UPSC Mains 2017 GS-2 Question Paper

All 20 questions from this paper, with real topper answers where available.

• Q1. How do pressure groups influence Indian political process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as powerful than formal pressure groups in recent years?10 marks · Pressure Groups(Formal vs Informal)
• Q1. Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of South-East Asia Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context15 marks · Diaspora
• Q2. To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. Electoral reforms What are the suggested reforms and how far arethey significant (ECI Proposals) to make democracy successful?15 marks
• Q2. ‘Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political will’. Discuss Poverty Alleviation with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India.15 marks · Schemes
• Q3. “The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.10 marks · Local self-government and decentralisation
• Q3. The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding joint session of the two houses ofthe Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and alsothe occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof.15 marks · Joint Session
• Q3. Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointments: appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.10 marks · Judicial NJAC
• Q3. ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit theamount of time and money spent in electioneering government’saccountability to the people’ Discuss.10 marks · Simultaneous Elections (Pros & but it will reduce the Cons)
• Q3. Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.10 marks · Hunger–Poverty
• Q3. Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality andeffectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree withthe view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment15 marks · Reforms (Neutrality)
• Q3. ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor.10 marks · Economic Relations
• Q3. Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asia in this context15 marks · Diaspora
• Q4. Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the Article 21: right to latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy.15 marks · privacy
• Q4. Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing Public Accounts accountability of the government to the people.10 marks · Committee Estimates
• Q5. ‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized withthe anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH10 marks · WASH scheme
• Q6. developmental benefitsand equitable growth Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism forempowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss10 marks · RPWD Act
• Q7. What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.10 marks · UN ECOSOC
• Q9. Is the National Commission for Women able to strategize and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer15 marks · NCW
• Q11. ‘The emergence of Self Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities’. Examine the role of the SHGs in Self Help Groups developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs.15 marks
• Q12. Explain the salient features of the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough ‘to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for a common national market for goods and services’? (250 words)15 marks · GST(National Market)