The World Trade Organization (WTO) stands as a pivotal international institution, wielding significant influence over global trade policies and regulations.
UPSC Mains Question Paper
India has recently signed to become a founding member of the New Development Bank (NDB) and also the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). How will the roles of the two Banks be different? Discuss the strategic significance of these two Banks for India. (12.5 marks, 200 words)
India’s recent decision to join as a founding member of both the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) underscores its commitment to bolstering global economic cooperation and development initiatives.
Some of the International funding agencies have special terms for economic participation stipulating a substantial component of the aid used for sourcing equipment from the leading countries. Discuss the merits of such terms and if, there exists a strong case not to accept such conditions in the Indian context. (12.5 marks, 200 words)
International funding agencies often impose special terms for economic participation, requiring a significant portion of the aid to be allocated for sourcing equipment from leading countries.
The aim of Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) is to lower all taxes and tariffs on Information technology products by signatories to zero. What impact would such agreements have on India’s interests? (12.5 marks, 200 words)
Information Technology Agreements (ITAs) are crafted with the ambitious goal of reducing taxes and tariffs on information technology products to zero among participating nations.
With respect to the South China sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affirm the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and ever flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. (12.5 marks, 200 words)
In the dynamic geopolitical landscape of the South China Sea, tensions over maritime territorial disputes have become increasingly pronounced
Two parallel-run schemes of the Government, viz the Aadhar card and NPR, one as voluntary and the other as compulsory, have led to debates at national levels and also litigations. On merits, discuss whether or not both schemes need to run concurrently. Analyze the potential of the schemes to achieve developmental benefits and equitable growth. (12.5 marks, 200 words)
The coexistence of two parallel-run schemes by the Government, namely the Aadhar card and the National Population Register (NPR), has ignited intense debates and legal disputes at the national level.
Has the Cadre-based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow growth in India? Critically examine. (12.5 marks, 200 words)
The cadre-based civil services system in India has long been a subject of debate regarding its impact on the country’s growth trajectory.
Should premier institutes like IITs/IIMs be allowed to retain premier status, allow more academic independence in designing courses, and also decide the mode/criteria of selection of students? Discuss in light of the growing challenges. (12.5 marks, 200 words)
In a rapidly evolving educational landscape, the debate over the autonomy and status of premier institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) is gaining prominence.
An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement. (12.5 marks, 200 words)
Athletes, driven by personal triumph and the desire to bring glory to their nations, participate fervently in events like the Olympics.
Do the government schemes for uplifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion from establishing businesses in urban economies? (12.5 marks, 200 words)
Government schemes aimed at uplifting vulnerable and backward communities by safeguarding essential social resources often walk a fine line between providing the necessary support and inadvertently fostering exclusion in urban economies.