Insights Secure Compilation – December 2014 Third Week INSIGHTS SECURE -2014 (15th – 19st December 14) [The Undercover Group] http://www.insightsonindia.com http://www.insightsonindia.com INSIGHTS Page 1 Insights Secure Compilation – December 2014 Third Week Table of Contents 15th December 2014 .............................................................................................................................. 6 Q1).Examine the possible roadblocks that recently launched Payment Banks might face in their functioning. ..................................................................................................................... 6 GS – III ............................................................................................................................................... 7 Q2) Write a note on the location factors of cement industry in India and also examine problems faced by the industry. ................................................................................................ 7 GS2 (Polity) ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Q3) The Union Cabinet recently cleared some changes to the Electricity Act which are hailed as market friendly. Comment on these approved changes to the act. ...................... 8 GS3 (Environment) .......................................................................................................................... 8 Q4) Write a critical note outcome of recent climate change talks held at Lima, Peru. ....... 8 GS2 (Polity) ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Q5). ―The inadequacies of India‘s Internet regime are not confined to the IT Act alone. The country faces dilemmas that concern the future of the net and the way in which these are addressed will be key to determining India‘s future as an open society, a secure state and a competitive economy.‖ In the light of amendments made to IT act and its fallouts, critically analyse the statement. ..................................................................... 9 GS2 (Polity) ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Q6) Critically comment on the significance of repealing of Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. ....................................................................................................................... 10 Q7). ―The Indian black money held in Switzerland or elsewhere will not come back, and so the dreams about how to spend it can be stopped.‖ Critically examine why. ............. 11 16 December 2014 ............................................................................................................................... 12 Q1) The world has already warmed by almost one degree Celsius since the Industrial Revolution. Do you think the target of 2 Degree Celsius which is set as upper limit for the warming planet (above the global average temperature at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution) is stringent enough? Also examine on what basis the upper limit of 2 Degree Celsius has been kept as target ........................................................................... 12 GS - III .............................................................................................................................................. 12 Q2) How do oil spills in oceans cause ecological damage? If a major oil spill occurs near Sundarbans region, what will be its political and ecological consequences? Critically examine. ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Q3) What attributes define a ‗Smart City‘ concept? Examine. ............................................. 13 GS3 ................................................................................................................................................... 14 http://www.insightsonindia.com INSIGHTS Page 2 Insights Secure Compilation – December 2014 Third Week Q4) The finance ministry has finalised a proposal for a model bilateral investment treaty to replace the current Bipa (bilateral investment protection agreement). Examine its features. ....................................................................................................................................... 14 GS3 (S&T) ........................................................................................................................................ 15 Q5) Analyse the recent trends in growth of information technology industry in India. Do you think India is losing its edge over other competitors in IT sector? Examine. ...... 15 GS2 ................................................................................................................................................... 16 Q6) Recently India sought to revisit the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2832 (XXVI) declaring the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace. Critically examine why especially in the light of changed geopolitical realities post- Cold War. ........................... 16 GS3 (Environment) ........................................................................................................................ 16 Q7) Critically analyse the negative impacts of hydroelectric projects in the Himalayan regions. ........................................................................................................................................ 16 TOPIC: POLITY .............................................................................................................................. 18 Q8) Internationalization of higher education is called upon to benefit local students and help develop innovative skills. In this regard, critically examine the challenges that India faces in internationalizing its higher education sector and why it is necessary to internationalize. .......................................................................................................................... 18 17 December 2014 ............................................................................................................................... 19 Q1) Examine why methane is considered as vital for presence of life on planets such as Mars? Explain in the light of recent findings by NASA‘s Curiosity rover. ....................... 19 GS - III .............................................................................................................................................. 20 Q2) Recently the Russian central bank raised interest rates steeply to prevent the weakening of Ruble. Examine what effect this move has on Indian economy. ................ 20 Q3) ―The Swachh Bharat is a correct policy revival but will fail unless buttressed by a robust, palpable implementation structure.‖ In the light of numerous challenges this scheme faces, comment on the statement. .............................................................................. 20 Q4) According to a report, on the list of the world‘s biggest exporters of illicit financial flows from 2003 to 2012, India currently ranks fourth — after China, Russia and Mexico, in that order. Critically examine why. .................................................................................... 21 Q5) Critically discuss why the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan is an hotbed of terrorism. Also examine why terrorist attacks on Pakistan are more than compared to attacks on Afghanistan. ............................................................................................................. 22 Q6) The recent agreement between USA and China to cut their emission of green house gases has been criticised by many countries and scientists. Examine why. Also explain India being a fourth largest emitter of green house gases, what should be its stance at climate change negotiations. .................................................................................................... 23 Q7) Critically examine why some commentators argue for the continuation of Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code. ................................................................................................... 23 http://www.insightsonindia.com INSIGHTS Page 3 Insights Secure Compilation – December 2014 Third Week 18 December 2014 ............................................................................................................................... 25 GS2 (IR) ............................................................................................................................................ 25 Q1) ―The USA‘s isolation of Cuba was one of the most misguided chapters in American foreign policy.‖ Critically comment in the light of recent developments in relations between two countries............................................................................................................... 25 GS - III .............................................................................................................................................. 25 Q2) Critically examine how countries and different groupings of countries are divided over climate change negotiations............................................................................................. 25 Q3). Examine why the Sections 17(b) and 46 of the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (2010) have become bone