GS Mains Model Paper 1

Dear Students 

We are releasing the first GS model test paper.The question paper has been set keeping in mind the recent trends that have emerged in the GS paper. 

 This mock test has been prepared from our e-correspondence course modules. Aspirants may mail/courier their answers for evaluation. For GS paper strategy and answer writing skills call Mr Pranav Bharadwaj, Academic Director, Smart Foundation at 88224 89467. Please visit our website for other information.

(Test Paper 1) 

Instructions Candidate should attempt ALL questions strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each question.

 Q1. Answer any three of the following in about 250 words each 20 * 3 = 60

a) Though treaty-making is an executive function. Parliamentary democracies should make ratification by Parliament obligatory? Discuss
b) Critically analyze the various issues concerning the 4.5% reservation for the Socially & Educationally Backward Classes?
c) In the wake of Census 2011, discuss the causes of dropped child sex ratio in India? Suggest policy measures that can be initiated to tackle this malaise?
d) Assess the relevance of “White Paper “as a tool of Participatory democracy? Discuss government’s strategy to curb black money generation from legitimate activities?

Q 2: Answer ONE of the following in about 250 words: 20

a) Analyse the main differences between the approaches of Tagore and Gandhi on social and political issues ?
b) He argued it would be “the crown of Swaraj constitution & not its foundation”?Critically analyse
Q 3: Answer one of the following in about 250 words 20
a) Evaluate the initiatives of the government for improving the Justice Delivery System in the Country?
b) Highlight the objectives & the role of National Mission of Empowerment of Women?

Q 4: Comment on any FIVE of the following in about 150 words each 12 * 5 = 60

a) List the major findings of the HUNGAMA survey 2011.
b) Infrastructure Development Fund
c) Measures to contain inflation.
d) What is Public debt management? Highlight its objective & importance?
e) Examine the role of the Joint parliamentary committee in our Parliamentary functioning?
f) Bharat Nirmaan Volunteers

Q5: Examine any THREE of the following in not more than 150 words each 12 * 3=36

a) Transition of Indian agriculture move from monsoon dependence to a more sustainable medium
b) Challenges of Fisheries and Livelihood in the New Era of Maritime Security.
c) The significance of a robust land acquisition bill towards achieving inclusive development.
d) Problems specific to the coastal communities with respect to climate change.

Q 6: In the context of the freedom struggle ,write short notes (not exceeding 50 words each) on the following: 5 * 3 = 15

a) Lady Mehribai Tata
b) Bi Amman
c) Margarate Cousins

Q 7 : Comment on the following in NOT more than 50 words each 5 * 6 = 30

a) IPv6 Implementation in India
b) New Department of Disability Affairs under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
c) Steps to stem rupee slide
d) WTO 5th trade policy review
e) Composition and function of the National Commission of Women
f) The MMDR Bill 2011
g) Salient features of the New Telecom Policy 2011

Q8: Attempt the following in not more than 50 words each: 5 * 4= 20

a) While brining out their salient features distinguish between Hindustani and Carnatic School of music.
b) Write a sentence each on any five of the following traditional folk dance forms:
i. Bardo cham
ii. Ali ai liyang
iii. Tertali
iv. Pavri Nach
v. Ghumra
vi. Kummi
c) What are the major styles of architecture in Medieval India?
d) List the various puppet forms in India.

Q 9 : Comment on the following on not more than 50 words each 5 * 5 = 25

a) GPON technology
b) INS Shayadri
c) INTOSAI
d) C band polar metric Doppler radar
e) E procurement system for transparent governance

Q10: Who are the following and why have they been in news recently?(each answer should not exceed 20 words) 2 * 7= 14

a) Kulandei Francis
b) Suma Chakraverti
c) Ustad Sultan Khan
d) Homai Vyarawala
e) M.K. Pandhe
f) Kamal Bawa
g) Shahryar

Gs Module 5

Dear Aspirants

Gs Module 5 has been released.This module analytically covers different topics from economy, policy & strategic issues. Special emphasis is also given on different sections of Modern Indian History, two markers special on History & geography is also included in the module.

Total number of topics covered 70. These topics are drafted along with synoptic reviews which will help students in following ways

•  This will provide better understanding of the articles . 
•   It will make memorization & revision of material easy. 
•  As Prelims paper is analytical in nature Synoptic review will help students to  inculcate objective analytical content of the article in the first reading.   
•  Point format presentation will help students to develop mains answer writing skills.

 Few sample questions based on topics covered in module 5 are given below. Detailed answers of these sample questions are given in module 5.

