu gods to Indian homes but was also regarded as the most important representative of the Europeanised school of painting in India.’Discuss.

8 Analyse the impact of COVID-19 on rural lives and livelihood in India and suggest a measure to deal with the situation.

9 Examine how Coronavirus pandemic has affected women?

10 What is Micro irrigation? What are the various benefits of Micro irrigation techniques over traditional irrigation methods?

11 What are the provisions of National Medical Bill Act. Critically analyse the act and the various issues related with it.

12 Do you think that Anti-Defection Law in India need amendment? Discuss

13 Discuss the Right to Information Act’s role in fostering a more informed citizenry and an accountable government so far. What are the various concerns related to the RTI act?

14 A report issued by the US State Department raised concerns that China might be conducting nuclear tests, in violation of its Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) undertakings. Briefly describe what is CTBT and its significance in current context? And should India Sign it?

15 Analyse the vulnerabilities and preparation of armed forces to deal with biowarfare like situation. Also, Suggest a way forward to deal with the situation.

16 Discuss the root causes of the Naxalite movement in India. Also comment on the latest efforts undertaken by the government to address this issue.

17 The method of Rice-fish co-culture would definitely enhance farm production, reduce environmental degradation and improve the quality of life of farmers. Analyse.

18 India has world’s 4 per cent of the water resources, but still is counted amongst the water stressed nations. What are the reasons that caused this stress and what steps need to be taken to bring India back to water-adequacy?

19 Forest Fires pose a threat not only to the forest wealth but also to the entire regime. In view of this statement discuss the various adverse impacts of Forest Fires.

20 Define moral relativism with suitable examples.

21 Bring out the meaning of the statement “No great genius has ever existed without some touch of madness” .

22 Discuss how aptitude differs from ability and achievement? Explain which aptitudes act as foundational values for Civil Services in India.

23 Green Revolution, despite of several achievements is marred by serious defects. Examine.

24 What do you understand by the term regional disparity? Briefly discuss the consequences of regional imbalances in India. Suggest appropriate measures to reduce regional imbalance in India.

25 What was the immediate trigger of the World War-I? Also list other reasons for the breakout of the war.

26 What factors were responsible for the dispatch of Cabinet Mission? Do you think that it represented a change of attitude on the part of the British Government?

27 Critically analyse the provisions of Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

28 Examine the need of Prison reforms in India.

29 Recently, amendments were made in the Unlawful Activities Prevention act. Critically analyse the significant changes as a result of the amendments.

30 Critically examine the need of National Register of citizen’s at national level.

31 Competition law should support the independence of CCI in its effort to foster competitive and dynamic markets for growth. Critically Examine.

32 The nomination of Ex- Chief Justice of India to Rajya Sabha recently has drawn sharp reactions from the legal fraternity as well as the political opposition, and brings into focus the question of the judiciary’s independence. Debate on the question, if this was the right decision?

33 Analyse the need for a data firewall keeping in light the recent leak of medical data of patient as reported by a German cybersecurity firm.

34 The Covid-19 crises could bring the country up to digital speed. Examine the statement.

35 The Indian government is preparing to install a nationwide facial recognition system, but the plan draws criticism from rights activists and tech experts who warn of the risks to privacy and from increased surveillance. Examine.

36 Discuss how Wildfires Can Affect Climate Change.

37 Why honesty is a priceless asset for a civil servant?

38 It is projected that 20% of Indian Population would be above 60 years of age by 2050. Assess the preparedness of India by listing down the issues faced by elderly in India and measures taken by government to address them.

39 What is Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction? Enlist the measures taken by India which are in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

40 Citizen’s charter is an important instrument for ensuring accountability, transparency and grievance redressal. Evaluate the performance of citizen charter’s in India, also highlight the issues plaguing it and suggest measures to counter them.

41 Liaquat-Nehru Pact was in news off late due to controversy related to recent amendments in citizenship act. Highlight the provisions of the pact and the environmental context which led to its formation.

42 The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts have infused life in the working of rural and urban local government institutions. Discuss critically.

43 What is the proposed Green credit scheme of the Government? Critically evaluate the significance of the scheme.

44 Sand Mining has become one of the grave environmental challenges in India. Elucidate.

45 China recently held military exercises in the South China Sea (SCS) ahead of third anniversary of the PCA ruling in favour of Philippines reinforcing its claims in the world’s most critical trade route via sea. What is the strategic Importance of South China Sea and explain various issues involved with it.

46 Recently, the Union Environment Ministry had issued a draft notification that seeks to regulate membrane-based water filtration systems in areas where the source of water meets drinking water norms of the Bureau of Indian Standards. This primarily affects reverse osmosis (RO)-based water filtration systems and the rules effectively prohibit homes from installing domestic RO systems. Brief in short, what is Reverse Osmosis? What is the problem with Reverse Osmosis? Explain.

