UPPSC MAINS 2021 Paper-2

Keywords: India, Soft Power, Diplomacy, Afghanistan Required Approach: Analytical Points to Remember: India’s historical ties with Afghanistan. India’s development assistance programs in Afghanistan. India’s cultural diplomacy in Afghanistan. Challenges faced by India’s soft power diplomacy in Afghanistan. The impact of geopolitical changes on India’s approach. Introduction: India’s engagement with Afghanistan has historically been characterized by … Read more Evaluate the reaons of India’s ‘Soft Power’ diplomacy in Afganistan.

Points to Remember: The Abraham Accords and their signatories. Key provisions and implications of the Accords. Regional geopolitical shifts resulting from the Accords. Challenges and criticisms of the Accords. The Accords’ long-term impact on West Asian politics. Introduction: The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, represent a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of West Asia … Read more Abranham Accords are a new beginning in the Politics of West Asia. Explain.

Points to Remember: Decentralization of power Grassroots democracy 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 Financial and administrative autonomy Capacity building Political interference Social inequalities Corruption Introduction: The Panchayati Raj System (PRS), a three-tiered system of local self-government (village, intermediate, and district levels), is a cornerstone of India’s democratic structure. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 … Read more Analyse the problems that have restricted the successes of Panchayati Raj System in India. How far has the seventy third Constitutional Amendment been successful in countering these problems?

Keywords: Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), India, custodian of public money, role, examination. Required Approach: Primarily factual and analytical, with some elements of opinion-based assessment of effectiveness. Points to Remember: CAG’s constitutional mandate and independence. Audit process and scope of CAG’s powers. CAG’s reports and their impact on governance. Limitations and challenges faced by the … Read more Examine the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in India as the costodian of public money.

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Points to Remember: Composition: CVC Chairperson, two Vigilance Commissioners. Functions: Preventing corruption, investigating complaints, advising government. Limitations: Limited powers of investigation, dependence on government agencies, lack of prosecutorial powers. Introduction: The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is India’s apex anti-corruption body. Established in 1964, it plays a crucial role in maintaining ethical governance and combating corruption … Read more Describing the composition and functions of the Central Vigilance Commission, analyse It’s limitation.

Points to Remember: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas. It guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households. The Act’s effectiveness is debated, with both successes and challenges. Assessment requires considering its impact on poverty alleviation, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Introduction: The … Read more Mahatam Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act empowers rural poor to alleviate poverty, comment on it.

Points to Remember: Indian Constitution’s federal features: distribution of powers, bicameralism, independent judiciary. Unitary features of the Indian Constitution: strong center, emergency provisions, integrated judicial system. Debate on the nature of Indian federalism: a balance between federal and unitary elements. Impact of various amendments and judicial interpretations on the balance. Introduction: The Indian Constitution is … Read more ‘The structure of the Indian Constitution is federal but its soul in Unitary.’ Elucidate it.

Points to Remember: Parliamentary Supremacy Question Hour No-Confidence Motion Adjournment Motion Budgetary Control Committees Judicial Review (indirect control) Introduction: The Indian Constitution establishes a parliamentary system of government, characterized by a fusion of powers between the legislature (Parliament) and the executive (Council of Ministers). While the executive is responsible to the legislature, Parliament possesses several … Read more Discuss the main methods by which the Parliament of India controls the executive.

Points to Remember: The growing influence of China in Nepal’s economy and infrastructure. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its impact on Nepal-India relations. Geopolitical competition between India and China in the Himalayan region. Nepal’s balancing act between its two large neighbors. The role of cross-border infrastructure projects in shaping bilateral ties. Introduction: The … Read more Discuss the role of Chinese factor behind strained relations between India and Nepal.