SHANKAR IAS ACADEMY

GROUP I MAIN - MOCK TEST- II – PAPER–III – EXPLANATION KEY

SECTION - A
UNIT - I
3 Marks
1. Write about “BHARAT 22”?
 New Exchange Traded Fund Bharat-22. ETF is an investment fund
traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks. An ETF holds assets
such as stocks, commodities, or bonds and generally operates with
an arbitrage mechanism.
 It is designed to keep it trading close to its net asset value, although
deviations can occasionally occur. ETFs may be attractive as
investments because of their low costs, tax efficiency, and stock-like
features.
 Bharat-22 ETF is the second ETF from Govt. of India after CPSE
ETF, hence it is attracting investors in the stock market.
2. What do you know about NISAR often in news recently?
 NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission – NISAR.
 Aimed to measure the changes on earth’s land surface, ice surface,
glaciers, earthquakes and volcanoes & to find causes and
consequences of such changes.
 It will be launched by 2020 – NISAR will be the first satellite mission
to use two different radar frequencies (L-band and S-band).
3. Write a note on Indian Coast Guard Ship Shaurya.
 Indian Coast Guard ship Shaurya is the fifth in the series of six
105-metre Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), was commissioned in
Goa by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra
Pradhan.
 The OPV, which draws 2,350 tonne and is propelled by 9100
kilowatt diesel engine, has been designed and built indigenously by
Goa Shipyard Ltd and is fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and
communication equipment, sensors and machineries.
4. What are the symptoms of Black fever?
 Kala-azar also called black fever is a fatal parasitic disease caused
by the parasitic agent called Leishmania Donovani. The symptoms
are
1. Loss of interest and desire of everything, pale appearance, loss of
weight with weakness.
2. Abnormal enlargement of the spleen, usually nontender and soft.
3. Dry, skin and scaly skin of hands, abdomen, feet and face that
gives the Indian name Kala-azar which means ‘Black Fever’.
4. Anaemia along with emaciation (weakness) creates a typical
appearance of the affected person.
5. What is Project Varshadhari?
 A cloud seeding project Varshadhari launched by Karnataka
Government in Bengaluru. In this project, chemicals such as Silver
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Iodide, Sodium Chloride and Potassium Chloride are sprayed by an
aircraft into the droplets of 50 microns, which will cause for rains.
 Cloud Seeding is a technique for causing an air fall through
artificial way by inducing the moisture in the clouds.
6. What do you know about Project Brainwave?
 Software giant Microsoft has announced its 'Project Brainwave' deep
learning acceleration platform for real-time artificial intelligence
(AI). With the help of ultra-low latency, the system processes
requests as fast as it receives them.
 The 'Project Brainwave' uses the massive field-programmable gate
array (FPGA) infrastructure that Microsoft has been deploying over
the past few years.
7. Why Gobindobhog rice was in news recently?
 It is a special variety of rice from Burdwan district of West Bengal.
 It has been granted geographical indication (GI) status by
Geographical Indications Registry (GIR).
 Gobindobhog variety of rice is a short grain, white, aromatic, sticky
rice having a sweet buttery flavor.
 It derives its name from principal ingredient usage in preparation of
offerings to Govindajiu, the family deity of Setts of Kolkata.
 The rice variety has several advantages. It is cultivated late and
therefore not much affected by rains. Its productivity per area is
high and so farmers get better prices for Gobindobhog rice. It is less
prone to pests as well.
8. Who is Pushpa Mitra Bhargava and mention his contributions?
 Pushpa Mitra Bhargava is a veteran molecular biologist and a
vehement critic of genetically modified crops.
 He is a pioneer in the field of biotechnology in the country and he
was instrumental in setting up a separate department for
biotechnology (CSIR-Centre for Cellular Molecular Biology,
Hyderabad) in the Union Ministry of Science and Technology in
1977.
 He was one of the top scientists of the country and was known in
the country as the father of modern biology.
9. Who was recently appointed vice chairman of Niti Aayog?
 The Union Government has appointed economist Rajiv Kumar as
the new vice-chairman of NITI Aayog. He succeeds Arvind
Panagariya. As vice-chairman of NITI Aayog, he will hold cabinet
minister rank. Prime Minister is ex-officio chairperson of the NITI
Aayog.
10. Mention the recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2017.
 It is the India’s highest sporting award given for the spectacular and
most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a

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sportsperson over a period of four years. The recipients are
Devendra (Para Athletics), Sardar Singh (Hockey).
11. Write a short note on Gaj Yatra Campaign.
 Gaj Yatra, a nationwide campaign to protect elephants, was
launched by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change on the occasion of World Elephant Day (12th August).
 The campaign is planned to cover 12 elephant range states. The
elephant is part of India’s animal heritage and the Government
celebrates this day to spread awareness about the conservation of
the species.
 The 15 months campaign will be led by the Wildlife Trust of India
(WTI). The campaign aims to create awareness about elephant
corridors to encourage free movement in their habitat.
12. Write about Spice Park was in news recently?
 Board has completed the establishment of Spices Park at
Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, Puttady in Kerala, Jodhpur in
Rajasthan, Guna in Madhya Pradesh, Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu and
Guntur in Andhra Pradesh.
 The basic objective of the concept is to provide common
infrastructure facilities for both postharvest and processing
operations of spices and spice products like cleaning, grading,
sorting, grinding, packing and warehousing. It also aims at
backward integration by providing rural employment.

UNIT – II

13. What is meant by Standing Deposit Facility?

 RBI is planning to introduce a new monetary-policy tool in the
coming financial year to better manage a banking system swimming
in excess cash.
 The so-called Standing Deposit Facility, or SDF, will help the
Reserve Bank of India absorb surplus funds without having to
provide lenders collateral in exchange.
14. Why financial literacy is essential to achieve Financial Inclusion
in India?
 Financial literacy is the ability to use skills and knowledge to take
effective and informed money-management decisions.
 To understand financial planning, a person should be financially
literate and be able to understand the importance of preparing
household budgets, cash-flow management and asset allocation to
meet financial goals.
 For a country like India, this plays a bigger role as it is considered
an important adjunct to promotion of financial inclusion and
ultimately financial stability.

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15. What is meant by RBI’s Contingency Fund? Why it is considered
necessary?
 A contingency fund is a fund for emergencies or unexpected
outflows, mainly economic crises. It is considered necessary
because
1. The RBI says the CF is meant for unforeseen contingencies.
2. CF exist to cushion against unforeseen fluctuations in forex and
gold reserves, losses on its exchange rate operations, valuation
losses on bond holdings and risks arising from its supervisory
responsibilities.
3. Today, the RBI’s record forex reserves are vulnerable to an
appreciating rupee and an NPA-ridden banking system.
4. Expert committees have recommended that the RBI hold a
minimum 12% of its assets in contingency reserves.
16. What is the role played by the self groups in improving the
economic status of rural Women in India?
 The formation of SHGs has benefited its members by increasing
their assets, incomes and employment opportunities.
 The borrowers are able to reduce their dependence on informal
sources of finance and a certain degree of loyalty towards SHGs,
which can work towards permanent or effective inclusion of these
borrowers into the formal banking network.
 The financial inclusion attained through SHGs has led to reduced
child mortality, improved maternal health and the ability of the poor
to combat disease through better nutrition, housing and health –
especially among women and children.
 It has empowered women by enhancing their contribution to
household income, increasing the value of their assets and generally
by giving them better control over decisions that affect their lives.
17. What are the reasons for Jobless growth in India?
1. The rate of growth of labour force increases at a faster pace than the
rate of job creations.
2. Low employment elasticity of agriculture sector which employs
about 50% workforce but contributes around 15% in GDP. Primary
sector has not been able to create adequate jobs over the years.
3. India jumped from primary sector to tertiary bypassing industrial
sector which still experiences sluggish growth. Lack of specialized
skills, decline of MSME sector, labour laws have not allowed this
sector to generate more employment.
4. Service sector is more capital intensive rather than labour intensive,
specialized skills are required which leads to less percentage of
people qualifying for its needs.
5. Non progressive labour reforms.
6. Lack of practical knowledge which produces unemployed graduates.

