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[Download] UPSC Mains-2014: General Studies Paper 3:

Economy, Agriculture, Science Tech, Environment &
Internal security
Posted By Mrunal On 17/12/2014 @ 9:52 pm In Question-Papers | No Comments

1. GS3: 2014 paper itself

2. General Studies Paper III in 2013 vs 2014
1. Economy (5 Qs | 62.5 marks)
2. Infrastructure & investment (2 Qs | 25 marks)
3. Agriculture (2 Qs | 25 marks)
4. Science Tech (3 Qs | 37.5 marks)
5. Environment (3 Qs | 37.5 marks)
6. Security (5 Qs | 62.5 marks)
3. Question Paper: Linear Format
4. Bogus marketing propaganda

2014 paper itself

Easy: You just have to reproduce the mugged up bullet points on the
answersheet.
Moderate: you have to brainstorm for ideas and invent points to fillup the
gaps.
Difficult: when hardly 1-2 points can be recalled or invented.

Breakup of Mains-2014 General Studies paper 3

Question Nature Current/Theory Context
Opening statement repeatedly
surfaced in Hindu after Modi’s
Agriculture to
Moderate Current make in India that India shifted
services
directly from agriculture to
services.
Demographic
Moderate Current same as above
dividend

As such APMC is one of

the ‘core-theory’ topic of
food processing industry
and its downstream issues
APMC Easy Both But resurfaced in current
since Jaitley budget’s
 promise to create national
market for agriculture.

This statement is given in many

academic books since 80s and
90s (as per google search).
Moderate To
Rural credit Both Don’t recall anything specific in
Difficult
current though except Nachiket,
and random filler on financial
inclusion.
land Easy To
Current Appeared in Jan 2014 Hindus.
acquisition Moderate
capitalism vs
Moderate To Statement lifted from Business
inclusive Current
Difficult world column, 27th June 2014
growth
PPP Economic survey summary,
unattainability Easy Current budget announcement about 3P
and solution India.
Urban Moderate To Randomly surfaced during
Current
transport Difficult budget, Road safety bill.
TheHindu had gone crazier than
usual about this issue. So did all
FDI in
Easy Current the communists- because of
defense
Israeli and American
companies.
Same as above. Been repeatedly
in Hindu columns, after
science
Government made scientists
career not M/D Current
teach a few hours in school
lucrative
every year, INSPIRE scheme
etc.)
As such topic emerged in 2010s-
when Lancet journal blamed
“superbug” on India’s lax
antibiotic regime. later in 2011
due to MDR-TB, then in late
2013s when Government’s move
Antibiotics M/D Current to make compulsory
prescription rules for antibiotics.
Topic resurfaced again in Mid-
2014 when WHO said its big
problem, and experts demanded
separate body.
theory topic but resurfaced in
IPR,
Easy To current after Modi’s Make in
Copyrights, Theory
Moderate India policy promised to reform
Trade secret
all three of them.
Carbon credit M/D Current Issue discussed in Business
world 21st January 2014, and
sufficient bullets available
साला इतना िडटे ल म कोन ि पेर
करता है ? [Who prepares in this
much detail?] As such points
NDMA can be ‘invented’ but question
guidelines on
Difficult Contemporary requires specific discussion on
El-Nino and the said guidelines. Survey and
La-Nina Budget speech mentioned El-
Nino preparedness but they
mostly threw factual statistics
hard to recall in exam.

in Mid to late 2013, topic

was in news because CIL
demanding Government
permission from this while
states demanding free
power from such units,
EIA for
M/D Contemporary saying pithead plants =
pithead plants
pollution, fly ash content,
health hazards.
But overall no hardcore
points. Candidates have to
‘invent’ the points during
exam hall

