2012 General Studies Solved Paper I, Paper II

2012 SOLVED PAPER  I
Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300

Instructions: 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. Important: Whenever a question is being attempted, all its parts/subparts must be attempted contiguously. This means that before moving on to the next question to be attempted, candidates must finish attempting all parts / sub-parts of the previous question attempted. This is to be strictly followed. Pages left blank in the answer-book are to be clearly struck out in ink. Any answers that follow pages left blank may not be given credit.

 

Q. 1 Answer any five of the following in about 250 words each: 25 × 5 = 125

(a) What do you understand by the term “Innovation” ? Discuss the need for launching a national innovation policy in India.

Answer: Innovation is the development of new values through solutions that meet new requirements, inarticulate needs, or old customer and market needs in value adding new ways.. This is accomplished through more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas that are readily available to markets, governments, and society. India has a long tradition of innovation and a significant pool of qualified people, both within country as well as the diaspora, presently engaged in innovative activities. This talent pool has to be leveraged to drive the innovation agenda. Further, there is also a need to capture the multiple innovations happening in various domains such as government, R&D labs, universities, and across sectors, to give an impetus to the innovation process in the country. NIC (National Innovation Council) will act as a platform to facilitate this engagement and collaboration with domain experts, stakeholders and key participants to create an innovation movement in India.
The aim is to herald a mindset change and create a push at the grassroots level so that more and more people in education, business, government,
NGOs, urban and rural development engaged in innovative activities are coopted and are part of shaping the national level innovation strategy.
Realising that innovation is the engine for the growth of prosperity and national competitiveness in the 21st century, the President of India has declared 2010 as the ‘Decade of Innovation’.
Towards this end, the Prime Minister has approved the setting up of a National Innovation Council (NInC) under the Chairmanship of Mr. Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the PM on PIII to discuss analyse and help implement strategies for inclusive innovation in India and prepare a Roadmap for Innovation 2010-2020. NIC would be the first step in creating a crosscutting system which will provide mutually reinforcing policies, recommendations and methodologies to implement and boost innovation performance in the country.

(b) Keeping in view the informal sector’s share in the total workforce of the country, critically examine the relevant inclusive measures initiated by the Government of India and their effectiveness.
Important Points for Answer: Informal sector in India
Various schemes

Answer: Informal sector in India consist of unorganised labour workers in rural and urban area. They constitute nearly 85% of total work force and contribute to more than 50% of total production. For their welfare, the Government has, from time to time, implemented various inclusive measures. Some of them are:
Aam Admi Bima Yojana, a Social Security Scheme for rural landless household was launched on 2nd October, 2007. The head of the family or one earning member in the family of such a household is covered under the scheme. The premium of Rs.200/- per person per annum is shared equally by the Central Government and the State Government.
The member to be covered should be aged between 18 and 59 years.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) has been launched by
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India to provide health insurance coverage for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The objective of RSBY is to provide protection to BPL households from financial liabilities arising out of health shocks that involve hospitalization. Beneficiaries under RSBY are entitled to hospitalization coverage up to Rs. 30,000/- for most of the diseases that require hospitalization
These welfare schemes have certainly uplifted living standard of unorgani labour and unskilled workers.

(c) Examine the causes and the extent of ‘desertification’ in India and suggest remedial measures.
Important Points for Answer:
What is Desertification ? Legislative Framework Causes Schemes/Programmes

Answer: Desertification is the degradation of land in any dry-land. It is caused by a variety factors, such as climate change and human activities.
Desertification is a significant global ecological and environmental problem.
Nearly 25% of the country’s geographical area is affected by desertification.
The Space Application Centre in 2007 brought out the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas which shows 81.45 million hectare land in the country has turned into arid, semi-arid or dry sub humid region.
Desertification is caused by a number of factors including climatic variations and human activities. Some of the human activities that can cause desertification are: Expansion of agriculture- over-cultivation of soils, or exposure to erosion by wind or water;
Reduction in the fallow period of soil, and lack of organic or mineral fertilizers;
Overgrazing - often selectively - of shrubs, herbs and grasses;
Over-exploitation of forest resources; deforestation;
Uncontrolled use of fire for regenerating pasture, for hunting, agricultural clearing, or for settling; Poor irrigation practices-irrigation of soils prone to salinisation, alkalinisation or even water logging. Policy and legislative frameworks that contribute to combating desertification in India:
– National Water Policy, 1987;
– National Forest Policy, 1988;
– National Agricultural Policy, 2000;
– Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
– Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
– National Environmental Policy, 2006;
– National Policy for Farmers, 2007;
– National Rain-fed Area Authority (NRAA)- 2007 . Some major schemes/programmes that have contributed to desertification control are:
Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP), 1973-74;
Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas

(WDPSCA), 1974-75;
Desert Development Programme (DDP), 1977-78;
Reclamation & Development of Alkali Soil (RAS), 1985-86;
Watershed Development Fund (WDF), Integrated Wasteland
Development Programme (IWDP), 1989;
National Watershed Development Project for Rain fed Areas

(NWDPRA) - 1990-91; Soil Conservation in the Catchment of River Valley Projects (RVP)
1992; Sustainable Land and Ecosystem Management (SLEM Programmatic Approach) 2007; Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Programme, 2008; Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP); Guidelines for Convergence between NREGA and NAP 2009.
National Afforestation Programme (NAP) 2002-03 is also one of the major programmes in which Association of Scheduled Tribes and Rural Poor in
Regeneration of Degraded Forests (ASTRP), launched in 1992-93 and Integrated Afforestation and Eco-Development Projects Scheme (LAEPS)
1989-90 were merged into the National Afforestation Programme.