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7. The issue of jobless growth adversely affects India’s overall
development. It makes population a liability rather than an asset
due to which economic, social and psychological unrest are
observed.
18. Write briefly about Outcome Budgeting? Why it is Important?
 Outcome budgeting refers to the allocation of funds on the basis of
results expected. It is an effective tool of cost management.
Importance
1. Change of focus: The approach under Outcome budgeting is upon
the results and not on the expenditure of money. This ensures the
utilization of funds for the desired and/or maximum outcome.
2. Audit: Both internal and independent external agencies including
the public audit the outcome and thus there is a high degree of
scrutiny in this approach.
3. Preventing Corruption: Accountability of officials based on the
outcome makes it difficult for them to embezzle the funds by taking
advantage of loopholes in the rules.
4. Returning of unutilized funds: The approach avoids the occurrence
of ‘March rush’ to spend money and the unutilized funds are
returned. This not only helps in better utilization of public funds
but also ensures working round the year identifying the needs of a
region.
19. What is Real Effective Exchange Rate or REER?
 Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER) is the weighted average of
nominal exchange rates, adjusted for inflation. It is calculated on
the basis of NEER.
 It captures inflation differentials between India and its major
trading partners and reflects the degree of external competitiveness
of Indian products. It captures movements in cross-currency
exchange rates.
20. Write a short note on Gold Monetisation Scheme of India?
 Gold Monetization Scheme (GMS) will offer option to resident
Indians to deposit their precious metal and earn an interest on it
and will replace the existing Gold Deposit Scheme (GDS) 1999.
 All Scheduled Commercial Banks excluding Regional Rural Banks
will implement GMS. Minimum deposit limit is 30 grams. There is
no maximum limit for the deposit.
 Tenure: Banks will accept gold deposits under the short, medium
and long term.
21. Give a brief about the Dynamic Pricing Policy in Indian Fuel
sector?
 From June 16, 2017, the public-sector oil marketing companies
started the system of daily price revision as against the previous
system for auto fuel, where any revision would be taken fortnightly.

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 The price for any day will become effective from 6 am. Before that,
oil companies will inform dealers at 8 pm about the next day’s price.

UNIT – III

22. Briefly explain about the Infrastructure Investment Trust Fund of

India?
 The initial public offering (IPO) for IRB InvIT, India’s first
infrastructure investment trust fund will open for subscription.
InvITs are similar to mutual funds. While mutual funds provide an
opportunity to invest in equity stocks, an InvIT allows one to invest
in infrastructure projects such as road and power.
23. How the Global Hunger Index is calculated?
 The GHI is calculated by taking into account of four indicator
parameters. They are
1. Undernourishment: the proportion of undernourished people as a
percentage of the population.
2. Child wasting: the proportion of children under the age of five who
suffer from wasting.
3. Child stunting: the proportion of children under the age of five who
suffer from stunting.
4. Child mortality: the mortality rate of children under the age of five.
24. Describe WASH initiative.
 WASH is the collective term for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
Affordable access to WASH is a key public health issue, especially
in developing countries.
 Several international development agencies have identified WASH as
an area with significant potential to improve health, life expectancy,
student learning, gender equality, and other important issues
of international development.
25. Write short note on Multidimensional Poverty Index.
 India has been ranked 37th out of 103 nations in the 2017 global
Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI), according to a new report by
the Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative.
 The 2017 global MPI has covered 76% of the world’s population,
living in 103 countries. The index measures the nature and
intensity of poverty, based on the profile of overlapping deprivations
each poor person experiences.
 It aggregates these into meaningful indexes that can be used to
inform targeting and resource allocation and to design policies that
tackle the interlinked dimensions of poverty together.
26. Write short note on Archaeological Survey of India.
 The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is an attached office in the
Ministry of Culture. It was set up in 1861 with the primary object of
surveying antiquarian remains in this country and their study.
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ASI’s function is to “explore, excavate, conserve, preserve and
protect the monuments and sites of National & International
Importance.”
27. Bring out the objectives of the National Legal Services Authority
of India (NALSA).
 National Legal Services Authority of India (NALSA) was formed on 5
December 1995 under the authority of the Legal Services
Authorities Act 1987.
 Its purpose is to provide free legal services to eligible candidates and
to organize Lok Adalats for speedy resolution of cases. The prime
objective of NALSA is speedy disposal of cases and reducing the
burden of judiciary.
 NALSA is headed by the Chief Justice of India. There is a provision
for similar mechanism at state and district level also headed by
Chief Justice of High Courts and Chief Judges of District courts
respectively.
28. Write the short note on National Investigation Agency (NIA)
 National Investigation Agency (NIA) is a central agency founded by
the Indian Government to combat terror in India.
 It acts as the Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency.
 The organization deals with terror related crimes across states
without special permission from the states.
 The Agency came into survival with the enactment of the National
Investigation Agency Act 2008 by the Parliament of India.
29. List out some of the successful Cooperative Societies of India.
 Aavin is the trademark of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk
Producers' Federation Limited.
 Adarsh Co-operative Bank
 Amul is trademark of Gujarat co-operatives of milk product.
 Indian Coffee house
 Mother Dairy
 IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertilizers Cooperative Limited)
 Co-optex (A unit of Tamil Nadu's Handloom weavers cooperative
society)
30. Bring out the objective of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.
 The Ministry of Human Resource Development has launched Unnat
Bharat Abhiyan with an aim to connect institutions of higher
education, including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National
Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Science
Education & Research (IISERs) etc. with local communities to
address the development challenges through appropriate
technologies.
 The objectives of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan are broadly two-fold:

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1. Building institutional capacity in Institutes of higher education in
research & training relevant to the needs of rural India.
2. Provide rural India with professional resource support from
institutes of higher education, especially those which have
acquired academic excellence in the field of Science,
Engineering & Technology and Management.
31. What are the main functions of the Tamilnadu Civil Supplies
Corporation (TNCSC)?
 The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation is governed
by Government of Tamil Nadu was established at the year 1956.
 It is responsible for providing food grains, commodities for the
people under Public Distribution System through Ration shops. It
also provides kerosene at very low cost. Some of the commodities
are Rice, Wheat, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Rava etc.,
32. What is the primary function of the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI)?
 Investigating cases of corruption, bribery and misconduct of Central
government employees.
 Investigating cases relating to infringement of fiscal and economic
laws, that is, breach of laws concerning export and import control,
customs and central excise, income tax, foreign exchange
regulations and so on. However, such cases are taken up either in
consultation with or at the request of the department concerned.
 Investigating serious crimes, having national and international
ramifications, committed by organized gangs of professional
criminals.
 Coordinating the activities of the anti-corruption agencies and the
various state police forces.
 Taking up, on the request of a state government, any case of public
importance for investigation.
 Maintaining crime statistics and disseminating criminal
information.
33. Describe Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PMKVY).
 The PMKVY Scheme will be implemented by the Union Ministry of
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill
Development Corporation (NSDC).
 It will provide skills training to youth, including class 10 and 12
drop outs and aims to cover about 24 lakh people.
 The skill training will involve soft skills, good work ethics, personal
grooming, behavioural change for cleanliness etc.
34. What is the purpose of the Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana
Yojana (PMMVY)?
 Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana is a maternity benefit
program implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child
Development.
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 It is a conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating
women of 19 years of age or above for first two live births.
 It provides partial wage compensation to women for wage-loss
during childbirth and childcare and to provide conditions for safe
delivery and good nutrition and feeding practices.
35. List out the composition of Lokpal.
 Lokpal will consist of a chairperson and a maximum of eight
members, of which 50 per cent shall be judicial members.
 50 per cent of members of Lokpal shall be from SC/ST/OBCs,
minorities and women.
 The selection of chairperson and members of Lokpal shall be
through a selection committee consisting of Prime Minister, Speaker
of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Chief Justice
of India or a sitting Supreme Court judge nominated by CJI,
eminent jurist to be nominated by the President of India on the
basis of recommendations of the first four members of the selection
committee.

SECTION - B
UNIT - I
8 Marks
36. What is G-20? What are the key takeaways of G-20 summit 2016
in Hangzhou, China?
 G-20 is a forum for international economic cooperation amongst 20
major developed and developing economies of the world. It was
founded in 1999, as a forum for finance ministers and central bank
governors who met once a year, to discuss international economic
issues.
 The G20 includes 19 individual countries, i.e. Argentina, Australia,
Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy,
Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa,
Turkey, the UK and the USA and the European Union (EU).
Key takeaways of G-20
 Isolation of Pakistan for Sponsoring Terrorism by highlighting one
single nation in South Asia is spreading the agents of terror in
countries of Asian region.
 Attempts to Build Bridges with China by raised concern about the
china Pakistan economic corridor which runs through Pakistan
occupied Kashmir and maintaining peace and tranquillity on the
border, especially LAC.
 Forceful Words by PM Modi to Eliminate Safe Haven for Economic
Offenders.
 Implementation of Special Safeguards Mechanism for Developing
Countries especially in the Agriculture sector.

