UPSC_CS MAINS 2015 Paper III

The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, Indiaâs preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects.

Points to Remember: Increased earthquake frequency in the Indian subcontinent. Significant gaps in India’s earthquake preparedness. Discussion of various aspects: seismic zones, infrastructure vulnerability, early warning systems, disaster response mechanisms, public awareness, and policy gaps. Introduction: The Indian subcontinent is situated in a seismically active zone, lying on the boundary of the Indian and Eurasian … Read more

Discuss the Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs?

Points to Remember: Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) are flagship programs aimed at rejuvenating the Ganga river. Previous schemes yielded mixed results due to various factors including lack of coordination, inadequate funding, and insufficient community participation. Quantum leaps are needed to achieve significant improvements in Ganga’s health, requiring a holistic and … Read more

Human right activists constantly highlight the fact that the Armed forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human right abuses by security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists. Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by Apex Court.

Points to Remember: AFSPA’s controversial sections: Section 4 (powers of arrest and search), Section 5 (use of force), Section 6 (protection of persons acting under the Act). Human rights violations alleged under AFSPA: extrajudicial killings, custodial torture, disappearances. Supreme Court’s stance: Emphasis on accountability, due process, and limitations on AFSPA’s application. Balancing national security and … Read more

Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a âDigital Armed Forcesâ to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation.

Points to Remember: National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 (NCSP 2013) aims and objectives. Key challenges in implementing NCSP 2013. Need for a “Digital Armed Forces” in India. Balancing national security with individual rights and freedoms in cyberspace. Introduction: The rapid proliferation of digital technologies has transformed India, yet it has also significantly increased its vulnerability … Read more

Religious indoctrination via social media has resulted in Indian youth joining the ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous to the internal security of our country.

Points to Remember: ISIS’s ideology and goals. ISIS’s recruitment tactics, especially through social media. The impact of ISIS on Indian internal security. Strategies to counter ISIS’s influence. Introduction: The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Daesh, poses a significant threat to global security, including India. Its sophisticated use … Read more

The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward area shave resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements. With Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) doctrine affected citizens back into mainstream of social and economic growth.

Points to Remember: Displacement of tribal populations and farmers due to large-scale industrial development. The link between industrial development in backward areas, displacement, and the rise of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). Corrective strategies to integrate LWE-affected citizens into mainstream social and economic growth. Case studies of Malkangiri and Naxalbari. Introduction: India’s development trajectory has often been … Read more

Discuss the advantage and security implication of cloud hosting of servers vis-a-vis in house machine-based hosting for government business.

Points to Remember: Advantages of cloud hosting: cost-effectiveness, scalability, accessibility, flexibility, disaster recovery. Security implications of cloud hosting: data breaches, vendor lock-in, compliance issues, lack of control, single point of failure. Advantages of in-house hosting: greater control, enhanced security (potentially), better compliance management. Security implications of in-house hosting: higher initial investment, limited scalability, maintenance challenges, … Read more

What do you understand by âStandard Positioning Systemâ and âPrecision positioning systemâ in the GPS era? Discuss the advantage India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites.

Points to Remember: Standard Positioning System (SPS): Provides less accurate positioning data, freely available to the public. Precision Positioning System (PPS): Offers higher accuracy positioning data, often requiring authentication and authorization. IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System): India’s independent navigation system, offering both SPS and PPS capabilities. Advantages of IRNSS: Sovereignty, regional coverage, enhanced accuracy … Read more

What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel the research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation.

Points to Remember: Identify areas of prohibitive labor suitable for robotic automation. Discuss sustainability aspects of robotic solutions in labor. Propose initiatives to boost relevant research in premier institutes. Focus on substantive and gainful innovation. Introduction: Prohibitive labor refers to tasks that are dangerous, repetitive, physically demanding, or otherwise unsuitable for human workers. These tasks … Read more

Indiaâs Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations is proving a powerful weapon in countryâs fight against erroneous patents. Discuss the pro and cons of making the data base available publicly available under open-source licensing.

Points to Remember: India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) and its purpose. The debate surrounding open-source licensing of TKDL’s database. Pros and cons of public access to TKDL data. Potential implications for India’s intellectual property rights and global collaborations. Introduction: India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a unique initiative aimed at protecting India’s vast … Read more