(d) In the context of the growing demands for the ban of Endosulfan in the country, critically examine the issues involved. What, in your view, should be done in the matter ?
Important Points for Answer:
What is Endosulfan? Its effects Banning of Endosulfan

Answer: Endosulfan is an off-patent organochlorine insecticide and acaricide that is being phased out globally. The two isomers, endo and exo, are known popularly as I and II. Endosulfan became a highly controversial agrichemical due to its acute toxicity, potential for bioaccumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor. Because of its threats to human health and the environment, a global ban on the manufacture and use of endosulfan was negotiated under the Stockholm Convention in April 2011. The ban was to take effect in mid-2012, with certain uses exempted for five additional years.
The Supreme Court banned the production and sale of endosulfan in the country. In April 2012, it asked the Centre to ascertain the quantity of raw material lying with three companies (producers of the banned pesticide endosulfan) and the manner in which the raw material could be disposed of.
The international conventions and global practices also suggest phasing out.
The FAO also recommends disposal of live stock of pesticides through phasing out by its judicious use as per good agricultural practices for crop protection purposes.
Of the 19 States which participated in the meeting convened by the expert committee, except Kerala and Karnataka, other States were in favour of the continued use of endosulfan for the reasons being broad spectrum, cheaper, most popular among farmers, safe to pollinations, no reports of resistance/resurgence or ill effects on human beings, animals and environment. Thus, States other than Kerala and Karnataka are ready to use endosulfan for agricultural pest control.

(e) “The Indian independence movement was a mass - based movement that encompassed various sections of society. It also underwent the process of constant ideological evolution.” Critically examine.

Answer: Indian independence movement started from the 1857 uprising of sepoys. The uprising led to nationwide protest against British. Everywhere local people joined with the rebels and rose up against British. This is the first indication that Indian freedom movement was a mass-based movement.
Many peasants uprisings and revolts occur till the independence in 1947. Establishment of Indian National Congress and its political movement, Home
Rule League and its support by people, Gandhi’s Satyagrahas and Civil
Disobedience Movement encompassed almost all sections of the society.
Muslim League also enjoyed a mass support of muslims which acted to overthrow British. People of all religion, status and creed joined against the British rule. In 1857 it was predominantly a revolt against foreign rule, to establish local rulers. Peasant uprisings were to overthrow insensitive rulers. INC movement was to gain political advantage and establish a political order, initially dominion status and later complete independence. Gandhi’s movement also underwent ideological changes ranging from support to British rule with demand of more freedom and political right to complete independence.
The independence movement passed through small uprisings, organised political struggle under congress, mass movement under congress, Gandhi’s non-violent movement along with revolutionary struggle.
Thus, the independence movement encompassed various sections of society and underwent different ideological phases.

(f) The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial pronouncements.

Answer: The Supreme Court lifted the ban on tourist activities in core areas of tiger reserve forests.
After the ban, several States and other stake holders urged the Centre to revisit the guidelines and sought the lifting of the ban. Accordingly, the Centre filed an application seeking modification of the order. Subsequently, the court asked the Centre to hold consultations with the States and others and come out with fresh guidelines. Accordingly, the NTCA formulated fresh guidelines.
The Comprehensive Guidelines on Strategy, Tiger Conservation and Tourism in and around Tiger Reserves envisaged that 20 per cent of the core reserve area should be permitted for tourism. Shifting the focus from wildlife tourism to eco-tourism, the NTCA had recommended that a maximum of 20 per cent of the core/critical tiger habitat usage (not exceeding the present usage) for regulated, low-impact tourist visitation might be permitted by the court. It said, “In case the current usage exceeds 20 per cent, the Local Area Committee may decide on a time frame for bringing down the usage to 20 per cent. Such area may be demarcated as tourism zone and there should be strict adherence to site-specific carrying capacity.” Some suggestions in this regard are:
The States should enact law to regulate tiger tourism—tourist facilities; tour operators should not cause disturbance to animals; tourism infrastructure must be environment-friendly like usage of solar energy, waste recycling and rainwater harvesting, etc; permanent tourist facilities located inside the core areas should be phased out in a time frame and 10 per cent of the revenue generated from pilgrim centres located in tiger reserves must be used for development of local communities.

Q. 2 Answer any seven of the following in about 150 words each: 15 × 7
= 105

(a) “There is an urgent need for the Planning Commission to revise the chapter on health in the 12th Plan document.” Comment.

Answer: The 12th Plan document recommends, in its chapter on Health, increase in public expenditure on health from the present 1 per cent to 1.58 per cent of GDP, in sharp contrast to the High Level Expert Group recommendation of raising this expenditure to at least 2.5 per cent of GDP.
This will ensure that India remains among the bottom 10 nations in terms of public spending on health. Health activists feel the focus of the document has shifted to a ‘managed care’ approach, paving the way for greater private role in public healthcare. It is feared that this would lead to the Government abandoning its role in providing healthcare and becoming just a ‘manager’ of a largely corporatised system. This would also decisively halt and eventually reverse the moderate achievements of the National Rural Health Mission, in expanding public health infrastructure and services in parts of the country.
Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has written a letter to the Planning Commission and added that the Minister was personally looking into the matter. The Minister’s letter hits out at the Plan panel’s suggested pilot models that “heavily promote corporatisation of health”, and reiterates that the Ministry’s stance of developing a strong public health system be supplemented by private sector participation, not vice-versa.

(b) The Union Cabinet recently cleared the proposal to rename and amend the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. What are the salient features of the proposed amendments?

Answer: The amendments included renaming of Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act as Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition) Act and provided that there will be no bar on children helping their families after school hours and in vacations, in fields, home-based work (except commercial purpose).
The proposal is also for prohibiting employment of persons below 18 years

(instead of present age 14 years) in hazardous occupations and processes in line with an International Labour Organisation Convention.
Their conditions of work are regulated in non-hazardous occupations and processes under the Act.
The amendments would ensure that all children would be compulsorily admitted in schools as per Right to Education Act, 2009 instead of working in workplaces. Parents and guardians of children would be punishable under this Act only when they permit engagement of their children for commercial purposes in contravention to this Act.
The punishment to the offender under the Act would be stricter and the offences would be cognizable. The maximum punishment under the Act has been increased from one year of imprisonment )co two years, and fine from
Rs 20,000 Rs 50,000 or both. For repeated offences, it ha s been raised to three years of imprisonment.
The overall responsibility for implementation of the Act will be vested with the district magistrate/deputy commissioner and monitoring and inspection will be done by the labour department.

