India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit
opium-growing states has enhanced her internal
security concerns. Explain the linkages between
drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as
gunrunning, money laundering and human
trafficking. What countermeasures should be
taken to prevent the same?

Data security has assumed significant importance in
the digitised world due to rising cyber crimes. The
Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report
addresses issues related to data security. What,
in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses
of the Report relating to the protection of personal
data in cyberspace?

Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from the ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’?

How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, of 2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna?

With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.

Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?

How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millet production and consumption.

Assess the role of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?

How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect the macroeconomic stability of India?

How are the principles followed by NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India?

Left-wing extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.

Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of an Organic State?

What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.

What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes that are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?

Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionised the field of Physics.

Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate the number of intermediaries?

What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap?

Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019.

“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.