đź’ĄUPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship September Batch
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Archives: Questions

Q.2 South Korea’s new willingness to become a global pivotal state and play an active role in regional affairs is bound to create multiple opportunities for a multi-dimensional India- Korea partnership. Comment. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/scale-up-the-india-south-korea-bilateral-partnership/article65636221.ece In the intro, mention the divergence in the objectives of the two countries in the last five years and current shift in the South Korean foreign and security policies. In the body mention that South Korea aims to become a “global pivotal state, anchored in liberal values and a rules-based order” this stand… Continue reading Q.2 South Korea’s new willingness to become a global pivotal state and play an active role in regional affairs is bound to create multiple opportunities for a multi-dimensional India- Korea partnership. Comment. (10 Marks)

Q.3 What are the various sources of funding and instruments used for climate finance? What are the reasons for funding bial in favour of climate-change mitigation and against the climate-change adaptation activities? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/the-enduring-challenges-in-mobilising-green-finance/ https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/bonn-meet-shows-slim-chance-of-action-on-climate-change-8025526/ In the intro, mention the COP27 to be held at Sharm-el-Sheikh primacy of the issue of climate finance in it. In the body mention the various sources and instruments available such as international financial institutions, UN agencies, multilateral and bilateral agencies and the private sector. In the reasons for bias mention the… Continue reading Q.3 What are the various sources of funding and instruments used for climate finance? What are the reasons for funding bial in favour of climate-change mitigation and against the climate-change adaptation activities? (10 Marks)

Q.2 The population of the country is a crucial factor in the election of the President, which means the people’s presence in the process of electing the President is very much visible. In context of this, explain the method followed for the election of the President of India and what are the implications of the people’s presence in the process? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-president-is-not-a-mere-rubber-stamp/article65635390.ece In the intro, mention the nature of debate in the Constituent Assembly on the election method. In the body, explain the method and how population of India is represented in the total votes rather than one member one vote. In the next part, mention the implications of such wider base. Conclude by… Continue reading Q.2 The population of the country is a crucial factor in the election of the President, which means the people’s presence in the process of electing the President is very much visible. In context of this, explain the method followed for the election of the President of India and what are the implications of the people’s presence in the process? (10 Marks)

Q.3 A well-crafted trade agreement could help India enhance its share in global trade. Therefore, India needs to take care of a few key concerns before entering into trade agreements. What are such concerns India need to address? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/concerns-of-indian-players-should-be-taken-care-of-while-crafting-ftas-8025545/ In the intro, mention India’s recent signing of FTA’s with Australia and UAE. In the body mention how well FTA could help India in increasing its share in international trade. In the next part, mention the concerns that need to be addressed such as ensuring that domestic industry is not forced to… Continue reading Q.3 A well-crafted trade agreement could help India enhance its share in global trade. Therefore, India needs to take care of a few key concerns before entering into trade agreements. What are such concerns India need to address? (10 Marks)

Q.2 The health of municipal finances is a critical element of municipal governance. In context of this, examine the challenges in strengthening the municipal finances and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-scale-of-municipal-finances-is-inadequate/article65631481.ece In the intro, mention that pandemic and implementation of GST have affected the fiscal health of the municipalities. In the body mention that after 74th Constitutional amendment, provisions were made for ULB’s fiscal empowerment. In the next part mention the challenges such as constraints in tax base expansion, weakening of institutional mechanisms,… Continue reading Q.2 The health of municipal finances is a critical element of municipal governance. In context of this, examine the challenges in strengthening the municipal finances and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.3 What are the reasons for the high prevalence of scams in the banking industry in India? What are the implications of such scams for the economy? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-scam-faultline-is-damaging-indian-banking/article65628245.ece In the intro, mention that the RBI’s Financial Stability Report released in December 2021 projects the rise of gross NPA to 8.1% in Sept, 2022. In the body, mention the reasons for the scams such as poor lending practices and inside work, involvement of junior and mid-level management, insufficient due diligence etc.… Continue reading Q.3 What are the reasons for the high prevalence of scams in the banking industry in India? What are the implications of such scams for the economy? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2 How does lack of self-reliance in defense technology and manufacturing influence India’s foreign policy options? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/an-atmanirbhar-india-can-look-the-world-in-the-eye-russia-ukraine-nato-7828628/ https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/06/13/the-west-has-a-chance-to-wean-india-off-russian-weaponry In the intro, mention that the Ukraine crisis has brought into focus India’s dependence on Russia. In the body, mention India’s successive abstentions during the Ukraine crisis and the background of India’s relations with Russia. In the next part, mention the growing closeness between Russia and China after the crisis and… Continue reading Q.2 How does lack of self-reliance in defense technology and manufacturing influence India’s foreign policy options? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.3 What is forest landscape restoration? How it is different from traditional approach to afforestation? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-plan-that-is-much-more-than-just-planting-trees/article65617158.ece In the intro mention that according to IUCN, deforestation and forest degradation contribute to around 12% global greenhouse gas emission. In the body explain the approach and its elements. Conclude by mentioning that forest landscape restoration must be implemented proactively, bolstering landscapes and forest ecosystems to be durable and adjustable in the… Continue reading Q.3 What is forest landscape restoration? How it is different from traditional approach to afforestation? (10 Marks)

Q. 2 Examine the significance of political parties in India. What are the legal provisions to deal with a split in political parties. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/making-parties-constitutional/article36764952.ece https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/which-is-real-shiv-sena-answer-lies-with-the-constitution-and-supreme-court-8017803/ In the intro, mention split in Shiv Sena in Maharashtra. In the body, mention the importance role played by political parties in India. In the next part mention article 324 and Conduct of Election Rule 1961 and Supreme Court case on the same issue. Conclude by mentioning that free and fair… Continue reading Q. 2 Examine the significance of political parties in India. What are the legal provisions to deal with a split in political parties. (10 Marks)

Q.4 You are posted as a Customs official in one of renowned port cities of India. Your team has recently intercepted a consignment having over 5000 kilograms of red sandalwood. Red Sandalwood, also known as Red Sanders, is a prohibited item for export and is covered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) list and hence you detained a few individuals for their alleged involvement in trying to smuggle it to another country. However, you later come to know that these people are working for an influential businessman with close ties to the ruling party of the state. Your seniors in the department have verbally instructed you not to register any compliant as yet. You are fearful that a deal will be struck between the businessman and a few corrupt officers of your department and the detained persons will be freed. You are ready to go ahead and file the complaint but at the same time are also fearful of departmental action against you if you disobey your seniors. (a) What are the various options available to you in the given case? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of these. (b) Also indicate (without necessarily restricting to the above options) your course of action and the reasons for the same. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by writing the context and the facts of the case study. Listing the various options available, evaluate merits and demerits of each option. Apart from these options, provide a decisive course of action that can be taken with proper reasons. Conclude accordingly.

Q.3 What are the factors responsible for the recent fall in the value of rupee? Why intervention in the foreign exchange market by the RBI is unlikely to yield the desired results? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/the-heat-is-on-hard-to-see-when-the-pressure-on-the-rupee-will-ease-despite-rbis-efforts/2585524/ In the intro, mention the rupee touching the lowest ever value in recent times. In the body, mention the factors such as rising inflation in the US, rising oil prices, withdrawal of investment from equity market, decreasing forex etc. In the next part mention challenges such as fear of the US fed… Continue reading Q.3 What are the factors responsible for the recent fall in the value of rupee? Why intervention in the foreign exchange market by the RBI is unlikely to yield the desired results? (10 Marks)

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