(c) “Domestic resource mobilization, though central to the process of Indian economic growth, is characterized by several constraints.” Explain.

Answer: Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) refers to the savings and investments generated by households, domestic firms, and governments.
A greater emphasis on DRM can help developing countries to enhance their growth and economic performance, contribute toward increasing their policy space and ownership of development strategies, and reduce aid dependence.
Although ultimately the private sector plays the more significant role in the process of mobilizing and investing domestic resources, the key policy and institutional drivers are in the hands of governments, particularly in lowincome countries. Constraints:
What national strategies are currently in place with regards DRM?
What are the main reasons behind lack of implementation?
What is (or should be) the role of the state and its development partners in financial market infrastructure development?
What role could private sector participants (in particular, foreign banks and nonbanking financial institutions) play in financial sector infrastructure development? Given the constraints of financial markets, what are the kinds of investment instruments that would be relevant, both in terms of mobilizing and pooling savings, and risk diversification?
What is the realistic potential of alternatives and innovations, such as micro credit in consolidating the otherwise highly fragmented financial markets in the region?
Are there structural limits to what can be achieved (e.g. market density, income levels, financial education levels, urbanization levels, real returns and risk perceptions)? How can these be overcome ?

(d) The ‘flute - playing Krishna’ theme is very popular in Indian art.
Discuss.

Answer: In Indian art, Krishna is often described and portrayed as an infant or young boy playing a flute as in the Bhagavata Purana, or as a youthful prince giving direction and guidance as in the Bhagavad Gita. Common depictions show him as a little boy, or as a young man in a characteristic relaxed pose, playing the flute. In this form, he usually stands with one leg bent in front of the other and raises a flute to his lips, known as
Tribhangi Mudra, accompanied by cows, emphasizing his position as the divine herdsman, Govinda, or with the gopis (milkmaids) i.e. Gopikrishna, stealing butter from neighbouring houses i.e. Navneet Chora or Gokulakrishna, defeating the vicious serpent i.e. Kaliya Damana Krishna, lifting the hill i.e. Giridhara Krishna ..so on and so forth from his childhood / youth events. Krishna is also called Murli Dhar. The flute of Krishna means the flute of revelation and not the physical flute. Krishna lived like humans and he was a prophet.
Depiction of Krishna playing flute in the temple constructed in AD 752 on the order of Emperor Shomu; Todai-ji Temple, Great Buddha Hall in Nara,
Japan is also noteworthy.

(e) What are the salient features of the Consumer Protection

(Amendment) Bill, 2011 introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2011
?
Important Points for Answer: Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill
Various Key features

Answer: The Consumer Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 16, 2011 by Mr. K.V. Thomas. It has been referred to the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public
Distribution.
The Bill defines unfair contract to include a contract which has one or more of the following clauses (a) excessive security deposit; (b) imposition of disproportionate penalty; (c) refusal to accept early repayment of debt and;

(d) termination of contract without reasonable cause.
Under the Bill unfair trade practice includes a (i) a failure to take back the goods or withdraw the services within a period of 30 days after the receipt of the goods by the consumer; and (ii) disclosure of confidential personal information.
Under the Act, a maximum of two members are to be appointed to the District Forum. The Bill proposes that a minimum of two members should be appointed and the maximum number of members should be prescribed by the state government.
Under the Act, the state government appoints the members of the District Forum on the recommendation of the Selection Committee. The Bill proposes that the state government may refer back the recommendation to the Selection Committee if in its opinion the nominee is not fit to be appointed.
The Bill permits online filing of complaints. Under the Act, the admissibility of a complaint has to be decided within 21 days from date on which the complaint was received. The Bill proposes to increase it to 28 days.

(f) What do you understand by the term “Multi - Drug Resistant
Tuberculosis” (MDR- TB) ? What measures would you advocate for its containment and what are the implications of its spread in the community ?
Important Points for Answer:
Definition of MDR-TB
Measures adopted for its containment

Answer: Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is defined as tuberculosis that is resistant to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RMP), the two most powerful first-line treatment anti-TB drugs. Isolates that are multiply resistant to any other combination of anti-TB drugs but not to INH and RMP are not classed as MDR-TB.
MDR-TB develops during treatment of fully sensitive TB when the course of antibiotics is interrupted and the levels of drug in the body are insufficient to kill 100% of bacteria. In addition to the obvious risks (i.e., known exposure to a patient with MDRTB), risk factors for MDR-TB include HIV infection, previous incarceration, failed TB treatment, failure to respond to standard TB treatment, and relapse following standard TB treatment. Patients with MDR-TB should be isolated in negative-pressure rooms, if possible. Patients with MDR-TB should not be accommodated on the same ward as immune-suppressed patients (HIV-infected patients, or patients on immunosuppressive drugs). Careful monitoring of compliance with treatment is crucial to the management of MDR-TB (and some physicians insist on hospitalisation if only for this reason).

(g) Given the accelerated pace of development and demand for energy, would you consider renewable energy as a viable option for India’s future ?

Answer: The energy policy of India is largely defined by the country’s burgeoning energy deficit and increased focus on developing alternative sources of energy, particularly nuclear, solar and wind energy.
About 70% of India’s energy generation capacity is from fossil fuels, with coal accounting for 40% of India’s total energy consumption followed by crude oil and natural gas at 24% and 6% respectively.
Due to rapid economic expansion, India has one of the world’s fastest growing energy markets and is expected to be the second-largest contributor to the increase in global energy demand by 2035, accounting for 18% of the rise in global energy consumption. Given India’s growing energy demands and limited domestic fossil fuel reserves, the country has ambitious plans to expand its renewable and nuclear power industries. India has the world’s fifth largest wind power market and plans to add about 20GW of solar power capacity by 2022. India also envisages to increase the contribution of nuclear power to overall electricity generation capacity from 4.2% to 9% within 25 years. The country has five nuclear reactors under construction (third highest in the world) and plans to construct 18 additional nuclear reactors (second highest in the world) by 2025. Given the situation, it is recommended that renewable energy should supplement other sources of energy, to maintain pace of development and fulfill the demand for energy.

