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2005 SOLVED PAPER I Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300
Candidates should attempt ALL questions strictly in accordance with the instruction given under each question. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.
Q. 1 Answer any one of the following questions (in about 250 words): 30
(a) What in your opinion were the positive steps taken by the British to modernise India ? Important Points for Answer: - Types of reforms—legal, social, administrative, infrastructure and communications, education
Answer: Though the British aim was to exploit India as a colony and drain its wealth to Britain to make itself richer. Even then too, in the course of their rule, they introduced some reforms in India for their convenience in ruling it. These reforms which have benefitted India are : Legal : The concept of rule of law and modernisation of judicial system was introduced by them. They dealt all persons equal before the law irrespective of their caste, sex, etc, exceptions may exist. Social : Indian traditions and customs were covered with orthodoxy and they were modernised by the British to some extent by law or teachings or influence. Sati system, child marriages, religious customs, etc. were removed from society. Administrative System : They introduced civil services in India and later on they were made open for Indian candidates also by the Charter Act of 1853 through competitive exams. Infrastructure and Communications : In 1853, Railways, metalic roads, bridges over rivers were built which gave new pace to Indian transportation and through that trade, etc. For communication they introduced Post, telegram in 1853 as faster means of communications. Education : Lord MaCaulay modernised education system in 1853 and India was delivered western and english education which in fact led Indians to think of western Philosophies, politics and liberalism. This invited a period of renaissance India. Apart from these, many charters, council acts etc. introduced some reforms in in India. Indian leaders learnt political lessons from British. Even today we follow the British legislative system in our governance.
(b) Examine the policy of Subordinate Union towards Princely States. Account for the shift from the policy of Subordinate Isolation. Important Points for Answer: - Policy of subordinate union and its result - Policy of subordinate isolation and its result - Their causes and impact
Answer: The policy of Subordinate Union was adopted by the British Government towards Indian Princely states from 1857 to 1935. They abandoned the policy of annexation and accepted right to adopt heir. The Act of 1858 transferred powers into the hands of the crown. The authority of Princes over their territory were not accepted as their right but as a gift from the paramount power. The Queen adopted the title of ‘Kaiser-i-Hind’ and later on Lord Curzon cleared that princes exercises their control as agents of the crown. The Government had right to interfere in internal spheres of states as well as external controls over them. Even Lord Curzon’s approach was of the view that the princes were required to work side-by-side with the Governor General of India. All these new schemes resulted in a integrated Indian political system. Further, the Chamber of Princes divided the Indian states into three categories.
(i) Directly represented
(ii) Represented through representatives
(iii) Jagirs or feudal holdings The shift was made to take princes in confidence as under the policy of subordinate isolation. The company annexed states whenever and whichever possible. Six states were annexed by Lord Dalhousie including Satara, Nagpur, etc. This policy of subordinate union was adopted to use these princely states as break waters in political storms if arise in future. They were given comparatively liberal treatment due to their loyalty to the British Government in the 1857 Revolt.
Q. 2 Answer any tivo of the following questions (in about 150 words each): 15 x 2 = 30
(a) In the Montagu-Chelmsford Report communal representation and reservations were not only retained but considerably extended.” Comment. Important Points for Answer: - Report – provisions - Communal differences - Effect on Indian movement - Response of leaders - Consequences
Answer: The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 had accepted the demand of Muslims for separate electorates and representation in excess of their numerical strength. Muslims were given separate electorates and 8 seats reserved for them of total 27 elected non-official seats. This communal representation and reservations were accepted in the Montagu-Chelsford Report also. It introduced bicameral legislature in both the Houses, seats for separate electorates were included. Now the Act provided for reserved seats for Sikhs also. The number of such seats were also increased. Such policy was adopted for Muslims and Sikhs and was for their upliftment according to the reform. The base of reservation was widened. It was the real position that policy was retained to divide Indian people in more and more groups to make them weak.
(b) Evaluate Subhash Chandra Bose’s contribution to India’s freedom.
Answer: Subhash Chandra Bose was selected in Indian Civil Services but he joined the Disobedience Movement under the influence of Gandhi. He became an active Congresee. He was also elected the President of Congress in 1938 and 1939. But due to differences with Gandhi, he resigned from Congress Presidentship and formed his Forward Block in 1940. Due to his activities, British had held him under house arrest in Calcutta. But he secretly left India in March 1941. He approached Russia and Germany for help in India’s freedom. He went to Japan in July 1943 and provided leadership to the Indian National Army. He organised soldiers and formed provisional government in October 1943. This provisional Government was recognised by the axis powers. The INA attacked the North Eastern borders and even captured a portion but due to Japanese biased policy and adverse weather conditions, they had to surrender. Subhash Chandra Bose provided an influential leadership and kept the spirit of nationalism burning during the slack period of national movement in India.
(c) Why and how did the Congress come to accept the partition of the country ? Important Points for Answer: - Partition–necessity, situations - Attitude of Congress - Conclusion
Answer: Congress failed to integrate Muslims into the nation. The partition of the country was accepted as an inevitable evil. Violent riots of Hindu- Muslims had erupted in the country. The direct action call of Jinnah resulted in bloodshed of masses. To check these communal riots, the congress had to accept the partition. It was accepted as a price for immediate independence because all other efforts had failed to materialise. Gandhi had accepted muslims right to self determination in muslim majority provinces. It was argued by some leaders that smaller, unified and strong India would be better and stronger than a bigger but weak India. Jinnah had accepted Pakistan shortened than earlier demands. Princely states had not been given sovereignty rights would have proved dangerous for Indian security and integrity. All these situations led congress to accept partition of India.
Q. 3 Write about the following (not exceeding 20 words each): 2 × 15 = 30
(a) Yajnavalkya Smriti
Answer: It was written during the Gupta period. It throws light on various aspects of Indian religion and society.
(b) Sutta Pitaka
Answer: This Buddhist text contains all sermons delivered by Buddha throughout his life in the form of an epic.
(c) Bhagawati Sutra
Answer: It is a Jaina religion’s holy text. It contains details about Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
(d) Gangaikonda – Cholapuram
Answer: Founded by Rajendra Chola as his capital city in Tamil Nadu to memorise his victory over north India.
(e) Nizamuddin Auliya
Answer: A famous Sufi saint of Sultanate perod. He popularised Sufi doctrines among Hindus and Muslims. Amir Khusro was his desciple.
(f) Raidas
Answer: A famous saint of Medieval Bhakti movement. He belonged to lower caste. He was desciple of Ramananda.
(g) Calcutta Madrasa
Answer: To study teachings of Muslim law and related subjects, Warren Hastings set up it in 1781 in Calcutta.
(h) Jagat Seth
Answer: A banker of Bengal who conspired with British to help them in deposing Siraj-ud-Daula in the battle of Plassey.
