AIR 14 · CSE 2025 · GS2 · 51 pages

Surabhi Yadav: GS2 answer copy

17 answers by Surabhi Yadav, as written in the test. Each question opens a page with how other toppers answered it.

The questions

  1. Q1There is a need to resolve the ambiguity in disqualification provisions under Section 8 of RPA 1951. Discuss. Q1) How has the implementation of POSH Act resulted in limited success, what factors have hindered its outreach to women in unorg Sector? Propose strategy to ensure comprehensive protection for women.
  2. Q2Constitution is the mere skeleton whereas Constitutionalism is the soul of Democracy. Discuss. There is a need for convergence of 'nutrition-specific' and 'nutrition-sensitive' interventions to effectively tackle child undernutrition in India. Examine.
  3. Q3Electoral bonds are double edged swords providing anonymity to donors while raising concerns about transparency in political funding. To what extent EB further legitimised opacity in funding?
  4. Q4The question of gender equality is centre to debate on reconciling UCC with gender equality as enshrined in const. In this light what are the challenges?
  5. Q5Governor's office is neither decorative nor inconsequential, it assumes a role of profound essence! To what extent does the Governor actively contribute to state governance & reinforce principle of federalism?
  6. Q6Recently demand has been rising for Social Accountability law and boost citizen's participation in decision making. How such a law can lead to good governance? Comment.
  7. Q8MGNREGA, the lynchpin of rural poverty alleviation, has become victim of fiscal apathy. Critically examine.
  8. Q9India must leverage, if not manage, global divides. How can current geopolitical churn pave the way for India's rise?
  9. Q10Berlin can be India's gateway to EU. Elaborate with respect to Germany's importance in India's relation with EU.
  10. Q11How has the ADL impacted relationship b/w political parties and individual legislators in India? In light of recent incidents, also discuss unintended consequences it has on functioning of democracy.
  11. Q12Critics assert that limitless jurisdiction of basic structure doctrine rests on structural ambiguity of basic structure doctrine made judiciary more powerful than executive. Has elastic nature of judicial authority.
  12. Q13FR are not gifts bestowed upon by the state. In this context discuss desirability of reasonable restriction on various individual possessions of FR.
  13. Q14S.R. Bommai v UoI signified a paradigm shift in judicial interpretation of union's authority to assume control of a state's admin. In this context, discuss significance & impact of judgment on cementing fed structure.
  14. Q15The key to effective decentralisation is, 'political decentralisation should follow finance & functional decentralisation'. Discuss in context of local gov.
  15. Q16Multistakeholder partnership are the key and localised implementation efforts be to leveraging collective expertise & networks. How can effective partnership accelerate achievements of SDGs in India?
  16. Q18Neo-liberal reforms have opened up the economy to the world. Globalisation has enhanced the contacts of people & influenced each other's culture, society, economy. Discuss the transformation in the welfare state and the role of new civil services in this context.
  17. Q19Q19

The answers

Question 1 · 396 words written

There is a need to resolve the ambiguity in disqualification provisions under Section 8 of RPA 1951. Discuss. Q1) How has the implementation of POSH Act resulted in limited success, what factors have hindered its outreach to women in unorg Sector? Propose strategy to ensure comprehensive protection for women.

Opening

Section 8 of the RPA 1951 provides for the disqualification of member under certain grounds such as - corruption, convicted for 2 or 2+ yrs of imprisonment, practicing social evils like Sati, untouchability.

However, there lies certain ambiguity in disqualification :-

Body · points and prose

→ Issue of immediate disqualification, if there is provision for appeal in higher court. (eg) Rahul Gandhi case

→ Disqualification by President/Governor on advice or concurrence of Election Commission of India.

→ what does 'interest in government contracts' mean - not defined.

| Ambiguity can be resolved by |

→ Laying down better / extensive guidelines → Election petition that can be heard by HC and appealed to SC. → Defining terms like Defamation, government interest etc.

Section 8 of RPA 1951 has effectively curbed malpractices in Election throughout, it can be further strengthened to reduce criminalisation of politics.

POSH Act was passed by the govern- ment in pursuance of SC guidelines in Vishakha v State of Rajasthan case on sexual harrassment at workplace.

| Reasons for limited success in raising awareness about Sexual Harrassment |

  1. Societal shame
  2. Lack of penetration of civil societies like NGOs to rural women.
  3. Lack of reporting
  4. Lack of sensitisation of local police in handling cases of sexual harrassment
  5. Limited access to information ↳ generally unskilled women, not connected via internet, not informed.

Factors that have hindered outreach in unorganised sector

  1. Unions : unorganised sector do not have unions to support women's cause.

  2. Household workers : forced to submission, intimidated.

  3. Lack of alternate employement : forced to submit - hunger forces to submit to atrocities. (eg) TN factory case of Santosh.

  4. Gig workers : new industry for women, difficult to balance proving themselves v/s sitting at home for fear of parents.

  5. Difficult to prove : when there are not collective voices against the powerful.

| Strategies to Bridge this gap |

  1. Gendered Police: local police station, to have females to list FIR in such cases.
  2. Online helpline: Active number that are available on call.
  3. Civil societies: can help raise awareness. (eg) Aarti for girls
  4. Training to women organisations.
  5. Awareness through campaigns.
  6. Proper rehabilitation of distressed women.
  7. Regulate online crimes against gig workers.

Close · a summary

↳ regulate gig economy

The issue could be resolved by active community participation, taking swift actions and building confidence among women.