UPSC (IAS) Preparation - Only most important current affairs for UPSC / IAS /UKPSC

6 December 2016

UPSC (IAS)-2016 MAINS GS PAPER 3

Analysis: GS PAPER III is as usual current affairs based but more related to socio economic policy rather than basic part. New programmes and policies and challenges in their implementation was main concern of UPSC .

11 questions were covered by samveg ias mains test series -2016.

Q1 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?

Q3 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.

Q4 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.

Q5 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.

Q6 What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency.

Q9 Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.
Q10 Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Q11 Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Q12 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?

Q16 With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
Q17 The terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.

UPSC (IAS) -2016 MAINS GS PAPER II

Analysis: GS PAPER II was moderately difficult.but as we suspected that this time upsc may ask question from basic part ,this has happened .questions were lengthy but approachable.

Nearly 8 questions directly can be traced to samveg ias mains test series.

Q1 Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?
Q4 Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

Q8 What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
Q13 Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?
Q16 “Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative.” What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?
Q17 The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries.” Discuss in the Indian perspective.
Q18Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post Cold War international scenario.
Q19 “Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples.

GS2 Mains-Topicwise Questions since Syllabus change

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies (GS) papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-2 deals with Polity, Governance, Welfare and International-Relations (IR)

Category	GSM-2	2013	2014	2015	2016
Polity	Basic Str.	10	12.5	37.5	12.5
Polity	Executive	10	25	0	0
Polity	Legislature	10	12.5	0	12.5
Polity	Power Sep.	10	12.5	12.5	12.5
Polity	Fed-Local	30	12.5	25	37.5
Polity	Bodies	20	25	25	25
Welfare	Social Service, Sectors	50	62.5	37.5	50
Governance	Accountability	20	0	25	25
Governance	Groups-NGO,Pressure,IAS	20	25	37.5	25
IR	Neighbours	50	12.5	25	12.5
IR	Non-Neighbours	10	0	12.5	12.5
IR	Inst., Group,Agreements	10	50	12.5	25
	Total	250	250	250	250

GSM1-Topicwise Questions since Pattern change in 2013

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-I deals with History, Culture, Society and Geography. Overall breakup looks like this

Category	GS Mains Paper-1	2013	2014	2015	2016
History	Culture	20	40	25	25
History	Freedom struggle	30	30	25	37.5
History	World History	40	30	25	12.5
History	Post-independence	50	0	0	0
Society	Religion, Region, empowerment.	10	10	37.5	37.5
Society	Poverty, Population, Development	10	20	25	25
Society	Women	10	20	25	0
Geography	Climate	10	30	25	12.5
Geography	Resources	20	20	37.5	62.5
Geography	Urbanization	10	0	25	25
Geography	Physical	30	20	0	12.5
Geography	Industrial Location	10	30	0	0
	Total	250	250	250	250

5 December 2016

Upsc (ias) -2016 mains paper :GS1

Upsc (ias) -2016 mains paper :GS1

Analysis : Paper was much more straight compare to last years.
Issues asked were in news and easily doable.This is going to be highly scoring .
11 QUESTIONS WERE DIRECTLY covered by SAMVEG IAS' IAS MAINS-2016 TEST SERIES.This is a NOT for propaganda but a real fact.
questions were :

Q3 Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.

Q4 Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.

Q5 Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

Q8 To what extent globalisation has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.

Q9 “An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from the process of deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.

Q11With a brief background of quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.”
Q12 What is the basis of regionalism? Is it that unequal distribution of benefits of development on regional basis eventually promotes regionalism? Substantiate your answer.
Q16 South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.
Q18 Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.
Q19Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.
Q20 In what way micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?

#UPSC(IAS2016MAINS) ESSAY PAPER

3 December 2016

UNESCO) has formally inscribed Yoga in its representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has formally inscribed Yoga in its representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Decision in this regard was taken by the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The declaration describes Yoga, an ancient Indian practice as a Human Treasure. It was unanimously supported by all the 24 members of inter-governmental Committee.

Other new inscriptions added in the list are Rumba dance (Cuba), Belgian beer (Belgium), Almezmar (Saudi Arabia), Kuresi (Kazakhstan) and Khidr Elias feast (Iraq), Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals (Japan), Momoeria, New Year’s celebration (Greece), practice of organizing shared interests in cooperatives (Germany),Making and sharing flatbread (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan), Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (South Korea), Gada system (Ethiopia),Tahteeb, stick game (Egypt), Music and dance of the merengue (Dominican Republic), Valencia Fallas festivity (Spain), Solar Term(China), Mangal Shobhajatra on Pahela Baishakh(Bangladesh).

Background The proposal for inclusion of Yoga in this list was forwarded by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) immediately after the first International Yoga Day was on 21st June 2016. The dossier in this regard was forwarded by MEA through the Sangeet Natak Akademi. India’s proposal for nominating Yoga had stressed upon its pan-Indian and global expanse, health benefits and practised by people from all communities. About UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The UNESCO’s coveted list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance. It was established in 2008 after Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2003 came into effect. It compiles two lists viz. Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Now, the list includes 814 cultural sites, 203 natural and 35 with both cultural and natural qualities.

List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity from India Koodiyattam: Sanskrit Theatre of Kerala. Mudiyett: theatre ritual of Kerala. Tradition of Vedic Chanting. Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan. Ramlila: Traditional Performance of the Ramayana. Sankirtana: singing, drumming and dancing ritual of Manipur. Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of Garhwal Himalayas. Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil of Thatheras: Punjab. Chhau dance: classical Indian dance originated in the eastern Indian states. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has formally inscribed Yoga in its representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Decision in this regard was taken by the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The declaration describes Yoga, an ancient Indian practice as a Human Treasure. It was unanimously supported by all the 24 members of inter-governmental Committee. Other new inscriptions added in the list are Rumba dance (Cuba), Belgian beer (Belgium), Almezmar (Saudi Arabia), Kuresi (Kazakhstan) and Khidr Elias feast (Iraq), Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals (Japan), Momoeria, New Year’s celebration (Greece), practice of organizing shared interests in cooperatives (Germany),Making and sharing flatbread (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan), Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (South Korea), Gada system (Ethiopia),Tahteeb, stick game (Egypt), Music and dance of the merengue (Dominican Republic), Valencia Fallas festivity (Spain), Solar Term(China), Mangal Shobhajatra on Pahela Baishakh(Bangladesh). Background The proposal for inclusion of Yoga in this list was forwarded by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) immediately after the first International Yoga Day was on 21st June 2016. The dossier in this regard was forwarded by MEA through the Sangeet Natak Akademi. India’s proposal for nominating Yoga had stressed upon its pan-Indian and global expanse, health benefits and practised by people from all communities. About UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage The UNESCO’s coveted list is made up of those intangible heritage elements that help demonstrate diversity of cultural heritage and raise awareness about its importance. It was established in 2008 after Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2003 came into effect. It compiles two lists viz. Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Now, the list includes 814 cultural sites, 203 natural and 35 with both cultural and natural qualities. List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity from India Koodiyattam: Sanskrit Theatre of Kerala. Mudiyett: theatre ritual of Kerala. Tradition of Vedic Chanting. Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan. Ramlila: Traditional Performance of the Ramayana. Sankirtana: singing, drumming and dancing ritual of Manipur. Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of Garhwal Himalayas. Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil of Thatheras: Punjab. Chhau dance: classical Indian dance originated in the eastern Indian states. Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Read more at: http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/month/current-affairs-december-2016/page/6