Been in news after ISIS & Al-

Qaeda threat to India and US
radicalism M/D Current
report on counter-terror
measures in India
The context of “space above
airspace” is China’s anti-satellite
missile testing in July 2014 (and
Civil aviation Difficult Contemporary previously in 2007). But difficult
to assemble points because
question framed from legal-
academic point of view.
Been in news for a long time due
Illegal
Easy/Moderate Contemporary to election speeches of Modi
migrants
and issue of Rohingya migrants
Statement resurfaced Hindu
piracy 14/Jan/14 but not much
Difficult Contemporary
longitudes hardcore points. Same with
NewIndianexpress
Talks were on going since mid-
China pak 2013s, but official launch news
economic M/D Current appeared in 1st Dec’14 Hindu.
corridor. Moral of the story: one should
keep reading it even if exam is
near

1. Only one question from theory. 19 questions are of current / contemporary

nature, and majority of them appeared in theHindu. Therefore, one should
keep habit of reading newspaper on daily basis and maintaining notes out of
it, particularly the ‘fodder’ type points from columns.
2. Majority of questions, essay-ish type with moderate to difficult level- requiring
you to brainstorm for points.
3. Facts, figures, salient features are important for CSAT but gave negligible
benefit for Mains-2014.
4. Verbose questions. For example: Environmental impact assessment studies
are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by the government.
Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at
Pitheads.
5. It could be simply asked as “Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired
thermal plants located at Pitheads.” Opening statement of the statement
(shown above in bold) is redundant. Same in many questions. UPSC could
save a lot of paper by avoiding such bol-bachchan-giri.

2013 vs 2014
 Some continuity while lots of changes
2013 2014
20 questions, 200 words each. Length reduced,
25 questions, 250 words each
at least in theory.
Economy question less Required broad grasp and brain-storming for
complicated. Just have to points. e.g. strategies for urban transport,
rewrite the mugged up points for using technology for agriculture finance and
FRBM, GST, Companies act etc. so on.
two questions related to
economy laws: companies bill, Just one- land acquisition act.
and FRBM
Questions on budget and
taxation worth 30 marks. nothing
impact of liberalization asked Ignored.
FDI in multibrand retail asked
FDI in defense asked for 12.5 marks
for 10 marks
Public health: Fixed drug Public health: Antibiotic resistance. Although
combination, Glivec. Ebola not asked.
Science tech portion focused on
Essay-ish questions asked this time.
factual awareness such as 3D
Nothing from ISRO-MARS, IRNSS-C and
printing, FRP composite
truckload of other inventions and
material, Umpire decision review
gadgets.
system.

1. Nothing from cropping

pattern, irrigation system
2. nothing from e-technology
for farmer
3. nothing from ‘economics
of animal rearing’ Nothing this year either.
4. nothing from linkages of
organized crime with
terrorism
5. nothing from ‘mandates of
various security forces’

food processing and land

reforms asked
IT-security, social media
questions asked.
Environment-disaster
Management worth 45marks
asked.
money laundering asked
Internal security in 50 marks.
Nothing
Nothing
37.5 marks
Ignored despite all the election speeches, G20
BEPS, Supreme court SIT, P-notes, Hedge
funds. But then again, 2013’s question asked
entire overview, so hardly anything new left to
ask.
Weightage and complexity both increased-
questions like space above airspace, high risk
piracy. and even latest current affairs

anyways, let’s check the paper.

INSTRUCTIONS for General studies paper-3 (GS3)

1. Duration 3 hours. Total marks 250.

2. There are TWENTY (20) questions printed both in HINDI and ENGLISH.
3. Answer the questions in NOT MORE THAN 200 words each. Contents of the
answer is more important than its length. All questions carry equal marks.
 4. All the questions are compulsory.
5. 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.
6. Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
7. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the answer book must be clearly
struck off.

Economy (5 Qs | 62.5 marks)

1. 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 of services vis-a-vis industry in the country? Can
India become a developed country without a strong industrial base?
2. While we found India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of
employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that
India desperately needs come from? Explain.
3. The right to fair compensation and transparency land acquisition,
rehabilitation and resettlement act, 2013 has come into effect from 1 January
2014. What implication would it have on industrialization and agriculture in
India?
4. Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity.
However, it often encourages shortsightedness and contributes to wide
disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to
believe and adopt capitalism driving inclusive growth in India? Discuss.
(Statement lifted from Business-world column, 27th June 2014)
5. Foreign direct investment in the defence sector is now said to be liberalized.
What influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the
short and long run?

