Q.1 “Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Comment on the progress made in India in this regard. (150 words, 10 marks)

Q.2 Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019. (150 words, 10 marks)

Q.3 What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap? (150 words, 10 marks)

Q.4 Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate the number of intermediaries? (150 words, 10 marks)

Q.5 Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. (150 words, 10 marks)

Q.6 What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?[150 Ward,10

Q.7 What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation.Cite two Examples of Ramsar site from India. [150 words, 10 Marks]

Q.8 Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of Organic State? [150 Words, 10 Marks]

Environment

Q.9 The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (150 words, 10 Marks)

Q.10 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE. (150 words, 10 Marks)

Q.11 How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission in India? (250 words, 15 marks)

Q.12 How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? (250 words, 15 marks)

Q.13 Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers? (250 words, 15 marks)

Q.14 How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (250 words, 15 marks)

Q.15 Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? (250 words, 15 marks)

Q.16 With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy? (250 words, 15 marks)

Q.17 How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? [250 Words, 15 Marks]

Q.18 Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘ Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’? [250 word,15 marks]

Q.19 Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cybercrimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weakness of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space? (250 words, 15 Marks)

Q.20 India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same? (250 words, 15 Marks)