• Discuss the key points with regard to the state finances report 2011-12. 
•  Evaluate Globalisation as a "double edged sword" and list the challenges before RBI in view of the rapidly globalising economy? 
•  How would a "Marshall Plan" provide stimulus to the BRICS economy in the present global economic disorder? 
•  Discuss the changing pattern of FDI investments in Indian economy?
•  Do Indian courts have the sovereign right to intervene in arbitrations seated outside India.? Analyse this with respect to the recent BIT treaties and the Vodafone case. 
• What is "middle income trap"? What are its implications for the Sino indian economic relation
•  Critically analyse the following statements with reference to the context in which they were made:(history)

a)“ A deep despair now pervades rural life all over our country, so much so that high-sounding phrases like home rule, autonomy etc appear to me almost ridiculous and I feel ashamed even to utter them”

b)“We all are sons of this land we have to live together …..Believe me there is no progress of India until Hindus & Muslim are not united”

c)He argued it would be “the crown of Swaraj constitution & not its foundation”

d)“It mattered not so much that something should be done as that attempt should be seen to made”

e)“Though mindful right of minorities ….we cannot allow minority to place their veto on the advance of majority”

•  Examine the ideas of Tagore on Nationalism 

•  Analyse the main differences between the approaches of Tagore and Gandhi on social and political issues 
•   Discuss the broad contours of the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit. 
•   List the priorities of the Universal Health Care syste with a comment on the role of the private sector 
•   Discuss the Pranahita-Chevella project 
•  Do the credit rating agencies exceed their mandate in the present globalised world?Answer with refernce to the recent S&P comment on the Indian economy 
• Write a note on the edX initiative.
• What are your views regarding the introduction of DRM in the amended Copyright Act? 
•  Analyse the Indian CRIP proposal in context to greater democratic Web order?

For  details please visit our website

http://www.smart-foundation.com

Best of luck to all aspirants appearing for Civil Services Prelims ...
• Minimum loss in Gs & maximum attempt in CSAT
• Gs Paper is more about logic less about information...so handle it logically
• In Gs paper absolute statements are generally incorrect ,so scan them properly
• Use process of elimination at best
• Two hours are more than enough ,utilize them meticulously
……………………………………………………………………Best of luck

Congratulations .....

"Woods are lovely dark & deep but i have promises to keep ,and miles to go before i sleep .& miles to go before i sleep..."
Exemplary-
Congratulations

Harshika Singh rank 8th Civil Services 2011

Sanyam Agarwal rank 12th Civil Services 2011
 

Gaurav Upadhayay rank 235 Civil Services 2011
 

Anish Upadhayay rank 399 Civil Services 2011
 

Satyakam Dutta  rank 535 Civil Services 2011

God bless.....its just a beginning ......long way to go

Environment special Module

Gs paper is very analytical in nature. Therefore  scoring in this paper depends upon perspective. It is important for the students to inculcate pragmatic & policy based understanding of the issues of relevance . It is our endeavor to organize your efforts in this direction.

In last year Gs paper special weight age was given to Environment section .Question asked ,were conceptual  in nature .In this module apart from basic understanding of our environment , we have tried to address various issues like development & environment pollution, environment & human health ,conservation of environment ,resource management etc.  .Along with the environment special we are also releasing the sources used for the preparation of this module.

1. Environment special 1
2. Environment Special  2

Sample Note

The Complexities of UV-B and Amphibian Declines

·        The detrimental effects of UV-B on amphibians varies among species and between populations of the same species. These effects also vary among life stages within the same species.

1.     For example, in some species developing embryos die when exposed to low levels of ambient UV-B radiation whereas the embryos of other species show no overt effects of being exposed to high levels of UV-B radiation.

2.     To complicate things even further, in some species the larval stage is more vulnerable than the embryo stage and in other species the most detrimental effects of UV-B radiation occurs after metamorphosis.

·        Recent work suggests that amphibians have defense mechanisms to combat the harmful effects of UV-B radiation. Some species have an efficient mechanism of repairing UV-induced DNA damage at the molecular level.

1.     However, these repair mechanisms vary in efficiency among species and even among life history stages within the same species. Some species have dark pigmentation which may inhibit the penetration of harmful solar rays. Other species avoid UV-B radiation by staying out of sunlight or by being active at night.

·        The effects of UV-B radiation on amphibians are context dependent. For example, the amount of UV-B radiation an amphibian receives may be dependent upon weather conditions. In some regions, when rainfall is low and amphibians are in shallow water, they may receive higher doses of UV-B radiation than in years when rainfall is greater.

1.     The amount of dissolved organic material (DOM) may affect how much UV-B radiation penetrates a body of water. Murky water with good amounts of DOM may impede penetration of UV-B radiation.

UV-B radiation may interact….& more

For course details log on to .

http://www.smart-foundation.com/pcm.html

Gs Module 3-2012

Dear Aspirants

Gs paper is very analytical in nature. Therefore  scoring in this paper depends upon perspective. It is important for the students to inculcate pragmatic & policy based understanding of the issues of relevance . It is our endeavor to organize your efforts in this direction.

