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 UPSC CSE Mains GS Paper-II PYQs Analysis 

UPSC CSE Mains 2023 GS-2 Questions 

Clean energy is energy that comes from renewable, zero emission sources that do not pollute the atmospherebwhen used, as well as energy saved by energy efficiency measures. PM Narendra Modi floated the idea of the One Sun One World One Grid Declaration (OSOWOG) with the objective to aid in developing a worldwide grid to reduce carbon footprints and energy costs.  International Solar Alliance: In pursuance to enhance Solar Energy production, India along with France launched the International Solar Alliance with the aim to promote solar energy in 121 member countries and to mobilize over $1 trillion of investment for the deployment of solar energy at affordable costs.  Act East Policy: Building LNG terminals in Ennore, Vizag and Dhamra on East coast and sharing MoU electricity in BBIN  IEA’s India Energy Outlook 2021 – India’s oil demand is seen rising by 74% to 8.7 million barrels per day by 2040 under the existing policies scenario. India being a developing country and fa...

I2U2 initiative is a new grouping of India, Israel, USA and UAE. It will revitalize and re-energize the system of alliances and partnerships around the world. Its stated aim is to discuss common areas of mutual interest, to strengthen the economic partnership in trade and investment in our respective regions and beyond. I2U2 - transform India’s position in global politics: Advantage from Abraham Accords: India will get advantage of the Abraham Accords to deepen engagement with Israel without risking its ties with the UAE and the other Arab states.  The centrality of India: India's bilateral strategic ties with each of the three countries have been on an upswing in the last few years.  Alliances: It will help India in building alliances — political alliances, social alliances.  India can play an important role in deepening Israel’s integration into the region.  For India, it leverages its good relations with Israel, the Gulf, and the US alike to build economic exchang...

India’s landmark Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provided free and compulsory education to children under Article 21-A. The Right to Education serves as a building block to ensure that every child has his or her right to get a quality elementary education. Feature of Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 The RTE Act aims to provide primary education to all children aged 6 to 14 years.  The act mandates 25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of the society.  It had a clause for “No Detention Policy” which has been removed under RTE (Amendment) Act, 2019. RTE remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system:  There is no focus on quality of learning, as shown by multiple ASER reports.  RTE Act appears to be mostly input oriented.  RTE does not provide incentives to teachers for better performance  Achievements of Right to Education Act, 2009 The RTE Act has successfully increase enrolment in the upper primary level (Class 6-8).  It improved sch...

Many governments, especially those in the developing world, do not have access to enough resources to enable them to do what is expected and required of them, by their citizens. Governments have therefore to find ways of getting additional resources, and one such way is to turn to donors. Increasing Dependence on Donor agencies: USAID is working with India to implement ambitious emissions reduction measures, protect critical ecosystems, transition to renewable energy.  Since 2003, Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has invested more than US$1.2 billion in projects aimed at improving public health and development outcomes in India.  In 2021, ADB committed a record $4.6 billion in sovereign loans to India. ADB also committed $36.51 million in technical assistance and $3 million in grants under the sovereign portfolio. Doesn’t reduce the Community Participation as evident in: Health care: Rogi kalyan samiti for governance in district hospital.  Water Management: Pani Panchaya...

India being a welfare state as envisioned in DPSP, enters through welfare schemes to check the poor conditions of unprivileged sections. But the rising inflation and its impact on food and commodities and rising unemployment rate (6%) reverses the gain made in reducing poverty and its spill over impact. Welfare schemes: MGNREGA Focuses on Rights based approach.  NRLM focuses on self-employment opportunities.  MUDRA Loan to start new business.  Stand up India and Start Up India. Why focus on Inflation and Unemployment is important: The prices of essential food items have increased by 50% in seven years (2015 to 2022), whereas the real wage rate has risen by 22 per cent. These figures show that inflation has dented the real income of the poor, making their lives miserable as the food basket constitutes a substantial proportion of the total expenditure on the poor.  India’s 50-crore poor comprising socially and economically weaker sections in rural areas and urban slums...

Election commission of India is considered as a watchdog of Indian democracy as it ensures “Free and Fair election” as per the provision of Article 324-329 of Indian constitution. To ensure Free and Fair election, ECI has drafted Model code of Conduct in 1960’s which talks about, General conduct Like: No appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes  No political party or candidate shall permit its or his followers to make use of any individual’s land, building, compound wall Evolution of role of ECI:- The Election Commission is appointing Observers. If the candidates or their agents have any specific complaint or problem regarding the conduct of elections they may bring the same to the notice of the Observer.  Issued Guidelines that The election manifesto shall not contain anything repugnant to the ideals and principles enshrined in the Constitution.  In case of single phase election, manifesto shall not be released during the prohibitory period, as prescribed ...

