GS-II UPSC PYQ 2017

‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’. Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme. (150 words, 10 marks)

The Indian Constitution has provisions for holding a joint session of the two houses of the Parliament. Enumerate the occasions when this would normally happen and also the occasions when it cannot, with reasons thereof. (250 words, 15 marks)

Explain the salient features of the constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough ‘to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for common national market for goods and services’? (250 words, 15 marks)

‘Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political will’. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India. How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 2–3 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to GOVERNANCE & SOCIAL JUSTICE Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 2–3 lines ) Practice all GS2 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide Poverty Alleviation Programmes and the Need for Political Will India has implemented numerous poverty alleviation programmes (PAPs) since independence. The statement contends that these "remain mere show pieces" unless backed by political will — a claim that is largely valid. Major poverty alleviation programmes and their performance Employment programmes: MGNREGA — a rights-based wage-employment guarantee; it has provided a safety net and rural wages, though dogged by delayed payments and corruption. Self-employment and livelihoods: DAY-NRLM (SHG-based rural livelihoods) and DAY-NULM (urban). easemyprep.in Food security: the Public Distribution System and the National Food Security Act . Housing: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Financial inclusion and DBT: Jan Dhan and Aadhaar-enabled transfers. easemyprep.in Skill development, social security and pensions. Performance: These have helped reduce poverty and provide safety nets, but suffer from leakages, exclusion and inclusion errors, poor targeting, weak implementation and uneven outcomes across States . Why political will is decisive Adequate funding and priority: Programmes succeed only when governments allocate sufficient resources and treat poverty reduction as a priority. easemyprep.in Effective implementation: Political commitment drives administrative seriousness, monitoring and accountability . Tackling vested interests: Plugging leakages and reaching the genuinely poor requires the will to confront local elites, intermediaries and corruption . Continuity and reform: Sustained political will ensures programmes are continued, evaluated and improved , not abandoned with changes of government. easemyprep.in Convergence and last-mile delivery depend on political push. States with strong political commitment have shown better outcomes — proving the point. Beyond political will Political will alone is not sufficient — good design, administrative capacity, technology (DBT, digitisation), people's participation, social audits and economic growth are equally essential. easemyprep.in Conclusion The statement is largely correct: poverty alleviation programmes risk becoming show pieces without genuine political will — to fund them, implement them seriously, confront vested interests and sustain them. But political will must be matched by sound design, capacity, transparency and participation for these programmes to genuinely transform the lives of the poor. Value addition (EMP 2026) The verdict, sharpened: the same national framework delivers very differently by state will — Kerala’s decentralised planning and Tamil Nadu’s near-universal PDS outperform. Delivery reform: JAM (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) and DBT plugged leakages with cumulative savings of ~₹3+ lakh crore. easemyprep.in Beyond will: good design, administrative capacity, people’s participation, social audits (the MGNREGA model) and growth are equally essential. Best practice: Brazil’s Bolsa Família (conditional cash + health + schooling) and the Aspirational Districts Programme (data dashboards + competitive federalism). Source: easemyprep.in Structured Mains Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View इस प्रश्न को हिंदी में पढ़ें हिंदी में पढ़ें → Structured Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View Practice All Mains GS2 — Polity, Governance & IR Questions Download App More GS2 Questions Ease My Prep Focused UPSC preparation. Daily current affairs, PYQ practice, trend analysis, and mentorship for serious CSE aspirants across India. 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How do pressure groups influence Indian political process? Do you agree with this view that informal pressure groups have emerged as powerful as formal pressure groups in recent years? (150 words, 10 marks)

Does the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 ensure effective mechanism for empowerment and inclusion of the intended beneficiaries in the society? Discuss. (150 words, 10 marks)

Explain the role of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as envisaged under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. How has it helped in improving disaster preparedness in India?

China is using its economic relation and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia; In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbour. [150 Word, 10 Marks]