In this module we have continued with    synoptic review  along with drafted articles .That  will help students in following ways

1.     This will provide beforehand understanding of the articles

2.     It will make memorization & revision of material easy

3.     Now a days Prelims paper is analytical in nature
Synoptic review will help students to inculcate objective analytical content of the article in the  first reading   

4.     Point format presentation will  help students to develop mains answer writing skills 

Topics covered in Module 3

Sce Tech

Number of topics covered -15

• The Standard Model –conceptual  understanding of Matter &anti matter   
•  Note on Higgs Particle
• What CERN  is researching ?
• PAMELA Mission -Payload for Antimatter Matter Exploration and Light-nuclei Astrophysics(important )
•  Antiproton uses & Challenges...& MORE

National issue

Number of topics covered -25

·        “4.5 reservation for the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (B.Cs)”Discuss

·        Note on EBT & Financial inclusion

·        Note on National Judicial commission

·        Interlinking of River………& More

India & World

Number of topics covered-16

·        Articles on Durban Conference

·        BCIM & regional connectivity

·        India-Middle east+Africa

·        India’s vote on Syria + India in UNSC …..& More  

Economic Issue

Number of topics covered -25

·        Mauritius a tax haven  -an analysis

·        Lessons from Vodafone: Azadi from Tax 

·        Note on Comparative Rating Index of Sovereigns (CRIS)

·        Note on MSF

·        Economic Glossary…………..& More  

For course details log on to .

http://www.smart-foundation.com/pcm.html

Gs Module 2-2012

Dear Aspirants

Gs paper is very analytical in nature. Therefore  scoring in this paper depends upon perspective. It is important for the students to inculcate pragmatic & policy based understanding of the issues of relevance . It is our endeavor to organize your efforts in this direction.

In this module we have continued with    synoptic review  along with drafted articles .That  will help students in following ways

1.     This will provide beforehand understanding of the articles

2.     It will make memorization & revision of material easy

3.     Now a days Prelims paper is analytical in nature
Synoptic review will help students to inculcate objective analytical content of the article in the  first reading   

4.     Point format presentation will  help students to develop mains answer writing sills

  

Sample of Synoptic review with drafted article.

Impact of implementation of BASEL 3 guidelines ON Indian Banks .

1.   Indian Banks  are well placed to meet higher capital requirements and indeed can strengthen their competitive position vis-à-vis international banks
2. The BIS has set the deadline for full implementation as 2019; the RBI would like Indian banks to comply by 2017. 

Analysis

1. total regulatory requirement of total capital + capital adequacy ratio
2. depress banks’ profitability-high yielding products + fee income
3.  the low prices of stocks in the Indian market
4.  the government’s shareholding in PSBs
5. Basel 3, with its enhanced capital requirements, is likely to improve the competitive advantage of banks in India and some other emerging markets.

Details 

Issue under scan

With the RBI flagging off the implementation of Basel 3 guidelines, Indian banks will have to plan for more capital in the years ahead. They are well placed to meet higher capital requirements and indeed can strengthen their competitive position vis-à-vis international banks — provided the government can deliver on its own responsibilities towards public sector banks. 

1. The RBI has set a more demanding schedule for Basel 3 implementation than the Bank for International Settlements. The BIS has set the deadline for full implementation as 2019; the RBI would like Indian banks to comply by 2017. 

Analysis 

· The total regulatory requirement of total capital (tier 1 and tier 2) in India is 9%, higher than the BIS norm of 8%. It will remain so under the new guidelines. Under Basel 3, two important changes happen.

1. One is that the quality of the 9% capital required is higher. At present, bank capital is split almost evenly between tier 1 and tier 2. Under Basel 3, tier 1 will constitute 7% out of the total 9%.
2. The other change is that banks will be required to have a capital conservation buffer, comprising common equity, of 2.5%. That takes the total capital requirement to 11.5%.
3. Also, between 2013 and 2017, banks will be expected to operate at a minimum tier 1 leverage ratio of 5%. 

• At the regulatory requirement of 9%, Indian banks were operating with a capital adequacy ratio of 13% in 2011 (under Basel 1). At a regulatory minimum of 11.5%, banks can be expected to be operating with capital in the range of 15-17%. This is the new bottom line where capital is concerned. Indian banks will have to make their plans for capital accordingly.

Are they equal to the task?

There are several reasons for optimism.

1. First, investor appetite is likely to be healthy because returns to primary issues of Indian banking stocks, including PSB stocks, over the years have been good.
2. Secondly, banks are seen as a play on the economy. In putting money in banks, investors are looking at an economy with a growth potential of 8-9% and bank loan growth upwards of 20%.
3.  Thirdly, return on assets in Indian banking is among the highest in the world today: it has been above 1% every year since the subprime crisis. While banking systems in the west are still reeling under the impact of the crisis, it is almost as if no crisis happened in Indian banking. 

