UPSC 2015 previous-year questions linked to current affairs

India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.

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How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?

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How far do you agree that the behaviour of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanising landscape? Discuss.

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Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UNSC.

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Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.

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In the absence of well-educated and organised local level government system, Panchayats and Samitis have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instrument of governance. Critically Discuss.

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Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest?

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The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.

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In the light of the Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in corporate governance to ensure transparency and accountability.

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To achieve the desired objectives, it is necessary to ensure that the regulatory institutions remain independent and autonomous. Discuss in the light of experiences in the recent past.

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"Success of Make in India program depends on the success of Skill India programme and radical labour reforms." Discuss with logical arguments.

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'Success of 'Make in India' programme depends on the success of 'Skill India' programme and radical labour reforms.' Discuss with logical arguments.

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In what way could the replacement of price subsidy with direct benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss.

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To what factors can the recent dramatic fall in equipment cost and tariff of solar energy be attributed? What implications does the trend have for thermal power producers and related industry?

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Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.

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Convertibility of rupee implies: (a) Being able to convert rupee notes into gold (b) Allowing the value of rupee to be fixed by market forces (c) Freely permitting the conversion of rupee to other currencies and vice versa (d) Developing an international market for currencies in India

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The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to (a) protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes (b) determine the boundaries between States (c) determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats (d) protect the interests of all the border States

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'Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana' has been launched for (a) providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates (b) promoting women's Self-Help Groups in backward areas (c) promoting financial inclusion in the country (d) providing financial help to the marginalized communities

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The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? 1. People's participation in development 2. Political accountability 3. Democratic decentralization 4. Financial mobilization

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The terms 'Agreement on Agriculture', 'Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures' and 'Peace Clause' appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the (a) Food and Agriculture Organization (b) United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (c) World Trade Organization (d) United Nations Environment Programme

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With reference to the Fourteenth Finance Commission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It has increased the share of States in the central divisible pool from 32 percent to 42 percent. 2. It has made recommendations concerning sector-specific grants. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

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