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 PM Modi Pitched for Early Implementation of International
Monetary Fund (IMF) Quota Reforms. PM Modi requested that the
ratification of the reforms of 2010 be completed at the earliest,
which would better reflect the global fund realities.
 Secret data pertaining to the operational capabilities of six highly-
advanced submarines being built for the Indian Navy in Mumbai in
collaboration with French defence company DCNS was leaked
overseas.
 Turkey is one of the few countries, besides China, which had stalled
India's bid to join the elite grouping at its plenary meeting in June
this year, in Seoul. So, issue of India’s NSG membership was
discussed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
 PM Modi underlined that even after the Brexit, the UK remained as
important to India as before and discussed areas of congruence for
further enhancement of bilateral defence partnership and trade &
investment opportunities
37. Write a note on New Development Bank
 Also referred as BRICS Development Bank formed in 2015.
 It is a multilateral development bank operated by BRICS states.
 Primary focus of lending will be infrastructure projects with
authorized lending of up to $34 billion annually.
 Will have starting capital of $50 billion, with capital increased to
$100 billion over time
 Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa will initially contribute
$10 billion each to bring the total to $50 billion.
 No member can increase its share of capital without other 4
members agreeing – a primary requirement of India.
 The bank will allow new members to join but the BRICS capital
share cannot fall below 55%.
 Official Languages – Chinese, English, Russian, Portuguese, 22
official languages of India
 Unlike the World Bank, which assigns votes based on capital
shares, here each participant country will be assigned one vote,
and no country will have veto power.
 Countries apart from the BRICS countries will also be members- the
bank will have some countries from ‘the south’ on a rotational
basis, on the board of the bank, and they will be allowed to vote.
 Headquartered at Shanghai with African Regional Centre at
Johannesburg.
 1st President – India, K V Kamath. Chairman of the Board of
directors – Brazil, Chairman of Board of governors – Russians
 The Bank shall support public or private projects through loans,
guarantees, equity participation and other financial instruments
and also cooperate with international organizations and other
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financial entities, and provide technical assistance for projects to be
supported by the Bank.
38. How corals form? The word “coral bleaching” is often seen in
news, explain it and mention its impact to environment.
 Corals are skeletons of tiny marine animals called Polyps. When the
living polyps die, their skeletons are left. Other polyps grow on top
of the hard skeleton which grows higher and higher, thus forming
the coral islands.
Coral Bleaching
 When water temperatures increase, the polyps expel their algal cells
(zooxanthellae) and the colony takes on a stark white appearance;
commonly described as “coral bleaching.
 If the polyps go for too long without zooxanthellae, coral bleaching
can result in the coral’s death.
Environmental Impact
 Global warming i.e. greenhouse gas emissions, are considered a
major reason for coral bleaching. The heat stress results in high sea
temperatures.
 Pollution from urban or agricultural run-offs, which not only
include residual waste and discards but also ammonia and
methane.
 Changes in the salinity, or saltiness, of seawater. Changes in sea
currents lead to increase/decrease in water salinity.
 Sedimentation from undersea activities like dredging. It has linked
to coral bleaching,i.e. sediment loading could make zooxanthellate
species more likely to bleach.
 The consequent exposure to high or low temperatures, increased
solar radiation, desiccation, and sea water dilution by heavy rains
all play a role in zooxanthellae loss, but could also very well lead to
coral death.
 Also, the effects of El Nino and La Nina.
39. What is Blue Revolution? Explain Mission Fingerling.
 The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare on 11
March 2017 launched Mission Fingerling.
 This is a programme aimed at achieving the Blue Revolution by
enabling holistic development and management of fisheries.
 The main motive behind this programme is to enhance the fisheries
production from 10.79 mmt (2014-15) to 15 mmt by 2020-21.
 To spur development in the fisheries sector, the Union Government
envisaged a program named Blue Revolution.
 The Blue Revolution focuses on an enabling environment for an
integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries
for the socio economic development of fish farmers.

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 This program with a total expenditure of around INR 52000 lakh
will facilitate the establishment of hatcheries and Fingerling rearing
pond to ensure the fish production of 426 crores Mission Fingerling.
 Around 25.50 crores Post Larvae of shrimp and crab in the country
will also be covered.
 This will converge in the production of 20 lakh tonnes of fish
annually and will benefit about 4 million families.
 It lays greater emphasis on infrastructure with an equally strong
focus on management and conservation of the resources through
technology transfer.
 Productivity enhancement will also be targeted through integration
of various production oriented activities.
 This includes production of quality fish seeds, cost effective feed
and adoption of technology etc.
 Fish Fingerling production is the single most important critical
mission visualised to achieve fish production targets under the Blue
Revolution.
 Use of high yielding verities of brooders is another significant aspect
to be addressed on priority.
 The Union Agricultural Ministry identified 20 States based on their
potential and other relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Seed
infrastructure in the country
40. Write note on National Green Tribunal? Why it has recently
suspends its approval for Neutrino project in Tamilnadu?
 The NGT was established in 2010 under the National Green
Tribunal Act 2010, passed by the Central Government.
 The stated objective of the Central Government was to provide a
specialized forum for effective and speedy disposal of cases
pertaining to environment protection, conservation of forests and for
seeking compensation for damages caused to people or property due
to violation of environmental laws or conditions specified while
granting permissions.
Reasons for suspension of the project:
 The Tribunal was informed that the Madhikettan Shola National
Park in Idukki district of Kerala was just about 4.9 km from the
proposed project site and the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border was just a
kilometre away, making it a Category ‘A’ project.
 The MoEF had called it a Category ‘B’ project, for which an
Environmental Impact Assessment is not necessary, but the
department processed it as an additional measure.
 As per the general conditions of EIA Notification, 2006, any
project or activity specified in category ‘B’ will be treated as
category A, if located in whole or in part within 10 km from the

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boundary of protected areas notified under the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972 and inter-State boundaries.
 By virtue of this, the tribunal has affirmed that INO was a
category ‘A’ project, which meant Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) study has to be done by an accredited agency.
 Since the project was near a national park, the INO was also
asked to get a clearance from the National Board for Wildlife. The
INO will now have to make a fresh application and also get
necessary clearance from the Kerala government as well.
41. Explain Central Water Commission and its function.
 Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of
India in the field of Water Resources. It is presently functioning as
an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India
Functions
 To carry out Techno-economic appraisal of Irrigation, flood control
& multipurpose projects proposed by the State Governments.
 To collect, compile, publish and analyze the hydrological and
hydrological data relating to major rivers in the country, consisting
of rainfall, runoff and temperature, etc. and to act as the central
bureau of information in respect of these matters.
 To collect, maintain and publish statistical data relating to water
resources and its utilization including quality of water throughout
India and to act as the central bureau of information relating to
water resources.
 To provide flood forecasting services to all major flood prone inter-
state river basins of India through a network of 175 flood
forecasting stations.
 Monitoring of selected major and medium irrigation projects, to
ensure the achievement of physical and financial targets.
Monitoring of projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit
Programme (AIBP), and Command Development (CAD) programme
has also been included in its field of activities.
 To advise the Government of India and the concerned State
Governments basin-wise development of water resources.
 To undertake necessary surveys and investigations as and when so
required prepare designs and schemes for the development of river
valleys in respect of power generation, irrigation by gravity flow or
lift, flood management and erosion control, anti-water logging
measures, drainage and drinking water supply.
 To undertake construction work of any river valley development
scheme on behalf of the Government of India or State Government
concerned.
 To advise and assist, when so required, the State Governments
(Commissions, Corporations or Boards that are set up) in the
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investigation, surve1 preparation of river valley and power
development schemes for particular and regions.
 To advise the Government of India in respect of Water Resources
Development regarding rights and disputes between different States
which affect any i for the conservation and utilization and any
matter that may be referred Commission in connection with river
valley development.
 To impart training to in-service engineers from Central and State
Organizations in various aspects of water resource development.
 To initiate studies on socio-agro-economic and ecological aspects of
irrigation projects for the sustained development of irrigation.
 To conduct and coordinate research on the various aspects of river
development schemes such as flood management, irrigation,
navigation, power development, etc., and the connected structural
and design features.
 To promote modern data collection techniques such as remote
sensing technology for water resources development, flood
forecasting and development of related computer software.
 To conduct studies on dam safety aspects for the existing dams and
stand related instrumentation for dam safety measures.
 To carry out morphological studies to assess river behavior, bank
erosion/coastal erosion problems and advise the Central and State
Governments on all such matters.
 To promote and create mass awareness regarding the progress and
achievements made by the country in the water resources
development, use and conservation.
42. Explain Animal Welfare Board of India and its function.
 The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on
Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country.
 The Board consists of 28 Members. The term of office of Members is
for a period of 3 years. Its Headquarters is at Chennai.
Roles & Functions
 To keep the law in force in India for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals under constant study and to advise the government on the
amendments to be undertaken in any such law from time to time.
 To advise the Central Government on the making of rules under the
Act with a view to preventing unnecessary pain or suffering to
animals generally, and more particularly when they are
being transported from one place to another or when they are used
as performing animals or when they are kept in captivity or
confinement.
 To advise the Government or any local authority or other person on
improvements in the design of vehicles so as to lessen the burden
on draught animals.

