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The UPSC 2020 Mains GS 3 was overall on the easier side but was lengthy. Many questions had a current perspective and required analytical thinking. Economics and Environment had maximum weightage with 8 questions, 3 questions were from Agriculture, Science and Technology & Internal Security and the number of Cyber Security and Disaster Management based questions were 3.
GS 3 paper has clearly shown, that this paper relies heavily on the current affairs and Syllabus keywords linked with the current perspective. Samajho Corner’s importance can be clearly stated after seeing all the questions and references.
Most of the questions (around 17 out of 20 in GS3) came directly from Samajho’s Corner Notes & SMP.
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Questions in the Economics section were mostly Static based but all the other questions were mostly current affairs based & all these topics have been in news in the recent past. Almost all the questions required recent examples and statistics. The COVID-related implication was asked, which had been in news all year. Overall, this section was easy but lengthy to answer.
Q.1 Explain intra-generational and inter-generational issues of equity from the perspective of inclusive growth and sustainable development. (Answer in 150 words)
Can also add this type of flowchart in between
Topic: Inclusive growth & issues arising from it.
Moderate question- Specific knowledge of Intra-generational and Inter-generational issues of equity required but if not, can be written through a lot of developments in recent years for Inclusive Growth & Sustainable Development and try to link the different issues.
Limited content in Static Book.
LINKAGES BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT, POVERTY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: AN INTRODUCTION
Q.2 Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP? (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Govt budgeting.
Moderate question- Specific knowledge of Potential GDP, But can be written by analyzing the name.
Coverage in all Static books.
Was also in news due to COVID Crisis.
Q.3 What are the main constraints in the transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India? (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Storage, transport & marketing of agricultural produce & issues & related constraints.
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Easy question-given the fact that transport & marketing of agricultural produce is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
STORAGE, TRANSPORT & MARKETING OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE & ISSUES & RELATED CONSTRAINTS.
Q.4 What are the challenges and opportunities of the food processing sector in the country? How can the income of the farmers be substantially increased by encouraging food processing? (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Food processing & related industries in India: scope & significance, location, upstream & downstream requirements, supply chain management
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Easy question-given the fact that Food processing is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
Q.5 What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in the health sector? (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Awareness in fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology
Easy question-given the fact that Nanotechnology is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. Nanotechnology has been quite in the news in recent times, including Prelims Paper.
Q.6 How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by science-based technologies? (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Indigenization of technology & developing new technology, E-technology in the aid of farmers, Technology missions
Moderate question- The First Part is a philosophical essay-type question that can be easily written and the second part is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
E-TECHNOLOGY IN THE AID OF FARMERS
Q.7 How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Environmental impact assessment
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Easy question-given the fact that the Environmental impact assessment is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. Environmental impact assessment has been quite in the news in recent times due to changes in the notification and that is being asked, including in the Prelims Paper. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
DRAFT ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) 2020
Environmental impact assessment is also covered in detail in SMAP Video by Rohit sir:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_W9qZsl5oQ
Q.8 What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Environmental conservation
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Easy question-given the fact that the Jal Shakti Abhiyan has been quite in the news in recent times due to the formation of a new ministry and scheme. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
MINISTRY-WISE INITIATIVES 2019: MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
CRITICISM OF JAL SHAKTI ABHIYAAN
JAL SHAKTI ABHIYAAN: EFFORTS OF ICAR ON SCIENTIFIC WATER MANAGEMENT
Q.9 Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Basics of cybersecurity
Easy question-given the fact that Cybersecurity has been quite in the news in recent times due to hacking, online frauds, and the recent rise in cybersecurity crimes. Cybersecurity is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
CYBER SECURITY: CHALLENGES AND WAY FORWARD FOR INDIA
Q.10 For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals. (Answer in 150 words)
Topic: Security challenges & their management in border areas, Linkages btw development & spread of extremism, Role of external state & non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security
Moderate difficulty can be answered with knowledge and linking of various Internal Security Topics. Local support to militants was in news due to Kashmir and Northeast issue. Certain articles were done in Samjhao’s corner depicting Security challenges & their management in border areas.
THE PUNJAB RELATION TO PAKISTAN’S MILITANCY
SMAP 2020 | DAY 65 | MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION ON INTERNAL SECURITY (GS III)
Q.11 Explain the meaning of investment in an economy in terms of capital formation. Discuss the factors to be considered while designing a concession agreement between a public entity and a private entity. (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Indian Economy & issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development & employment
Moderate difficulty can be answered with knowledge and linking of various Capital formation, Ease of Doing Business & concession agreement topics. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
INDIA’S FIRST HYBRID ANNUITY PROJECT AND VARIOUS PPP MODELS
ECONOMIC SURVEY VOL.1 CH.6: TARGETING EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN INDIA
ECONOMIC SURVEY VOL.2 CH.8: INDUSTRY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Q.12 Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017. How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions? (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Govt budgeting
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Easy question-given the fact that Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) was in news, everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
ECONOMIC COST OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC FOR INDIA AND THE WORLD
Q.13 What are the major factors responsible for making the rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success, how has this system become a bane in India? (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Major crops, cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation & irrigation systems
Moderate question-can be answered with knowledge about the Green revolution/Food Security and its problem in relation to Rice & Wheat.
Q.14 Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenario. (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Different types of irrigation & irrigation systems
Easy question-given the fact that Water storage and irrigation system has been quite in the news in recent times due to water shortage and droughts. The irrigation system is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in Samjhao’s corner:
Q.15 COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid the management of the pandemic. (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Disasters & disaster management
Easy question-given the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has been quite in the news in recent times all through the year. Everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
COVID INDUCED ONLINE LEARNING: A BOON OR BANE?
DETAILED REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON VARIOUS INDIAN SECTIONS AND THE WORLD
ECONOMIC COST OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC FOR INDIA AND THE WORLD
Q.16 Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose? (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways, etc.
Easy question-given the fact that Solar energy has been quite in the news in recent times. Everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
ROLE OF CLEAN ENERGY IN THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA
THERMAL POWER PLANTS: TECHNOLOGY, ADVANTAGES, AND DISADVANTAGES
Role of Clean Energy in Socio-Economic Development is also covered in detail in a SMAP Video by Rohit sir:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD0q0k9LAmo&t=463s
Q.17 What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Environmental pollution & degradation
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Easy question-given the fact that National Clean Air Programme has been quite in the news in recent times. Everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
DELHI’S DETERIORATING AIR QUALITY
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
Q.18 Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Disasters & disaster management
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Easy question-given the fact that Disaster management has been quite in the news in recent times due to COVID & Cyclones. Disaster management is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
COALITION FOR DISASTER RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE & SENDAI FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Disaster management & Sendai Framework is also covered in detail in a SMAP Video by Rohit sir:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvwYPz8FeZM
Q.19 What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration, and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Linkages btw development & spread of extremism
A direct question from the Samjhao’s Corner
Left-wing extremism is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
Q.20 Analyse internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (Answer in 250 words)
Topic: Role of external state & non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security & Various Security forces & agencies & their mandate
Internal security & various security forces is a direct keyword from the syllabus and everyone should prepare this beforehand. The topic has been covered in detail in Samjhao’s corner:
CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES (CAPF): MANDATE, ROLE, AND CHALLENGES
THE PUNJAB RELATION TO PAKISTAN’S MILITANCY
