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Tax administration
3.
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Digital literacy
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Housing Pressure
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5) Do you think the G20 and its summits are just talking
shops for powerful world leaders? Discuss its role in the time
of economic crises. (200 Words)
G-20 accounts for 80% of world GDP, 2/3 of Population
rd
Even though most of the agendas are not fructified to full extent, G
20 has achieved a lot within its short span as an international forum
of powerful nations despite conflicting ideologies, competition and
conflicting national interests.
Moreover, every action must start with deliberation, and
complaining the group as mere Talking shop is not fair
Some of the achievements include,
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
2.
3.
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8.
9.
19).
2. Conversion of Loans to Equity and taking of majority
ownership of the loss making firm Debt restructuring
2. SARFAESI act To be amended to enable sponsors of ARC to
hold upto 100% stake in PSB
(ARC only interested in profitable deals, not interested to take
ownership of severely sick PSB)
4. Bank board bureau Professional advice from Eminent
experts to recapitalize PSB
(Not yet started, still takes time to conceptualize)
2. It also defies Rule of Law and Equality before law and Judicial
principle of Innocence until proven guilty which are ethical
principles enshrined in the constitution
3. It is unethical, since, Every human being must be respected as
such and they must not be treated as means to a certain end
3. Chance to reform and chance rectify the way of living of a
criminal is denied out rightly, Hence Unethical. Because, society
must base itself on Reformative justice and not retributive
justice.
No person has the right to take away the life of other person,
even he may be terrorist which flows from the principle Treatment of human beings as an end in itself rather than
means to an end.
1.
2.
4.
5.
Problems of workers
7.
9.
15.
18.
wholesale markets
(Simplified marketing channel, Shortening of Supply chain,
removal of intermediaries, Reduction in complexities.
Finally, Less effort, more income)
People led initiatives to adopt new technologies Motivation lacking among the majority of farmers - Farming
6.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Application
The product used in diagnostic kits
Cut the time taken to diagnose conditions such as HIV to a day,
from 45 days at present to a day-Crucial golden period to save
the patient from damage saved - Used for treatment
safe DNA/RNA fluorescent stains for applications in biological
sciences and genomics.
first-ever food grade nucleic acid gel stain - Safest option
currently available due to non carcinogenic effect
It is also 7 times more sensitive than Ethidium Bromide, making
it the worlds safest and fastest DNA/RNA stain
Reusable Cut the cost Can be scaled nationwide it
doesnt alter the structure of the DNA and can be used for
multiple tests,
Ecofriendly and safe to use environmentally safe. currently
available ones are synthetic and known to cause mutations,
affecting ones health. Improper disposal causes environmental
and aquatic hazards.
Science behind it
Tintorang developed from undisclosed plant source
Used for DNA and RNA visualization, molecular diagnosis, and in
vivo imaging applications.
Not photosensitive unlike EtBr and therefore does not require
incubation in dark.
DNA within
a few seconds
8. India is the largest producer of goat milk and the
second-largest producer of goat meat in the world. It is
said that with economic gains that can result from
technological and marketing interventions in goat rearing
is immense. Discuss these interventions and their
implications for India. (200 Words)
Technological interventions
9. Broiler goat farming technology
10.
11.
2.
Marketing
3. Universal market Huge demand
4.
5.
6.
Implication
9.
10.
11.
industries
General Studies 1;
Topic:World history
1) Why was Korea divided? Examine the causes of animosity
between North Korea and USA. Do you think North Korea
poses threat to global security? Comment. (200 Words)
The Indian Express
Division of Korea
Product of Cold war politics between USA and USSR after the end of
World war II (Effectively an Ideological war between Capitalism
promoted by USA and communism promoted by USSR)
Korea was liberated by Allied forces from Japan (occupied since
1910), with the defeat of Japan after WW II. Later, US and USSR
agreed to temporarily occupy the country , Country was divided
along 38 parallel, with Communist USSR administering the northern
th
part and Capitalist USA the South of the parallel. Both countries
wanted to increase the sphere of influence, ended up in Korean War
Cemented the division.
