IAS General StudiesQuestion papers - 1999 (Main) (Paper - II)

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.
Candidates should attempt all questions. from Section I, II and III.

Section I

1. (40 marks)
   • In what ways is the RAJYA SABHA expected to play a special role in today's changing political scenario ? (About 250 words) OR
   • On what grounds does Article 15 of the Indian Constitution prohibit discrimination ? Indicate the way the concept of 'Special protection' has qualified this prohibition, and contributed to social change. (About 250 words)
2. (40 marks)
   • What is 'new' in India's New Industrial Policy of 1991 ? (About 250 words) OR
   • What is Multilateral Agreement on Investment? How will it affect the economy of a developing country like India ? (About 250 words)
3. (40 marks)
   • Discuss the role of modern technological inputs on agricultural development in India. How would it be helpful for food security during 21st century? (About 250 words) OR
   • What is a fast breeder reactor? Comment on its suitability in the Indian context. (About 250 words)
4. Answer any TWO of the following : (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words) (20 + 20 = 40 marks)
   1. What is the importance of Directive Principles of State Policy ? Mention which Directive Principles of State Policy have got primacy over the Fundamental Rights.
   2. Discuss the composition and functions of the National Security Council.
   3. Highlight the significance of the Twenty Forth Amendment to the Constitution of India ?
   4. Access the importance of the role played by the Public Accounts Committee.
   
   Section II
   
5. Answer any TWO of the following (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words): (20 + 20 = 40 marks)
   1. What does buy-back of shares mean ?
   2. When and why was SEBI established?
   3. What is SIDBI ? What are its main functions?
   4. What is Tobin tax ? What are its main features?
6. Answer any TWO of the following (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words): (15 + 15 = 30 marks)
   1. How is deforestation of Himalayas disturbing the ecological balance of north India?
   2. What is dry farming? Discuss its relevance in augmenting the food supply in India.
   3. Name the mega cities of India and mention their specific problems.
   4. What is the importance of Indian Ocean for India?
7. Answer any TWO of the following (Answer to each question should be in about 150 words): (20 + 20 = 40 marks)
   1. What is the Human Genome Project? Discuss briefly its importance.
   2. What is carbon dating? Describe its applications in archaeology.
   3. What is ozone hole? How is it caused and what are its implications for life on Earth ?
   4. What are biosensors? Describe their uses.
   
   Section III
   
8. Answer any FOUR of the following (about 25 words each): (3 x 4 = 12 marks)
   1. What is 'Swatch of no ground' ?
   2. From where was the most advanced commercial satellite of India Insat 2E launched?
   3. What is Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) ?
   4. What is Cash Reserve Ratio?
   5. How is revenue deficit different from budgetary deficit?
   6. What is Plan Holiday?
9. Answer any THREE of the following (Answer to each question should be in about 25 words): (3 x 3 = 9 marks)
   1. Who presides over the Joint-Session of the two Houses of the Indian Parliament over a non-memory bill?
   2. Is there any provision to impeach the Governor of a State?
   3. In case of any dispute whether a bill is a money bill or not, whose dicision is final?
   4. How is the vice-President of India elected?
   5. What is the status of the Right to Property in the Indian Constitution?
   6. What is the maximum gap between two sessions of the Indian Parliament?
10. Answer any THREE of the following (About 25 words each): (3 x 3 = 9 marks)
    1. What is a modem? What is it used for?
    2. What is CNG ? How can it reduce air pollution?
    3. What is a computer virus? How does it infect systems?
    4. What do the following stand for?
       1. NISSAT
       2. GMRT
       3. INMAS
    5. Where are the following located?
    6. Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
    7. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
    8. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
    9. How do identical twins differ from each other genetically?