AIR 9 · CSE 2025 · GS3 · 56 pages

Astha Jain: GS3 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1What is a 'Census'? Discuss the importance of Census for the economy and policy making.10 marks
  2. Q2Assess the role of NITI Aayog over the past decade in transforming the country's approach to planning and development.10 marks
  3. Q3Discuss various measures taken by the Government to strengthen the Cooperative movement and ensure "Sahakar Se Samriddhi".10 marks
  4. Q4India remains significantly dependent on imports to meet its pulses demand. Examine the key challenges in achieving self-reliance in pulses. Also, mention the major government initiatives taken in this regard.10 marks
  5. Q5What is a 'Black box'? Explain its significance in flight safety and airplane crash investigations.10 marks
  6. Q6How does NISAR mission exemplify international cooperation in space exploration and scientific research? In what ways will it help in climate change monitoring and natural hazard management?10 marks
  7. Q7While oceans are considered among mankind's best allies in the fight against climate change, they are themselves heavily impacted by the same. Discuss.10 marks
  8. Q8"Disasters cannot be managed by a single agency, department, or ministry on its own. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach." Elucidate.10 marks
  9. Q9The convergence of organized crime and terrorism presents a formidable challenge to the country's internal security. Analyse.10 marks
  10. Q10In an era of complex security challenges, examine the ways in which the private sector can contribute to strengthening India's internal security.10 marks
  11. Q11Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a transfer of surplus to the Union Government for the financial year 2024-25. What does 'surplus' mean in this context? How does the RBI generate it, and what is its significance for the country's fiscal policy?15 marks
  12. Q12Examine the role of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in the development of ports in India.15 marks
  13. Q13"Legalizing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) would create more challenges than it resolves." Comment.15 marks
  14. Q14Why does India's agricultural export performance remain weak despite high production levels? What measures would you suggest to improve agri-export competitiveness?15 marks
  15. Q15How the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help India in its socio-economic development? Identify the hurdles in its large-scale adoption and suggest corrective measures.15 marks
  16. Q16What is a Geographical Indication (GI)? What are the legal frameworks governing it? How does it differ from a trademark? How can GI infringement be tackled?15 marks
  17. Q17"Mangroves contribute significantly to the coastal economy and ecology, but they are threatened by numerous factors". Elaborate. Also, state the measures taken by the government for mangrove conservation and restoration.15 marks
  18. Q18What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?15 marks
  19. Q19Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become an integral aspect of modern conflict and warfare, employed by both state and non-state actors. Discuss its implications for India's security architecture and state the measures being taken to address them. Also suggest other steps to tackle the threats emanating from UAVs.15 marks
  20. Q20Maritime security challenges are complex, driven by both conventional and non-conventional threats. In this context, discuss the key maritime security challenges in India. Also, highlight the measures taken by the government in this regard.15 marks

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 186 words written

What is a 'Census'? Discuss the importance of Census for the economy and policy making.

Opening · a definition

Census refers to the documentation of a population, recording the growth in actual number and other characteristic such as birth rate etc.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
* Census * a) Records birth rate & death rate, TFR etc. * b) Status such as different religion, caste etc * c) first happened in 1871 and is a decadal exercise * d) Records changes over time

Importance for economy

→ a) Help in calculating the state of economic growth (e.g. per capita income → currently around $3000).

b) Calculating various metrics

  1. labor force → person who are engaged in various activities or are willing to
  2. unemployment rate, work force etc

c) state of inclusive growth → 1) Poverty data and Poverty line estimation - currently around 11% MDP (NITI) → 2) Human Dev. Index → document peopl's status of education, health, standard of living.

Policy making → a) Evidence based policy making → (eg) Poverty targeting based on actual numbers

b) Identify hotspots of poverty hunger & malnutrition (eg) States such as Bihar, north east etc.

c) Better targetting of vulnerable sections for various schemes (eg) Ayushman Bharat

d) Input - output model → can make policy more grounded & holistic (eg) Jal Jeevan mission

e) Ensure current realities taken into account (eg) Caste census, family planning

Close · a summary

Census will help to compare our progress over the last decade.