(i) Bhawani Mandir Answer:A journal published by Brindra Kumar Ghosh in 1905. It planned out revolutionary activities in India.
(j) Baba Ram Chandra
Answer: A leader of peasants who organised them to revolt. He led peasant revolts in Uttar Pradesh, during the freedom movement.
(k) Pandita Ramabai
Answer: Founder of Poona Seva Sadan in 1904 to educate women. She dedicated her life to upliftment of women.
(l) Sir Thomas Roe
Answer: A representative of King James I of England. He was sent to India to get permission for trade concession.
(m) Moplah Rebellion
Answer: A violent movement of farmers in Kerala during 19 th century. It was targeted towards Zamindars.
(n) Tavernier
Answer: This French traveller arrived in India during the reign of Shahjahan. He wrote an account of his time.
(o) Darul-Uloom
Answer: An anti-British Islamic Semanary founded by M. Q. Nanawatawi and R. A. Gangohi in 1867.
Q. 4 Answer any two of the following (in about 125 words each): 10 × 2 = 20
(a) What are the resource bases available for the economic development of the newly created States of Jharkhand and Uttaranchal? Important Points for Answer: - Resources of both States - Prospects of development
Answer: After the creation of separate states of Jharkhand and Uttaranchal, the Central Government has provided big amounts to them in the name of developmental assistance, for their administration and economy. Naturally available abundant resources with both the states are also helpful in their economic progress. Uttaranchal is a hilly state, carved out of Uttar Pradesh, which has many natural and forest resources. Tourism is a developing industry in it. Mineral resources are also available. It has less population and so economic development can be progressed fastly. Jharkhand, on the other hand, cut out from Bihar, is mainly area with rocks and hills, having many minerals under them. Jharkhand is considered with resources of mineral as one of the richest state, potentially, if the growth of economy is well planned and directed. Both States having various types of resources, have bright pros.pects of economic growth, henceforth not achieved due to political reasons.
(b) Elucidate the factors contributing to the growing need for water harvesting in India, both rural and urban. Important Points for Answer: - Water Harvesting - Conclusion - Usefulness - Indian context–rural, urban
Answer: In India, the rainfall is generally irregular and uncertain. Moreover, most of the rainfall occurs in two or three months of monsoon while the rest time of the year remains dry or with less rainfall. In such climatic conditions, in India, water harvesting can fulfill the following purposes. Irrigation : In rural, agricultural lands where water will require for irrigational purposes but no parrenial river exist, the rain water can be stored by check dams in ponds or tanks. Drinking water : In both the rural and urban areas, potable drinking water shortage is felt in many parts. The rain water, if percolated in the ground, can be availed at such time. Maintain the level of ground water : By checking, the flow of water, stabilised water can be percolated to recharge the ground water level and make it rise high. Well irrigation can be practiced with this method in dry areas. Prevention of soil erosion : Flowing water erodes soil cover of the earth and depositing the silt into rivers and sea. Checking water flow at some distances slows the speed and lessens the power of erosion. All these factors have increased the need for water harvesting in India, both rural and urban.
(c) “Political boundaries and regional boundaries need to be coterminus.” Do you agree! Important Points for Answer: - Meaning - Reasons - Conclusion
Answer: Boundaries means frontiers of states, between states and countries. Political boundaries may expand to less or more than the regional boundaries. Political boundary shows the area of administration under one government, demarcated either geographically or politically. While the Regional boundary is a geographical concept of boundaries which divides areas of landmass. It can be said that while partitioning any country or state, the cultural aspects should be taken into consideration. Unification of cultural integrity is required to maintain political boundary safely. The political boundary may cover areas very far from the region under administration also. Archaepologers are examples that show that though regional boundaries end on each separate island, the political boundary does not end, and cannot end if the culture and traditional integrity is maintained, though India is an exception with variety of cultures. So, it is not considered to be necessary to co-terminate political and regional boundaries.
Q. 5 Write notes on the following (in about 20 words each): 2 × 5 = 10
(a) Regurs
Answer: It is a type of black soil. It is ideal for cotton crop due to its higher moisture retaining capacity.
(b) Karewas
Answer: It is a strip of land on the border of Jammu and Kashmir. It is made of older alluvial soil and disected by many streams into separate blocks.
(c) Negative impacts of shifting cultivation
Answer: Shifting cultivation results in exhaustion of land minerals of a particular type, making it barren and uncultivable for a period. It causes deforestation.
(d) Causes of droughts in India
Answer: Causes of droughts in India are failure of monsoon, uncertain and uneven distribution of rainfall, deforestation, mismanagement of situations.
(e) Significance of Lake Chilka
Answer: It is developed for fishing and prawn culture, under the project of UNDP. It is a coastal lake in Orissa made of brackish water.
Q. 6 Answer any one of the following (in about 250 words each): 30
(a) Comment on the financial relations between the Union and the States in India. Has post- 1991 liberlization in any way affected it ? Important Points for Answer: - Relations of Union-States - constitutional provisions, financial - Dependency and autonomy of States - Supremacy of Centre - Changes of policy - Conclusion
Answer: The financial relations between the Centre and the States are controlled by the Constitutional provisions. The Union List mentions the sources of revenue for the Union. The goods and services which the Centre can tax upon are mentioned here. In the same way, the State List mentions items which the States are empowered to tax upon to collect revenue. Income tax, except agricultural income, custom duty etc. are sources of Union’s revenue. Land tax, sales tax, etc., are State’s subject. But apart from these two, there is a provision in the Constitution according to which the Union Government levies some taxes which are collected and appropriated by the State Governments. These are not the final and substantive provisions in themselves, as Article 280 requires to constitute a Finance Commission for the distribution of revenue between the Union and the States, and after 73rd and 74th Amendment, there is a provision for the Constitution of The Consolidated Fund of the State from which resources are to be provided to the Village, Panchayats and Municipalities. These are the normally governed financial relations without any special circumstances. But under Article 360, in case of Financial Emergency, these relations can be drastically changed. Even though not generally as a rule, but customarily, the Union Government supplement the financial resources of the states by : Grants-in-aid and Advancement of Central loans. Control of the Centre is maintained under the constitutional provisions by imposing restrictions over the States in raising loans, they are, in some conditions, required to take Central permission. After the liberalization of 1990s, the Union Government has acquired more importance in developing industries and economic growth. The laws has been liberalised to prevent state interferences to the investors and so a little change has been introduced but it has not affected the financial condition of the states, rather improved.
