AIR 1 · CSE 2023 · GS2 · 56 pages

Aditya Srivastava: GS2 answer copy

20 answers by Aditya Srivastava, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1With suitable examples, discuss how environmental pressure groups enhance public participation and responsiveness with regard to environmental policies in India.10 marks
  2. Q2The recent acknowledgment of sex work as a 'profession' by the Supreme Court is merely the first step in ensuring basic rights and equality for sex workers in India. Examine.10 marks
  3. Q3Discuss the role played by District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) in providing free legal aid and disseminating legal awareness in India.10 marks
  4. Q4"The collegium system has become a victim of its own success, with the concentration of power in the hands of a few, leading to questions about its legitimacy." Comment.10 marks
  5. Q5"Civil services reforms must go beyond recruitment and standardised training to cope with the present day challenges." Analyse.10 marks
  6. Q6Outcome-based finance models such as social impact bonds have the potential to truly catalyse change and deliver socio-economic impact at scale. Discuss.10 marks
  7. Q7The wide gap between the number of females graduating every year and those entering the workspace is an issue of paramount importance that needs to be addressed. Discuss in the context of India.10 marks
  8. Q8An up to date and functional Civil Registration System (CRS) is essential to the socio-economic planning in India. Discuss in the light of the recent move of the Central government in revamping the CRS system in the country.10 marks
  9. Q9What are the key areas of reform if the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has to align with the current economic realities?10 marks
  10. Q10In recent years, India's relationship with West Asia has evolved from the confines of geopolitics to expanse of geoeconomics. Discuss.10 marks
  11. Q11The role of the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is significant in furthering healthy competitiveness aimed at inspiring stakeholders to innovate and augment effectiveness. Comment.15 marks
  12. Q12"The menace of paid news often rears its ugly head during elections." Discuss the need for making paid news an electoral offence in India.15 marks
  13. Q13Discuss the 'Doctrine of Essentiality' referred to by the courts in the context of religious practices in India.15 marks
  14. Q14As per the recently released report of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), there is an urgent need to limit the size of the government in India. Do you agree?15 marks
  15. Q15The Institutions of Eminence (IoE) scheme was conceived to develop 'world-class' centres of higher education in India but six years later, it is yet to become the game changer it was intended to be. Discuss.15 marks
  16. Q16Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) allows for innovative and convenient public services, help overcome inclusion or accessibility barriers, and increase transparency and accountability with real-time data. Discuss with examples.15 marks
  17. Q17Besides legislation, the full realisation of the 'right to health for all' in India demands plugging of social, financial, and infrastructural gaps. Examine.15 marks
  18. Q18The ‘third gender’ has not yet been engendered in the Indian society despite legislative nudge. Analyse.15 marks
  19. Q19Among other factors, strained ties with China and Pakistan make it difficult for India to fulfill its expectations from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Discuss.15 marks
  20. Q20The recently concluded initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) between the United States and India promises a long overdue transformation of their partnership in the field of technology. Examine.15 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 162 words written

With suitable examples, discuss how environmental pressure groups enhance public participation and responsiveness with regard to environmental policies in India.

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

Pressure groups are a group of organized people formed while exercising rights under Article 19(1)(b).

Body · points

They have played a major role in enhancing public participation

  1. Interest articulation: via bringing demands of people to govt. Eg Narmada Bachao Andolan.
  2. Political socialization telling people about the political processes. Eg Aarey group using petitions.
  3. Generate more interest among the people via education.
  4. Improve responsiveness by holding govt accountable. Eg Greenpeace reports.
  5. Help to improve the arena of democratization via acting as people's right emancipation.

However, there are certain challenges

  1. Adoption of undemocratic means like strikes, lockouts.
  2. Political tools in hands of certain vested interests.
  3. Selfish propagandas many times without heed to environmental needs. Eg: Alleged against Wildlife Factor group.
  4. Challenge the government despite not being responsible to people → against Constitutional morality.

Way Ahead

  1. Need to carefully carve their space in modern polity → limit to public interest test.

Close · a way forward

This would uphold participative good governance.