Infrastructure & investment (2 Qs | 25 marks)

Syllabus Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.;

Investment models.

1. Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation

infrastructure projects, can transfer unsuitable liabilities to the future. What
arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that successive generations’
capacities are not compromised?
2. National urban transport policy emphasizes on moving people instead of
moving vehicles. Discuss critically the success of various strategies of the
government in this regard.

Agriculture (2 Qs | 25 marks)

1. There is also a point of view that agriculture 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.
2. “In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except the
cooperative society.” – All Indian rural credit survey. Discuss this statement
in the background of agriculture finance in India. What constrain and
challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finances? How can
technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients?

Science Tech (3 Qs | 37.5 marks)

1. Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription,

the contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What
are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss
the various issues involved.
2. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in
science is not as attractive as our business operations, engineering or
administration, and the universities are becoming consumer oriented.
Critically comment.
3. In a globalised world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are
a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms – copyrights,
patents and trade secrets.

Environment (3 Qs | 37.5 marks)

1. Should the pursuit of carbon credit and clean development mechanism set up
under UNFCCC be maintained even through there has been a massive slide in
the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for
economic growth. Issue discussed in Business world 21st January 2014, and
sufficient bullets available
2. Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its party expense,
temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable
sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National
disaster management authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to
deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India.
3. Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken
before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental
impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at Pitheads.

Security (5 Qs | 62.5 marks)

1. The diverse nature of India as a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society is not

immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighborhood.
Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment.
(Been in news after Al-Qaeda threat to India and US report on counter-terror
measures in India).
2. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive
severity over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by
airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this
 airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggests ways to
contain the threat.
3. How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India’s security?
Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus
to such migration. (Been in news for a long time due to election speeches of
Modi and issue of Rohingya migrants.)
4. In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved
from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime
organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security
concerns? (Statement resurfaced Hindu 14/Jan/14 but not much hardcore
points. Same with NewIndianexpress)
5. China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an
economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India’s security? Critically
examine. (Talks were on going since mid-2013s, but official launch news
appeared in 1st Dec’14 Hindu. Moral of the story: one should keep reading it
even if exam is near.)

Question Paper: Linear format. Click to expand

1. 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 of services vis-a-vis industry in the country? Can
India become a developed country without a strong industrial base?
2. While we found India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of
employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that
India desperately needs come from? Explain.
3. There is also a point of view that agriculture 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.
4. “In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except the
cooperative society.” – All Indian rural credit survey. Discuss this statement
in the background of agriculture finance in India. What constrain and
challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finances? How can
technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients?
5. The right to fair compensation and transparency land acquisition,
rehabilitation and resettlement act, 2013 has come into effect from 1 January
2014. What implication would it have on industrialisation and agriculture in
India?
6. Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity.
However, it often encourages shortsightedness and contributes to wide
disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to
believe and adopt capitalism driving inclusive growth in India? Discuss.
7. Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation
infrastructure projects, can transfer unsuitable liabilities to the future. What
arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that successive generations’
capacities are not compromised?
 8. National urban transport policy emphasizes on moving people instead of
moving vehicles. Discuss critically the success of various strategies of the
government in this regard.
9. Foreign direct investment in the defence sector is now said to be liberalised.
What influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the
short and long run?
10. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in
science is not as attractive as our business operations, engineering or
administration, and the universities are becoming consumer oriented.
Critically comment.
11. Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription,
the contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What
are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss
the various issues involved.
12. In a globalised world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are
a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms – copyrights,
patents and trade secrets.
13. Should the pursuit of carbon credit and clean development mechanism set up
under UNFCCC be maintained even through there has been a massive slide in
the value of carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for
economic growth.
14. Drought has been recognised as a disaster in view of its party expense,
temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable
sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National
disaster management authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to
deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India.
15. Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken
before project is cleared by the government. Discuss the environmental
impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at Pitheads.
16. The diverse nature of India as a multireligious and multi-ethnic society is not
immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighbourhood.
Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment.
17. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive
severity over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by
airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this
airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggests ways to
contain the threat.
18. How illegal transborder migration does pose a threat to India’s security?
Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus
to such migration.
19. In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved
from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime
organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security
concerns?
20. China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an
economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India’s security? Critically
examine.
 Bogus marketing propaganda*