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 To take all such steps as the Board may think fit for amelioration of
animals by encouraging, or providing for the construction of sheds,
water troughs and the like and by providing for veterinary
assistance to animals.
 To advise the Government or any local authority or other person in
the design of slaughter houses or the maintenance of slaughter
houses or in connection with slaughter of animals so that
unnecessary pain or suffering, whether physicrd or mental, is
eliminated in the pre- slaughter stages as far as possible, and
animals are killed, wherever necessary, in as humane a manner as
possible.
 To take all such steps as the Board may think fit to ensure
that unwanted animals are destroyed by local authorities, whenever
it is necessary to do so, either instantaneously or after being
rendered insensible to pain or suffering.
 To encourage by the grant of financial assistance or otherwise, the
formation or establishment of Pinjarapoles, rescue homes, animals
shelters, sanctuaries and the like, where animals and birds may
find a shelter when they have become old and useless or when they
need protection.
 To co-operate with, and co-ordinate the work of associations or
bodies established for the purpose of preventing unnecessary pain
or suffering to animals or for the protection of animals and birds.
 To give financial assistance and other assistance to Animal Welfare
Organizations functioning in any local area or to encourage the
formation of Animal Welfare Organizations in any local area which
shall work under the general supervision and guidance of the
Board.
 To advise the Government on matters relating to the medical
care and attention which may be provided in animal hospitals, and
to give financial and other assistance to animal hospitals whenever
the Board think it is necessary to do so.
 To impart education in relation to the humane treatment of animals
and to encourage the formation of public opinion against the
infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering to animals and for the
promotion of animal welfare by means of lectures books, posters,
cinematographic exhibitions and the like.
 To advise the Government on any matter connected with animal
welfare or the Prevention of infliction of unnecessary pain or
suffering on animals.
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UNIT – II

43. What is MAHSR Project? What are the significance of this

project?
 Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR), an Ind0-Japan
collaborative project to be inaugurated shortly at Ahmedabad.
Significance of this project
 Investments -Japan will provide a soft loan of about Rs 90,000
crore at a minuscule interest rate of 0.1 per cent over 50 years.
More than 80 per cent of the project cost is being funded by the
government of Japan. The repayment of the loan is to begin after 15
years of receiving the loan.
 Manufacturing -The MAHSR project has a twin objective of
“localised manufacture” and “transfer of technology”.
 Employment -This project is likely to generate employment for
about 20,000 workers, who will then be equipped to take up
construction of more such projects in India. The new areas where
construction skills would be developed are ballast-less track, under
sea tunnelling
 Capacity building -A dedicated High Speed Rail Training Institute
is being developed at Vadodara, will be fully equipped with
Japanese equipment and facilities. This institute will be functional
by the end of 2020, and train about 4,000 staff in the next three
years, who will then be utilised for operation and maintenance.
 Faster Connectivity -A “rapid train” service with only two stops at
Surat and Vadodara and a slower service that halts at 10 stations
en route. The “rapid train” would complete the journey in 2 hours
and 7 minutes, while the slower service would take 2 hours and 58
minutes.
 High-end technology -The project is set to provide reliable and
comfortable service with high standards of safety. The technology
regarding disaster predictions and preventions will also be acquired
as part of the project.
44. The biggest roadblock in Indian Agriculture is Marketing. In this
scenario discuss the possible advantages of Model APMC act of
2017 on Indian Agriculture?
 The State/UT Agricultural Produce and Livestocks Marketing
(promotion and facilitation) Act, 2017. It is a model APMC Act
drafted by centre. It has defined each state/UT as a single unified
market area.
Advantages
 The model act proposes to curb the role of APMC mandis.
 The existing APMC mandis are allowed to enforce regulation only in
their market yard and thus encouraging private sector players to set
up mandis.
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 Traders would be able to transact in all markets within a state by
paying a single fee.
 The model law on agricultural marketing would introduce features
like single market within a state, private wholesale markets, direct
sale by farmers to bulk buyers, and promotion of electronic trading
etc.
 As agricultural marketing is a state subject and is governed by their
respective Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Acts, the
states are free to adopt portions or the entire model act.
 The state governments as per the draft law are required to appoint
an independent entity ‘director of agricultural marketing’ who would
function as a sole authority to grant the licence for the
establishment of a new market yard in the state concerned.
 The new Act proposes to put a cap on mandi taxes at 1% for food
grain and 2% for fruits and vegetables as well as commission
agent’s levy at 2% of the total transaction cost.
45. What is meant by GST? What are its Short Term & long term
impact on Indian Economy?
 GST stands for Goods and Services Tax. GST is a value added tax
that will replace all the indirect taxes levied on goods and services
by both the central and state governments. It was termed as One
Nation One Tax.
Short term
 Since it removes cascading of taxes, it will lower the rate of taxation
in India and thus, improving Ease of doing business.
 Since it is a destination based tax, therefore, manufacturers will not
have to pay it and therefore, will give impetus to make in India.
 MSME's will benefit from Composition scheme.
Long term
 It will lower the Inflation rate as approximately 81% of the
consumer items have been placed in/below 18% tax slab.
 All states are expected to benefit as the states which do not have
much manufacturing but high consumption will gain because of gst
being destination tax. E.g. Bihar At the same time, the
manufacturer states will not lose as they have revenues coming
from services. E.g. Mumbai in Maharashtra, Bangalore in
Karnataka etc have significant proportion in services.
 It will widen the tax payer base and therefore, will also increase the
number of direct tax payer.
 It will not impact much on CPI inflation as most of the items in CPI
basket are exempted or taxed at low rates.
 It will deter tax evaders because of the benefit of input tax credit.

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46. What are the possible ways to promote the purchasing Power of
the people in an economy?
 Purchasing power is the value of a currency expressed in terms of
the amount of goods or services that one unit of money can buy.
Purchasing power is important because, all else being
equal, inflation decreases the amount of goods or services people
would be able to purchase.
Promoting purchasing power
 Supply & Demand: An increase in supply often leads to a reduction
in consumer prices. Lower consumer prices usually allow the
purchase of more goods or services with few money.
 Inflation: Inflation increases consumer prices over a period of time
and reduces consumer purchasing power. Consumers living in
economies of high inflation must use more money to purchase a
basic amount of goods. Inflation also can reduce the amount of
money consumers earn from saving money and generating passive
income through various business or economic investments. If the
inflation is under control, people will spend more.
 Interest rate: A change in interest rates is one way to promote the
purchasing power of the people. A fall in interest rates increases the
amount of money, so people spend more on purchasing goods.
 Employment: Employment growth will increase income of the
individual. So people will spend some income on buying products.
47. Why Skill Development is important for Indian Economy? What
are the different measures taken by the government to Promote
Skill Development?
 India is not only a populous country but is also the youngest
country of the world. These youths demand employment for their
livelihood which can’t be achieved without acquiring right type of
skills. Our national dream of becoming the human resource capital
of the world is achieved only through skill development
Recent Steps taken by government
 National Skill Development Mission: The Mission was launched to
provide strong institutional framework at the Centre and States for
implementation of skilling activities in the country.
 Apprenticeship Protsahan Yojana: It is a major initiative to
revamp the Apprenticeship Scheme in India. The major components
of this initiative are: Amendment to the Apprentices Act, 1961 to
making the legal framework friendly to both, industry and youth.
 Skill Loan Scheme: A ‘Skill Loan’ initiative is launched in which
loans from Rs 5,000-1.5 lakhs will be available to whom who seek to
attend skill development programmes, over the next five years. The
idea is to remove financial constraints as a hindrance to accessing
skill training programmes.