47 Recently, the Parliament has made passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, which had been framed for the welfare of transgender persons. What are the salient features of the Bill? What are the concerns raised? Critically analyse.

48 A faulty service delivery system could thwart any rural stimulus. Describe.

49 Cyber security a critical challenge for India’s digital payments ecosystem. Discuss.

50 Bilateral agreements are more desirable than multilateral deals. Examine.

51 Recently, The WTO’s dispute settlement panel ruled that India’s export subsidy schemes, including the provision for special economic zones, violated core provisions of global trade norms. What are export subsidies? How will it Impact India?

52 Recently, India decided not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). What were the factors contributing behind it? Enumerate the implications that will lead to it.

53 Recently, a trend has come up where Judges have been choosing not to hear some cases. In light of this, critically examine the phenomenon of Judicial Recusal.

54 Recently, World Development Report was released by World Bank with the theme “Trading for Development in the Age of Global Value Chains (GVC)”. Critically examine whether GVCs are beneficial for trade.

55 Recently, government constituted a GST Review Committee. Do you think GST law requires any reforms? If yes, Suggest reforms to make law robust.

56 Vaccine hesitancy, which is defined by WHO as a “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services”, has been reported in more than 90% of countries in the world. What is Vaccine Hesitancy? Analyze the various factors which lead to it? What can be done to prevent it? Discuss.

57 The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)’s Committee on Science and Technology released a report which emphasised the importance of soil organic carbon (SOC). Write a short note on soil organic carbon. How can it help in preventing land degradation and desertification? Illustrate.

58 Mains 2019 Questions and Answers PAPER I TO IV

59 India is among the top five sources of e-waste, which comprises all discarded items of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and its parts. What are the challenges which India face in recycling E- Waste? Examine.

60 India’s Superbug has become a global problem. Comment. What are the problems caused by Superbugs? What actions has been taken by Government to eradicate it? Discuss.

61 Artificial Intelligence will replace tasks, not jobs. Comment

62 CMB - Bharat is said to be the new ambitious programme of ISRO. What are its goals and significance? How will it act as the game changer for Indian Space Mission?

63 The Ministry of Defence has proposed not to make any further investments in the state-owned defence production sector which has, over the years, become a drag on the economy. Comment. How defence manufacturing in India can be revived?

64 Explain the significance of social capital in the context of India.

65 Maharaja Ranjit Singh was the leader of trans-regional empire and his contributions span across various fields. Discuss.

66 Absoluteness of the Speaker’s decisions can also be an incentive for potential abuse of his powers and functions. Discuss in light of recent controversies.

67 “Only Constitutional morality and not social morality can be allowed to permeate rule of law” was the stand of the Supreme Court in a recent case. How was the Constitutional morality invoked time and again by Indian Judiciary and what is its scope in Indian society?

68 Real integrity is doing the right thing when you know that nobody is going to know whether you did it or not. Express your views with example.​

69 Biotechnology sector can play a contributing role in the realization of $5 trillion economy target of India. Justify

70 The Economic Survey has called for creation of ‘data’ as a public good. What could be the benefits of creation of data as a public good?

71 The Medical Council of India has failed in the supervision of medical education and practice. Examine in the light of the recommended National Medical Commission Bill.

72 The common challenges faced by India, Sri Lanka and Maldives necessitate a collaborative and joint approach by the three neighbours. Elaborate.

73 G-20 has become one of the most significant international body and platform for highlighting national and international concerns by member states. In the light of this statement explain how India can use the G20 to further its interests.

74 Indian federalism is an asymmetric federalism. Explain with suitable examples.

75 Discuss the historical context behind Article 35 A and examine the possible implications of its abrogation on the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

76 Analyse Gandhiji’s perspective on Swaraj and its implications on India’s freedom movement.

77 Discuss the significance of Ayushman Bharat Scheme in achieving the goal of Universal Health Coverage.

78 Highlight the challenges faced by lower judiciary and suggest measures to mitigate them.

79 The issue of curbing fake news gets entangled in Privacy Vs Security debate. Critically analyse the need for balance in regulation and legislation in this dilemma.

80 Mission Indradhanush is a potential game changer which can produce far reaching gains if the challenges facing it are overcome on time. Critically analyse the statement.

81 Enumerate the reasons for the backwardness of PVTGs and the government initiatives for their development.

82 Conservation of flora and fauna is a global concern in the light of adverse climate change. At the same time the right to livelihood of forest dwellers is a genuine humanitarian issue. What steps have been taken to strike a balance?

83 Analyse the significance of Witness Protection Scheme in the wake of rising attacks on Witnesses in India.

84 Comment on the status of Tribal education in India and suggest measure for improvement.

85 Critically analyse the significance of continuous use of Official Secrets act post the enactment of RTI Act 2005.

86 What is smart fencing? Explain the role of technology in Border management.

87 Why do we need a balanced fiscal federalism? Do you think the fiscal space of the states is weaning away at the hands of the Centre?

