UPSC_CS MAINS 2017 Paper II

What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.

Points to Remember: ECOSOC’s primary role is coordinating economic and social work within the UN system. It achieves this through functional commissions, expert bodies, and intergovernmental forums. Understanding the functions of the various commissions is key to grasping ECOSOC’s overall impact. Introduction: The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) is one of the six … Read more

Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countriesâ economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South-East Asia in this context.

Points to Remember: Significant economic contributions of the Indian diaspora in Southeast Asia. Cultural influence and preservation of Indian traditions. Challenges faced by the diaspora, including discrimination and integration issues. The role of diaspora engagement in strengthening India-Southeast Asia relations. Potential for future collaboration and development. Introduction: The Indian diaspora constitutes a substantial and influential … Read more

China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asiaâ, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour.

Points to Remember: China’s economic growth and trade surplus. China’s military expansion. India’s strategic response to China’s growing power. The impact on regional stability. Potential for conflict and cooperation. Introduction: China’s rise as a global economic power is undeniable. Its consistent positive trade surplus has fueled significant economic growth, a portion of which has been … Read more

Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss.

Points to Remember: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWD Act, 2016) aims to ensure the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities. The Act’s effectiveness hinges on implementation and enforcement. Challenges include societal attitudes, resource allocation, and accessibility infrastructure. Success depends on collaborative efforts from government, civil society, and individuals. Introduction: The … Read more

Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness,which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment.

Keywords: Civil Services, India, neutrality, effectiveness, reforms, drastic reforms. Required Approach: Analytical (with elements of factual support). Points to Remember: Historical context of Indian Civil Services (ICS) and its evolution. Current challenges faced by the Indian Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS etc.). Arguments for and against drastic reforms. Potential reform measures and their feasibility. Importance … Read more

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.

Keywords: Hunger, Poverty, Good Governance, India, Successive Governments, Measures for Improvement. Required Approach: Primarily analytical, with elements of factual reporting. Points to Remember: Defining hunger and poverty in the Indian context. Examining the role of governance in addressing these issues. Analyzing the progress made by successive governments. Identifying the shortcomings and challenges. Suggesting concrete measures … Read more

âPoverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political willâ. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India.

Points to Remember: Major Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India (e.g., MNREGA, PMJDY, National Food Security Act) Political will as a crucial factor for success Assessment of program performance â successes and failures Role of corruption, implementation challenges, and targeting issues Suggestions for improvement and strengthening political commitment Introduction: Poverty alleviation has been a central focus … Read more

âThe emergence of Self-Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activitiesâ. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs.

Points to Remember: Definition of SHGs: Self-Help Groups are village-based financial intermediaries composed of 10-20 women from similar socio-economic backgrounds. Role of SHGs: Poverty alleviation, financial inclusion, women’s empowerment, skill development, and community development. Government’s Role: Policy support, financial assistance, capacity building, and institutional linkages. Limitations of SHGs: Sustainability challenges, limited reach, potential for exploitation, … Read more

âTo ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs,the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomesâ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.

Points to Remember: Target Beneficiaries: Accurate identification of the most vulnerable and needy populations is crucial for effective WASH program implementation. Outcome-Based Targeting: Beneficiary selection should align with the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) outcomes of the WASH scheme. Synchronization: The process of identifying beneficiaries must be concurrent with the planning and design … Read more

What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it.

Points to Remember: ECOSOC’s primary role is coordinating economic and social work within the UN system. It achieves this through functional commissions, expert bodies, and intergovernmental forums. Functional commissions focus on specific areas like human rights, social development, and statistics. ECOSOC’s effectiveness depends on member state cooperation and resource allocation. Introduction: The United Nations Economic … Read more