(b) Is it possible to distinguish between judicial review and judicial activism in India? Does the recent behaviour of the Indian judiciary partake more of judicial activism? Argue with suitable examples. Important Points for Answer: - Judicial review - Judicial activism - Indian judicial trend - Conclusion
Answer: Judicial Review means the interpretational and observer role of the judiciary over the Legislature. In India, the judiciary is the final authority for the interpretation of Constitution. If the Legislature transgrasses the powers given to it by the Constitution, the Judiciary can prevent it by declaring the act or action ultra-vires. This power is called Judicial Review. While Judicial Activism is the concept how actively and quickly the judiciary performs the act of judicial review. The readiness that the courts have achieved in exercising its power to uphold the values of the constitution have been generally come to the extent that judicial review has gradually acquired the form of judicial activism in India. We can site the following examples, to support the view that Indian judicial behaviour, in recent times, partake more of judicial activism. Public Interest Litigation (PIL) : The courts have over thrown or at least liberalised the concept of locust standi to allow any public spirited person or organisation to bring to the notice of the court any matter of injustice and violation of constitutional rights of any downtrodden and unprivileged classes of society. The Court has expanded the scope and amplitude of Article 21 to cover many basic rights under it, so that giving them the status of fundamental rights, they can be enforced against the state also, even by PIL. In many cases, the court has acted suo moto to save the constitutional provision of rights. All these leads to conclude that at least the inclination of the court is towards the judicial activism.
Q. 7 Answer any one of the following (in about 250 words): 30
(a) Would you say that the implementation of the Panchayati System in the last ten years has led to a real restructuring of the Indian polity ? Important Points for Answer: - Panchayati system - Changes brought - Importance - Evaluation - Conclusion
Answer: The Panchayati Raj System came into existence in 1993. It is a Directive Principle of the State Policy enshrined under Article 40 to organise village panchayats as the root level institutions. The implementation of the Panchayati Raj System has, in many ways, changed a lot, the governance of the country. It has decentralised the governance. It provides to constitute Gram Sabhas at village level. The Panchayati Raj Institutions have started to work as units of democratic set up of our country. They hold elections, do their administration, collect and regulate financial systems of their own, make policies and implement them at the root level and thus train the people for the political system of the nation. Regular elections, reservation of seats even for women, have really create a great awareness as compared to the first forty three years of our freedom. By no other way, we could have taken the co-operation of villages and grass root level people in the Governance, except by the Panchayati Raj Systems. No matter, yet there are some rigid problems which lie at the base of this system, too, but these problems have not been able to cover the real-change brought about by the Panchayati Raj. They really led the country to reconstructuring of the polity. It gave way to a common people participation in real polity rather than being a mere observor of the system after voting in the elections.
(b) Give your views on the right to freedom of religion as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Do they make India a secular State ? Important Points for Answer: - Right - Constitutional provision - Secularism - Conclusion
Answer: Our Constitution provides Right to Freedom of religion under Article-25 to 28 as the fundamental rights. Freedom of Conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom as to pay of taxes for promotion of any particular religion, and freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions are provided as the part of this right under Articles 25 to 28. This right gives all necessary freedoms as from practice to development of a religion. The religion is a matte’ of faith and so a person can develop faith towards any ethics or conducts. He is to respect his faith by the freedom of conscience and is also free to pre‘ it to others by the freedom of profession, propagation, etc. However, without freedom as to management of the religious affairs this would have been without great impact.
Q. 8 Answer any two of the following (in about 150 words each): 15 × 2 = 30
(a) What are the constitutional limitations on the free movements of Indians throughout the country? Important Points for Answer: - Free movement - a fundamental right - Limitations - constitutional provision
Answer: It is to be explained that the freedom of movement is provided as a fundamental right under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. This freedom is only for the citizens of India and not available to other persons. This right provides right to move freely throughout the territory of India or to reside and settle in any part of the country. This right to freedom of movement is not absolute right but Article 19(2) -
(6) provides that this freedom can be restricted on the grounds of the interest of the general public and for the protection of any Schedule Tribe. These restrictions can be imposed by law of the State or the Central Government but the ground provided for must be one of the mentioned under clause 2(6) of Article 19. On any other ground, any restriction, if imposed, on free movements of Indians throughout the country will be void. Moreover, these restrictions must be reasonable and related to the public interest.
(b) How has the Indian State tackled the trade-off between environment and development! Important Points for Answer: - Development - Degradation of environment - Awareness - Measures taken
Answer: Though we have to accept that in some decades of the starting, we were not much concerned about the environment protection and conservation but only concentrated on development, economic development, exploiting the natural resources to the extent that imbalance in them was caused. We used the available potential in such a thoughtless way that many components of environment witnessed a serious threat. But, soon India realised and started to grow in sustainable manner, so that environmental degradation can be prevented and remedied. India participated in the Stockholm Declaration of 1972 and then continuously participate in every international conventions and summit on environment. It has passed many legal acts to protect environment related to : – Water Pollution Act - 1972 – Wild Life Act – 1972 – Air Pollution Act – 1981 – Environment Protection Act - 1986 All these laws are aimed at saving environment. India has declared many forest areas as Sanctuaries, National Parks and some Places as Biosphere Reserves. All industries have to get Environment certificate, to the effect that they do not cause harm to it beyond the permitted level. Environmental measures have been enforced upon all industries and units to balance the development with conservation and protection of environment.
(c) What are the steps that the Election Commission may take if a recalcitrant State Government wants to put off Assembly Elections ? Important Points for Answer: - Election Commission - powers, measures - States’ action - effectiveness
Answer: The Election Commission has power of superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of the electoral rolls for all elections, including the legislature of every state, and also to conduct elections. If the State legislature wants to put off Assembly elections, the Election Commission may take required steps to hold the elections according to the Constitutional provisions and laws made by Parliament in this regard. It is to prepare electoral rolls, the delimitation of Constituencies and other necessary matters for securing the elections. The Parliament may provide the Election Commission with powers to take corrective measures in such a state. The Election Commission has power to hold elections from time to time and so, there will be no effect of the state action even if it does not want to hold elections.
Q. 9 Answer the following questions (in about 20 words each): 2 × 5 = 10
(a) What is meant by ‘double jeopardy’ ?
Answer: It means no prosecution or punishment to any person for more than once for the same offence. Indian Constitution, Article 20(2) makes provision of this effect.
(b) What are the protections afforded to Scheduled Tribes in the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution ?
Answer: It contains provisions for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes, under Article 244 of the Constitution.
(c) In what ways can the President of India ascertain the views of the Supreme Court on a particular bill ?
Answer: Under Article 143, the President can ask for advisory opinion of the Supreme Court, even I on a bill.
(d) What is the common point between Articles 14 and 226 of the Indian Constitution ?
Answer: Both Articles 14 and 226 of the Indian Constitution are available to every person for redressal of arbitrariness of the State.
(e) Who and what does the Indian Parliament consist of ?
Answer: The Indian Parliament consist of the President, the Lok Sabha
(Lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (Upper house).