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 Creation of Union Ministry: The government notified the creation
of the first dedicated Department of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship in 2014, which later became a full-fledged
Ministry with NSDA, NSDC and NSDF under its purview.
 Creation of India Skill Development Service: The Union Cabinet
has approved the formation of a Group ‘A’ service for skill
development. It will be called the Indian Skill Development Service.
 National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,
2015: The Policy acknowledges the need for an effective roadmap
for promotion of entrepreneurship as the key to a successful skills
strategy.
 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana: It is a flagship scheme for
imparting skill training to youth, focussing on improved curricula,
better pedagogy and trained instructors. The training includes soft
skills, personal grooming, behavioral change.
 Deen Dayal Upadhyaya – Grameen Kaushal Yojana: The Ministry
of Rural Development implements DDU-GKY to drive the national
agenda for inclusive growth, by developing skills and productive
capacity of the rural youth from poor families.

UNIT – III

48. Despite of so many measures to control open defecation, it is still

prevalent in the country. What are the reasons for this
phenomena?
 The nationwide famous Swachh Bharath Mission which envisaged
to build 110 million toilets across India to end the practice of open
defecation by 2019, though achieved good track record on building
number of toilets in many localities, yet failed to achieve the desired
objective of eradicating open defecation in fast pace.
Reasons
 Long accustomed habits require more time to change and adopt
new habits, particularly in rural areas.
 Some feel that closed septic tanks cause pollution and not good for
health and tend to spread rumours. More so, they feel that
operational costs like emptying would be non-remunerative.
 Some are of the opinion that closed toilets are meant for infirm and
women.
 Usually, rural people have less disposable income and feel that
construction of toilet at house is an unnecessary expenditure.
 Open defication in urban areas is driven by lack of space to build
toilets in high density areas, landlords not proving toilets to the
tenants.
 Majority of the toilets built under the mission are seriously lacking
proper maintenance and water constraints.
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49. What are the consequences of persistent corruption in India? List
out the measures taken by the Government to prevent this.
Consequences
1. Loss of national wealth.
2. Hindrance and obstruction in development.
3. Backwardness.
4. Poverty
5. Authority and power in wrong hands.
6. Brain drain.
7. Rise in terrorism and crimes.
8. Social disorders.
Measures to Control Corruption
 The Right to Information Act (RTI): Under this act, one has the right
to ask the Government on any problem which one faces. There is a
Public Information Officer (PIO) appointed in every Government
department, who is responsible for collecting information wanted by
the citizens and providing them with the relevant information on
payment of a nominal fee to the PIO. If the PIO refuses to accept the
application or if the applicant does not receive the required
information on time then the applicant can make a complaint to the
respective information commission, which has the power to impose
a penalty up to Rs.25, 000 on the errant PIO.
 Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). It was setup by the
Government to advise and guide Central Government agencies in
the areas of vigilance. If there are any cases of corruption or any
complaints thereof, then that can be reported to the CVC. CVC also
shoulders the responsibility of creating more awareness among
people regarding the consequences of giving and taking of bribes
and corruption.
 Establishment of special courts for speedy justice can be a huge
positive aspect. Much time should not elapse between the
registration of a case and the delivery of judgment.
 Strong and stringent laws need to be enacted which gives no room
for the guilty to escape.
 In many cases, the employees opt for corrupt means out of
compulsion and not by choice. Some people are of the opinion that
the wages paid are insufficient to feed their families. If they are paid
better, they would not be forced to accept bribe.
50. Write a brief note on Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011
 The Ministry of Rural Development commenced the Socio Economic
and Caste Census (SECC) in June 2011 through a comprehensive
door to door enumeration across the country.
 This is the first time such a comprehensive exercise has been
carried out for both rural and urban India. It has generated

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information on a large number of social and economic indicators
relating to households across the country.
Objectives:
1. To enable households to be ranked based on their Socio- Economic
status, so that State Governments can then prepare a list of families
living below the poverty line.
2. To make available authentic information that will enable caste-wise
population enumeration of the country, and education status of
various castes and sections of the population.
 SECC uses the parameters laid down by the S R Hashim committee
appointed by the erstwhile Planning Commission of India i.e.,
automatic exclusion on the basis of 14 parameters, automatic
inclusion on the basis of 5 parameters and grading of deprivation on
the basis of seven criteria.
Key Findings
 There are a total number of 24.39 crore households in India, of
which 17.91 crore live in villages. Of these, 10.69 crore households
are considered as deprived.
 49% of the households can be considered poor in the sense of facing
some deprivation. These deprivations range from lack of housing
facility and education, to absence of any male earning member, to
households depending mainly on manual labour etc.
 The vast majority over 90% of rural India does not have salaried
jobs.
 3.41 per cent of households have a family member who is at least a
graduate.
 Only 30% of rural households depend on cultivation as their main
source of income. Whereas, 51.14% derive sustenance from manual
casual labour (MCL).
 In nearly 75 per cent of the rural households, the main earning
family member makes less than Rs 5,000 per month (or Rs 60,000
annually).
 56.25% of rural households hold no agricultural land. The numbers
also point to the subsistence level of farming that rural India
currently practices.
51. What are the measures taken by the Government of India to
develop the literacy rate in the country?
 National Literacy Mission Programme: Introduced in 1988, its a
flagship programme that aims to educate about 80 million people. A
separate National Literacy Mission was set up to fund this
programme.
 Saakshar Bharat: This is another programme that aims at
educating the girl child. Co-ordinated by the DSEL, launched in
September 2009, primarily focuses on Adult education- for those

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who have crossed the formal age of education and yet were unable
to complete it.
 Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act: This
is an act passed by the Parliament in 2009 which ensures
compulsory education for children of age between 6- 14 years. A
good way to attack child labour.
 Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA): Aims at funding
higher-education thereby helping Central Universities and
Government aided colleges adhere to the norms and maintain
necessary infrastructure.
 Midday Meal Scheme: There is no proper facility for the kids to
avail food in the schools especially in villages. When there is no
proper nutrition, the kids cannot concentrate. Thus the Mid-Day
meal programme ensures that kids eat healthy nutritious food. This
impacts literacy and attendance in a huge way. This has been a
huge hit- especially in TN and Bihar.
 Free Bicycles Program: This program targets at this transportation
problem, which ensures that bi-cycles which can be easily managed
and maintained by the kids, to save time and attend school.
 Free Uniforms and scholarship: Recently government is providing
school uniforms, text books, and some other necessary things
related to study to the students in many places. Government
scholarships are increasing the interest of lot of poor students for
higher studies. Government is arranging various study courses and
vocational trainings absolutely free.
 Proper use of fund: In India, Government is trying to generate
more funds for the study of the students in various areas.
52. Bring out the objectives of Vision 2023 of Tamilnadu.
 To make Tamil Nadu, the India’s most economically prosperous
states by 2023, by achieving a six fold growth in per capita income
(in real terms) over the next 11 years to be on par with the Upper
Middle Income countries globally.
 To exhibit a highly inclusive growth pattern – it will largely be a
poverty free state with opportunities for gainful and productive
employment for all those who seek it, and will provide care for the
disadvantaged, vulnerable and the destitute in the state.
 To make Tamil Nadu be India’s leading state on social development and
the highest Human Development Index (HDI) amongst all Indian
states.
 To provide the best infrastructure services in India in terms
of universal access in Housing, Water & Sanitation, Energy,
Transportation, Irrigation, Connectivity, Healthcare, and Education.
 To make Tamil Nadu will be among the top three preferred investment
destinations in Asia and the most preferred in India with a
reputation for efficiency and competitiveness.
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 To make Tamil Nadu, the innovation hub and knowledge capital of India,
on the strength of world class institutions in various fields and the
best human talent.
 To enable free movement and exchange of ideas, people and trade
with other Indian states and rest of the world.
 To preserve ecology and heritage.
 To reduce vulnerability of the state and its people to uncertainties
arising from natural causes, economic downturns, and other man-
made reasons.
 To be responsive and transparent Governance ensuring progress,
security, and equal opportunity to all stakeholders.
53. Highlight the special features of the Draft National Policy for
Women, 2017.
 Health including food security and nutrition: Focus on
recognizing women’s reproductive rights, shift of family planning
focus also to males, addressing health issues in a life cycle
continuum such as psychological and general well-being, health
care challenges related to nutrition/ hygiene of adolescents,
geriatric health care, expansion of health insurance schemes and
addressing the intergenerational cycle of under-nutrition.
 Education: Improve access to pre-primary education, enrolment
and retention of adolescent girls; implement innovative
transportation models for better schooling outcomes, advocate
gender champions and address disparities with regard to ICTs.
 Economy: Raising visibility, engendering macro-economic policies
and trade agreements, generate gender-disaggregated land
ownership database, skill development and training for women,
entrepreneurial development, review of labour laws and policies,
equal employment opportunities with appropriate benefits related to
maternity and child care services, address technological needs of
women.
 Governance and Decision Making: Increasing women’s
participation in the political arena, administration, civil services and
corporate boardrooms,
 Violence Against Women: Address all forms of violence against
women through a life cycle approach, Legislations affecting /relating
to women will be reviewed/harmonized to enhance effectiveness,
Improve Child Sex Ratio (CSR), strict implementation of advisories,
guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) and protocols,
prevention of trafficking at source, transit and destination areas for
effective monitoring of the networks.
 Enabling Environment: Gender perspective in housing and
infrastructure, ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation, gender
parity in the mass media & sports, concerted efforts towards

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strengthening social security and support services for all women
especially the vulnerable, marginalized, migrant and single women.
 Environment and Climate Change: addressing gender concerns
during distress migration and displacement in times of natural
calamities due to climate change and environmental degradation.
Promotion of environmental friendly, renewable, non–conventional
energy, green energy sources for women in rural households.

