UPSC_CS MAINS 2014 Paper III

Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Nino and La Nina fall outs in India.

Keywords: Drought, Disaster, El NiÃ±o, La NiÃ±a, NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), Preparedness, India, September 2010 Guidelines. Required Approach: Primarily factual and analytical, drawing upon the NDMA guidelines and incorporating relevant examples to illustrate preparedness mechanisms. Points to Remember: Definition of El NiÃ±o and La NiÃ±a and their impact on India’s monsoon. Key features of … Read more

Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to Indiaâs energy needs for economic growth.

Points to Remember: The value of carbon credits has significantly decreased. India’s energy needs are substantial for economic growth. The UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and carbon credit system aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability is crucial. Introduction: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) established carbon … Read more

Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before a project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads.

Points to Remember: Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a crucial process for mitigating environmental damage from projects. Coal-fired thermal plants, especially those located at coal pitheads, have significant environmental impacts. These impacts span air, water, and land pollution, impacting human health and ecosystems. Mitigation strategies and sustainable alternatives are crucial for minimizing negative consequences. Introduction: … Read more

How does illegal trans border migration pose a threat to Indiaâs security? Discuss the strategies tocurb this, bringing out the factors which give impetus to such migration.

Points to Remember: Keywords: Illegal trans-border migration, India’s security threats, strategies to curb migration, impetus for migration. Required Approach: Primarily analytical, with elements of factual presentation. Introduction: Illegal trans-border migration poses a significant threat to India’s national security, impacting its socio-economic fabric and strategic interests. While migration itself isn’t inherently negative, the illegal nature of … Read more

China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What threat does this pose for Indiaâs security? Critically examine.

Points to Remember: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Geopolitical implications for India Security threats: territorial integrity, strategic autonomy, economic competition Introduction: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a network of infrastructure projects connecting China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea. While touted … Read more

âThe diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which is seen in her neighborhood? Discuss along with strategies to be adopted to counter this environment.

Points to Remember: India’s diversity: Multi-religious, multi-ethnic society. Vulnerability to radicalism: Impact of neighboring radical groups. Strategies to counter radicalism: Proactive measures, strengthening institutions, community engagement. Introduction: India, a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse religious and ethnic threads, faces a significant challenge: the potential infiltration and impact of radical ideologies emanating from its volatile neighborhood. … Read more

International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above their territory. What do you understand by âairspaceâ What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat.

Points to Remember: Definition of airspace and its legal boundaries. Implications of state sovereignty over airspace on the space above. Challenges posed by this sovereignty, including space debris and satellite collisions. Potential solutions and international cooperation mechanisms. Introduction: International civil aviation law, primarily governed by the Chicago Convention of 1944, establishes the principle of complete … Read more

In 2012, the longitudinal marking for high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65 degrees east to 78 degrees east in the Arabian Sea by the International Maritime Organisation. What impact does this have on Indiaâs maritime security concerns?

Points to Remember: The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) shifted the longitudinal marking for high-risk piracy areas in the Arabian Sea. This shift impacts India’s maritime security concerns significantly. The impact needs to be analyzed from various perspectives: strategic, economic, and operational. Introduction: Maritime piracy poses a significant threat to global trade and maritime security. The … Read more

In a globalized world, Intellectual Property Rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the termsâCopyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets.

Points to Remember: Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Legal rights granted to the creators of original works of the mind. Copyright: Protects original creative works (literary, artistic, musical). Patents: Protect inventions (processes, machines, compositions of matter). Trade Secrets: Protect confidential information providing a competitive edge. Globalization’s Impact: Increased cross-border transactions necessitate strong IPR protection. Litigation: Disputes … Read more

Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctorâs prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved.

Points to Remember: Overuse of antibiotics. Free availability without prescription. Emergence of drug-resistant diseases. Monitoring and control mechanisms. Issues involved. Introduction: The rise of antibiotic resistance is a significant global health threat, and India is particularly vulnerable. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global public … Read more