UPSC Mains 2013 GS-3 Question Paper

All 28 questions from this paper, with real topper answers where available.

• Q1. Discuss the rationale for introducing Goods and Services Tax in India. Bring out critically the reasons for delay in roll out for its regime.10 marks · GST
• Q1. What is meaning of the term tax-expenditure? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it influences budgetary policies of the government.10 marks · expenditure)
• Q1. Adaptation of PPP model for infrastructure development of the country has not been free from criticism. Critically discuss the pros and cons of the model.10 marks · Investment Models
• Q1. Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indians. Are they competing with the MNCs satisfactorily?10 marks · Liberalisation
• Q1. India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in food industry for better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement.10 marks
• Q1. Establish the relationship between land reform, agriculture productivity and elimination of poverty in the Indian economy. Discuss the difficulty in designing and implementation of the agriculture-friendly land reforms in India.10 marks · Land Reforms
• Q1. What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyze the agriculture subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it.10 marks · Farm Subsidies
• Q1. How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in disaster management? Drought has been recognised as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections.10 marks · Disasters & Disaster Management Vulnerability & Risk Assessment
• Q1. What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of “GO AND NO GO” zones for coal mining. Enumerate the National Water Policy of India.10 marks · Environmental conservation; Environmental pollution and degradation; Environmental Impact Assessment (Go/No-Go Zones)
• Q1. What do you understand by Umpire decision review in cricket? Discuss its various components. Explain how silicon tape on the edge of a bat may fool the system?10 marks · 1) S&T developments and everyday applications & effects 2) Awareness in fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotech, Biotech, IPR issues Sports Tech )
• Q1. Article 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to the administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the Fifth Schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism.10 marks · 1) Linkages between Development & spread of Extremism; 2) Linkages of Organized crime and Terrorism &LWE
• Q1. How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in view of the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?10 marks · Porous Borders Management
• Q1. Money laundering poses a serious threat to country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace? India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns.10 marks · Money laundering & Prevention Prevention of ML
• Q1. Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by cyber warfare? Outline the cyber threats which India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with the same.10 marks
• Q2. With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new Companies Bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also, discuss other provisions in the Bill and their implications.10 marks · CSR & Inclusive Growth
• Q2. What are the reasons for introduction of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003? Discuss critically its salient features and their effectiveness.10 marks · FRBM
• Q2. Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problems of conventional energy.10 marks · corridor
• Q2. Discuss the impact of FDI entry into multi-trade retail sector on supply chain management in commodity trade pattern of the economy.5 marks · Foreign Investments( Multi-Brand Retail)
• Q2. Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO.10 marks · Food security and WTO
• Q2. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India?10 marks
• Q2. What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their applications in aviation and automobile industry.5 marks · Materials
• Q2. What is digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Give various salient built-in features of a digital signature.5 marks · Digital signature
• Q3. What do you understand by run of the river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project?5 marks · Run of the river Hydroelectricity
• Q3. Though India allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) in what is called multi-brand retail through joint venture route in September 2012, the FDI even after a year has not picked up. Discuss the reasons.5 marks · Foreign has not picket up. Discuss the Investments
• Q3. Bring out the circumstances in 2005 which forced amendment to section 3(d) in the Indian Patent Law, 1970. Discuss how it has been utilized by the Supreme court in its judgment rejecting Novartis' patent application for “Glivec”. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision.10 marks · IPR
• Q3. What are social networking sites and what security implications do these sites present?10 marks · Security Threats
• Q4. How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology.5 marks · 3D printing
• Q5. What do you understand by fixed dose drug combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits.10 marks · Fixed dose drug combinations (FDCs)