88 Indian economy has slipped in global GDP rankings which highlights the challenges India has to face in achieving this year’s target of $ 3 trillion economy. What reforms would you suggest in order to provide the required boost to the economy?

89 The economics of loan waivers make it inherently antithetical to the long term interests of farmers, agriculture and banking sector. Examine.

90 Advancing blue economy through sustainable management and utilization of ocean’s resources can be a shot in the Indian economy’s arm. Discuss.

91 Lack of affordable and accessible energy sources has resulted in energy poverty in India which acts as a dampener for the economy. What measures could be taken in order to boost India’s per capita energy consumption?

92 Difficulties in even some private banks in India suggests that ‘simple’ solutions like privatizing all public sector banks may be no panacea. Comment.

93 The stagnant and subdued contribution of ‘manufacturing’ sector in the economy beckons at the need for a new Industrial Policy. Elaborate.

94 How will the recently approved National Mineral Policy, 2019 be effective in ushering in a sustainable mining sector? Examine.

95 India’s rank in global competitiveness has seen a consistent improvement since a few years. In the light of this statement highlight the factors fuelling this growth as well as the areas dragging India behind in global competitiveness.

96 Do you think the growth model followed by East Asian economies could be suitable in propelling India’s economic growth trajectory?

97 As per the recent UNDP report, India halved its poverty in last 10 yrs. In this light explain the factors which led to this drop and also highlight the challenges still existing in India’s poverty landscape.

98 Membership of RCEP presents many opportunities for India but current rounds of negotiations fail to address India’s apprehensions. Comment.

99 The growing proximity between Russia-Pakistan-China poses fresh challenges for India in domestic and international spheres. Critically examine.

100 The stand taken by the quadrilateral (US, China, Russia and Pakistan) on the principles governing Afghan Peace Process differ from those held by India. Being an important stakeholder in the region how do you think India should navigate its course of action?

101 Recently, India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) was launched by Ozone Cell of Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Explain the need to launch this plan. What are the objectives of this plan? Critically examine its effectiveness.

102 The Indian Sundarbans was accorded the status of ‘Wetland of International Importance’ under the Ramsar Convention. What will be its benefits? Analyze the threats posed to Sundarbans.

103 Monsoon floods have ravaged India. While the southern states of Karnataka and Kerala are still dealing with the destruction, northern India is now bracing for the worst. There are six states reported to be affected by flood so far - Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Examine the causes behind these floods. What are the practices that can control floods in India? Explain.

104 What are the causes of Plastic Pollution? Analyse the effects of Plastic Pollution. As a Consumer, briefly examine the solution to the plastic Pollution.

105 AI-driven technology will become counterproductive if a legal framework is not devised to regulate it. Examine Ans. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a source of both enthusiasm and skepticism, albeit in different measures. With humans and machines joining forces now more than ever before, AI is no longer confined to innovation labs and is being hailed for its immense transformational possibilities.

106 A group of more than 1,000 farmers gathered in a village in Akola of Maharashtra to sow seeds of an unapproved, genetically modified variety of cotton, defying government regulations. As this conflicts rises, critically examine the need for GM Crops.

107 What is a Block chain technology? What is the need for Blockchain technology? Describe its applications.

108 What are BS Norms? What is the difference between BS – IV norms and the BS- VI? Why there is a need for upgradation of BS norms for reducing pollution? What will be its impact?

109 The second application of the Bonn Challenge Barometer, which tracks global commitments on forest landscape restoration (FLR), found that nearly 44 million hectares (Mha) of land was under restoration in 13 countries in 2018, representing approximately 56% of these countries’ commitments and 29% of the total global Bonn Challenge target. What is a Bonn Challenge? Also explain Forest landscape restoration and principles behind it?

110 What is Mission Gaganyaan? What are its objectives and relevance?

111 What is Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery? Examine India’s role in it? Briefly explain the global efforts in reducing disaster reduction?

112 In recent years, India’s coastal regions have become more vulnerable to multiple risks related to climate change. Intense and more frequent cyclones such as the recent Fani, Gaja and Hudhud as well as severe floods have caused massive devastation to the country’s coastal states. In this regard, examine what is climate resilient infrastructure. Also, highlight its benefits and the Challenges involved in building such infrastructure?

113 India is facing an urban water crisis. What are the water challenges in urban India? What can be done to overcome it? Substantiate your answer.

114 What do you understand by crypto currency? Do you think crypto currencies should be legalized? Critically analyse.

115 At the 14th G20 summit, which was held in June 2019, India backed data localisation laws. Give agreements in favour and against as to why data localization is necessary for India?

116 A civil Servant is expected to be objective as well as compassionate. Explain how it is possible to fit into these criteria with suitable examples.

117 In the time when world is facing hatred, fear and increasing violence what we need is secular ethics and happiness. What do you mean by secular ethics?

118 Although India has been witnessing one of the highest economic growth rates since few years, the growth has not been inclusive. Explain.