Q.8) The slow criminal justice system in India has put unnecessary pressure on prisons. Discuss what are the issues associated with the Indian prisons? Also, suggest what steps should be taken to improve the situation in this regard? http://www.deccanherald.com/content/639051/revitalising-indian-prisons.html https://thewire.in/161064/india-prison-conditions/    

Q.7) The G4 nations should pursue the idea of with or without veto UNSC reforms, as this will break the deadlock in negotiations. Do you agree? Give arguments in support of your answer. http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/with-or-without-the-veto/article19907383.ece    

Q.6) The prospects of adopting only negative emissions model to limit global warming seem bleak. Examine. What alternative approaches may be explored to counter global warming? http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/its-time-to-make-deep-emission-cuts/article19902959.ece    

Q.5) What is blockchain technology? How can blockchain help in better land governance and economic integration? http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/TmHYZfI1pW4rHFegzOu0KJ/Turning-the-poors-assets-into-capital.html http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/tC66BUm88uqVzpsfnK80HO/Can-blockchain-technology-be-an-answer-to-Indias-land-gover.html    

Q.4) Despite being rich in natural, cultural heritage, Indian tourism industry is facing various issues. What are the challenges in the growth of tourism industry? Also, suggest some measures in this regard. http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/oped/indian-tourism-punching-below-its-weight.html  

Q.3) The RTI Act provides for certain exemptions where providing information is not obligatory on the part of authority. Which are these exemptions under RTI Act? How do these exemptions impact the citizen’s fundamental right to information? http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/why-exempt-cbi-from-rti-asks-petition/article19902011.ece https://thewire.in/179140/cbi-ib-rti-act/  

Q.2) The need of prior sanctions to report the misdeeds of government officials will have deleterious ramifications on the rights of media. Critically discuss. http://www.livelaw.in/new-rajasthan-ordinance-makes-govt-sanction-mandatory-probe-judges-curbs-media-reporting-read-ordinance/ http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/unacceptable-fetters/article19901782.ece

Q.1) There is a big opportunity in space for a nation like India. Apart from technological developments, in what ways can the space industry help in the economic development of the nation? http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/ShWdzqTBKakZv6DvJgcxIO/Unbundling-of-space.html

Q.12) You have joined an organization as an administrative head, which has a large public interface. You want people’s Cooperation in redressal of their grievances. There is a complaint/suggestion box at the reception of the office. On enquiry you found that it is empty and has not been opened for the last one month. What… Continue reading 22 Oct 2017 | Target Mains | Question 12

Q.11) Citizens’ Charter in India aimed at delivering governance to people and proposed an ‘Action Plan for Effective and Responsive Government was adopted. Explain the role of citizen’s charters in public administration Do you think citizen charter have been effective in India?  

Q.10) Extreme volatility in the prices of some food commodities has, in recent years, been hurting producers as well as consumers, while also disrupting certain economic activities. Critically comment. What steps should be taken by government in this regard? http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/indian-farmers-food-prices-inflation-indian-economy-food-for-reform-4898307/    

Q.9) According to a report, none of the silence zones in the country came anywhere near the national standard. There is a need to focus on implementation rather than just demarcating specific areas as no silence zones. What are the points where lacuna lies in the implementation? What should be done to curb noise pollution… Continue reading 22 Oct 2017 | Target Mains | Question 9

Q.8) Public health and education programmes are the best way to tackle India’s hunger problem that is one of the worst in the region. Comment. http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/global-hunger-index-india-child-mortality-poverty-what-schools-have-to-do-with-health-4897121/    

Q.7) This is a microcosm of the role the Indian state has often played in the agricultural sector. Its policies have created artificial incentives that are unsustainable, an inefficient drain on public funds, or both. Critically analyse.  What are the major reforms on which Indian agriculture policy should focus up on? http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/qRYlh9LsB326UWb8983VfI/Retrench-Indias-farm-economy-to-sustain-it.html    

Q.6) Social media can be used not only as a medium of protest but also as a tool to mobilise people. Do you think social media has grown up to become an important pillar of democracy? Discuss. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/power-of-the-hashtag/article19879191.ece  

Q.5) Considering the growing importance of the Internet in personal life, as well as its growing use to challenge governmental authority, the government’s decision of “Internet shutdown” may be an infringement on the fundamental right of speech and expression. Critically discuss. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/making-the-internet-disappear/article19879182.ece    

Q.4) CBI has been at times referred to as a “caged parrot that has many masters” and there has been demand for providing CBI with greater functional autonomy. In view of this, discuss the reforms needed in CBI? http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/lessons-from-the-aarushi-case/article19873969.ece  

Q.3) Cyber security is the main component of the state’s overall national security and economic security strategies. Do you think India has an effective cyber security measures in place? Discuss the main cyber threats that India faces at present? http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/XJpl50UmcB72x5tceXj1aN/Cybersecurity-starts-at-the-top.html    

Q.2) Considering Indian government’s lackadaisical approach towards having a clear roadmap for encouraging the use of clean fuel, comment on the need for Indian government to have a clean fuel and energy consumption policy? http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/all-hype-on-energy-ceraweek-4892064/