Q. 10 Answer any one of the following questions (in about 250 words):
(a) Discuss the impact of globalisation on higher education in India. Important Points for Answer: - Globalisation - Higher education–benefits, demerits - Final conclusion
Answer: Globalisation has given boost to the higher education in India by opening horizons of progress in every sectors. For example, by Globalisation, IT sector has progressed by leaps and bounds and so many software technicians and IITans have got glorious opportunities of prosperous career. This has encouraged students for pertaining higher education and educational institutions for imparting modernised and skilful education which can prepare workers and officers to compete in the world. BOPs have also given various opportunities in this field. Foreign Investment has played a great role in modernising and developing education. The funds of Government was limited and not enough to make such world level educational services available to Indian students. Multi National Companies are also taking interest in providing education and government j has also liberalised policies to allow private colleges and schools. Not only impact on economic side by Globalisation but also on the knowledge part has been impacting educational growth by visits of faculties from foreign countries. Educational institutes invite and send experts for the purpose of more interaction in this direction, making Indian education aware of the world requirements. Various modern techniques like multi-media and digitization have also improved the educational level in India. Expensive libraries, laboratories and infrastructure with latest instruments and equipments have certainly help education level to grow. Not only all these positive effects but also some negative aspects have been invited in Indian educational system, like commercialisation of education making it out of reach of poor classes and withering Indian tradition and ethos. But these can be carefully avoided without losing any benefit of global education which has opened interchange of students with many countries.
(b) What is disaster management ? Discuss the steps required to tackle natural disasters. Important Points for Answer: - Disaster management - meaning, requirement - Steps suggested - Natural disasters
Answer: Disaster management is concept of compensating the loss and rehabilitating public and property affected by any disaster, whether manmade or natural. Disaster management also includes preventive steps in the direction to make such preparations and take such precautions that minimum loss is sustained due to the disaster. There are, yet many, natural disasters which cannot be prevented by men even after such a progress in science and technology. Such disaster occurring without any control of mankind can be managed by proper planning. Various natural disasters and steps to tackle them can be enumerated as under : - Flood : Over flow of water causing loss of life and property are both natural and anthropogenic. The flood forecasting stations can be established to get prior warning. First such station was established in 1959. Now about 157 stations are there in the country. People can be transferred at safer places. - Cyclones : These are forced winds blowing violently. Weather satellites can forecast cyclonic conditions and then only way would be to evacuate the possible way area. - Drought : Non occurrence or less precipitation which may cause failure of crops and shortage of water. It also can be managed by taking contingency measures. Remote sensing satellites are useful for this purpose. - Earthquakes : The vibration of earth cover due to pressure from beneath or some other reasons, much loss of lives and property can occur. Best way is to build up houses and other buildings with quakeproof methods of engineering. It can be forecasted by some scientific instruments. - Tsunami : It is waves from seas and oceans coming violently with huge water mass destroys the whole area. Tsunami warning system can help forecasting its occurrence. That Evacuation of the probable area can be managed quickly as a preventive measure.
Q. 11 Answer any two of the following questions (in about 125 words each): 10 × 2 = 20
(a) Explain the implications of the recent Supreme Court verdict on reservations in private and minority educational institutions. Important Points for Answer: - Reservation - Issue involved - Verdict - Implications
Answer: The Supreme Court verdict has ordered to remove the fee regulations and quota, provided by the draft for weaker sections in private, unaided and educational institutions. The Court has given its verdict to the effect that merit should not be done away with in such private and minority educational institutions by the regulations of the Government. The judgement has presented the Government from interfering into the matters of admissions, in absence of any malpractices, in the unaided educational institutions. Two types of effects are possible by this order. One and the positive is that merit and intellectual level of the education and thus higher quality will be possible. While on the other hand, management quotas can be misused by such institutions to earn more fees and donations. And, in absence of fee regulations, poor students will not be able to get admission in such institutions.
(b) What is the energy independence ? Discuss how India can be transformed into an ‘Energy-independent Nation.’ Important Points for Answer: - Energy independence - requirement, sources - Steps and measures for energy-independence - Indian condition
Answer: Energy independence is self-reliance in resources of energy for various domestic uses. Many forms of energy available to fulfill the requirements of the nations, at sufficient level, is called energy independence. India can be transformed to an ‘Energy Independent Nation’ by following measures: exploit domestic conventional energy resources with full efficiency. manage them according to demand and availability. conserve energy resources with proper policies utilize capacity of the fuels to derive maximum energy from them with the use of efficient and latest technology. explore oil and natural gas resources available indigenously. to use energy saving devices in day to day life for optional use. reduce dependency upon less available and conventional energy resources and maximise the use of renewable and easily available technology for sustainable growth.
(c) What is eco-tourism ? How could it be promoted in India ? Important Points for Answer: - Eco-tourism - meaning - Steps towards India
Answer: Eco-tourism is the concept of developing tourism with due consideration of the environment. The environment should not be disturbed when we develop the tourism industry, neither by wastes nor by preparing tourist place and not by disturbance to the components of environment by the tourists. It can be promoted in India by : Combating environmental problems at the places of tourist interest. At the places of tourism, a section should be reserved for maintaining natural environment. At various national parks, zoos, mountains, biosphere reserves and such other places, restrictions on tourist activities should be kept to check them disturbing the ecological balance of the place. By providing better conservated and promoted natural environment, we can attract more tourists. Because of its natural beauty and diversity, India has better chances to promote eco-tourism.
Q. 12 Write notes on any two of the following (in about 125 words each): 10 × 2 = 20
(a) Sethusamudram Project Important Points for Answer: - Project - details - Importance
Answer: This project is proposed because there is a sandstone reef, called Adam’s bridge at Pamban bear Rameshwaram. It is not possible for ships, therefore, to navigate from there. It will link Palk bay and the Gulf of Mannar. It is 300 mt wide and 20 km long channel costing about 2000 crore rupees. It is a navigational project joining the Bay of Bengal, the Palk Strait and Arabian Sea. It is to reduce the navigable distance of ships avoiding journey circumferencing Sri Lankan Island. It will lessen time taken in journeying, through sea route, from east coast to west coast, by larger ships, conserve fuel resources. It will also develop ports on both the coasts by increasing frequency of ships. It is proposed to produce electricity also through this project which would be available to the coastal areas. In bilateral trade with Sri Lanka, it can help to develop relations, economic, cultural and track II based diplomacy. The project encarves the whole travelling path through Indian territorial water avoiding confrontation or insecurity in transportation. Environmentalists however, say that it may damage bio-diversity of the Andaman and Nicobar coast and coral reefs. It may also damage ecological balance of coastal areas.