(h) Many food items contain “trans fats”. What do you understand by this term ? Which Indian food items contain trans fats ? What are the implications of trans fats on human health?

Answer: Trans fat is the common name for unsaturated fat with trans-isomer

(E-isomer) fatty acid(s). Because the term refers to the configuration of a double carbon-carbon bond, trans fats are sometimes monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, but never saturated.
Trans fats do exist in nature but also occur during the processing of polyunsaturated fatty acids in food production.
The consumption of trans fats increases the risk of coronary heart disease by raising levels of LDL cholesterol and lowering levels of “good” HDL cholesterol.
A type of trans fat occurs naturally in the milk and body fat of ruminants

(such as cattle and sheep) at a level of 2-5% of total fat. Natural trans fats, which include conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and vaccenic acid, originate in the rumen of these animals. CLA has two double bonds, one in the configuration and one in trans, which makes it simultaneously a cis- and a trans-fatty acid.
Animal-based fats were once the only trans fats consumed, but by far the largest amount of trans fat consumed today is created by the processed food industry as a side effect of partially hydrogenating unsaturated plant fats

(generally vegetable oils).

Q. 3 Answer the following in about 50 words each: 5 × 11 = 55

(a) What is the ‘Parivarik Mahila Lok Adalat’ ?

Answer: The National Commission for Women has evolved an innovative concept of PMLA for redressal and speedy disposal of cases under Legal Service Authority Act, 1987, which has its roots in the traditional Nyaya Panchayats. The essential features of PMLA are amicable mutual settlement and flexibility in functioning. The NGOs in association with District Legal
Aid and Advisory Board, activists, advocates and others, organise Parivarik
Mahila Lok Adalats with the Commission’s financial assistance.

(b) List the main objectives of the National Manufacturing Policy

(NMP), 2011.

Answer: The major objectives of the National Manufacturing Policy, 2011 are to increase the sectoral share of manufacturing in GOP to at least 25% by
2022; to increase the rate of job creation so as to create 100 million additional jobs by 2022; and to enhance global competitiveness, domestic value addition, technological depth and environmental sustainability of growth.

(c) Comment on the significance of Rasamava in studying the history of Indian Chemistry.

Answer: Rasamava was written in Sanskrit in the period of 12th century AD by an unknown author. It is a “Treatise on Metallic Preparations”, and describes Trantric, Mecial and Chemical practice of the time. It deals with
Rasas - i.e. Mercury and other important minerals, Uparasas and metals.

(d) What are the Rights within the ambit of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution ?

Answer: Article 21 provides for Protection of life and personal liberty. It says, “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.” The Supreme Court has by various judgements included right to pollution free environment, right to shelter, right to food, right of locomotion and travel abroad, right to speedy and fair trial etc. under the ambit of Article 21.

(e) Comment on the significance of the Preamble contained in the Right to Information Act.

Answer: As per Preamble to RTI Act, it is to provide for setting out the practical regime of right to information for citizens to secure access to information under the control of public authorities, in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of every public authority, the constitution of a Central Information Commission and State Information Commissions and other matters connected with them.

(f) To implement one key recommendation of the Mohini Giri Committee, the Government has recently announced the constitution of a National Council. Highlight the composition and the mandate of this
National Council.

Answer: Composition of the National Council: Chairman: Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment; Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment; Oldest Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha; Representatives of 5 State Governments + 1 Union Territory (by rotation.); 5 representatives each from Senior Citizens’ Associations, Pensioners’ Association, NGOs working for Senior Citizens and Experts.
Mandate of the National Council:
This council will advise the Central and State Governments on issues related to:
¦ policies, programmes and legislative measures for the welfare of senior citizens.
¦ promotion of physical and financial security, health and independent and productive living
¦ awareness generation and community mobilization.

(g) Comment on the recent launching of the National Mission on Libraries (NML).

Answer: The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) in its Report to the
Nation (2006-2009) made ten major recommendations on libraries. In pursuance of this, a High Level Committee to be called as National Mission on Libraries (NML) has been set up by the Government of India. Raja
Rammohun Roy Library Foundation (RRRLF), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture will be the nodal agency for the National Mission on Libraries for administrative, logistics, planning and budgeting purposes.

(h) What are the groups into which musical instruments in India have traditionally been classified?

Answer: Indian musical instruments can be broadly classified into four categories: Chordophobut (String Instruments): Plucked Bowed
Aerophones: Flutes Single reed
Double reed Bagpipes Free reed Free reed and bellow Brass Other wind instruments Percussion instruments:
Membranophones
Hand drums- Hand frame drums Stick and hand drums - Stick drums Idiophones:
Melodic

(i) Comment on the significance of fire in Zoroastrianism.

Answer: Fire is a symbol of Ahura Mazda (The Aryans, who originated in the area near Persia, used fire in their ritual activities. For them fire -
[“ignite”] - was a god). The most important sacred places for Zoroastrians are the Fire Temples where priests chant prayers, hymns and blessings around the clock.

(j) Why is Laurie Baker called ‘the conscience keeper of Indian architecture’ ?

Answer: Laurie Baker is known for building affordable, elegant and energy efficient homes in Kerala. People called his designs ‘Baker-model houses’.
Received Padam Sri for his works. In Thiruvananthapuram he designed and built Centre for Development Studies (CDS) which continues to be a pilgrim centre for budding architects from across the country.

(k) You are stationed in a small district town in the plains of Northern India. The summer has been severe. Suddenly, a colleague, who had been out since morning, returns to the office complaining of headache, restlessness and confusion. Shortly, he becomes unconscious. His body temperature is 40°C. What first aid steps would you take to revive him ?

Answer: These are the symptoms of “heatstroke”. Hence the Treatment should be:
Move the victim to a cooler environment immediately. Cover him with a towel/blanket soaked with water to cool the victim’s body. Loosen clothing and ensure that the person gets plenty of ventilation. When he gains consciousness, immediately give him water containing salt or lemon juice.

Q. 4 Comment on each of the following in about 20 words each: 2 × 5 = 10

(a) The significance of Patharughat in the Indian freedom struggle

Answer: Patharughat, is a place in Assam, known as Assam’s Jallianwala Bagh, famous for 1894 Patharughat Ran, where on January 28, 1894 some
140 persons were killed in an unprovoked police firing while protesting against enhanced revenue.

