Indian Economy PYQ | UPSC GS III

2026

1. · Paper Q1 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

What do you mean by Digital Rupee? In this context, explain the working and progress of India's Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

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2. · Paper Q2 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Examine the view that financial inclusion is an integral part of social and economic inclusion in a country like India. Also throw light on the usefulness of the RBI's Financial Inclusion Index.

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3. · Paper Q4 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain the factors responsible for inefficiency of agri-produce marketing. How does e-commerce help to reduce inefficiency of agri-produce marketing? Explain.

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4. · Paper Q12 · 2026 · 15 marks · Solution

How are startups in India promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and employment? Discuss the global and domestic challenges in their working and suggest suitable measures to overcome these challenges.

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5. · Paper Q15 · 2026 · 15 marks · Solution

Mention salient features of 'Mission Drishti'. Discuss the imaging techniques used in the satellite launched on 3rd May 2026. Why is it being considered world's first satellite of its kind?

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6. · Paper Q16 · 2026 · 15 marks · Solution

What is Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Explain its working. Describe its applications with suitable examples. Discuss the advantages, risks and challenges associated with agentic AI systems.

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7. · Paper Q17 · 2026 · 15 marks · Solution

What are the challenges to solid waste management in India? Discuss the governmental policy framework on solid waste management. Discuss the success/failure cases of Delhi and Indore cities highlighting the salient features of their solid waste management initiatives.

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2025

8. · Paper Q2 · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the challenges before the Indian economy when the world is moving away from free trade and multilateralism to protectionism and bilateralism? How can these challenges be met?

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9. · Paper Q4 · 2025 · 10 marks · Solution

Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India.

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10. · Paper Q12 · 2025 · 15 marks · Solution

Discuss the rationale of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. What are its achievements? In what way can the functioning and outcomes of the scheme be improved?

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11. · Paper Q16 · 2025 · 15 marks · Solution

India aims to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. What are the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in India? Mention the salient features of the India Semiconductor Mission.

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12. · Paper Q20 · 2025 · 15 marks · Solution

Why is maritime security vital to protect India's sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.

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2024

13. · Paper Q2 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of RBI to control this type of inflation.

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14. · Paper Q4 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India.

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15. · Paper Q5 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.

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16. · Paper Q10 · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Describe the context and salient feature of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.

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17. · Paper Q11 · 2024 · 15 marks · Solution

Discuss the merits and demerits of the four Labour Codes' in the context of labor market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard?

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18. · Paper Q12 · 2024 · 15 marks · Solution

What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government's UDAN Scheme and its achievements.

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19. · Paper Q15 · 2024 · 15 marks · Solution

The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe alternative freshwater. What are the technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies, citing their key merits and demerits.

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20. · Paper Q16 · 2024 · 15 marks · Solution

what are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe?

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21. · Paper Q20 · 2024 · 15 marks · Solution

Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies to address the problem.

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2023

22. · Paper Q1 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard.

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23. · Paper Q2 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements.

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24. · Paper Q5 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does AI help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of AI in the healthcare?

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25. · Paper Q6 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage.

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26. · Paper Q7 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.

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27. · Paper Q11 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements.

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28. · Paper Q12 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

Distinguish between 'care economy' and 'monetized economy'. How can care economy be brought into monetized economy through women empowerment?

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29. · Paper Q13 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain the changes in cropping pattern in India in the context of changes in consumption pattern and marketing conditions.

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30. · Paper Q16 · 2023 · 15 marks · Solution

What is the main task of India's third mood mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the 'Virtual Launch Control Centre' at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota.

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2022

31. · Paper Q5 · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them ?

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32. · Paper Q7 · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol.

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33. · Paper Q8 · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples.

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34. · Paper Q10 · 2022 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the maritime security challenges in India ? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security.

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35. · Paper Q11 · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Economic growth in the recent past has been led by increase in labour activity." Explain this statement. Suggest the growth pattern that will lead to creation of more jobs without compromising labour productivity.

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36. · Paper Q13 · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

What are the main bottlenecks in upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India ?

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37. · Paper Q15 · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes ? What are the key goals of this mission ? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race?

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38. · Paper Q16 · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines ?

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39. · Paper Q18 · 2022 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard ?

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2021

40. · Paper Q1 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Explain the difference between computing methodology of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015.

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41. · Paper Q5 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?

