UPSC Mains 2013
Get model answers for all UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for 2013 with detailed model answers, diagrams, flowcharts, and structured answer writing for GS 1, 2, 3, and Ethics - all at one place
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions, and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate.
The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions, and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate.
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: What is meant by the Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today? Discuss.
What is meant by the Gujral doctrine? Does it have any relevance today? Discuss.
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy.
In respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy.
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?
Discuss the political developments in Maldives in the last two years. Should they be of any cause of concern to India?
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?
The protests in Shahbag Square in Dhaka in Bangladesh reveal a fundamental split in society between the nationalists and Islamic forces. What is its significance for India?
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints that are inhibiting this growth
Economic ties between India and Japan while growing in recent years are still far below their potential. Elucidate the policy constraints that are inhibiting this growth
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.
What do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.
- International Relations10 MarksView Answer for: The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine because India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its strategic interests.
The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine because India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its strategic interests.
- Indian Polity10 MarksView Answer for: ‘A national Lokpal, however strong it may be, cannot resolve the problems of immorality in public affairs’. Discuss.
‘A national Lokpal, however strong it may be, cannot resolve the problems of immorality in public affairs’. Discuss.
- Governance10 MarksView Answer for: Though Citizen’s charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations, there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided. Analyse.
Though Citizen’s charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations, there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided. Analyse.
- Social Justice10 MarksView Answer for: Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health.Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government to achieve the same.
Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health.Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government to achieve the same.
- Social Justice10 MarksView Answer for: The basis of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is rooted in establishing connectivity. Comment.
The basis of providing urban amenities in rural areas (PURA) is rooted in establishing connectivity. Comment.
- Social Justice10 MarksView Answer for: An electronic cash transfer system for welfare schemes is an ambitious project to minimize corruption, eliminate wastage, and facilitate reforms. Comment.
An electronic cash transfer system for welfare schemes is an ambitious project to minimize corruption, eliminate wastage, and facilitate reforms. Comment.
- Social Justice10 MarksView Answer for: The Central Government frequently complains about the poor performance of the State Governments in eradicating the suffering of the vulnerable sections of the society. Restructuring of Centrally sponsored schemes across the sectors for ameliorating the cause of vulnerable sections of the population aims at providing flexibility to the States in better implementation. Critically evaluate.
The Central Government frequently complains about the poor performance of the State Governments in eradicating the suffering of the vulnerable sections of the society. Restructuring of Centrally sponsored schemes across the sectors for ameliorating the cause of vulnerable sections of the population aims at providing flexibility to the States in better implementation. Critically evaluate.
- Governance10 MarksView Answer for: The legitimacy and accountability of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their patrons, the micro-finance outfits, need systematic assessment and scrutiny for the sustained success of the concept. Discuss.
The legitimacy and accountability of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their patrons, the micro-finance outfits, need systematic assessment and scrutiny for the sustained success of the concept. Discuss.
- Governance10 MarksView Answer for: Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the informal face of politics. With regards to the above, assess the structure and functioning of pressure groups in India.
Pressure group politics is sometimes seen as the informal face of politics. With regards to the above, assess the structure and functioning of pressure groups in India.
- Social Justice10 MarksView Answer for: The concept of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India with early beginnings in the Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates, and success.
The concept of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India with early beginnings in the Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates, and success.
- Social Justice10 MarksView Answer for: The product diversification of financial institutions and insurance companies, resulting in overlapping of products and services strengthens the case for the merger of the two regulatory agencies, namely SEBI and IRDA. Justify.
The product diversification of financial institutions and insurance companies, resulting in overlapping of products and services strengthens the case for the merger of the two regulatory agencies, namely SEBI and IRDA. Justify.
- Indian Polity10 MarksView Answer for: Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances.
Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances.
- Governance10 MarksView Answer for: Many State Governments further bifurcate geographical administrative areas like Districts and Talukas for better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that a larger number of smaller States would bring in effective governance at the State level? Discuss.
Many State Governments further bifurcate geographical administrative areas like Districts and Talukas for better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that a larger number of smaller States would bring in effective governance at the State level? Discuss.
- Indian Polity10 MarksView Answer for: Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.
Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.
- Indian Polity10 MarksView Answer for: The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on the arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.
The Supreme Court of India keeps a check on the arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.
- Indian Polity10 MarksView Answer for: Recent directives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the ‘Nagas’ as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
Recent directives from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the ‘Nagas’ as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.
- Indian Polity10 MarksView Answer for: Discuss Section 66A of the IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.
Discuss Section 66A of the IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.
- Indian Polity10 MarksView Answer for: The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result, healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention?
The role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result, healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention?
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