SECTION - C
UNIT – I

15 Marks
54. Explain United Nations Security Council (UNSC). What are the
impediments to UNSC reforms?
 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the six
principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the
maintenance of international peace and security.
 Its powers include the establishment of peacekeeping operations,
the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization
of military action through Security Council resolutions; it is the only
UN body with the authority to issue binding resolutions to member
states.
 The Security Council consists of fifteen members. Russia, the
United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States—serve as
the body’s five permanent members. These permanent members can
veto any substantive Security Council resolution, including those on
the admission of new member states or candidates for Secretary-
General.
Impediments to UNSC reforms
 The veto power of the P5 is one of the biggest obstacles to the reform
of the Security Council. Any fundamental reform, such as any
changes to the number of the Security Council seats, has to be
inscribed into the Charter. On the other hand, Articles 108 and 109
of the UN Charter give veto power to the P5 over any amendment to
the Charter.
 Therefore, no reform can materialize without the consent of the
permanent members. For example, China, as a veto holding
member of the Council, is strongly against the addition of
permanent members.
 Consequently, the G4, as one of the most serious advocates of
reform, does not have high chance in breaking the stalemate of the
reform process while China is actively opposing part of its proposal.
 The disagreement of countries on the details of the preferred reform
proposal. The fact that countries cannot reach an agreement on the
number of additional seats, the type of those seats (permanent or
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non-permanent), possible candidates, and the extension of veto
power or its abolition, as well as the fact that each country is still
advocating its own old proposal without much compromise, have
proved to be big barriers against the progress of reform debates.
 The USA thinks that if the UNSC is reformed, it might have lost
some of its power, especially its economic supremacy, but it is still
considered a superpower.
 Russia, which has traditionally been against the addition of
permanent members, supported India’s bid for permanent
membership in 2010. Consequently, Russia is likely to support the
G4 resolution.
 The USA, despite supporting Japan, Brazil and India, has not done
anything in that regard and its support has been mainly
rhetorical. USA has not publicly supported the resolution which
shows that when that it comes down to the action, the USA is not
sure of maintaining its support for the G4 and the reform in
general.

UNIT – II

55. Economic planning Process has undergone various changes after

the establishment of NITI Aayog. Write about the various
contributions of NITI Aayog to the Indian economy since its
commencement.
 Vision Document, Strategy & Action Agenda beyond 12th Five
Year Plan: Replacing the Five Year Plans beyond 31st March, 2017,
NITI Aayog is in the process of preparing the 15-year vision
document keeping in view the social goals set and/ or proposed for
a period of 15 years.
 Reforms in Agriculture:
a. Model Land Leasing Law: Taking note of increasing incidents of
leasing in and out of land and suboptimal use of land with lesser
number of cultivators, NITI Aayog has formulated a Model
Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016 to both recognize the rights of
the tenant and safeguard interest of landowners.
b. Reforms of the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee
Act: NITI Aayog consulted with the States on 21 October 2016 on
three critical reforms –
1. Agricultural marketing reforms
2. Felling and transit laws for tree produce grown at private land
3. Agricultural land leasing
c. Agricultural Marketing and Farmer Friendly Reforms Index:
NITI Aayog has developed the first ever ‘Agriculture Marketing and
Farmer Friendly Reforms Index’ to sensitise states about the need to
undertake reforms in the three key areas of Agriculture Market
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Reforms, Land Lease Reforms and Forestry on Private Land (Felling
and Transit of Trees).
 Reforming Medical Education: A committee chaired by Vice
Chairman, NITI Aayog recommended scrapping of the Medical
Council of Indi and suggested a new body for regulating medical
education. The draft legislation for the proposed National Medical
Commission has been submitted to the Government for further
necessary action.
 Digital Payments Movement:
a. An action plan on advocacy, awareness and co-ordination of
handholding efforts among general public, micro enterprises and
other stakeholders was prepared.
b. NITI Aayog also constituted a Committee of Chief Ministers on
Digital Payments on 30th November 2016 with the Chief Minister
of Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu, as the Convener to
promote transparency, financial inclusion and a healthy financial
ecosystem nationwide. To incentivize the States/UTs for
promotion of digital transactions, Central assistance of Rs. 50
crore would be provided to the districts for undertaking
Information, Education and Communication activities to bring 5
crore Jan Dhan accounts to digital platform.
c. Cashback and referral bonus schemes were launched by the
Prime Minister to promote the use of digital payments through
the BHIM App.
d. Niti Aayog also launched two incentive schemes to to promote
digital payments across all sections of society - the Lucky Grahak
Yojana and the Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojana –Over 16 lakh
consumers and merchants have won Rs. 256 crore under these
two schemes.
e. Digi Dhan Melas were also held for 100 days in 100 cities, from
December 25th to April 14th.
 Atal Innovation Mission: The Government has set up Atal
Innovation Mission (AIM) in NITI Aayog with a view to strengthen
the country’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem by
creating institutions and programs that spur innovation in schools,
colleges, and entrepreneurs in general. In 2016-17, the following
major schemes were rolled out:
a. Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs): To foster creativity and scientific
temper in students, AIM is helping to establish 500 ATLs in
schools across India, where students can design and make small
prototypes to solve challenges they see around them, using rapid
prototyping technologies that have emerged in recent years.
b. Atal Incubation Centres (AICs): AIM will provide financial
support of Rs.10 crore and capacity building for setting AICs
across India, which will help startups expand quicker and enable
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innovation-entrepreneurship, in core sectors such as
manufacturing, transport, energy, education, agriculture, water
and sanitation, etc.
 Indices Measuring States’ Performance in Health, Education
and Water Management: NITI has come out with indices to
measure incremental annual outcomes in critical social sectors like
health, education and water with a view to nudge the states into
competing with each other for better outcomes, while at the same
time sharing best practices & innovations to help each other as an
example of competitive and cooperative federalism..
 Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Rationalization of Centrally
Sponsored Schemes: Based on the recommendations of this Sub-
Group, a Cabinet note was prepared by NITI Aayog which was
approved by the Cabinet on 3rd August, 2016. Among several key
decision, the sub-group led to the rationalization of the existing
CSSs into 28 umbrella schemes.
 Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:
Constituted by NITI Aayog on 9th March, 2015, the Sub-Group has
submitted its report to the Hon’ble Prime Minister in October, 2015
and most of its recommendations have been accepted.
 Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development: Constituted
on 9th March, 2015, the report of the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers
on Skill Development was presented before the Hon’ble Prime
Minister on 31/12/2015. The recommendation and actionable
points emerging from the Report were approved by Prime Minister
and are in implementation by the Ministry of Skill Development.
 Task Force on Elimination of Poverty in India: With respect to
strategies to combat poverty, the Task Force has made
recommendations on faster poverty reduction through employment
intensive sustained rapid growth and effective implementation of
anti-poverty programs.
 Task Force on Agriculture Development: It has
suggested important policy measures to bring in reforms in
agriculture for the welfare of the farmers as well as enhancing their
income.
 Transforming India Lecture Series: As the government’s premier
think-tank, NITI Aayog views knowledge building & transfer as the
enabler of real transformation in States. To build knowledge
systems for States and the Centre, NITI Aayog launched the ‘NITI
Lectures: Transforming India’ series, on 26th August 2016.

