AIR 16 · CSE 2025 · GS3 · 53 pages

Monika Srivastava: GS3 answer copy

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

The questions

  1. Q1What do you mean by off-budget borrowings? Discuss the various issues associated with them.10 marks
  2. Q2Do you agree that the agriculture sector in India needs a separate budget for its transformation? Substantiate.10 marks
  3. Q3Growth of e-commerce has huge potential in revolutionizing the agriculture products supply chains. Discuss.10 marks
  4. Q4'Water use efficiency is the keystone in the sustainable development of the Indian agriculture sector.' Examine.10 marks
  5. Q5Robust economic growth requires a complementation between the public and private investment. Examine the statement with reference to falling private investments in the Indian economy.10 marks
  6. Q6Discuss several ways in which biotechnology can help in ensuring food security in India.10 marks
  7. Q7Explain the significance of the Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) in achieving the goals of India's Nuclear energy program.10 marks
  8. Q8Public awareness is primary in inculcating environmental consciousness. How does the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) promote environmental awareness?10 marks
  9. Q9Overexploitation strains the quality as well as the quantity of our groundwater resources. Analyze.10 marks
  10. Q10Disinformation has become a serious threat to internal security.' In the light of the statement, mention the role of the State in prevention of fake news.10 marks
  11. Q11'Employment opportunities in India are experiencing a rapid transformation.' In the light of the statement, discuss the preparedness of the Indian labor force to adapt to this transformation.15 marks
  12. Q12Liberalized Indian economy expanded rapidly at the cost of social equity. Elaborate. Also, suggest measures for promoting inclusive economic growth.15 marks
  13. Q13Livestocks play a key role in improving the socio-economic conditions of the rural masses. In this light, discuss the potential opportunities for the livestock farmers in India.15 marks
  14. Q14What are the objectives of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme? Analyze its role in the growth of indigenous semiconductor industry.15 marks
  15. Q15Delays in infrastructure projects create massive cost overruns. Elaborate the major causes of delays and potential solutions for timely project execution.15 marks
  16. Q16The Indian Space sector exhibits huge growth potential. Analyze the opportunities for the private sector in the Indian space industry.15 marks
  17. Q17Plastic waste has become near ubiquitous, threatening ecological stability. Explain. Also, discuss various measures taken by the government to contain further environmental degradation by plastic wastes.15 marks
  18. Q18Elaborate the disaster vulnerability of Indian coastal cities with examples. Examine the relevance of Sendai Framework in disaster management of coastal regions.15 marks
  19. Q19Alarming rising trend in cyber attacks endangers national security. Explain with examples. Elaborate the need for establishing a dedicated cyber security force to deal with the issue.15 marks
  20. Q20Socio-economic functions across the Indian border makes its management more complex. Discuss with suitable examples.15 marks
  21. QWhat do you understand by the term 'Digital Divide'? Discuss the steps taken by the government to bridge this gap.

The answers

Question 1 · 10 marks · 152 words written

What do you mean by off-budget borrowings? Discuss the various issues associated with them.

Opening · a definition

Off budget borrowings are the borrowings made by govern-ment agencies and which are not reflected in the actual budget.

Body · points

Issues associated

  1. not counted in fiscal deficit. Don't give a true picture of our debt situation.

  2. Affects state finances and indebtedness e.g. Kerala had very high off budget borrowings.

  3. Affects the targets of FRBM act i.e. confining to 4% fiscal deficit as they are not included but still create liability

  4. government expenditure higher on repaying the debts → capex reduces

  5. can affect fiscal relations between Centre and state

  6. can be considered as 'misleading' the electorate as it is outside Legislature scrutiny

WAY FORWARD

  1. Phasing out off budget borrowings.

  2. more transparency measures to ensure agencies / government companies are not made to borrow under it.

Close · a source

The Finance Commissions (14th and 15th) have highlighted this issue and the need to stop this practice of off Budget borrowings.