Since UPSC did not ask straightforward questions such as salient features of
agro-forestry, Mars missions, IRNSS-C, cyclone hudhud, biotechnology,
tonnes of stupid IT-electronics and space inventions. Hence a Lot of hard-
labour gone to waste from my side in writing, and from your side in
memorizing them.
But in economy-agriculture-security portion, there was good amount of
material scattered around.

Sr Topic utility
first question has two sub-questions:
8/12.5
1. Why services fare better than (mfg) industries. because
2. Can India become developed without focusing on scattered
1 industries? and have to
invent points
Random points scattered here and there in the summaries of to fillup the
economic survey and make in India revision note. gaps.

Demographic dividend but where will the jobs come?

Survey ch.10: jobs will come from tourism.

Survey Ch.9 by focusing on MSME, textile-handloom sector.
2 12.5/12.5
Revision note: Jobs will come from Make in India, factory-
labour reforms, after skilling people under Din Dayal and
giving loans to their SHGs etc.

PPP problem and solution.

Problem angles: overleveraged firms bidding for long-term

projects, can’t complete due to subprime crisis and cost-
escalations, can’t redraw contracts, NPA, infra-
3 12.5/12.5
bottlenecks, GDP slowdown.
Solution angles: 3P-India, flexible PPP contracts, traffic
equilibrium etc. from economic survey summary and BOT-
EPC from revision note.

APMC and inflation angles. 12.5/12.5

because
4 1. Food processing series
direct points
2. Economic survey ch.8 summary
available.
Agriculture finance problem.

Nachiket identified the problems faced by financial

8/12.5
institutions: (1) debt waiver making farmers indisciplined,
because
(2) the ‘middleman’ model failed (3) March rush (4) loans
scattered
cornered by rich farmers in rich states benefiting. (5) and
nature and
 5 Rajan bhai identified banking correspondence agents have to
playing mischief, hence can’t trusted with loan papers. invent points
How can technology be used to serve rural clients? Have to fillup the
to invent ideas: USSD for mobile banking, Direct benefit gaps.
transfer, Rupay-card of Jan dhan for overdrafting, combining
NASA-TOPs with agro-loans etc.

FDI in defense article

6/12.5
Foreigners can’t get Management control so less chances because only
of technology transfer. two angles
6
Government permitted beyond 49% but on CCS’s mentioned
discretion over what is “modern state of art technology”. without going
Otherwise 49+% would help in technology transfer. in-depth.

Patent vs Copyright difference given in WIPO article. + Some

7 filler in Make in India revision note. But it doesn’t cover “trade 8/12.5
secret”. Hence 2/3rd utility.
India strategies to counter radicalism 8/12.5
because
From US report on Indian counter terrorism covers the
scattered
steps already taken. And its negative points can be used
8 and have to
to ‘inventing’ new points about future-strategies.
invent points
Al-Qaeda threat to India- explains why India is becoming ripe
to fillup the
ground for radicalism.
gaps.
Illegal migrants. Rohingya migrant security-problem and
remedies covered verbatim. and assuming that

9 6 marks=Bangladeshi angles 4/12.5

4 marks= Rohingya
2.5 marks for misc. Nepali, Sri-Lankan etc.

Total Aukaat 79.5/250

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