GS MAINS PAPER 2010

GS MAINS PAPER 2010 -PAPER 1

1. Answer the following (in about 250 words for each answer) : 20x2=40

(a) "Disputes between the- riparian states on sharing of river waters in post- Independence India are becoming increasingly complex." Objectively analyse the major disputes in this connection, with special reference to the Southern States.

(b)Critically examine the differing estimates for (i) poverty figures, and (ii) GDP growth data for April-June 2010, that have been in the news recently. In your view, what estimates are more reflective of the ground reality, and why?
2.Answer any two of the following in about 150 words each: 12x2=24

(a), "Dalhousie's predecessors had acted on the general principles of avoiding annexations, if these could be avoided. Dalhousie acted on the principles of annexation, if lie could do so legitimately. His annexations were both of war and peace." Analyse.

(b) With respect to Cooperative Societies what are the salient features of the 106th and 111th Constitutional Amendment Bills as at present?

(c) "Small-holder farms need to be strengthened to achieve national food security." Do you agree with this assessment? Substantiate.


3. Answer any two of the following in about 150 words

(a) Comment on the spatial components in urban solid waste management in the country.

(b) Assess the contributions made by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in agricultural development.

(c) List the .significant local storms of the hot-weather season in the country and bring out their socio-economic impact.

4. Answer any two of the following in about 150 words 12x2=24

(a)What are the grounds of disqualification of a Member of Parliament from either House? Quote relevant provisions in your answer.

(b) Distinguish between the objectives, structure and functioning of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan' and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti

(c) Bring out the salient features of the evolution and the current status of the 'Bharat Stage' vehicle emission norms in the country.

5. Write brief but precise notes ON any six of the following. Your answer should not exceed 50 words in each case. 5x6=30

(a) Transhumance in India

(b) Frontogenesis and Frontolysi.s

(c) Golden Revolution

(d) Sea-floor spreading

(e)Legislative powers assigned to the Rajya Sabha under Art. 249 and Art. 312 of the Constitution

(f) Causes for dominant dendritic pattern of drainage in the Gangetic plains

(g) 'Break-of-bulk” towns

6. Answer any three of the following in about 150 words each: 12x3=36

(a) While bringing out their salient features, distinguish between either 'Madhubani' Art and 'Manjusha' Art or 'Rajasthani' schools of painting and the 'Pahari' school of Painting.

(b) Bring out the powers and responsibilities attached to the office of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

(c) Distinguish between the following four literary awards:

(i) Jnanpith Award

(ii) Sahitya Akademi Award

(iii) Vyas Samman

(iv) Sarastvati Summan

(d) After the September 1st changes, do you think that Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) and Mutual Funds (MFs) are on a level playing field ? Substantiate your answer from the perspective of an ordinary investor.

7. Answer any five of the following in about 150 words each: 12*5=60

(a) What do you understand by 'repo rate' and 'reverse repo rate’? What are the implications in raising these rates?

(b) "Cost-benefit analysis should not be the sole consideration, while deciding to host events like the Commonwealth Games." Critically comment on this perspective.

(c) List any eight 'Ramsar' wetland sites located in India. What is the 'Montreux Record' and what Indian sites are included in this Record?

(d) Are the 'Dedicated Freight Corridor' railway project and the 'Golden Quadrilateral' road project mutually complementary or competitive? Assess.

(e) "Upliftment of the neglected sections of society will be best served with many more centers of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University." Expand on the assertion made.

(f) Comment on the salient features of the recent draft Model Real Estate (Regulation of Development) Act of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation of the Central Government.

8. Answer each of the following, briefly but precisely. Each answer should be less than 50 words. 5x6=30

(a) How is disagreement between the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of a State in passing of an ordinary Bill, resolved?

(b) Comment on the recent HFC-23 emissions controversy that includes in its ambit some Indian companies.

(c) Comment on the recommendations of the Wadhwa Commission on the Public Distribution System.

(d) What are the salient features of The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan?

(e) You arrive first at, the scene where a bus accident has just occurred. What emergency measures should you immediately and safely adopt?

(f)Bring out the sectoral and state-wise distribution patterns of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into the country.

9. Write brief notes on each of the following, in about 20 words each: 2x8=16

(a) Contributions of Latika Ghosh to the freedom struggle

(b) Bhai Maharaj Singh as a freedom fighter

(c) Chandrayaan-II

(d) Agni-V

(e) Babli Project

(f) 'SwavaJamban' Scheme

(g) National Investment Fund

(h) 'Aerostat' balloon



10. Who are the following and why have been in the news recently? (Each answer should not exceed 20 words) 2x8=16

(a) Divya Ajithkumar

(b) N.C. Saxena

(c) Islam A. Siddiqui

(d) Swarnalatha Cherukutty

(e) Nitin Nohria

(f) Deepak Mondal

(g) Gaurav Singh Saini

(h) Upendra Limaye

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