(b) Bagurumba folk dance

Answer: Bagurumba, also called “butterfly dance”, is a folk dance of Assam, performed by the Bodos during Bwisagu, a festival of the Bodos in the Bishuba Sankranti or Mid-April.

(c) Determining the ‘value’ assigned to the vote of a Member of a State Legislative Assembly and of a Member of Parliament in the Indian Presidential elections.

Answer: Article 55 (2) (a) says: every elected member of the Legislative Assembly of a State shall have as many votes as there are multiples of one thousand in the quotient obtained by dividing the population of the State by the total number of the elected members of the Assembly.

(d) Significance of the SPOT - 6 rocket launch for ISRO

Answer: The 100th Indian space mission of ISRO has launched a PSLV, carrying the French SPOT- 6 Earth observation satellite with a mass of 712 kilograms.

(e) Issues highlighted through the work of Palagummi Sainath

Answer: Palagummi Sainath, a ‘rural reporter’, is an Indian journalist and photojournalist focusing on social problems, rural affairs, poverty and the aftermaths of globalisation in India. He is the Rural Affairs Editor for The
Hindu.

Q. 5 Why have the following been in the news recently? (Answer to be in one sentence only). 1 × 5 = 5

(a) P.V. Sindhu

Answer: P.V. Sindhu, the 17-year-old Indian female badminton player, who beat London Olympics gold medalist Li Xuerui in the quarterfinals of the China Masters, achieved the 20th place in the BWF ranking.

(b) Aditya Kumar Mandi

Answer: Aditya Kumar Mandi, who is a constable in CISF, won the Sahitya Akadami Prize for his poetry in Santhali language.

(c) Cyrus Mistry

Answer: Cyrus Mistry, a leading businessman, is going to take over as Chairman of Tata Group, from Ratan Tata, from December 2012.

(d) Ashoke Sen

Answer: Ashoke Sen is an Indian theoretical physicist who won the Fundamental Physics Prize, 2012, for his work on string theory.

(e) Mario de Miranda

Answer: Mario Miranda was an Indian cartoonist of Goa who died in 2011 and was awarded a posthumous Padma Vibhushan in 2012.

 

2012 SOLVED PAPER II
Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300

 

Candidates should attempt ALL questions strictly in accordance with the instructions given under each question.

 

Q. 1 Answer any four of the following in about 250 words each: 25 × 4 = 100

(a) Do you think that China’s emergence as one of the largest trading partners of India had adversely affected the settlement of the outstanding border problem ?
Important Points for Answer: El Indo-China Trade Bilateral Boundary Problems

Answer: Trade between India and China is likely to achieve the $100-billion mark by 2013, two years ahead of the target set in 2009 by governments of the two countries. China has become India’s largest country trading partner, while the latter is attaining the position of the former’s 10th largest trade partner.
Trade volumes reached $61.7 billion in 2010. India’s exports to China jumped 68.8 per cent to US$19.6 bn last financial year from 11.6 bn in 2009-

10. Overall imports also increased 41 per cent to US$43.5 bn from US$30.8 bn in the same period. Bilateral trade is booming, while China and India are equally concerned over unsettled boundary issues.
However, the 15th round of Sino-Indian Special Representatives (SR) Talks was held in New Delhi in January 2012. These talks were the latest in a process of bilateral boundary negotiations that have been taking place for the last three decades. Later, in early January, the Chinese denied a visa to an Indian Air Force officer from Arunachal Pradesh who was part of an official Indian military delegation to China. This kind of interaction would have previously resulted in prolonged acrimony between the two sides. But in a sign of growing maturity in bilateral ties, the fourth India-China Annual
Defence Dialogue took place as scheduled in New Delhi in December 2011.
The SR talks were also rescheduled without further ado, amid efforts to set a positive tone for the talks. The boundary talks are now officially in the second stage of a three-step process involving agreements on principles, a framework and, finally, a boundary line. The latest SR talks resulted in a new
Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India- China Border Affairs. This mechanism aims to ensure real-time contact between the two foreign ministries should either side trespass the Line of Actual Control

(LAC). China and India also perhaps realise they cannot afford mutual hostility at a time of global economic uncertainty. Therefore, it seems that increasing bilateral trade has pacified the grudge over border issue.

(b) Discuss the globalisation of R&D and its impact on India’s development. Provide an illustration from at least one sector such as Information Technology or Health.

Answer: More and more companies are conducting R&D outside their home countries. Lower costs, access to talent, and proximity to markets drive the geographical mobility of R&D and innovation.
Reflecting a broader trend towards the offshoring of services, a number of developing countries are attracting foreign direct investment in research and development.
Transnational corporations, including the ones headquartered in developing countries, are selecting developing countries as locations for such activities.
With the offshoring of research and development, firms aim to access the skills of new locations, adapting products to local markets and reducing their costs, in response to competitive pressures, technological changes and a more liberal trade and investment environment. In particular, information and communication technologies have had a profound effect on the way economic activities, including research and development, are organised, enabling firms to allocate tasks on a global scale through intra-firm information networks.
At the same time, keeping up with new developments in information and communication technologies is a major challenge for developing countries wishing to accelerate their economic development.
Whereas the rise was relatively modest in developed host countries, it was quite significant in developing countries: the share of foreign affiliates in business R&D in the developing world increased from 2% to 18% between
1996 and 2002. The share of R&D by foreign affiliates in different countries varies considerably. Conversely, it remained under 10% in Chile, Greece, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea. The top 10 destinations included China (in first position), India (third) and Brazil (sixth). In some cases TNCs may contribute indirectly to upgrading technologies as innovations emerge and consumption patterns change.
The encouragement of commercial culture among scientists and engineers.
The implantation of an R&D and innovation culture among local companies.
The inflow of manufacturing-related FDI to commercialise R&D results at the same location if other conducive parameters are in place. Employee spin-offs of R&D companies.

(c) Discuss the contentious issues that have caused the prolonged constitutional logjam in Nepal.

