Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current

Events and General Studies

01 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. What are P-Notes? Explain why does SEBI seek to regulate them?
Business Standard
2. Discuss the importance of digital infrastructure to Indias economy. Examine the problems
being faced by this sector.
Business Standard
3. In the light of Myanmars recent decision to ban the export of raw timber, critically comment
on the need for Myanmar to adopt sustainable growth strategy and its implications on regional
ecology.
Business Standard
4. Comment on the growth of e-commerce sector in India. Do you think its growth and
expansion is good for the economy? Explain.
Business Standard
5. It is safe to say that amongst the Indias most pressing problems is its inability to generate
anywhere close to the massive number of jobs that it needs to accommodate its very large and
growing working-age population. Critically examine what strategies needs to be adopted by
governments to boost job creation.
Business Standard

GENERAL STUDIES
6. Explain how the situation in Europe immediately following the fall of Germany led directly to
the Cold War. In your opinion, should the Western Allies have acted to oppose Soviet
domination of Eastern Europe? (from Sparknotes)
Reference
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
7. What do you understand by Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)? Why does it occur? What are its
threats? Explain.
The Hindu
8. What are the reasons for declining birds population? Comment on the steps taken by GOI and
global institutions to safeguard migratory and domestic species of birds.
The Hindu
TOI
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
02 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. With an example, critically examine the flaws associated with urban planning in India. What
suggestions would you give to overcome these flaws? Explain.
Business Standard
2. Write a note on the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) Special 301 report.
Explain why was it controversial with reference to India.
Business Standard
3. Critically comment on the rise of communism in Nepal. What is its present ideology? What is
Indias position vis a vis Nepals communist parties? Explain.
The Hindu
4. What strategies does India need to adopt to combat drought and abnormal Monsoon conditions
to guarantee food and water security? Critically examine.
The Hindu
5. Comment and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW) role in eliminating violence against women.
The Hindu (the link actually provide answer to the question on pornography that was asked
two days ago)
6. Discuss the areas of concern in trade between India and the European Union. Examine the
impact of these concerns on the growth of trade between these two.
The Hindu
GENERAL STUDIES
7. The Summer of 1940 was such a crucial time in the beginning of World War II. Explain the
events that occurred during this time. How did German victories in the west affect at least two
of the following powers and their actions: France, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the
United States?
Reference Britannica

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. Recently scientists synthesised an artificial yeast chromosome. What is its significance?
Explain the potential applications of this scientific breakthrough.
Business Standard
9. What are hybrid cars? Explain the technology used to manufacture them? What are their
benefits over ordinary cars?
The Hindu
10. What do you understand by Gravitational Lensing? Why was it in news recently?
The Hindu
The Hindu
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
03 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. Compare and contrast how Russian economy grew since the inception of communism and its
subsequent fall later.
Business Standard
2. Examine the role of media in addressing gender disparities. Do you think Indian media is
addressing this issue adequately? Comment.
The Hindu
3. Discuss why Indias services sector has outgrown manufacturing sector? Do you think its
good for the Indian economy? Comment.
The Hindu (passing reference)
4. Critically bring out the relationship between Big Data and security issues. Do you think
governments should be empowered to access and collect Big Data at will to ensure security of
their citizens? Comment.
The Hindu
5. The contemporary practice of Public Interest Litigation (PILs) has atrophied and morphed
into a format that has lost sight of this original political and constitutional justification.
Critically comment.
The Hindu
6. Indias internal security infrastructure is severely anaemic. Critically comment.
The Hindu
GENERAL STUDIES
7. Critically comment on the role of Japan in escalating the World War 2. Examine how Japan
was made to surrender during the end of the War.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. What are the contentious issues regarding the draft Assisted Reproductive Technology
(Regulation) Bill, 2013 (ART Bill)? What are its shortcomings? Examine.
The Hindu
Insights Weekly Essay Writing Challenge
Week Five
Write an essay on the following topic in about 2500 Words
Poverty is the worst form of violence Mahatma Gandhiji
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
05 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. Comment on the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land
Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. Do you think this act needs
amendments? Explain why.
Business Standard
2. Do you consider Tippu Sultan as a freedom fighter? Substantiate your answer.
The Hindu
The Hindu
3. Explain how MNREGA scheme works. Critically comment on its design especially with
reference to transparency and accountability measures.
The Hindu
4. Explain the mechanism of landslides. Examine their causes.
The Hindu
5. Write a critical note on Kerala governments Kudumbashree scheme.
The Hindu
6. Do you think the appointment of the Chief Justice of India should be solely based on seniority
alone? Critically comment.
The Hindu
GENERAL STUDIES
7. Why has the Korean War often been called Americas forgotten war? What purpose did the
war serve, and what impact did it have?
BBC
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. Write a note on Astra missile. Explain its significance to Indias military.
The Hindu
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
06 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. Critically comment on the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh into Assam and the
resultant problems in many reasons of Assam. Do you think grievances of native people of
Assam who are against Bangladeshi migrants is justified? Explain why.
The Hindu
Business Standard
2. Why was Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission set-up? What were its
recommendations on various legislations? Examine briefly.
Business Standard
3. What do you understand by demographic dividend? Do you think India is reaping its benefits?
Critically examine.
Business Standard
4. In advanced economies with reasonably free markets, bubbles are unavoidable. Critically
comment with examples.
The Hindu
5. Critically comment on the type of development India needs considering its social and
economic realities and requirements.
The Hindu
6. Write a note on Marrakesh treaty and explain its significance to India.
The Indian Express
GENERAL STUDIES
7. Critically comment on the factors that contributed to the fall of communism in Europe.
BBC
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. Explain how Bluetooth works. What are its future benefits.
Bluetoo
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
07 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. In your opinion why do railway accidents keep occurring? What are the problems being faced
by the Indian Railways when it comes to ensuring safety? Critically examine measures taken so
far in this regard.
Business Standard
2. Critically comment on Supreme Courts decision to set-up committees headed by its judges to
look into matters beyond its jurisdiction. Do you think proactive and overreaching judiciary is
necessary to India? Comment.
Business Standard
3. Comment on the recommendations of Parekh panel on infrastructures interim report.
Business Standard
4. Do you think Right Education Act needed constitutional status? Critically comment, especially
keeping in mind objections raised by unaided private schools.
Business Standard
5. Discuss the emerging problems being faced by megacities around the world.
The Hindu
6. A uniform policy at the central level should focus on access to higher education and not on
any right to education. The rights-based narrative should be confined to universal primary
education alone, a fundamental right. Comment.
The Hindu
GENERAL STUDIES
7. Comment on the growth of capitalism in East Asia post Second World War.
Economist
Other
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. Write a note on Google Glass and its applications.
The Hindu
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
08 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. Critically comment on Supreme Courts ruling that the Section 6A of the Delhi Special Police
Establishment Act as unconstitutional and examine the implications of this ruling.
Business Standard
The Hindu
2. Examine the status of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) of India with
ASEAN countries and the India-European Union (EU) trade agreements.
Business Standard
3. Critically examine the major issues and challenges that India faces as her urbanisation
proceeds.
Business Standard
4. Write a note on Jallikattu. Do you agree with the Supreme Courts ban on the sport? Critically
comment.
The Hindu
5. Comment on recent controversy over the Programme for International Student Assessment
(Pisa) rankings about learning levels around the world.
The Hindu
6. While the differences between India and the U.S. over intellectual property rights (IPR) have
threatened to derail economic relations, it should be possible to sort them out through
discussions. Comment on the controversy and the way forward in resolution of differences
between two countries.
The Hindu
7. Explain the growth of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Comment on its ideology and its effect on
Nigerian society.
The Hindu
8. Write a critical note on the Mullaperiyar dam controversy.
The Hindu
GENERAL STUDIES
9. What do you understand by decolonization? How did it impact Asia and Africa, politically and
culturally? Discuss.
Wikipedia
Source
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
10. Write a note on Project Persephone
The Indian Express
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
09 May 2014
Answer ALL the questions in about 200 words
1. Critically comment on the rights issue involved in Supreme Courts recent judgement
upholding the constitutional validity of the provision in the Right to Education Act reserving 25
percent seats in private schools for economically disadvantaged students.
Business Standard
The Hindu
2. Compare and contrast the measures taken by central banks in developed and developing
countries post- 2008 financial crisis to revive their economies.
Business Standard
3. Explain the negative effects of El Nino on various sectors of the Indian economy.
Business Standard
4. Critically examine the benefits of reservation in higher education.
The Hindu
5. What do you understand by broad based education system? What are its benefits?
The Hindu
6. Write a note on existing national and international laws and conventions that seek to protect
women against violence and discrimination.
The Hindu