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UNIT – III

56. Write a brief note about the role of NGO's in the sphere of Women
Empowerment.
 NGOs are playing a significant role in promoting women
empowerment. These agencies stimulate civic consciousness,
mobilize people and ensure the effective participation, and raise
internal and external resources for the benefit of the weaker
section.
 NGOs are making use of variety of strategies to promote women
empowerment. The major role played by the NGOs with regard to
women empowerment is as follows.
 Formation of Self Help Groups: In recent years, many of the NGOs
are forming self help groups. The effective functioning of SHGs is
mainly depends upon the strong dedication by the NGOs.
 Various organizations not only Government but also NGOs have
been taking strong stands to meet the demands and brought
necessary changes in the field of women Empowerment through
SHGs.
 On the other hand, it is difficult for the government organizations
and could not reach out the grass root level. So a large number of
NGOs have been establishing and have lightened the burden on the
Government by rendering dedicated performance towards the
aspirants.
 These self help groups are the channels to implement various
women empowerment activities. NGOs are the potential agencies
for organizing the people and to form the self help groups. All
technicalities relating to the formation of the SHG can be
accomplished quite easily by the NGOs with grass root level
involvement.
 Trained field staffs in micro-credit mechanism are able to comply
with all the procedures for the formation of a healthy self help group
and can ensure their proper working. Thus NGOs play a
tremendous role in the formation of Self Help groups.
 Nurturing Self Help Groups: The nurturing of SHG is more difficult
task than the formation of SHG. The field task need to be trained
on the procedures and the technicalities involved in the functioning
of the SHG.
 The SHGs need continuous monitoring and evaluation. All the
members of the SHG should be trained with regard to maintenance
of the documents, communications, decision making process,
implementation of decisions etc.,
 NGOs can arrange and conduct the training program more
efficiently than by any other agencies due to their continuous

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interaction and involvement at the grass root level. NGO like
MYRADA has designed certain training modules for training SHGs.
 Mobilizing resources: NGOs are the powerful agencies in
identifying the needs and designing projects for the welfare of the
disadvantaged. They mobilize both internal and external
resources. The experiences of many NGOs show that they could
organize resources for the benefit of women both from the country
and outside.
 Facilitation role: NGOs can act as change agent or catalyst of
various activities like micro credit, education, encouraging for
political participation etc.
 Promoting people's organization: Promoting organization of the
people is an effective strategy adopted by the NGOS especially
towards women empowerment. Apart from SHGs NGOs do promote
mahila mandals, yuvathi mandals and various village based
committees with adequate representation of women. NGOs have
created a platform for the women to enjoy freedom by forming
organizations.

SECTION - D
UNIT – I

30 Marks
57. Write a detailed account on Border Road Initiative (BRI). Why
India has not joined BRI?
 The ‘One Belt’ and ‘One Road’ refer to China’s proposed ‘Silk Road
Economic Belt’ and ‘Maritime Silk Road’.
 Connectivity covers five major areas of interest: policy coordination,
infrastructure construction (including railways and highways),
unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people ties.
Among these, infrastructure construction is the dominant feature of
the New Silk Road.
 The essence of OBOR is to promote regional and cross-continental
connectivity between China and Eurasia. It represents the first
major attempt by China to design and implement a cross-
continental mercantile strategy and will surely have significant
global and geopolitical consequences.
Reasons for not joining
 Part of BRI is China Pakistan Economic Corridor or CPEC passes
through a region that was illegally occupied by Pakistan
immediately after the independence and partition of erstwhile
British India in 1947, hence called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or
PoK.
 China is well aware of the dispute between India and Pakistan and
let the two sides come to an agreement in a peaceful manner. But in
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practical terms, it has been following a closer strategic association
with Pakistan - an “all-weather friend” as they say in China - to
balance Indian power and diplomatic aspirations.
 Also, CPEC is vital to Chinese interests - an outlet for Chinese
capital and labour and a promising alternative to Malacca Straits
for importing oil from the Gulf which could be a game changer in
terms of Chinese strategic dominance in the South Asian region.
 Chinese action of building a transport corridor for Pakistan through
the disputed territory is obviously seen as Chinese acceptance and
recognition of the region as Pakistani, and not Indian, which is
understood as transgression and disrespect of Indian sovereignty.
 BRI would lead to Chinese neo-colonialism causing
unsustainable debt burden for communities.
 There is a lack of transparency in China’s agenda. Some experts
believe that B&RI is not just an economic project but one that
China is promoting for political control.
 It is a way of pressuring China to come to our terms.
 India wants to decrease the growing influence of China in south
east Asia.
 And India and China have not been in good terms recently. So it
is natural for India to boycott it.
 Many nations like the US have expressed their concerns on the
project. China may be attempting another East India Company
in the area.
 This also could mean China controlling major area of the sea.
Thus giving military as well as trade threats to India.
58. According to Census 2011, Tamilnadu has the most number of
Urban population (48.45%) in India. Critically analyze the
measures initiated by the Government of Tamilnadu to address
the challenges of urbanization?
 Access to Water Supply and Sanitation: In urban areas the Urban
Accelerated Water Supply Programme is being implemented in order
to augment the drinking water supply. Of the total 611 Town
Panchayats with the population of 95.97 lakhs, only 124 Town
Panchayats get above 75 litres of water per day which constitutes
20 per cent of the total panchayats.
 The State had been experiencing shortage because of occurrence of
droughts for third year in succession. The authorities of
Corporations and Municipalities took concrete measures to meet the
drinking water requirements, albeit costly.
 Housing for all: There is acute shortage of housing stock in urban
areas because of mushrooming growth of urban slums. Because of
this, there is a constant need to augment urban housing stock.
Creation of housing stock has been an important aspect of urban
development. The TNHB created the highest number of housing
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units (3.94 lakhs), followed by the Cooperative Housing Society
(2.98 lakhs) and Tamil Nadu Central Cooperative Bank (0.69 lakhs).
 Rain Water Harvesting: The Government proposes to enlist the
participation of the Public and Non-Governmental Organisations
(NGOs) in propagating and installing rainwater-harvesting
structures. Every single household can construct and benefit from
rainwater harvesting. Every rooftop and any open space is a
potential catchment area for rainwater harvesting. Almost all the
Government buildings and the private buildings have installed rain
water harvesting structures in order to replenish the water table by
storing rain water. So far, 23.66 lakh structures had been built.
 A pilot research project - Eco City: To propagate the
environmental friendly concept Department of Environment has
prepared an "eco-city plan" through National Environment
Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Chennai.
 The overall objective of the programme is to incorporate
environment considerations into urban planning and prepare an
Environmental Management plan for improving the environment
quality.
 The specific objectives are:
1. To map the environment profile of study area and to identify the
environmental pollution hotspots.
2. To prepare an environment management plan that includes
rehabilitation and mitigation measures
3. To recommend guidelines for environmentally compatible land
use planning.
 Carrying capacity evaluation - The unplanned growth of Indian
cities has led to host of problems, i.e. increasing slums, water, air
and noise pollution, accumulation of solid waste, etc. The existing
infrastructure in various urban centres is under severe strain as
population has grown at a pace higher than the growth in
infrastructure sector. This has led to serious concerns over our
present concept of urban planning and development.
 Considering the above facts in mind, the Directorate of
Environment, Government of Tamil Nadu had proposed to develop a
carrying capacity based developmental planning.
 Master plans for urban towns A master plan to cover the urban
towns with underground sewerage schemes is to be prepared.
Master Plan will also provide for exploring the possibilities of
adopting alternative technology options for the safe disposal and
recycling of wastewater. An action plan for providing sewerage
schemes for all the municipal towns will be drawn up and
implemented in a phased manner.

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 Low Cost Sanitation Low cost sanitation (LCS) is executed in Tamil
Nadu with the World Bank loan assistance, 14 Municipalities were
included in this project.
 Municipal/Tamil Nadu Urban development fund One of the major
urban problems the government has been addressing is the
Municipalities financial and organizational capacity for
maintenance, municipal service obligation and investment.
Convinced of the merits of strengthening the municipalities, the
government set up a new source of municipal funding called
Municipal Urban Development Fund (MUDF), under the Tamil Nadu
Urban Development Project financed by the World Bank .
 Public-private partnerships There are two types of public-private
partnerships that have emerged in Tamil Nadu with respect to
urban infrastructure:
1. Involvement of NGOs in provision of public services like solid
waste collection.
2. Private firm or agency enters into an agreement/ contract to
provide the service.

