GS-III UPSC PYQ 2014

Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy need for economic growth.[200 Words, 12.5 Marks]

“While we flaunt India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability.” What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

The diverse nature of India as a multireligious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact of radicalism which has been in her neighborhood. Discuss along with the strategies to be adopted to counter this environment. (200 words, 12.5 Marks)

China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India’s security? Critically examine. (200 words, 12.5 Marks)

How illegal trans-border migration does pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to curb this, bring out the factors which give impetus to such migration. (200 words, 12.5 Marks)

The right to fair compensation and transparency land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement act, 2013 has come into effect from 1 January 2014. What implication would it have on industrialisation and agriculture in India? How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 1–2 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to INDIAN ECONOMY Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 1 line ) Practice all GS3 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide Introduction The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (the LARR Act) , which came into effect on 1 January 2014 , replaced the colonial Land Acquisition Act, 1894 . By shifting the balance decisively in favour of the landowner and the project-affected , it has significant — and contrasting — implications for both industrialisation and agriculture in India. Key features of the LARR Act, 2013 The Act provides for fair compensation — up to two times the market value in urban areas and up to four times in rural areas ; the consent of affected families — 70% for public-private-partnership projects and 80% for private projects ; a mandatory Social Impact Assessment (SIA) ; comprehensive Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) entitlements; restrictions on the acquisition of multi-cropped, irrigated land ; the return of unused acquired land ; and other safeguards including transparency. Implications for industrialisation Positive implications: A fairer, more transparent and consent-based process confers greater legitimacy on acquisition, reduces conflict, agitation and litigation , and — once consent is obtained — lowers the risk of later resistance and project stalling. easemyprep.in Concerns: The Act also raises the cost and time of land acquisition for industry . The high compensation multiples increase project costs ; the SIA, consent and R&R requirements lengthen the process , sometimes by years; the consent threshold can stall projects if affected families disagree; and assembling large parcels of land for industry and infrastructure becomes harder. These concerns led the government in 2014-15 to attempt amendments (through an ordinance) to dilute the consent and SIA requirements for certain categories — but the amendment lapsed amid strong opposition , leaving the 2013 Act in force. Implications for agriculture Positive implications: The Act strongly protects farmers and the rural landless . It guarantees fair compensation, the consent of affected families, and rehabilitation and resettlement — protecting not only landowners but also agricultural labourers and livelihood-dependent families . By restricting the acquisition of multi-cropped irrigated land , it safeguards agricultural land and food security , and the SIA ensures that the impact on farming communities is assessed before acquisition. Concerns: The same protective provisions can make it harder and slower to acquire land even for genuine public-purpose projects — including irrigation and rural infrastructure that benefit agriculture itself. easemyprep.in A balanced assessment The LARR Act represents a deliberate rebalancing — from the State-and-industry-friendly 1894 law toward the rights, dignity and livelihoods of landowners and the affected . For industrialisation , it makes acquisition fairer and more legitimate, but costlier and slower . For agriculture , it offers stronger protection of farmers and farmland . The central challenge is to reconcile the genuine need for land for development with the rights of those who lose their land — a balance that requires efficient implementation, the use of alternatives such as land pooling and leasing , and the development of government land banks . Conclusion The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, 2013 has profound implications: it makes land acquisition just, humane and transparent , strongly protecting farmers and agricultural land , while raising the cost and time of acquisition for industry . The way forward is not to dilute its core protections but to implement it efficiently and complement it with non-coercive land-assembly models — so that India can pursue industrialisation without sacrificing the rights and food security that depend on its land . Value addition (Ease My Prep, August 2026) Statutory precision: Compensation is market value times a factor of up to 2 rural, 1 urban , plus 100% solatium and attached assets. The Second Schedule R&R package covers the affected family — labourer, artisan, tenant and forest-produce gatherer, not just the owner. easemyprep.in Landmark case: *Pune Municipal Corporation v. Harakchand Solanki* (2014) read section 24(2) disjunctively and held a treasury deposit was not 'payment', lapsing many old acquisitions. *Indore Development Authority v. Manoharlal* (2020, five judges) overruled it — the conditions are conjunctive , treasury deposit counts as payment, and an owner refusing tender cannot claim lapse now. Constitutional anchor: Acquisition is Concurrent List Entry 42 , land itself State List Entry 18 — which is why Gujarat, Telangana and Tamil Nadu could dilute consent and SIA by State amendment with Presidential assent after the Union's 2014-15 ordinance lapsed. Article 300A (44th Amendment, 1978) is the right the Act works out. Statutory gap: The Fourth Schedule kept thirteen central enactments — coal, atomic energy, railways, highways, metros, SEZs — outside the Act; section 105 aligned their compensation and R&R in 2015, but consent and SIA never applied . easemyprep.in Global comparison: In *Kelo v. City of New London* (2005) the US Supreme Court allowed private homes to be taken for a private development plan as 'public use'; the backlash pushed most American States to restrict eminent domain. *Lesson: public purpose, not the compensation formula, is the battleground.* Recent policy: Non-coercive assembly is now the workaround — Amaravati's land pooling made the owner a shareholder in appreciation, returning developed plots instead of cash; nothing is compulsorily acquired, so the Act never bites. Analytical edge: The sharecropper and the oral tenant are 'affected families' on paper, but without a tenancy record they cannot prove it — compensation flows to title-holders while livelihood loss goes uncompensated. Singur and Nandigram (2006-08) prove that a legally cheap acquisition can be politically ruinous. easemyprep.in 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 GS3 — Economy, Environment & Security Questions Download App More GS3 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.

