UPSC_CS MAINS 2018 Paper II

What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’,especially keeping in mind the interest of India?

Points to Remember: WTO’s relevance amidst trade wars. Specific reform areas needed. India’s interests within WTO reforms. Introduction: The World Trade Organization (WTO), established in 1995, aims to regulate international trade and ensure a fair and predictable trading system. However, the rise of protectionist policies and “trade wars,” particularly between the US and China, has … Read more

In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation?

Points to Remember: India’s energy security India’s relations with the US and Iran Regional stability in the Middle East India’s non-proliferation stance Economic implications for India Introduction: The ongoing US-Iran nuclear pact controversy, specifically the withdrawal of the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 and subsequent reimposition of sanctions on … Read more

“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.

Points to Remember: Deepening bilateral ties between India and Israel across various sectors. Irreversible nature of the strengthened relationship. Strategic convergence despite historical context. Challenges and potential areas for further cooperation. Introduction: India and Israel, despite a history marked by differing geopolitical alignments, have witnessed a dramatic upswing in their bilateral relations in recent decades. … Read more

A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.

Points to Remember: India’s strategic interests in Central Asia. The Ashgabat Agreement’s objectives and mechanisms. Implications of India’s participation for regional connectivity and trade. Challenges and opportunities presented by the presence of other external powers. Potential impact on India’s relations with other regional players. Introduction: Central Asia, a region rich in resources and strategically located … Read more

Appropriate local community level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All’ in India. Explain.

Points to Remember: Importance of local community healthcare in India. Barriers to accessing healthcare in rural and underserved areas. Strategies for effective community-level interventions. Role of government, NGOs, and community participation. Measuring the success of community healthcare initiatives. Introduction: The World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Health for All” initiative aims to ensure that all people have … Read more

Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case. i

Points to Remember: Overlapping jurisdictions of commissions for vulnerable sections. Duplication of functions among commissions. Proposed merger into an umbrella Human Rights Commission. Advantages and disadvantages of merger. Constitutional implications and practical challenges. Introduction: India has a multitude of commissions dedicated to the welfare and protection of vulnerable sections of society. These include the National … Read more

e-governance in not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain.

Points to Remember: E-governance leverages technology for improved governance. “Use value” of information is crucial for effective e-governance. Accessibility, usability, and impact of information are key. Challenges in achieving optimal use value need addressing. Introduction: E-governance, the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to government functions, aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. … Read more

The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters.

Points to Remember: Citizen’s Charters aim to enhance transparency and accountability in organizations. While effective in principle, they face several limitations in practice. Improving their effectiveness requires addressing these limitations through specific measures. Introduction: A Citizen’s Charter is a formal declaration of an organization’s commitment to its citizens, outlining the services it provides, the standards … Read more

How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?

Points to Remember: Hunger is a multi-faceted problem. Food availability is a crucial, but not sole, factor. Ineffective human development policies significantly contribute to hunger. Addressing hunger requires a holistic approach. Introduction: Hunger, defined by the World Health Organization as a chronic state of undernourishment, remains a significant challenge in India. While the lack of … Read more

“Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.

Points to Remember: Policy inconsistencies across sectors. Stakeholder conflicts hindering environmental protection. Inadequate environmental protection and prevention of degradation. Illustrative examples of policy contradictions. Recommendations for improved environmental policy coherence. Introduction: Environmental protection is a global challenge requiring coordinated and consistent policies. However, the reality often falls short. Competing interests among various sectors (e.g., industry, … Read more