India has a parliamentary system of government and France have Semi Presidential system. The French republic is governed by the president, prime minister, and cabinet. The prime minister of the country leads the policies related to the republic, while, the president leads the foreign-related policies.  Procedure for election of French President: The President is elected to 5-year term in a two-round election. If no candidate secures an absolute majority of votes in the first round, a second round is held two weeks later between the two candidates who received the most votes. It is a voting method used to elect a single candidate, where voters cast a single vote for their preferred candidate. Under the two-round system, usually only the two candidates who received the most votes in the first round, or only those candidates who received above a prescribed proportion of the votes, are candidates in the second round. Other candidate are excluded from the second round. Critical examinat...

India opted for federal structure of the government, after independence. Our federalism is tilted towards centre to maintain unity and integrity of India. National parties favours Centralisation: Easy to govern. Ideological base is wide.  Considers Regional aspiration as disintegrating force.  Understand the issue of National security comprehensively.  Represents the wider presence of different sections in the party itself.  Delays the international negotiation and hampers Bilateral relation. Ex:- Teesta issue. State Parties Favours Decentralisation: Appoint of Governors and misuse of Article 356.  Emergency powers with centre.  Dependence of the states on the centre for financial assistance. Appoint of Governors.  Residuary power with centre. Commissions’ setup by regional parties to review federal structure: Rajmannar Commission, 1969: demanded readjustment of the VII schedule and residuary power to the states.  Anandpur Sahib Resolution, 1973: ...

The ordinance was originally conceived as an emergency provision. However, in recent times the frequent use of ordinance route has led to the undermining the role of the legislature and the doctrine of Separation of powers. Governor under Article 213 can promulgate an ordinance only when the legislative assembly is not in session.  He can promulgate an ordinance only when he is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action.  He can issue ordinances only on those subjects on which the state legislature can make laws.  An ordinance issued by him has the same force and effect as an act of the state legislature can make laws. Legality of re-promulgation of ordinances Against the very idea of separation of power  In conflict with parliamentary supremacy  Abuse of the exceptional power  The question of judicial review Judicial safeguard DC Wadhwa vs. the State of Bihar (1987) that the legislative power of the execut...

An Act to provide for the conduct of elections of the Houses of Parliament and to the House or Houses of the Legislature of each State, the qualifications and disqualifications for membership of those Houses, the corrupt practises and other offences at or in connection with such elections and the decision of doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with such elections. Procedure to decide the dispute: Section 100 of the RPA, 1951 deals with the grounds on which an election may be challenged by means of election petition.  By any non-compliance with provisions of the Constitution or of this Act or of any rules or orders made under this Act, the High Court shall declare the election of the returned candidate to be void.  After the election petition on the matter of corrupt practices in High court. Order of the High court is sent to the president through the secretary general and then ECI looks into the issue where judicial hearing is given to the affected party. A per...

The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years old. Both countries have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction. With Srilanka under the grip of an unprecedented economic turmoil and political instability, the worst in seven decades, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel and other essentials, India has hold its credential of being an age-old friend.  India's helping role in the crisis: A four-pronged” initiative has been decided that included  Lines of Credit (LoC) towards the import of fuel, food and medicines  Currency swap  Debt deferrals from India to Sri Lanka  Conclusion of the Trinco-oil farms project The Trincomalee project MoU was signed in January 2022 after decades of delays.  India has extended 400 million dollar under the “SAARC currency swap” arrangement.  India has agreed to a partial deferral of a 500 million dollar settlement from Sri Lanka by two months.  T...

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) was started on 1st January, 2013, With the aim of reforming Government delivery system by re-engineering the existing process in welfare schemes for simpler and faster flow of information/funds and to ensure accurate targeting of the beneficiaries, de-duplication and reduction of fraud. Progressive step: Eliminate Leakages – e.g. MGNREGS saw 10 percent savings on wages on account of deletion of duplicate, fake/non-existent, ineligible beneficiaries.  It reduces corruption and abuse of power.  It ensures faster delivery of services. Limitation: Aadhar registrations presently covered around 91% of population. Since DBT is linked with Aadhar for schemes, there is need to improve Aadhar linkage to 100% so that not a single person can be left out.  Low level of digital literacy in the rural areas.  India has reached 81% financial inclusion and this will potentially exclude people from the rural background.  Banking correspondents also st...