(b) Causes of soil erosion and its control in India Important Points for Answer: - Soil erosion - Causes - Indian condition - Steps to control
Answer: Soil erosion is washing away and removal of the cover of the earth by water, wind, etc. Types of erosions, geographically, are as : Run-off erosion : This erosion is caused by rills and gullies, in Chambal, Betwa areas. Sheet erosion : due to run-off process of winds and water. The erosion is caused by water flow and wind blow. These reasons have intense effects now as the deforestation has exposed the earth to them. Control over them can be maintained by increasing the forest cover of the earth by afforestation programmes, mulching programmes implementation to maintain the moisture in the soil, checking the rumiing of water by building check-dams in their way, social forestry over the governmental and waste lands to hold the soils together by the roots of the trees, building programmes in open fields so that blow of wind can be prevented and flow of water can be reduced. Tree plantation is considered to be the best way to control the erosion, of any type and by any cause.
(c) Use of Information Technology in health management in India Important Points for Answer: - IT - use - Health sector
Answer: Information Technology can be helpful in many ways, ranging from getting latest and recent knowledge and technological know how via conferences, distribution of tele medicine for performance of operations by robots. Tele-medicine, that is consulting doctors via information technology, diagnosing the patient and prescribing medicine, has made it possible to deliver expertise services even to rural areas. Robots have been prepared using latest technology, controlled by computers to perform operations under the instructions of the doctor. This technique can help to simultaneously perform more than one operations by a single doctor. For medical science experts, it is quite necessary to update their knowledge. World level conferences can be held to train and guide doctors by foreign experts without journeying and attending classrooms. Indirectly, the Information Technology has been helpful in creating awareness via media about health maintenance apart from some of the direct uses and utilities mentioned above.
Q. 13 Write short notes on the following (in about 20 words each): 2 × 5 = 10
(a) Equal rights for women in parental property
Answer: By amendment to The Hindu Succession Act 1956, women are made entitled to parental property, however this is not applicable to a joint family.
(b) National knowledge Commission
Answer: The commission is set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Sam Pitroda to make India knowledge producing, sharing and consuming nation.
(c) Genetically modified seeds
Answer: These are hybrid seeds produced by combining good qualities of two different genotypes to make the crop more nutritious.
(d) Ban on bar dancing
Answer: Maharashtra government banned bar dancing to curb vulgarity and alcoholism and to check anti-social activities.
(e) Rehabilitation of street children in India
Answer: They are required to be handled with great care by the Government policies and schemes and with the help of NGOs to provide them opportunities to develop and grow.
Candidates should attempt All questions strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each question. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.
Q. 1 Answer any two of the following (answer to each question should be in about 150 words): 2 × 15 = 30
(a) Present a complete picture of India’s efforts for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Important Points for Answer: - UN Security Council - permanent seat - India’s efforts - Progress - Present position
Answer: India wants and deserves a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. A formula to expand the Security Council is being prepared. India has started efforts in this direction by adopting various policies to secure its permanent candidature. India has formed a group with Japan, Germany and Brazil, collectively known as G-4, who want permanent seats for themselves. This G-4 has prepared a draft resolution in this regard. India has also campaigned this cause at various meetings, summits, conferences and forums to win support from nations of the world and has succeeded in this attempt to a greater extent. In bilateral talks and relations also India discusses this point and gets support from friend countries. A collective talk of G-4 with the African Union is going on, however with a very slow motion to secure affirmative votes of the countries of the Union. African Union has also prepared a resolution for a permanent seat, collective, in the Security Council. All these efforts of India have yield better fruits in form of affirmative support of the UN member countries to back-up the candidature of India for permanent seat in the UN, Security Council.
(b) Explain the political and economic implications of the Indo-Iran gas pipeline. Important Points for Answer: - Indo-Iran gas pipeline - Importance - Implications - political, economical - Prospects
Answer: Indo-Iran gas pipeline is proposed having great impact on the ecopolitical equation in Indian sub-continent and also over the world. The pipeline project will effect India by providing gas-energy security and good relations in neighbourhood with Iran. It also profits Iran by a beneficial deal and opening more scopes for its trade relations with India, one of the fastest growing economy of the world. By securing energy source, India can hope for a sustained economic growth. Pakistan is also getting benefit of this project as the pipeline is passing through Pakistan and it will get transit fees and maintenance charges worth billions of dollars. It will also prove one, more important Confidence Building Measure. Politically, this agreement has forwarded India towards a strategic office. As the nuclear tension between Western countries and Iran is increasing day by day, India is proposed to work as a mediator between the two. Iran is to be persuaded by India, though impliedly and informally, to come to the table for talks while the western powers are to be convinced to think for the cause of Iran and defuse the tension by solving the problem with peaceful manners.
(c) Examine the developments in Afghanistan in the post-Taliban period. Important Points for Answer: - Afghanistan-Taliban issue, development - Conclusion
Answer: The fall of Taliban in 2001 has yield a path for the development of Afghanistan, It was chosen to lead the country towards democracy. The UN sponsored “Bonn Conference” which created a council of 30 members for internal administration. For internal security, an International peace force was deployed under the UN mandate. As the head of the interim administration, Hamid Karzai was chosen. For a formal governance set up Loya Jirga - the grand assembly, assembled to prepare a constitution in December 2003. In January 2004, the Constitution was ready and was adopted as a law. According to the Constitution, Afghanistan is a democratic country with Presidential system of government, having two-house Parliament. In the lower house of parliament, 25% seats are reserved for women. Men and women are given equal rights under the Constitution. During the phase of this political development in the country, it was also developing in the field of international relations, internal administration, economy and infrastructure. India has helped by financial aid to the country and has provided technical assistance also. The country held its first direct elections in October, 2004 and Mr. Hamid Karzai won it.
Q. 2 Write about the following (answer to each question should be in about 20 words): 5 × 2 = 10
(a) Indians in China
Answer: With liberalisation of both economies and increased trade, Indians have turned to China increasing number of Indian businessmen and workers in China.
(b) Cyber-terrorism
Answer: Hacking, stalking and entering viruses are forms of Cyber-terrorism to create economic strategic loss and political propaganda. This is spread through internet and computers.
(c) Military rule in Myanmar
Answer: Military Generals are ruling Myanmar with Than Shwe as the Chairman of State Peace and Development Council. Movement for democracy under Aung San Sun Kyi is continue against the Military rule.
(d) Camp David Accord of 1978
Answer: The USA mediated Peace agreement between Egyptian President, Sadat and Israel’s Prime Minister Mechanem Begin to maintain peace in the middle-east.
(e) Future of Indian expatriates in the Gulf
Answer: Restrictions placed on migrant communities resulted in return of many expatriates to India from Gulf nations but the demand is rising in the field of IT and knowledge sectors for Indians.
Q. 3 Write about the following (answer to each question should be in about 20 words): 5 × 2 = 10
(a) Full convertibility
Answer: Domestic currency convertibility into foreign currency and viceversa without any restriction is called full convertibility.
(b) Physical Quality Life Index
Answer: It is given by Jim Grant. It uses indices :
(i) adult literacy,
(ii) Infant Mortality Rate,
(iii) Life Expectancy. It is a social development index of nations.