UNIT – III

59. What do you mean by Naxalism? Write the causes and

consequences of the Naxalism in the society? How this issue
could be solved?
 The term ‘Naxal’ derives its name from the village Naxalbari of
district Darjeeling in West Bengal, where the movement originated
in 1967 under the leadership of Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal.
It refers to the use of violence to destabilize the state through
various communist guerrilla groups.
Causes of Naxalism
1. Mismanagement of forests: it is one of the main reasons for the
spread of Naxalism. It started with the British government. The
monopolization of the forest started with the enactment of various
forest laws. The integration with the wider world led to an influx of a
new class like moneylenders. The administrative machinery became
more exploitative and extortionate at functional level.
2. Tribal policies not implemented well: even during the post
independence era, the government was not able to stop the process
of the tribal alienation and their displacement caused by large
projects. Even the issues of food security were not fully sorted out.
Consequently, Naxalism made inroads in Orissa and other states.
3. The growing inter and intra regional disparities: Naxalism attract
people who have poor livelihood like fishermen, farmers, daily
labourers and bomboo cutters. The government policies have failed

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to stem the growing inter and intra regional disparities. The poor
people think that Naxalism can provide solutions to their problems.
4. Absence of proper industrialization and lack of land reforms: the
half-hearted implementation of land reforms by the government has
yielded negative results. The agrarian set up has not been defined in
the absence of proper implementation of survey and settlement.
This further damaged the agriculture production and the rural
economy. Absence of proper industrialization has failed to generate
employment for rural people leading to dissatisfaction with the
government. It is also one of the causes behind naxalism.
5. Geographical terrain: naxalism thrives in areas covered with forests.
It helps them fight against the police and the army by waging
Guerrilla warfare.
Consequences
1. Reduction in per capita GDP growth: The nominal per capita GDP
of all affected states excluding Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
is below $1000. In comparison to this most of the unaffected
states have a per capita GDP in excess of $1000.
2. Lower tax revenues: The Naxals run a parallel government in their
areas preventing the governing agencies to collect taxes etc.
3. Lower domestic investment and higher expenditure on defense at
the cost of lower expenditure on education and health.
4. Lower exports, reduced bilateral trade flows and reduced foreign
direct investment inflows: Due to the Naxal violence and their
extortion business foreign and domestic investment remains low.
These problems are coupled with the lack of good
transportation facilities which are also a victim of Naxal violence.
5. Micro-economic effects include lower tourist inflows, lower regional
tourism market share, reduced usage of public transport, reduced
long term investments in agriculture and other potential sectors,
reduced enrollment in schools, lower job availability and lack of
substantial opportunities
6. The pressure exerted by the Naxalite movement has had some
effect in ensuring proper attendance of teachers, doctors etc. in
Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
7. In the matter of physical infrastructure like roads, school
buildings, etc., the Naxalite movement has on certain occasions
exerted pressure for its improvement but in certain locations and
various occasions they have obstructed the laying of roads, rail
lines and construction activites for the fear of police and
paramilitary raids.
8. The recent increase in militancy amongst the Naxal cadres has
attracted a lot of criticism. The Indian Government has gone ahead
and stated that Naxalites are now the single biggest internal
security threat for the country.
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9. Naxalites have always attempted to disrupt elections thereby not
only preventing masses from choosing their leaders but also
inhibiting them from exercising their fundamental right to vote.
10. There have been repeated incidents of Naxalites blowing up
schools, trains and rail lines apart from government buildings
which harm the common masses more than the politburo of
governance.
Solution
 The problem calls for a three-pronged solution: social and economic
development, multilateral dialogue and military force. More of the
national expenditure needs to be focused on developing these poorer
regions through initiatives regarding health, education, social
welfare and rural and rural and urban development.
 Government service delivery should be improved in these tribal
areas. Both state and central government must ensure that things
such as statutory minimum wages, access to land and water
sources initiatives are implemented.
 In coming up with strategies for national economic growth, the
government must always bear in mind the possible effects of fast
growth for all socio-economic groups in a country as large and
diverse India.
 If the social needs of these marginalized people are addressed, there
will be no discontent to fuel naxalite’s movement. Our military must
be trained to fight such people and special set of good officers must
be sent forward.
60. Define the term Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). List
out some of the PVTGs in India. Bring out the problems faced by
the Tribal women in India.
 Tribal communities are often identified by some specific signs such
as primitive traits, distinctive culture, geographical isolation,
shyness to contact with the community at large and backwardness.
 Along with these, some tribal groups have some specific features
such as dependency on hunting, gathering for food, having pre-
agriculture level of technology, zero or negative growth of population
and extremely low level of literacy. These groups are called
particularly vulnerable tribal groups.
PVTGs in India
1. Andhra Pradesh: Bodo Gadaba, Bondo Poroja, Chenchu, Dongria
Khond, Gutob, Gadaba, Khond Poroja, Kolam, Kondareddis,
Konda Savaras, Kutia Khond, Parengi Poroja, Thoti.
2. Bihar (including Jharkhand): Asurs, Birhor, Birjia, Hill Kharia,
Korwas, Mal Paharia, Parhaiyas, Sauria Paharia, Savar.
3. Gujarat: Kathodi, Kotwalia, Padhar, Siddi, Kolgha,
4. Karnataka: Jenu Kuruba, Koraga,

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5. Kerala: Cholanaikayan (a section of Kattunaickans), Kadar,
Kattunayakan, Kurumbas, Koraga.
6. Madhya Pradesh (including Chhattisgarh): Abujh Marias,
Baigas, Bharias, Hill Korbas, Kamars, Saharias, Birhor.
7. Maharashtra: Katkaria (Kathodia), Kolam, Maria Gond.
8. Manipur: Marram Nagas,
9. Orissa: Birhor, Bondo, Didayi, Dongria-Khond, Juangs, Kharias,
Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Sauras, Lodhas, Mankidias, Paudi Bhuyans,
Soura, Chuktia Bhunjia.
10. Rajasthan: Seharias [Sahariya].
11. Tamil Nadu: Kattu Nayakans, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyans,
Todas.
12. Tripura: Reangs.
13. Uttar Pradesh (including Uttarakhand): Buxas, Rajis.
14. West Bengal: Birhor, Lodhas, Totos,
15. Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Great Andamanese, Jarawas,
Onges, Sentinelese, Shom Pens.
Problems faced by tribal women
 Absence of any fix livelihood: Although work participation among
tribal women is higher compared to scheduled caste and general
population but the livelihoods of the tribal people are neither
permanent nor fixed.
 Most of them do not have a regular source of income, and they live
below the poverty level. Tribal people residing in the rural areas
pursue diverse low level activities for fulfilling their basic needs.
Mostly they are engaged in agricultural activities.
 Apart from that, they are engaged in pastoral, handicrafts and at
times as industrial labourers. Tribal women are mainly not engaged
in any kind of continuous work and much like their male
counterparts are found to work in agriculture.
 Lack of access to education: Young children and girls go for work
along with their mothers. Most of the time they do not go to school
regularly or become drop outs from school. The young girls who are
studying in primary level in schools hardly learn anything in school
and they don’t study at home also.
 Sometimes they go to school, some other times they do not go to
school and stay at home and go to work with their mothers and help
their mothers at household work. As a result, they tend to forget
what they have learned in school. After the girl child attains teenage
the parents stop sending them to schools.
 Effect of patriarchy: Most of the tribal communities are patrilinear
society, where women are subjugated to men. Therefore they face
different problems related to descent, inheritance, succession,
marriage, divorce etc.

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 The women earned money from their work they give it to their
husband and the husband very often spends the money on
activities like drinking.
 Poor condition of health: Lack of awareness about nutritional
requirements mostly leaves the tribal women weak, anaemic and
they suffer from various diseases. During pregnancy, special
attention is required to be given to women otherwise that will affect
the health of both the mother and child.
 Political: Participation of women in their day to day political affairs
is very low as most of the communities are headed by males. At the
state and national level too the participation of tribal women is not
substantial.
 Witch branding and lynching: This is the most serious crime
perpetrated against tribal women, who are frequently branded
witches by community members (out of superstition, religious belief
and patriarchal mindset) and hacked to violence and death.
 Polygamy: Though women in mainstream society have been largely
protected from this menace, many of their tribal counterpart
continue to face this problem out of cultural and religious
sanctions.
 Displacement: Displacement due to developmental activities, harm
women more than men. More than 70% displacement for
development activity involves tribals. Poor Rehabilitation Policies
make them distressed and vulnerable.
 Implementation of forest right act deprives tribal women from minor
forest produce, hence jeopardises their livelihood.

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