GENERAL STUDIES Paper II || UPSC mains 2018 gs paper 2 || UPSC mains paper 2018

GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER—II)

'Time Allowed : Three Hours
		Maximum Marks : 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions) There are TWENTY questions printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

ALL questions are compulsory.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Answers to Question Nos. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to Question Nos. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.

1. In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines(EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? 10 (Answer in 150 words)

2. Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (Answer in 150 words) 10

3. Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the - President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force?   (Answer in 150 words) 10

4. Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.

5. "The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play." Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise.                          A                                      (Answer in 150 words) 10

6. "Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders., have  resulted in inadequate 'protection and prevention of degradation' to environment." Comment with relevant Illustrations. (Answer in 150 words 10)

7. Appropriate local community-level healthcare   is a prerequisite to achieve 'Health for All' in India. Explain. (Answer in 150 words) 10

8. E^-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the 'use value' of information. Explain.(Answer in 150 words) 10

9. "India's relations with Israel have of late, acquired  a depth and diversity, which, cannot be rolled back." Discuss. 

10. 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, on India joining the Ashgabat Agreement    2018. (Answer in 150 words) 10

12. How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India. 

13. India and US are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.                                (Answer in 250 words) 15

14.How is the Finance Commission of India constituted?. What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.  (Answer in 250 words) 15

15.Assess the importance of the Panchayat system  in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects? (Answer in 250 words) 15

16. 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. Answer in 250 words) 15 

17.How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food  as the main cause ofhtirai er takes the attention away from  ineffective human  development policies in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15

18. The Citizens' Charter is an ideal instrument of organizational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizens' Charter. (Answer in 250 words) 15

19. 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? (Answer in 250 words) 15

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

(Answer in 250 words) 15

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