IAS General Studies Questions paper - 1997 (Main) (Paper -I I)

Time Allowed : Three Hours
Maximum Marks : 300
Instructions
Each Question is printed both in Hindi and in English. Answers must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No mark will be given for answers written in a medium other than that specified in the Admission Certificate. Candidates should attempt ALL questions strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each question.The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.

Section I

1. (About 250 words)
   1. How are the President and the Vice President of India elected? What are the constitutional issues involved in their election?
      OR
      
   2. What is Social Justice? How can reservation of seats for women in Parliament contribute to the establishment of a socially just society in India?
2. (About 250 words)
   1. “20th century was century of oil, 21st century would be the century of natural gas.” Comment.
      OR
      
   2. Give your assessment on land reforms in India.
3. (About 250 words)
   1. Why is Agni Project important for India?
   2. How has India’s Nuclear Programme contributed to the economic and defence requirements of the country?
      Section II
      
   3. Answer any two of the following: (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words)
      1. Present your views for and against the creation of an All India Judicial Service.
      2. Discuss the factors responsible for the rise of regionalism in India. How does it influence the political system?
      3. What, according to the Supreme Court, constituted ‘The Basic Features’ which it upheld in cases known as
         1. Keshavanand Bharati v/s State of Kerala (1990) and
         2. Minerva Mills v/s Union of India (1990)
      4. How does the Parliament control the financial system in India?
   4. Answer any two of the following: (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words)
      1. Discuss the steps taken by the government in recent years to control inflation.
      2. What measures has the government taken to make women economically independent and self-reliant during the last decade?
      3. Examine the important changes in India’s Industrial Policy since the year 1991.
      4. Discuss the advantages of ‘Alternative Scheme of Devolution suggested by Tenth Finance Commission’ of India.
   5. Answer any two of the following: (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words)
      1. Discuss the origin of Monsoon in India.
      2. What measures has the Government of India taken for the development of Tribal areas in India?
      3. Why is there a demand for making Uttarakhand a Separate Hill State in India?
      4. Why has the Narmada River Valley Project attracted the attention of the common people?
   6. Answer any two of the following: (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words)
      1. What is cryogenic engine? Explain its importance to our country.
      2. What is Madcow disease?
      3. What are fullerenes? Why are they important?
      4. What is Polio? Name its few features and how it can be prevented.
      
      Section III
      
   7. Answer four from Group A, three from Group B and three from Group C. (Answer to each question should be in about 25 words)
      Group A
      
      1. Why was HODVAT Scheme introduced in the year 1986?
      2. Why was the rationale for ‘Mid-day Meal’ Scheme?
      3. How has the Census (1991) defined the Urban Areas?
      4. Describe the use of ‘Command Area Development’ in India.
      5. What are the objectives of Social Forestry?
      6. What are the main objective of Ninth Five Year Plan?
      
      Group B
      
      1. What do Rule 184 and 193 in Parliamentry Procedure signify?
      2. What is meant by “Gujral Doctrine”? Write its specific principles.
      3. Give a brief account of C.M.P. (Common Minimum Programme) of the united Front Government at the Centre.
      4. Write any four fundamental duties prescribed in the Constitution of India.
      5. What specific provisions exists in the Constitution of India about child labour?
      6. What is Article 356 in the Indian Constitution? Comment.
      
      Group C
      
      1. What is the safe level of noise for the human ear? Give the noise level of electric bell.
      2. What is the difference between a comet and a meteor?
      3. What is E-mail?
      4. What do the following stand for?
         1. TIFR
         2. GRDO
         3. NEERI
      5. What is tissue culture?
      6. What are Quasars?