(c) Differences between absolute poverty and relative poverty
Answer: According to UN parameters, a person earning less than one dollar per day is absolute poor. If persons cannot get even minimum requirements of the life, they are under absolute poverty. Relative poverty is in comparison to other classes of society. Even a person may not be absolutely poor, he may yet be relatively poor in his society.
(d) India - US nuclear pact
Answer: India has agreed to put its all civilian nuclear facilities under the IAEA Inspections and Safeguards while the USA agreed to supply India with fuel for them under Civilian Nuclear Cooperation Pact.
(e) Medical tourism
Answer: By providing modern and skilled solutions and facilities with cheap rate and higher care for health problems, India is trying to attract patients to India for treatment. It is termed as medical tourism.
Q. 4 Answer any one of the following (in about 250 words) : 30
(a) Discuss the causes and ramifications of hunger in Africa. Important Points for Answer: - Africa - hunger, reasons, ramifications - Present scenario
Answer: Many reasons prevail for the hunger and other curses in Africa. Many countries freed from Colonial bondages in the second half of the Twentieth century are under political evils. They are fighting against the problems that prevail in the social, economical, political and administration fields. We can divide the causes of African hunger under the following heads : Political unstability : After the independence, many dictatorship and military rule have floated in African countries. There are many civil wars to disturb the peace of the continent. Non-stable governments are also reasons why they have not been able to provide food security. Social reasons : Due to lack of literacy, awareness and employment, there is overwhelming poverty in these countries. Various causes which can be enumerated as undemocratic rule, corruption, failure of administration to effectively exploit and distribute the resources available, underdeveloped agriculture, waste of power and resources in tribal wars and civil upsurges, etc. as the main hurdles in their progress and development. Ramifications migration of people on mass bases. clashes to occupy food generating agricultural areas. aggrevated problems of epidemics, AIDS, etc. International Organisations aid of food and other basic requirements by UNICEF, WHO and others. Developed countries coming to assist them and getting benefit of mineral rich areas by exploiting them. G-8, developed nations’ group helped by waiving loans and debts apart from increasing aid to the poorer countries. It has been the opinion of the world that democratic rules should be established in the African countries so that stability in governance can be achieved and proper utilisation of International aid and domestic resources apart from exploiting the potentials, can be made possible.
(b) What are the reasons for industrial sickness in India ? Suggest suitable remedies. Important Points for Answer: - Industrial sickness - reasons, measures, remedies
Answer: Industrial sickness is explained as the situation of an industry in which its entire net worth is eroded; it has suffered cash losses for current and preceding financial year equal to or exceeding its net worth, is the total of its losses. The Sick Industries Companies (Special Provisions) Act 1985 deals with the sick industries. In India, the reasons for Industrial sickness are found mainly as : External and Internal causes. The external causes like non-availability of energy resources, raw-materials, changes in government policies, increased competition, reduced demand or increased supply making the industry market losses. Among internal causes we can include faulty planning, mis-management, financial constraints, unskilled labour to work with the modern technology, non-efficient machinery, process, labour force or management. As remedies for the sick industries, the government provides with liberal policies, financial assistance from banks and other institutes, exemption from taxes, etc. Apart from the steps being taken by the Government, we can suggest the following remedies for the sick industries : The units should be provided with financial and management assistance, by expert groups. Management should be taken over by the group of experts for a certain period of time to remove faults. Mal-practices must be punished strictly. Technological upgradation should be introduced and required assistance should be provided. Market zones for them can be created, export promotion can be provided by policy measures. Subsidies and raw material availability can be improved. Supply of power, transportation, infrastructures, management can be made more efficient.
Q. 5 Answer any two of the following (answer to each question should be in about 150 words): 2 × 15 = 30
(a) What is the role of external financial assistance in Indian economy ? Important Points for Answer: - EFA–importance, merits and demerits - Indian position–contribution
Answer: Since Economic Reforms, post-1991, India has experienced large flow of external investment in form of finance. The growing investment has reduced the requirements of External Financial Assistance (EFA) after the 1990s crisis. In pre-1991 era, India had to depend upon the EFA even for importing foodgrains, and other requirements of the nation. But fast growth of the economy and billions of dollars in form of foreign investment has stop India taking such EFA, except from a few countries like Japan, Russia and some of the European countries. External Financial Assistance has been given by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and some other international organisations to India. However, India’s dependancy over EFA has been reduced but its role in India’s development has been very important. In developing infrastructure, raising basic facilities to create an environment to attract the investors, providing social-services like electricity, drinking water, irrigation, development of science and technology and many other areas, India has emerged out as developing fast on the basis of these External Financial Assistances, to a larger extent.
(b) Enumerate the objectives of Latin American Reserve Fund. Do you favour such a fund for Asian countries ? Important Points for Answer: - Fund - details - Objectives - Suitability for Asia - Suggestions
Answer: The Latin American Reserve Fund was formed in 1991. It is successor of the Andean Reserve Fund. This fund is established to correct payment imbalance of the member countries and for that it provides loans upto four year. This fund co-ordinates the monetary, exchange and finance policies. This fund has, also objectives of developing growth of trade between the member countries and for that it promotes liberalisation of trades and payments. This fund has, Bolivia, Colombia, Equador, Peru and Venezuela as its member countries. Such a fund can be proposed for Asian countries also as, post 1997 economic crisis has affected many countries in this region. The fund is to provide loans in time of crisis and also to encourage trade relations between the member countries. Development of this region can be boosted by such fund and in time of crisis, which is quite frequent phenomena now a days because of world trade integration and competition. Though SAARC and ASEAN are organisations for trade growth and ASEAN Regional Fund has been established, more staunch can be done by establishing Asian Reserve Fund on the terms of the Latin American Reserve Fund.
(c) Examine the functions of the European Free Trade Association.
Answer: The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was established on 3rd May, 1960. It signed the Vaduz Convention in June 2001 to liberalise the trade relations amongst the EFTA countries. It is the responsibility of the EFTA to oversee the operation of Free trade area among the member nations. It performs the following functions namely : to achieve free trade in industrial goods among EFTA countries; to cooperate with EU. it formed European Economic Area (EEA) by the Agreement with EU. to ensure free movement of goods, services, capital and labour throughout the EFTA and EU member countries. to ensure the implementation of agreements among the EE A - EFT A member countries it has established a Surveillance Authority and Court. the EEA agreement recognises EU rules on company law, consumer protection, education environment, research, etc. The EFTA was founded by Australia, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and U.K. but after the formation of EU, now it has four members, Iceland, Lichestein, Norway and Switzerland. The main aim and objective of the EFTA is to eliminate internal barriers in non-agricultural goods.
Q. 6 Answer or write about the following (in about 20 words each): 15 × 2 = 30
(a) What is Mekong - Ganga Co-operation ?