Western bankers have expressed two big concerns about the higher capital requirements imposed by Basel 3.

•  One, it will depress banks’ profitability.
• Two, it will depress economic growth because some of the higher cost of capital will be passed on to borrowers.

Neither is particularly worrying in India. 

· Increases in capital have made little dent on banks’ net interest income (as a proportion of assets) over the years. Any impact in coming years will be small, if at all, because there are still numerous high yielding products that are still open to banks on both wholesale and retail sides: SMEs, vehicle loans, personal loans, credit cards, etc. 

·        Besides, PSBs have only recently woken up to the potential for fee income. Increases in fee income will sustain return on assets even if net interest income is dented.

1. For the same reasons, the impact on corporate borrowers and hence on economic growth will be negligible. (Even in western economies, BIS estimates the impact on growth to be a mere 0.04% per year). High growth and high returns will continue to make Indian banks attractive to investors in India and abroad.
2.  Some banks, such as HDFC Bank, are generating substantial surpluses and hence may not need a great deal of capital from the market.
3. Overall, capital is unlikely to be a constraint for Indian banks in the coming years.

There could be constraints arising from one or two other factors. 

• One is the low prices of stocks in the Indian market: banks may not find it attractive to issue capital at current prices. A possible answer is to raise small sums through rights issues in such periods and approach the broader market when things look up.
• A bigger constraint is the government’s shareholding in PSBs. As SBI finds to its cost, the government may not find it easy to contribute its share in order to retain its shareholding. It may not be willing to reduce its shareholding below 51% either. If majority government ownership is to stay, the annual budget must factor in annual requirements towards bank capital.

Basel 3 is likely to impact western and Indian banks in very different ways.

•  Banks in the west are raising their capital adequacy levels through deleveraging, that is, by shrinking their balance sheets. In India, in contrast, banks will be raising capital to finance growth.
• The fear with Basel 2 was that large international banks would increase their competitive advantage by using advanced risk management models that would lower their capital requirement. In contrast, Basel 3, with its enhanced capital requirements, is likely to improve the competitive advantage of banks in India and some other emerging markets.
  

 

Economy Special

Synoptic & Comprehensive coverage of 36 relevant themes

 

Policy special

Comprehensive coverage of latest development in the field of governance & policy making(Topics -38 )

 

Sce & Tech special

Comprehensive coverage of latest development in the field of science &tech  (Topic -16)

For details log on to    .http://www.smart-foundation.com/pcm.html

Gs Module 1-2012

Dear Aspirants

We are introducing a change in the format of  Gs module .From this module onwards we are introducing synoptic review  along with drafted articles .  This will help students in following ways

1.     This will provide beforehand understanding of the articles .

2.     It will make memorization & revision of material easy

3.     Now a days Prelims paper is analytical in nature .Synoptic review will help students to inculcate objective analytical content of the article in the  first reading   

4.     Point format presentation will  help students to develop mains answer writing sills

Sample of synoptic review

Rupee Depreciation

·        Introduction

·        Discussion on the Indian rupee devaluation/depreciation history

·        Difference between depreciation & devaluation

1.     In 1966

2.     In 1991

·        Causes of Current Crisis

1.     One is Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs),

2.     Second is high fluctuations in the prices of precious metals like gold and silver, and

3.     The third is the appreciation of dollar with several causes like Euro crisis.

4.     A growing current account deficit

·        Nature of Current depreciation

·        Effect

1.     The sharp drop in the benchmark stock indices, the Sensex and the Nifty

2.     widening current account deficit and the critical reliance on short-term capital flows to bridge it are adding to the pressure on the rupee

3.     A depreciating rupee makes India's imports costlier

4.     Generally Exporter gains when Rupee depreciates but this gains are hazy

5.     On ECB‘s

6.     Depreciation of rupee against dollar also affects the money flow in the Indian stock markets

Probable solutions

1.     Assessing RBI intervention The falling import cover and the domestic liquidity crunch make heavy RBI intervention

2.     Increasing  the ceiling for FII investment in corporate and government bonds 

For detailed article visit  http://www.smart-foundation.com/pcm.html

Economy Special
Synoptic & Comprehensive coverage of 13 relevant themes

India and the World special
Synoptic & Comprehensive coverage of important summits & bilateral relations
 

Internal National issue special

Synoptic & Comprehensive coverage of 11 relevant themes

Environment special

Synoptic & Comprehensive coverage of various environmental issues

Policy special

Comprehensive coverage of latest development in the field of governance & policy making.

For details log on to http://www.smart-foundation.com/pcm.html