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42. · Paper Q7 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India's National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards ?

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43. · Paper Q11 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V- shapes recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer.

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44. · Paper Q15 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology/? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society?

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45. · Paper Q16 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings ?

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46. · Paper Q18 · 2021 · 15 marks · Solution

Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy.

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2020

47. · Paper Q2 · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP?

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48. · Paper Q3 · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

What are the main constraints in transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India?

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49. · Paper Q5 · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in health sector?

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50. · Paper Q11 · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

Explain the meaning of investment in an economy in terms of capital formation. Discuss the factors to be considered while designing a concession agreement between a public entity and a private entity.

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51. · Paper Q13 · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India?

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52. · Paper Q15 · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the pandemic.

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53. · Paper Q17 · 2020 · 15 marks · Solution

What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India?

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2019

54. · Paper Q2 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments.

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55. · Paper Q3 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

How far is Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production.

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56. · Paper Q4 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas.

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57. · Paper Q5 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

How was India benefitted from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively?

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58. · Paper Q6 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

What is India's plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?

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59. · Paper Q13 · 2019 · 15 marks · Solution

What are the reformative steps taken by the Government to make food grain distribution system more effective?

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60. · Paper Q15 · 2019 · 15 marks · Solution

How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies?

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2018

61. · Paper Q4 · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries? (150 Words, 10 Marks).

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62. · Paper Q5 · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss the work of 'Bose-Einstein Statistics' done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. (150 Words, 10 Marks).

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63. · Paper Q8 · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

Sikkim is the first 'Organic State' in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State? (150 Words, 10 Marks).

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64. · Paper Q9 · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China's larger 'One Belt One Road' initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (150 Words, 10 Marks).

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65. · Paper Q11 · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

How are the principles followed by NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India?(250 Words, 15 Marks).

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66. · Paper Q12 · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? (250 Words, 15 Marks).

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67. · Paper Q14 · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (250 Words, 15 Marks).

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68. · Paper Q15 · 2018 · 15 marks · Solution

Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (250 Words, 15 Marks).

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2017

69. · Paper Q1 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Among several factors for India's potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential?

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70. · Paper Q2 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.

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71. · Paper Q6 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including leukaemia, Thallessemia, damaged sornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?

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72. · Paper Q7 · 2017 · 10 marks · Solution

India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically.

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73. · Paper Q16 · 2017 · 15 marks · Solution

Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?

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74. · Paper Q18 · 2017 · 15 marks · Solution

On December 2004, tsumani brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of Tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.

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75. · Paper Q19 · 2017 · 15 marks · Solution

Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.

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2016

76. · Paper Q1 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?

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77. · Paper Q3 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poor section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.

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78. · Paper Q4 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

What are 'Smart Cities'? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for 'Smart Villages' in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.

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79. · Paper Q5 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India.

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80. · Paper Q12 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Discuss India's achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

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81. · Paper Q13 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government's Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country.

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82. · Paper Q20 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

Use of internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major security concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.

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2015

83. · Paper Q1 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

The nature of economic growth in India in recent times is often described as a jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.

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84. · Paper Q2 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non- farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.

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85. · Paper Q7 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Craze for gold in Indian has led to surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of Gold Monetization scheme.

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86. · Paper Q8 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

"Success of make in India program depends on the success of Skill India programme and radical labour reforms." Discuss with logical arguments.

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87. · Paper Q10 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

There is a clear acknowledgement that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are a tool of industrial development, manufacturing and exports. Recognising this potential, the whole instrumentality of SEZs require augmentation. Discuss the issue plaguing the success of SEZs with respect to taxation, governing laws and administration.

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88. · Paper Q11 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

What do you understand by "Standard Positioning System" and "Precision positioning system" in the GPS era? Discuss the advantage India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites.

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89. · Paper Q12 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel the research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation.

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90. · Paper Q13 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Discuss the advantage and security implication of cloud hosting of servers vis-a-vis in house machine based hosting for government business.

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91. · Paper Q14 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations is proving a powerful weapon in country's fight against erroneous patents. Discuss the pro and cons of making the database available publicly available under open source licensing.

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92. · Paper Q15 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Discuss the Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs?

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93. · Paper Q16 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India's preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects.

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94. · Paper Q17 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Human right activists constantly highlight the fact that the Armed forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human right abuses by security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists. Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by Apex Court.

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