Answer: Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav and Prime Minister (PM) Baburam Bhattarai are locked in a stand-off in Nepal, on November 22, the government had originally proposed to hold fresh Constituent Assembly

(CA) polls.
However, the Nepal Army (NA) has conveyed that the “political process” should be allowed to take its own course.
Nepal President said that the government will cease to have any legitimacy after its failure to hold polls on the declared date. He feel strongly that Dr. Bhattarai plunged the country into a crisis by declaring elections, “without making appropriate arrangements”. And the President feels he has a responsibility to break “the constitutional and political deadlock”.
Nepal President has refused to endorse any ordinances forwarded by the government, and only allowed a one-third budget on the grounds dfjat there was no political consensus for a full budget.
The PM wants the President to use his constitutional power to remove obstacles under Article 158, but how it would be approved by the Parliament given there is no legislature. This is the root of the problem. The one-third budget runs out in mid-November.
The government saved the country from a political vacuum by declaring elections on May 27, when the CA’s term ended without a Constitution. The President, a former Nepali Congress (NC) leader has made the PM’s resignation a precondition for consensus. Nepal PMO point out that the government is legitimate by virtue of being elected on the floor of the House and there is no way to constitutionally dismiss or replace the Prime Minister.
Dr. Bhattarai’s aides allege Nepal President is over-stepping his constitutional brief. They cite his refusal to promulgate ordinances forwarded by the government and endorse a full budget; his regular meetings with political leaders; and public interventions on political issues, as proof.
Nepal President believes he would command wide political support if he chose to replace the government. Since the CA ended, the NC, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist), the Upendra Yadav-led Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum, and the ultra-nationalist Maoist splinter outfit led by Mohan Vaidya ‘Kiran’, have all urged the President to dismiss Dr. Bhattarai.
Dr. Yadav’s aides have been in touch with the judiciary to solicit support.
And since he is of Madhesi background, the President believes that there will be no resistance in the Tarai.
The new chief, General Gaurav Shumsher Rana, has publicly pledged to abide by the constitution and the Army Act, which clearly stipulates specific conditions under which forces can be mobilised. India has largely adopted a hands-off approach in Nepal at the moment, despite some intensive lobbying from all sides to intervene on their behalf.

(d) The human population is slated to grow to 9 billion by 2050. In this context, many scientists predict that plant genomics would play a critical role in keeping out hunger and preserving the environment. Explain.
Important Points for Answer: Problems related to increase in population Plant Genomics and its importance

Answer: In 2009, the human population increased by 74.6 million, which is projected to fall steadily to about 41 million per annum in 2050, at which time the population will have increased to about 9.2 billion. With such a huge growth of population, obviously the, requirement of food and other recourses will also increase. To feed the increasing population, more food production will be required. Plant Genomics is a discipline in genetics that applies recombinant DNA,
DNA sequencing methods, and bioinformatics to sequence, assemble, and analyze the function and structure of genomes (the complete set of DNA within a single cell of an organism). Such genetically engineered plants are generated in a laboratory by altering their genetic makeup and are tested in the laboratory for desired qualities. This is usually done by adding one or more genes to a plant’s genome using genetic engineering techniques.
The plant genomics will help to preserve existing species of plants and improve their productivity, apart from deriving new variants of food producing plants with desired nutrients. The science can help into producing more food for feeding the population. Plant genomics can also help in preserving environment by maintaining bio diversity and preventing deforestation. Environmental issues can be easily dealt with by genetic engineering.
However, presently there is no consensus about use of genetically engineered food due to health and economic issues but looking at the future; it seems that plant genomics is going to be a science for keeping out hunger and preserving the environment.

(e) “The situation today is far different to that prevalent fifty years back when the Indus Water Treaty was signed.” Highlight the complexity of the current challenges on both sides of the border in this regard. Do you think that a review of the Treaty is in India’s best interests ?

Answer: The Indus Water Treaty is a water-sharing treaty between the
Republic of India and Islamic Republic of Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development). The treaty was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960 by Indian Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and President of Pakistan Mohammad Ayub Khan. The treaty was a result of Pakistani fear that since the source rivers of the Indus basin were in India, it could potentially create droughts and famines in Pakistan, especially at times of war. However, India did not revoke the treaty during any of three later Indo-Pakistani Wars.
Where once there was only a narrow strip of irrigated land along these rivers, developments over the last century have created a large network of canals and storage facilities that provide water for more than 26 million acres (110,000 km2) - the largest irrigated area of any one river system in the world. Pakistani experts have calculated that if the flow of water from J&K to Pakistan is reduced by a level of one percent, the economic loss to its farmers will be catastrophic. Experts consider the question of Indus water more important than the J&K issue. India has operated within the framework of this Treaty for over four decades.
During this time a host of problem areas have been encountered which were not visualised earlier. In 1960, the Treaty did not consider the exponential growth of population and the consequent rise in demand for water for drinking and irrigation. Today, over 2,00,000 hectares of fertile land in drought-prone J&K remain unirrigated resulting in a great loss of agricultural and horticultural potential.
This is particularly acute in Kashmir Valley. This can only be alleviated by greater access to waters of the Jhelum and Chenab.
Therefore, it can be argued that revision of Indus Water Treaty can result into benefit to India.

Q. 2. Answer any five of the following in about 150 words each: 15 × 5
=75

(a) Write a short analytical note on Indian Diaspora. How is the “New
Diaspora” different from the “Old Diaspora”?
Important Points for Answer:
Meaning of Indian Diaspora Emergence of New Diaspora

Answer: The Indian Diaspora is a generic term to describe the people who migrated from territories that are currently within the borders of the Republic of India. It also refers to their descendants. The Diaspora is currently estimated to number over twenty million. Composed of “NRIs” (Indian citizens not residing in India) and “PIOs” (Persons of Indian Origin who have acquired the citizenship of some other country). The Diaspora covers practically every part of the world. It numbers more than a million each in eleven countries, while as many as twenty-two countries have concentrations of at least a hundred thousand ethnic Indians.
A new diaspora is the displacement, migration, and dispersion of individuals away from their homelands by forces such as globalisation, neo-liberalism, and imperialism. Such forces create economic, social, political, and cultural difficulties for individuals in their homeland that forces them to displace and migrate.
New Diaspora is a revival or a build upon the standard meaning of Diaspora in the sense that it is focused on the cultural, economic, political, and social causes driving it, as well as analyzing the multi-locality and selfconsciousness developed by the social group. This concept also analyzes the ties within diaspora communities to their native lands, which are expressed through strong political and cultural participation in their ancestral lands.
Other significant qualities of new/neo Diasporas are the thoughts of return to their native land, relationships with other communities in the Diaspora, and lack of full assimilation to the host country.

