1. Answer any three of the following in about 250 words each: 20x3=60
(a) ‘Essentially all that is contained in part IV- A of the Constitution is just a codification of tasks
integral to Indian way of life.’ Critically examine the statement
(b) ‘The exercise of executive clemency is not a privilege but is based on several
principles, and discretion has to be exercised in public consideration.’
Analyse this statement in the context of judicial powers of the President of India.
c) Discuss the extent, causes, and implications of ‘nutrition transition’
said to be underway in India.
(d) Bring out the salient features of the PCPNDT Act, 1994, and the implication of
its amendment in 2003.
2. Answer one of the following in about 250 words: 20x1=20
(a) Trace the salient sequences of events in popular revolt that took place in
February 1946 in the then Royal Indian Navy and bring out its significance in the
freedom struggle. Do you agree with the views that the sailors who took part in
this revolt were some of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle?
(b) Evaluate the influence of three important women’s organisations of
the early twentieth century in India on country’s society and politics.
To what extent do you think were the social objectives
of these organisations constrained by their political objectives?
3. Answer any one of the following in about 250 words: 20x1=20
a) Critically examine the design of National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) scheme.
Do you think it has a better chance of
success than the Swarna Jayanti Swarojgar Yojna(SGSY) in achieving its objectives?
(b) Highlight the structure, objectives and role of the Advertising Standard Council
of India. In what way has the August 2006
government notification made it more effective?
4. Comment on any five of the following in about 150 words each. 12x5=60
a) Salient recommendations of the RBI-appointed Damodaran committee on customer service in Banks.
b) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS).
(c) Evolution of ‘Green Benches’ in our higher judiciary.
d) Distinction between ‘Department Related Parliament Standing committees’ and ‘Parliamentary Forum’.
(e) Benefits and potential drawbacks of ‘cash transfers’ to Below Poverty Line Households.
f) New initiatives during the 11th Five
Year Plan in the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB).
5. Examine any three of the following in about 150 words each. 12x3=36
a) The impact of climate change on water resources in India.
b) Measures taken by the Indian government to combat piracy in the Indian Ocean
(c) The significance of counter-urbanisation in the improvement of metropolitan cities in India.
(d) Problems specific to the denotified and nomadic tribes in India.
6. In the context of the freedom struggle, write short notes (not exceeding 50 words each)
on the following: 5x3=15
a) 'Benoy-Badal-Dinesh' martyrdom.
(b) Bharat Naujavan sabha
c) 'Babbar Akali' movement
7. Comment on the following in not more than 50 words each: 5x6=30
a) Phase-IV of the tiger monitoring programme in India.
(b) Why the Central Statistical Office has notified a new series of Consumer
Price Index from this year?
(c) Composition and functions of the National
Executive Committee of the National Disaster Management Authority.
d) The Bihar Special Courts Act, 2009 and why it has been in news recently?
(e) The Telecommunications Ministry’s proposed Spectrum Management Commission.
f) The Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach to sanitation.
8. Attempt the following in not more than 50 words each. 5x4=20
a) Distinguish either between the ‘Moatsu’ and ‘Yemshe’ festivals of
Nagaland or the ‘Losar’ and ‘Khan’ festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Write a sentence each of any five of the following traditional theater forms:
(i) Bhand Pather: (ii)(ii) Swang (iii) Maach (iv) Bhaona (v) Mudiyettu:vi) Dashavatar:
c) What are the major different styles of unglazed pottery making in India?
(d) List the classical dance forms of India as per the Sangeet Natak Akademy.
9. Comment on following in not more than 50 words each: 5x5=25
(a) Nisarga-Runa technology of BARC.
(b) The first aid that you can safely administer
to a person standing next to you at the bus stop who suddenly faints.
c) The Kaveri K-10 aero-engine.
(d) Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) technology
e) E-governance initiatives by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)