As per Census 2011, disabled persons constitute 2.21% of the total population. India signed the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disability. Right of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Act 2016 The types of disabilities have been increased from 7 to 21. The act added mental illness, autism, speech and language disability, sickle cell disease, acid attack victims, etc which were largely ignored in earlier act.  It increases reservation from 3% to 4% in government jobs and higher education institutes.  Every child with benchmark disability between 6 and 18 years shall have the right to free education.  Societal apathy towards Persons with Disability (PwD) in India: Discrimination and stigmatization attached to PwD by the society.  Consider PwD as burden or liability by family.  Negligence towards their issues like accessibility to Transport, IT etc.  Considered as a sin committed in last birth. Lax implementation by Government functioning: Lac...

PM Gati shakti will incorporate the infrastructure schemes of various Ministries and State Governments like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, Inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN etc. Multi-modal connectivity plan: The aim is to bring down logistics costs from 13-14% of GDP as against about 7-8% in developed economies.  Generation of investor interest: The scheme is in synergy with the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) which give potential investors a ready list of assets to generate investor interest.  Creation of quality infrastructure: The plan includes 11 industrial corridors, National Highways of 2 lakh km; Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs). Role played by government: Provide prior land and environmental clearance. Ensure inter-ministerial and interstate coordination for smooth implementation.  Provide viability gap funding to address any financial hurdle Role played by private player: It will bring much needed finance.  Private Player also brings technologies, exper...

The 102nd Amendment Act of 2018 conferred a constitutional status on the Commission. For this purpose, the amendment inserted a new Article 338-B in the constitution. Hence, the Commission ceased to be a statutory body and became a constitutional body.  The scope of functions assigned to the Commission is also enlarged: Investigate and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for the socially and educationally backward classes and to evaluate their working.  Inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the socially and educationally backward classes.  Participate and advise on the socio economic development of the socially and educationally backward classes and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union or a state.  Present to the President, annually and at such other times as it may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards.  Make recommendations...

Vice President of India acts as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha under article 64 of the constitution. In this capacity, his powers and functions are similar to those of the Speaker of Lok Sabha. He also resembles the American vice-president, who also acts as the Chairman of the Senate – the Upper House of the American legislature. As a chairman of Rajya Sabha: Guardian of the prestige and dignity of the House. His impartial and fair judgment enhances the reputation and prestige of his office.  Principal spokesman of the House and represents its collective voice to the outside world.  Exercises only a casting vote in the case of equality of votes Case study on role of Active VP: He can avoid the delay in the matter of disqualification under 10th schedule and disqualification. i.e. - Mr Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar Ansari.  He can ask for Periodic report on duration of meetings held, attendance of members  He can order a comprehensive study of the secretariat in o...

Democratic decentralization is the process of devolving the functions and resources of the state from the center to the elected representatives at the lower levels so as to facilitate greater direct participation of citizens in governance. Decentralization and People’s participation through 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act changed the governance landscape at the grassroots: Women empowerment by ensuring their political participation – 14.54 lakh women are their in PRIs.  Social justice by reserving seats for SCs & STs  Fixing accountability through Social auditing tool  Resolved issues through community participation like water management and disaster management.  Developing programs for weaker sections and backward areas  Financial management and budget sanctity  Simplification of procedures and processes by the use of technology – Social Auditing, e-governance, M-governance, Twitter governance etc. Focus on service delivery through Citizen C...

Article 19 (1)(d) under Part III of the constitution deals with the fundamental right to freedom of movement. It guarantees the citizens of India the right to move freely throughout the territory of India. This right overlaps with Article 19(1)(e) which talks about the right to freely reside in any part of the country. The word “freely” connotes “without any absolute restriction”. Wherever and however one likes, he can move without any restriction. Not Absolute Right:- The provisions for providing the power of externment to the concerned executive authorities can be found in many statutes such as The Maharashtra Police Act (MP 1951), Punjab Security of State Act 1953, and Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act 1947, Karnataka Police Act.  The pandemic has brought many restrictions in our ordinary life. From restricting our movement via imposed lockdowns to freedom of expression and assembly. Public gatherings, restaurants, malls, etc. were put to close,. especially during the early ...