Causes of Animosity
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
South Korea and Japan insecure Arms race in Japan and South
Korea and chances of instigating war is more with impulsive yet
unaccountable North Korea
2. Regime not accountable to People Low standard of living and
social indicators, starvation If there is any rebellion, the
regime could resort to war to divert the inherent issues
2. To raise capital, may sell missiles and nuclear warhead to
terrorist organizations like ISIS, Al-Quaeda etc., This is greatest
threat to global security.
2. Young impulsive dictatorial leader, Kim Jong Un may resort war
with South Korea, later domino effect pulling major power into
conflict Regional instability
General Studies 2
Topic: Development processes and the development industry- the
role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors,
charities, institutional and other stakeholders
2) It is argued that the source for sustainable long-term
growth in any country is the strength of its institutions. Are
strong democratic institutions necessary for economic
growth and development? Critically discuss their role. (200
Words)
Livemint
Strong Democratic institutions
Not Just Democratic institutions, but, strong democratic institutions
which reflects the popular interest are necessary,
India is diverse multi ethnic, multi religious country Every voice
need to be heard Consensus need to be formed before every major
decision to prevent alienation and secessionist tendencies Strong
democratic institutions are the best option
Because,
But,
China, being a communist country without strong democratic
institutions, succeeded in lifting millions out of poverty due to quick,
rational and responsive decision making with long term planning.
Even certain decisions which are unpopular but, essential for long
term development may be easily pushed in governance model like
2.
3.
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5.
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7.
8.
9.
General Studies 3
Topic: Government budgeting; Conservation; Environmental
pollution
4) Making a countrys budget green is not about how much
money is allotted to tiger or forest protection. It is about
integrating it into every aspect of your economy and
ensuring there is no wasteful use of natural resources. In
the light of the statement, evaluate how green is the recent
union budget. (200 Words)
Livemint
Greenness of Recent Budget,
1.
a healthier economy.
Wildlife habitats:No measures to set up national parks and WLS
No dedicated funds:A separate Green Protection Fund should be
set up for environmental protection.
R&D:Increase in funds for R&D in environment are lacking. R&D
would have led to better Waste Disposal methods, reducing air
3.Technological developments:
4.Socio-Economic Problems:
5.Defence Indeginisation:
3.Proper funding:
5.Effective Manpower:
8.Clearances
10.People disregard:
collect the toll and allocate it to private player annually over 1020 years
Government has come up with 2 web portals infracon and epace to provide all necessary details regarding highway projects.
This will boost transparency and efficiency.
General Studies 4
Topic: Laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical
guidance;;
7) There may be times when we are powerless to prevent
injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to
protest. Discuss the significance of this statement to
present day India. (150 Words)
States are too powerful even in democratic set-ups. Even though
governments are of the people, by the people and for the people;
there are instances when people become victims of state policies or
inability of state to provide times justice , or to prevent crimes
against its own people. Citizens, who are largely peaceful, are left
with the option of either dissent or protest. Most choose the latter in
the hope of getting heard. The right to protest peacefully is a
constitutional right.
Being a mute spectator towards injustice is being part of the crime
itself. From the time Indians raised their voices for Azaadi and
Inquilaabs against the injustice of the foreign rule, protests have
been taking place against the problems like human rights violation,
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms,
Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
2) Discuss the features of ancient Indian universities vis a
vis their autonomy and education culture, and compare
them with features of modern state funded universities in
India. (200 Words)
Frontline
Features of Ancient Indian universities
General Studies 2
The Hindu
Social security provision in the union budget 2016.,
The decision to follow EET (Exempt, Exempt, Tax) model for EPF
contribution, i.e. taxing the 60% of the money accrued in PF proceeds at the
time of withdrawal. This initiative discourages employees to withdraw the EPF
money in lump sum.
