UPSC_CS MAINS 2014 Paper III

Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as are business professions, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment.

Points to Remember: Declining scientific research in Indian universities. Lack of attractiveness of scientific careers compared to business, engineering, and administration. Increasing consumer orientation of universities. Critical analysis required, considering both sides of the argument. Introduction: India’s higher education system, particularly its universities, plays a crucial role in the nation’s scientific and technological advancement. However, … Read more

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the defence sector is now set to be liberalized: What in fluence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and long run?

Points to Remember: Increased domestic competition and technological advancements. Potential for job creation and economic growth. Risks of dependence on foreign technology and national security concerns. Need for robust regulatory frameworks and strategic partnerships. Introduction: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India’s defence sector has traditionally been heavily restricted. However, recent policy changes aim to liberalize … Read more

Explain how Private Public Partnership arrangements, in long gestation infrastructure projects, can transfer unsustainable liabilities to the future. What arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that successive generations’capacities are not compromised?

Points to Remember: Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) in infrastructure. Long gestation projects and their inherent risks. Transfer of unsustainable liabilities to future generations. Mitigation strategies and safeguards. Introduction: Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly used to finance and deliver large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those with long gestation periods (i.e., projects requiring many years to complete). … Read more

National Urban Transport Policy emphasises on ‘moving people’ instead of ‘moving vehicles. Discuss critically the success of the various strategies of the Government in this regard.

Points to Remember: Shift in focus: From vehicle-centric to people-centric urban transport. Multi-modal integration: Combining various transport modes for seamless travel. Sustainable transport: Prioritizing environmentally friendly options. Accessibility and inclusivity: Ensuring transport caters to all segments of society. Infrastructure development: Investment in public transport and pedestrian infrastructure. Policy implementation challenges: Bureaucracy, funding constraints, and public … Read more

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has come into effect from Ist January, 2014. What are the key issues which would get addressed with the Act in place? What implications would it have on industrialization and agriculture in India?

Points to Remember: Key provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act, 2013). Impact of the Act on land acquisition for industrial projects and agricultural expansion. Potential benefits and drawbacks for industrialization and agriculture. Suggestions for improvement and sustainable implementation. Introduction: The Right to … Read more

There is also a point of view that Agricultural Produce Market Committees APMCs set up under the State Acts have not only impeded the development of agriculture but also have been the cause of food inflation in India. Critically examine.

Points to Remember: APMCs’ role in agricultural marketing in India. Arguments for and against APMCs. Impact of APMCs on agricultural development and food inflation. Alternative marketing models and their effectiveness. Policy recommendations for improving agricultural marketing. Introduction: Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), established under various State Acts in India, are mandated to regulate the trade … Read more

“In the villages itself no form of credit organization will be suitable except the cooperative society.”–All India Rural Credit Survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agricultural finance in India. What constraints and challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finance face? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients?

Points to Remember: The dominance of cooperative societies in rural credit. Constraints faced by financial institutions in providing agricultural finance. The role of technology in improving access to rural credit. Introduction: The All India Rural Credit Survey (AIRCS) of 1954 famously asserted, “In the villages itself no form of credit organization will be suitable except … Read more

Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages short-sightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor.In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism for bringing inclusive growth in India? Discuss.

Points to Remember: Capitalism’s role in global prosperity. Capitalism’s contribution to inequality. Inclusive growth in India. Applicability of capitalism to India’s context. Potential modifications for inclusive growth. Introduction: Capitalism, an economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and market-driven resource allocation, has undeniably fueled significant global economic growth. The post-World War … Read more

“While we flaunt India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employ ability.”What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain.

Points to Remember: India’s demographic dividend: Large working-age population. Employability: Skills and qualifications needed for jobs. Job creation: Sources of employment opportunities. Skill gap: Mismatch between skills and job requirements. Education and training: Importance of quality education and vocational training. Investment: Role of public and private investment in job creation. Policy reforms: Necessary changes in … Read more

Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth-services vis-a-visindustry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base?

Points to Remember: India’s unique economic trajectory: direct shift from agriculture to services. Reasons for services sector dominance. Importance of a strong industrial base for development. India’s potential for balanced growth. Introduction: The conventional development model posits a sequential shift in a nation’s economy: from agriculture to industry, and finally to services. However, India deviated … Read more