In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78° east in the Arabian Sea by International Maritime organisation. What impact does this have on India’s maritime security concerns? (200 words, 12.5 Marks)

In a globalized world, Intellectual Property Rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. Broadly distinguish between the terms—Copyrights, Patents and Trade Secrets. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has come into effect from 1st January, 2014. What are the key issues which would get addressed with the Act in place? What implications would it have on industrialization and agriculture in India? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Drought has been recognised as a disaster in view of its party expense, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National disaster management authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India. How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 1–2 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to DISASTER MANAGEMENT Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 1 line ) Practice all GS3 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide Drought Management and El Nino / La Nina Preparedness Introduction Drought is a creeping, slow-onset disaster — distinct in its wide spatial spread, long temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effects on agriculture, water, livestock and the livelihoods of the most vulnerable. Recognising this, the NDMA's National Guidelines on Management of Drought (September 2010) set out a proactive framework. Drought, El Nino and La Nina The link: The Indian monsoon — on which agriculture depends — is strongly influenced by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) . El Nino (the warming of the equatorial Pacific) is often associated with a weak monsoon and drought in India; La Nina is generally associated with a good or excess monsoon, and sometimes floods. Preparedness therefore hinges on monitoring and responding to these phenomena. Mechanism for Preparedness — Drawing on the NDMA 2010 Guidelines Drought monitoring and early warning: Continuous monitoring of rainfall, the El Nino-La Nina status, soil moisture, reservoir levels and crop conditions using IMD forecasts and remote sensing; a drought-monitoring cell and the timely declaration of drought. easemyprep.in Drought-proofing and mitigation: Watershed development, rainwater harvesting, the rejuvenation of water bodies, micro-irrigation, and convergence with MGNREGA for durable water assets. Crop and agricultural strategy: Contingency crop plans, drought-tolerant and short-duration seed varieties, alternative cropping advisories, and seed and input buffers. Water management: Prioritising drinking water, the judicious release of reservoir water, and groundwater management. easemyprep.in Relief and livelihood support: Fodder and cattle camps, employment under MGNREGA, the PDS, crop insurance (PMFBY) and credit relief. Institutional preparedness: District drought-management plans, the State Disaster Response Fund, and coordination among the agriculture, water, revenue and disaster-management departments. Community participation and awareness: Engaging panchayats and communities in preparedness. easemyprep.in Way Forward Strengthen seasonal forecasting and the use of ENSO predictions; mainstream drought-proofing into rural development; expand crop insurance and contingency planning; and adopt climate-resilient, water-efficient agriculture. Conclusion Drought, intimately linked to El Nino and La Nina, demands anticipatory, proactive management. The NDMA 2010 guidelines provide a sound framework — its success depends on accurate monitoring, drought-proofing through water conservation, contingency agriculture and timely support to the most vulnerable. 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 GS3 — Economy, Environment & Security Questions Download App More GS3 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.

Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before a project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impact of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads. [200 Words, 10 Marks]

National Urban Transport Policy emphasises on ‘moving people’ instead of ‘moving vehicles’. Discuss critically the success of the various strategies of the Government in this regard. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

There is also a point of view that Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) set up under the State Acts have not only impeded the development of agriculture but also have been the cause of food inflation in India. Critically examine. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Can overuse and free availability of antibiotics without Doctor’s prescription, be contributors to the emergence of drug-resistant diseases in India? What are the available mechanisms for monitoring and control? Critically discuss the various issues involved. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Explain how Private Public Partnership arrangements, in long gestation infrastructure projects, can transfer unsustainable liabilities to the future. What arrangements need to be put in place to ensure that successive generations’ capacities are not compromised? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-à-vis industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as are business professions, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer-oriented. Critically comment. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by airspace? What are the implications of these laws on the space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggests ways to contain the threat. (200 words, 12.5 Marks)

Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effects on vulnerable section. Witha focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Nino and La Nino fallouts in India. [200 Wards, 12.5 Marks]

Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages short-sightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism for bringing inclusive growth in India? Discuss. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the defence sector is now set to be liberalized. What influence is this expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and long run? (200 words, 12.5 marks)

“In the villages itself no form of credit organization will be suitable except the cooperative society”. All India Rural Credit Survey. Discuss this statement in the background of agricultural finance in India. What constraints and challenges do financial institutions supplying agricultural finance face? How can technology be used to better reach and serve rural clients? (200 words, 12.5 marks)