The question of India’s Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India’s economic progress. Analyze India’s energy policy cooperation with West Asian Countries. How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 2–3 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 2–3 lines ) Practice all GS2 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide India's Energy Security and Energy Cooperation with West Asia Energy security — the uninterrupted availability of energy at affordable prices — is fundamental to India's economic progress. As one of the world's largest energy consumers and oil importers, India depends on imports for over 80% of its crude oil and around half its natural gas, making West Asia (the Gulf) central to its energy strategy. Why West Asia is critical The Gulf supplies a majority of India's crude oil — Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and (historically) Iran are among the top suppliers. It is a key source of LPG and natural gas (notably Qatar). easemyprep.in The region hosts an 8–9 million-strong Indian diaspora , whose remittances and the energy trade are deeply interlinked. Dimensions of India's energy cooperation with West Asia Crude oil and LNG imports: Long-term supply contracts with Saudi Aramco, ADNOC (UAE) and QatarEnergy. Strategic petroleum reserves: The UAE's ADNOC partnered in India's strategic crude reserves (Mangaluru) , deepening supply-security ties. easemyprep.in Two-way investment: Gulf sovereign wealth funds invest in Indian infrastructure and energy; Saudi Aramco and ADNOC explored the proposed Ratnagiri refinery ; Indian firms (ONGC Videsh) seek upstream assets. Downstream and refining: Cooperation in refining, petrochemicals and retail. Connectivity and new partnerships: Chabahar Port (Iran) and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) open new energy and trade routes; the I2U2 grouping adds energy and clean-tech cooperation. easemyprep.in Renewables: The UAE and Saudi Arabia are partners in the International Solar Alliance and green-hydrogen initiatives. Challenges and constraints Geopolitical instability: Conflicts, the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint and regional rivalries threaten supply. The Iran factor: US sanctions forced India to cut Iranian oil imports , despite Iran's geographic and pricing advantages and Chabahar's importance. easemyprep.in Price volatility: OPEC+ production decisions and price swings strain India's import bill and current account. Over-dependence and concentration risk: Heavy reliance on one region is a strategic vulnerability. Way forward Diversify sources (Russia, the US, Africa, Latin America) and the energy mix (renewables, gas, nuclear, green hydrogen). easemyprep.in Expand strategic petroleum reserves , pursue upstream equity abroad, and accelerate the transition to clean energy to structurally reduce import dependence. Deepen West Asia ties beyond hydrocarbons — into renewables, technology and investment . Conclusion West Asia will remain indispensable to India's energy security in the near term, and cooperation has matured from a buyer–seller relationship into a strategic partnership spanning reserves, investment and clean energy. Lasting energy security, however, depends on diversification and an accelerated transition to renewables. easemyprep.in Value addition (2024–26 update) Dependence data: crude-import dependence ~88–89% (243 MT imported, 2024–25); West Asia supplies ~45% of crude and ~69% of LNG. Diversification: Russia is now India's single-largest crude supplier (~31–35%); India sources from 40+ countries; 2025 US sanctions on Rosneft/Lukoil squeezed Russian flows. Corridors & partnerships: IMEC (G20 2023, re-endorsed Feb 2025); India–Oman FTA (2025), UAE CEPA (2022); Mundra VLCC terminal (Jan 2026) for non-Hormuz resilience. easemyprep.in Reserves & transition: SPR 5.33 MMT (~9.5 days), ~64% filled, Phase-II (Chandikhol 4 MMT, Padur 2.5 MMT); National Green Hydrogen Mission (5 MMT by 2030); ISA 120+ members. Source: easemyprep.in Structured Mains Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View इस प्रश्न को हिंदी में पढ़ें हिंदी में पढ़ें → Structured Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View Practice All Mains GS2 — Polity, Governance & IR Questions Download App More GS2 Questions Ease My Prep Focused UPSC preparation. Daily current affairs, PYQ practice, trend analysis, and mentorship for serious CSE aspirants across India. Based in Gurugram, Haryana · Founded 2022 Product Features Pricing AI Copy Checking Courses Daily News Mentorship Books Blog Company About Us Community Contact Legal Privacy Policy Terms of Service Refund Policy 📱 Android App 🍎 iOS App 🌐 Web App © 2022 – 2026 Ease My Prep . All rights reserved. Made with dedication for UPSC aspirants across India.

“The local self government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation. (150 words, 10 marks)

Examine the scope of Fundamental Rights in the light of the latest judgement of the Supreme Court on Right to Privacy. (250 words, 15 marks)

Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries' economy and society. Appraise the role of Indian Diaspora in South- East Asian in this context. [200 words, 15 Marks]

Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people. (150 words, 10 marks)

Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement. (150 words, 10 marks)

To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful? (250 words, 15 marks)

‘The emergence of Self Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities’. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs. (250 words, 15 marks)

Is the National Commission for Women able to strategise and tackle the problems that women face at both public and private spheres? Give reasons in support of your answer. (250 words, 15 marks)

“Poverty Alleviation programs in India remain mere showpieces until and unless they are backed up by political will.” Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation program in India. (250 words, 15 marks)

Critically examine the Supreme Court’s judgement on ‘National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014’ with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India. (150 words, 10 marks)

What are the main functions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)? Explain different functional commissions attached to it. [150 Words,10 Marks].

‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies will limit the amount of time and money spent in electioneering but it will reduce the government’s accountability to the people’ Discuss. (150 words, 10 marks)

Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness, which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment. (250 words, 15 marks)