(b) Why have the resource rich African and South Asian countries remained poor for decades? Explain.

Answer: The countries of Africa and South Asia have been exploited under colonization by western countries. The countries have not been able to utilize their natural resources. Their technological development has not at par with the developed world. People have been living under stark poverty, lake of education, unemployment, unhealthy living conditions and customary practices.
Resources of these countries have been taken away by the industrialised countries in the form of raw material and finished products have been supplied to them for decades, thus exploiting their resources and economic condition.
Due to unavailability of technical know-how, they are not able to utilize resources available to them. As a result, industrialised countries are still taking away their resources without giving them proper reward for the same. Educated and expert people of these countries have not used their skill to develop own countries. Rather they have migrated to western countries for better facilities and thus helped them to continue their exploitation.
These are the reasons why resource rich African and South Asian countries have remained poor for decades.

(c) Does Putin’s return as President of Russia mark a shift to a confrontationist stance in international diplomacy towards the West ?

Answer: Putin, an old president was elected in through new elections.
The West should not expect a serious transformation in the coming phase of relations with Russia. There are certain tangible signs of this. Putin has announced that he will invest EUR 580 billion in defence. Accordingly,
Russia will augment its defence system with 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles, 600 warplanes, 20 submarines and 2,300 tanks. Putin has also announced the target of this armament programme. Russia is undertaking this move due to NATO. The missile defence system or shield the USA is establishing under the NATO in Europe could paralyse Russia’s national security. Putin has announced that Russia is to develop new weapons against the missile shield. Putin stands between the West and Syria and Iran. Vladimir Putin’s energy policy and his perspective on the Middle East and North Africa are seriously incompatible with the assessments and preferences of the Western alliance. Putin’s outlook on Tunisia, Libya and Egypt, just like previously on Iraq, has not been in synch with the priorities of the Western alliance. Indeed, the attitude and stance of Putin on Syria and Irat has caused concern in many important western capitals.
There is no doubt that Putin’s return as President of Russia marks a shift towards a staunch, if not confrontationist stance in international diplomacy towards the West.

(d) Analyse critically the interlinkages between the Convention on Biological Diversity and FAO Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Answer: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 3 main objectives:

1. The conservation of biological diversity
2 The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
3 The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources. CBD also notes in preamble that conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity is of critical importance for meeting the food, health and other needs of the growing world population, for which purpose access to and sharing of both genetic resources and technologies are essential.
The FAO Conference adopted the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, in November 2001. This legally-binding Treaty covers all plant genetic resources relevant for food and agriculture. It is in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The Treaty is vital in ensuring the continued availability of the plant genetic resources that countries will need to feed their people. We must conserve for future generations the genetic diversity that is essential for food and agriculture. Its objectives are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security.

(e) Critically review the international concern in achieving the targets set for the Millennium Development Goals.
Important Points for Answer:
MDGs International concerns and debates

Answer: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight international development goals that were officially established following the
Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. All 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organisations have agreed to achieve these goals by the year 2015. The goals are:

1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger,

2. Achieving universal primary education,

3. Promoting gender equality and empowering women,

4. Reducing child mortality rates,

5. Improving maternal health,

6. Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases,

7. Ensuring environmental sustainability, and

8. Developing a global partnership for development. Each of the goals has specific stated targets and dates for achieving those targets.
Debate has surrounded adoption of the MDGs, focusing on lack of analysis and justification behind the chosen objectives, the difficulty or lack of measurements for some of the goals, and uneven progress towards reaching the goals, among other criticisms. Progress towards reaching the goals has been uneven. Some countries have achieved many of the goals, while others are not on track to realize any.
Although developed countries’ aid for the achievement of the MDGs have been rising over recent years, it has shown that more than half is towards debt relief owed by poor countries.
Many development experts question the MDGs model of transferring billions of dollars directly from the wealthy nation governments to the often bureaucratic or corrupt governments in developing countries.

(f) Discuss the likely negative impact of the protectionist measures proposed by the US on India’s software industry.

Answer: The government has raised issues relating to American policies that are hurting the Indian IT industry with the US government.
The last couple of months have seen some measures in the US that have caused concern in the Indian IT industry. These include a controversial bill that proposed to strengthen security along its border with Mexico by increasing H-1B and LI visa fees and state of Ohio recently banning outsourcing by government departments to offshore locations. The IT companies, which receive more than half of their revenue from the US, are also facing challenges of a double-dip recession in the US.
However, India’s information technology industry does not expect any immediate impact from protectionist steps being considered in the U.S. against outsourcing information technology services.

Q. 3. Answer any six of the following in not more than 100 words each: 10 × 6 = 60

(a) In the context of Assisted Reproductive Technologies, India has emerged as a hub of commercial surrogacy. What key biological, legal and ethical issues merit consideration while framing the regulation to govern surrogacy in India ?
Important Points for Answer:
Meaning of Surrogacy Issues relating to surrogacy

Answer: Surrogacy is defined as a woman who agrees to carry a pregnancy using her own oocytes but the sperm of another couple and relinquish the child to this couple upon delivery.
As with donor gametes, surrogates and gestational carriers are subject to significant medical and emotional risks from carrying a pregnancy and undergoing a delivery. As such, extensive counselling and meticulous informed consent are required. Some also are concerned that the use of surrogates and gestational carriers is a form of “child selling” or the “sale of parental rights”. Additionally, the rights of the surrogate or gestational carrier to not relinquish the infant following deliver are not well described.
Due to financial and legal considerations, international surrogacy has emerged as an emerging industry, especially in developing nations like India.
At the present time, issues surrounding issues of individual rights, exploitation, citizenship of the offspring of international gestational carriers, and even fair trade are largely unresolved internationally.