Tax exemption to 60% of EPT at the time of withdrawal if it is invested in an
annuity program Encourages to invest and to secure perpetual monthly
income
Bringing parity in EPF and National Pension scheme (40% tax exempt)
Encourages investment in pension schemes.
Minimum of 1,000 Rs. pension to all the employees invested in Employee
Pension Scheme (EPS) (component of EPF contribution)
The partial revival of Varishta Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) which was
introduced during Sri.Vajapayee government
The introduction of Atal Pension Yojana (APY) - for workers of the
unorganized sectors in the budget 2015-16.
Deposits unclaimed in EPF /PPF account would be used for the welfare of
senior citizen .
But,
Taxation of EPF contribution at the time of withdrawal is unwarranted (Long
term commitment of the employee is compromised eg. Buying a house,
marriage expenses of Children)
Initiatives like increasing the threshold for EPF contribution from a monthly
salary of 6,500 Rs. to Rs. 15,000 for increasing the take home salary (But, this
will be counterproductive in the long term, even though it increase the take
home salary).
India, with 82% of the work force engaged in unorganized sector, universal
pension scheme is the need of the hour, which is missing in the budget.
Agriculture laborers and farmers, without any formal social security scheme
also need pension scheme with mandatory contribution from the government
(Atal pension yojana need to be universalized even without contributions from
the farmers)
Money from IGOAPS is meager, must be raised to meet the age old
requirement of citizen.
Programs like ICDS have helped in reducing the maternal and child
mortality rates by providing maternity treatment,nutrition requirements
Immunization drives like the pulse polio program,Indradhanush have helped
in reducing major communicable and non-communicable diseases.
food security:
Schemes like PDS, MDM, Food for work ensure basic nutrient intake. Money
saved here can be used by the farmers for more farm inputs, fertilizers which
in turn increases their produce
children:
impacts on poverty and vulnerability reduction, while helps break intergenerational cycles of poverty and exclusion.
2.social insurance: pooled, contributory insurance programmes and labour
market protection: and 3.provision of unemployment benefits, building skills
and enhancing workers productivity and employability..they help reduce
poverty in the following ways:
Political
unemployed:
enterprises
skill development:
It allows the poor to think of investing in their future rather than their day to
day survival. Skill india, Start up India, stand up India and other initiatives by
India make sure that
suggestions:
With most of the worlds poor and hungry still living in the
countryside and still dependent on agriculture, twinning social
protection with agricultural development programs makes
compelling sense
General Studies 3
2. Funding
3. Procedural
4.Initiatives by the state governments like odd-even scheme has its own
benefits.additional benefits including reducing on road congestion, increase of
average car speeds, reduced fuel usage and made significant impact on public
awareness -The Budget proposal to open up the sector has the potential to
reverse the effects of the neglect and obsolescence.
Neglected areas:
Suggestions:
Public transportation is a immediate concern for cities all over the world
especially developing countries like India.So in keeping sustainable
development in mind the government has to take serious efforts.
institutions and the LIGO Laboratory in the USA, along with its
international partners Australia, Germany and the UK.
Impact on india:
3.
Impact on industry:
1.
2.
3.
3.
4.Disease Diagnostics:
5.Environmental Benefits:
improved soil health and water retention ,reduced run off ,fuel
conservation ,reduced green house gas emissions and more
efficient carbon storage in the soil.In 2007 this was equivalent to
removing 14.2 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.
What needs to be Done?
-strengthening of local human and institutional capacities to adopt available
technology to local needs
-effective public private partnerships need to be developed
-linkages should be along the value chain i.e.., farmers-processors who add
value to the produce keeping in mind the urban people demands.proper
infrastructure like roads,training in enterpreneurship skills,enhanced credit
facilities need to be looked by the government.
Recently approves national biotechnology programme and the past cartagen
protocol have to be remembered to avoid misuse of transgenic organisms
,unnecessary complications in the future with respect to super bugs,super
weeds etc..,
General Studies 4
Also important are strong values and ethics in society. A society strong in
universal values can always act as buffer to the rise of fascist tendency of
certain ambitious individuals.