UPSC Mains 2017 GS Paper 3 Analysis

The General Studies Paper III of the 2017 UPSC Mains exam was, along with expected lines, heavy on current issues. GS Paper 3 comprises of topics economy, agriculture, security, environment and science, and technology. In this article, the 2017 mains GS 3 question paper is discussed and analyzed.

First of all, the break-up of the paper according to the subtopics is given in the following table.

Unlike last year, the questions did not have a uniform word limit. The first ten questions were to be answered in 150 words each, for ten marks each. And, the next ten questions were to be answered in 250 words each for 15 marks each.

Now, we discuss the topic-wise analysis of the question paper.

ECONOMY

Questions on growth:

1. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential? (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
2. Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
3. What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Questions on budget:

1. One of the intended objectives of Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energize and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Questions on liberalisation:

1. “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period.” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Questions on Infrastructure/investment

1. Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

AGRICULTURE

Questions on cropping:

1. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system? (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Questions on Minimum Support Price/PDS:

1. How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers? (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Questions on food processing:

1. What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers? (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Questions on technology in agriculture:

1. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in agriculture after independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY/ENVIRONMENT

Questions on science & tech:

1. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukaemia, Thallassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments? (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
2. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)
3. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India? (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Questions on environment:

1. ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)
2. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Questions on disaster management:

1. On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

SECURITY

Questions on development/extremism:

1. Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)
2. The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding? (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)
3. The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Questions on cyber security:

1. Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

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