Answer: In 2000, in Laos six nations of the Mekong-Ganga rivers region formed a group. India, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam - countries grouped for economic cooperation.
(b) What is IFC ?
Answer: International Finance Corporation, an organ of the World Bank group aimed at growth of private government enterprises.
(c) Crude oil price and Indian economy
Answer: Rising crude oil prices increases burden of import bills upon India affecting its balance of trade account.
(d) What is Gandhian economy ?
Answer: Gandhi concepted for village and agriculture based economy, village industries and allied activities to grow, making villages a selfsufficient units with full employment.
(e) Second Green Revolution
Answer: This aims at increasing productivity of various crop in sustainable and balanced manner so that regional growth and environmental balance can be maintained.
(f) Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Yojana
Answer: For SC, ST, OBC and minorities girls, this scheme was launched to set up residential schools for elementary level education in 2004-05.
(g) What is Euro-control ?
Answer: This is norm for emission from vehicles pollution. It measures level in stages like Euro I, II and III. In India, Bharat I, II, and III are used.
(h) Dow Jones
Answer: New York based stock exchange. Shares listed in New York are traded and this index is sensitive to their ups and downs.
(i) ‘Bluetooth’
Answer: It is a wireless technology for data transfer from one device to another, connecting computers, mobiles etc. Working in short distance.
(j) MFN status to India by Pakistan
Answer: Most Favoured Nation status is yet not accorded by Pakistan to India, which would end discrimination in trade.
(k) The notion of development of under-development
Answer: It shows down world development i.e. negative growth of GDP. Social standards, etc. when a nation is pushed towards under development.
(l) Cost-push inflation
Answer: It is rise in prices due to increase in the cost of production. It may result because of : rise in wages. rise in profit margin. rise in prices of raw material. imposition of heavy taxes. Some or all of these factors.
(m) What is Green GDP ?
Answer: Green GDP concentrates not only on economic growth but also on environmental issues. It is for the development of economy in sustainable manner maintaining environment balanced. When we deduct environmental depreciation from GDP, we get Green GDP.
(n) What were the terms of reference of the Abid Hussain Committee ?
Answer: The Committee was related to Small Scale Industries and Village Industries, to suggest measures for their growth and remove weaknesses.
(o) What is structural unemployment ?
Answer: Due to change in production methods, like introduction of new technology, demand of labour fall short to the supply. It causes unemployment, called Structural unemployment.
Q. 7 Answer any two of the following (answer to each question should be in about 150 words): 2 × 15 = 30
(a) Detail the salient features of project ‘Anthareeksha.’ Important Points for Answer: - Anthareeksha - details, features
Answer: “Anthareeksha” is space. Every person now can travel into the space due to this commercial project “Anthareeksha”. This project is launched by “Scaled Composist” company of the USA. It has prepared a space-shuttle named “Spaceship One”. It is a shuttle which can travel a person around in the space and return on the earth. Michael Melvine was the pilote who travelled successfully in this shuttle in the space. Founders of the company, Paul Allen and Burt Rutan are hopeful to increase this facility and make it avail commercially with reduced cost in near future.
(b) Will a grand axis of India, China and Russia challenge the unipolar supremacy of the US? Elaborate your views. Important Points for Answer: - Unipolarism - Political scenario - Axis-formation - Influence - Possibilities
Answer: After the end of the cold war, America has been the sole military, economically and politically influential super power in the world, changing the international political equations to unipolarism. This supremacy of the US has, in fact, disturbed the democratic structure of the world politics, in UN, WTO and other international institutions and affairs. If India, China and Russia come together, as the possibilities are there and the progress is in this direction, they can form, together, an axis with having almost half of the world population, majority of the countries under their leadership and fastly growing economies. These factors, apart from having great political influence, technological development and other positive factors, can lead them to form a second super-power axis, to really democratize the world again. However, Non-Align India cannot come into groupism with these communist friends, but only in matters of leadership, to give and raise voice of poor, developing and under developed nations, India can have co-operation in the form of this unbounded axis. And this axis just needs to be democratic and not Anti-US. The need of time is to reduce centralisation of international power by lessening US influence. This can be performed by this grand axis.
(c) Explain the China - US textile war. Important Points for Answer: - US-China relations - Issues - Textile trade
Answer: China is a major exporter of textile to the US. Both countries have their bilateral trade agreements in force for some years, even before China’s entry into the WTO. From May 2005, the question arose on the quantitative restrictions put by the USA on imports of such textile, especially cotton goods from China. China claims that these restrictions are against the quota-system provision of the World Trade Organisation’s multi lateral trade agreement. While the Bush Administration claims that it is to protect the interests of domestic industrialists and in accordance with the bilateral agreements that exist between the two. The US Committee on Implementation of Textile Agreement has taken this decision and the Government does not seem to be willing to remove these protectionist measures. China contends that, through the WTO, these restrictions should be removed and Chinese trade interest should not be restricted. Even it has expressed dissatisfaction by declaring that such measures by the US may affect the Sino-American Trade relations if the arbitrariness is not removed. This textile war between two major market players of the world has posed a question against the utility and effectiveness of the WTO.
Q. 8 Answer or write about the following (answer to each question should be in about 20 words): 5 × 2 = 10
(a) What is Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) ?
Answer: It is a concept based on a Composite Index. It includes three areas :
(i) Economic participation and decision making.
(ii) political participation.
(iii) Economic resources.
(b) What is the concept of copyleft ?
Answer: Copyleft is a group of licenses. It enable every person to use, modify or redistribute any copy of works. It is applied to software, art and other copyright works.
(c) What is a rogue state ?
Answer: This word is used by the USA and allies for those states who violates democratic principles or uses or develops hidden projects of biological nuclear or chemical weapons.
(d) Repo market
Answer: Re purchasing options are traded in this market for a short time period. Repo is Re Purchasing offer by the RBI.
(e) What is banana war ?
Answer: It is a matter of dispute between the US and EU, arose due to biased trade policies to banana growers of former colonies in comparison to the Latin American growers.
Q. 9 Answer the following, by expanding or explaining (answer to each question should be in about 20 words) : 5 × 2 = 10
(a) OAPEC
Answer: Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries. Arab countries with petroleum asset organised to save their economical and trade interests.
(b) IFAD
Answer: International Fund for Agricultural Development The fund assists nations to develop and modernise agriculture to increase food production towards food security.
(c) UPU
Answer: Universal Postal Union To develop and combine services of communication of the world, now under the UN.
(d) SAVE
Answer: The SAARC Audio Visual Exchange (SAVE) Committee is one of the original areas agreed at the inception of the SAARC. It aimed at increasing the awareness of each other among the peoples of the region and disseminating information about Member Countries was established by the Council of Ministers at its Third Session (New Delhi, June 1987). The Committee has been entrusted with the task of producing and implementing the SAVE Programmes
(e) ODA
Answer: Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a category of development aid. It is administered with the promotion of the economic development and welfare of developing countries as its main objective, and it is concessional in character and contains a grant element of at least 25%
(calculated at a rate of discount of 10%).