GENERAL STUDIES
7. Write a note on any two important wars that took place post Second World War which had
global consequences.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. What are the possible negative consequences of 3-D printing technology. Examine.
The Hindu
Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current
Events and General Studies
ARCHIVES
10 May 2014
Answer ALL the following questions in about 200 words
1. How do chit funds work? Critically examine the reasons behind chit fund scams in recent
times. Also explain what measures has RBI taken to regulate them.
Business Standard
2. Some economists argue that India is de-industrializing. What do you understand by this? Why
is this happening? Examine.
Business Standard
3. What do you understand by human values? Discuss few human values that you value most.
The Hindu
4. Critically examine the geopolitical interests of China in Afghanistan. Do you think a major
role played by China in Afghanistan would be a concern to India? Comment.
The Hindu
5. Critically comment on South China Sea dispute in the light of international laws related to
seas.
The Hindu
6. Critically examine the arguments in favour of privatisation of higher education in India. Do
you think higher education should be completely privatised? Comment.
The Hindu
7. What is a spot exchange? Comment on recent scam related to the National Spot Exchange Ltd.
(NSEL).
The Hindu
GENERAL STUDIES
8. Critically examine the factors which led to post World War-2 rapid industrialisation of
Germany and Japan even after huge devastation during the War.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
9. Write a note on Regenerative Plastic that was in news recently.
The Hindu
10. Write a note on Baroreceptors.
The Hindu



Insights Secure-2014: Questions On Current Events and
General Studies
29 May 2014
Answer ALL the following questions in about 200 words
1. Why does the Constitution of India make provisions regarding ineligibility of certain
categories for further employment under the government of India? With examples, critically
comment.
Business Standard
2. Why does India want to introduce a national goods and services tax (GST) replacing all
indirect taxes? Explain the rationale behind this and also examine its advantages and
disadvantages.
Business Standard
Business Standard
3. Examine the structure and role of the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the union
government of India. Which schemes is it implementing towards imparting literacy to illiterate
people? Examine.
Business Standard
4. Examine the functions of the Prime Ministers Office. Do you think a powerful PMO
diminishes the role of cabinet and cabinet ministries? Comment.
The Hindu
5. Critically comment on Americas recent foreign policy initiatives. Do you think its supremacy
as sole superpower in the world is waning? Comment.
The Hindu
6. Critically examine the reforms needed to make healthcare affordable and universal in India.
The Hindu
GENERAL STUDIES
7. Write a note on important information technology tools and projects that are being used across
the country to help farmers in various capacities.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
8. Comment on Indias new Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2013. Compare it with
Chinas S&T policy.
IDSA