Q. 10 Answer any one of the following in about 250 words : 30
(a) Describe the sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and their effects on the biotic components of the atmosphere. Important Points for Answer: - Sources - Effects
Answer: Ionizing radiation are of two types, caused either by (1) Particles or by (2) electromagnetic rays. However, in both types, atoms carry enough energy to ionize an atom or molecule in atmosphere by completely removing an electron from its orbit. Ultra-violate rays, X-ray of high energy, Gamma-rays are some of the sources of ionizing radiation. In cases of nuclear weapons, gamma rays of atom bombs and explosions etc. emit such energy. Cobalt-60, Caesium-137, Americium-241, Iodin-131 etc. are some particle sources of ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation is any type of electromagnetic radiation that does not carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules by completely removing electron from their orbit. Visible light, Infrared, micro-wave, radio wave etc. are sources of noniodizing radiations. They are less dangerous for human health and so used in medical field for surgical and diagnostical approach. These radiation have proved very dangerous for the stability in atmospheric balance. They cause atoms or molecules of atmospheric components ionized and so they react with other ions creasing many a types of dangerous chemicals in atmosphere. It also harm genetic composition of biotic organisms in atmosphere and then they may be transferred to dangerous form to other lives on the earth. Recently, some conventions and protocols have been signed and are being implemented to prevent such type of radiations which could pose a great threat to the existence of life on the earth.
(b) What is digital convergence? Examine its implications for modern society. Important Points for Answer: - Meaning - Benefits - Implications
Answer: Digital convergence is transformation of analog data to digital representation. Various types of chemical or physical datas can be transformed to digital data. Such digital data are, then available on computer and other mediums. These data are now accessible and can be stored, manipulated, or edited according to the requirements. This digitization of information of various forms is called convergence. It provides accuracy, accessibility and efficiency in work. It brings benefits of the growth of IT sector to use of common men. Satellites, mobiles, etc., are also used. Main and foremost feature of digital convergence are that digital images or sounds from various sources can easily be combined, filtered, edited or otherwise, altered for variety of purposes, so that easy communication, reproduction of information, use of the same information simultaneously at various places, easy, quick and efficient access to everybody effective representation and wide networking can be achieved. This technology may prove helpful not only in e-governance of the country making the system transparent and to the reach of common people but also in weather forecasting for coastal areas and fisherman and farmers about rainfall and conditions of humidity, very much required to them. Connected with satellites, equipment can provide services like expertise satellite education and medical services to remote areas also. This technology, useful in scientific research, industry, governance, entertainment, education, medicine and astronomy, has widened the scope of human knowledge and reach.
Q. 11 Answer any two of the following (answer to each question should be in about 150 words each): 2 × 15 = 30
(a) Why do environmentalists regard asbestos and polythene as pollutants?
Answer: Pollutants are those matter which make any component of our environment dangerous for life. Asbestos and polythene are two nonbiodegradable matters. They do not decay by biological actions and remain as wastes. Asbestos is a mineral fibre which is hard and so used as a construction and covering material. It is also used as an insulation and fire retardant. Small particles of asbestos float in the air invisibly. They get inhaled by us and accumulate in our lungs causing lung or chest cancer. They cause a disease called Asbestosis. Polythene is also a commonly used non-biodegradable material. They are used as hand bags, covers and packets. They are made up of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which dangerously affect our health. It can cause various diseases like Raynand’s syndrome, angiosarcoma, brain cancer or arcostrloloysis. Due to these reasons, environmentalists regard them as pollutants and advice to reduce their use.
(b) What is the therapeutic cloning ? Describe briefly the method and its potential applications. Important Points for Answer: - Therapeutic cloning - meaning, technique - Applications - possibilities
Answer: Therapeutic cloning is to clone human tissues or organs using stem cells but not for the purpose of creating a baby. Thus, therapeutic cloning, in other words, is a limited use of the human cloning technology. It can be achieved by getting an egg from a woman and then entering DNA from any other person, this stem cell will grow into desired type of tissue. Stem cells are necessary for cloning. Stem cells can be provided by the person himself, they are reproductive. The Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and other diseases can be cured with the use of this technique. The heart patient can be cured by therapeutic cloning. It would be possible, in future, to replace the whole organ of the patient on failure of any. For example, a patient of Leukaemia can be cured by cloning the stem cell, may be taken from his own body, into the bone marrow. And thus, the need of any donor of bone-marrow can be done away with. In short, the therapeutic cloning process can prove helpful in curing any disease by replacing the degenerative ill cells of the tissue or organ by newly cloned cells.
(c) Why is hydrogen being acclaimed as the fuel of the future ? Important Points for Answer: - Hydrogen–source of energy - Future prospects
Answer: Hydrogen (H) is the main concern as an alternative future source of energy for scientists in the world. Hydrogen is present in abundant amount in water (H20). Hydrogen from the sea water can be used as a source of energy. It gives three times more energy than petrol. Other important property is that Hydrogen when combust with Oxygen, gets converted to water and so no question of pollution arises. When other conventional sources of energy are at danger of being exhausted hydrogen gives no such doubt. As the availability of sea water is reliably sufficient it is an inexhaustive source of energy. Various uses of hydrogen are possible as a fuel. It can run a motor, can produce electricity and can be used as a domestic fuel also. Hydrogen is being used in space programme. It is available in every part of the world in one or another form. It is also, used in nuclear energy and spin-off in defence. Because of all these qualities hydrogen is acclaimed as the fuel of the future and technological research for its uses are being conducted by scientists.
Q. 12 Answer the following (in about 20 words each):5 × 2 = 10
(a) What is an exabyte ? Answer. It is a unit of a large storing capacity of a computer. It can store data of a billion gigabytes size.
(b) What is VIRUS ?
Answer: VIRUS stands for Vital Information Resources Under Siege. It is a set of instruction which can be used to operate the data of another user. It is an illegal act.
(c) What do the following stand for ?
(i) XML
(ii) MASER
(iii) SECAM
(iv) TIPS
Answer: (i) XML : Extensible Mark-up Language
(ii) SECAM : Microwave Amolification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
(iii) SECAM : Sequential Couleur a Memoire (Sequential Colour with Memory)
(iv) TIPS : Technology Information Pilot System
(d) What is avatar ?
Answer: ‘Avatar’ is a project to design and develop a hyperplane which is half rocket and half aircraft in India. It will take off like a plane, fly into low orbit of the Earth and return to the base station executing its mission.
(e) What is Wikipedia ?
Answer: It is an encyclopedia on internet available in multi-lungual form, biggest till the date.
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