(b) Why is international trade perceived to have failed to act as an “engine of growth” in many developing countries including India ?

Answer: International Trade is not the sole base of growth story of developing countries, including India. Many developing countries have experienced growth mostly based on domestic economic factors than on international trade.
Moreover, for developing countries, international trade has remained unbalanced and favourable to developed country. This situation has resulted into more import - less export situation, creating huge debt of foreign currency. Sometimes, international trade has been patterned in a way that developing economies have to export raw material and import finished good, which finally has not resulted into growth of economy. Given these reasons, the international trade has failed to act as an engine of growth for them.

(c) Despite strict prohibitory regulations, “doping” has become increasingly common amongst athletes. Name five commonly used performance - enhancing drugs. What are the risks associated with their use?

Answer: The use of banned performance-enhancing drugs in sports is commonly referred to as doping, particularly by those organisations that regulate competitions. Some of the drugs commonly taken by athletes are: amphetamines, - ephedrine, fencamfamine, - methamphetamines, beta-2 agonists, - pseudoephedrine, cocaine, - mesocarb Side effects in men acne - impotency increase in estrogen - increased sex drive impaired liver function - breast formation (gynecomastia) erectile dysfunction - male pattern baldness Side effects in women hair loss male pattern baldness hypertrophy of the clitoris increased sex drive irregularities of the menstrual cycle development of masculine facial traits increased coarseness of the skin premature closure of the epiphysis

(d) Compare the significance of IBSA and BRICS in the context of India’s multilateral diplomacy.

Answer: IBSA is a dialogue forum of India, Brazil and South Africa for promoting international cooperation among them. IBSA represents three important poles for galvanizing South-South Cooperation and helps greater understanding between three important continents of the developing world namely, Asia, South America and Africa. IBSA is an important platform for Indian foreign policy to discuss issues in the field of agriculture, trade, culture and defence. IBSA emerged after the failure of Cancun Conference of WTO to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and economic diplomacy. BRICS is the title of an association of emerging national economies: Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa. BRICS is considered as defender and promoter of developing countries and a force for world peace. However, the group can also help resolving issues among members - like border issue between India and China - by increasing interdependence among them. BRICS is a group based on economic interests of members. For Indian diplomats, both IBSA and BRICS are platforms for promoting India’s interest.

(e) The safe landing of the “Curiosity” Rover under NASA’s space programme has sparked many possibilities. What are those and how could humankind benefit from them ?

Answer: Curiosity is a car-sized robotic rover exploring Gale Crater on Mars as part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission (MSL). Curiosity was launched on November 26, 2011 and successfully landed on Aeolis Palus in Gale Crater on Mars on August 6, 2012.
The rover’s goals include: investigation of the Martian climate and geology; assessment of whether the selected field site inside Gale Crater has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life, including investigation of the role of water; and planetary habitability studies in preparation for future human exploration. Curiosity’s design will serve as the basis for a planned unnamed 2020 Mars rover mission. In December 2012, Curiosity’s two-year mission was extended indefinitely.

(f) How have the US sanctions against Iran affected India’s bilateral relations with Iran?
Important Points for Answer:
US sanctions on Iran Effects on India-Iran relations

Answer: Iran is under US Sanctions for its controversial nuclear programme.
The US sanctions impose restrictions on trade with Iran.
The sanctions require other countries, including India, to drastically cut oil imports from Iran. This results into a great hurdle to India in its energy security. Banks cannot have financial transaction with Iran. A few banks which have no exposure to US are exempted from impact of sanctions. India’s UCO Bank is the only bank in India presently to act as a channel for trade with Iran. Even though India and Iran are keen to trade with each other, there hurdles like effective payment mechanism, banking channel, shipping facility and insurance cover for trade and transportation to facilitate bilateral trade.
On the issue of nuclear programme, India believes that every country has a right to have access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including Iran but at the same time India believes that development of nuclear weapons by Iran is not in the interest of international peace and security.
Thus, US Sanctions have affected India’s relations with Iran in both political and commercial fields.

(g) What is Permaculture? Give at least three common examples where permaculture concepts are being put to use.

Answer: Permaculture is a branch of ecological design, ecological engineering, and environmental design which develops sustainable architecture and self-maintained horticultural systems modelled from natural ecosystems.
The core tenets of permaculture are:
Take care of the earth
Take care of the people Share the surplus Common Examples of Permaculture
Agroforestry: Agroforestry is an integrated approach of using the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock.
Hugelkultur: Hiigelkultur is the practice of burying large volumes of wood to increase soil water retention.
Natural building: A natural building involves a range of building systems and materials that place major emphasis on sustainability.
Rainwater harvesting: Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer.

Q. 4 Answer the following in not more than 50 words each:5 × 6 = 30

(a) The Sequoia supercomputer was launched this year. What are its specific features and what is its purpose?

Answer: IBM Sequoia is a petascale Blue Gene/Q supercomputer constructed by IBM for the National Nuclear Security Administration as part of the Advanced Simulation and Computing Program (ASC). It was fully deployed in June 2012. The Sequoia uses 7.9 MW power, requires 280 sq m space, has 1.6 PB memory and works at 16.32 PFLOPS speed.

(b) What is meant by the G8+5 group?

Answer: The Group of Eight + Five (G8+5) is an international group that consists of the leaders of the heads of government from the G8 nations

(Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States), plus the heads of government of the five leading emerging economies (Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa).

(c) The Human Papilloma Virus vaccine has been making the headlines in the recent months. Who make the ideal candidates for receiving this vaccine and what are its benefits?

Answer: The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine prevents infection with certain species of human papillomavirus associated with the development of cervical cancer, genital warts, and some less common cancers. Two HPV vaccines are currently on the market: Gardasil and Cervarix. Both vaccines protect against the two HPV types (HPV- 16 and HPV-18) that cause 70% of cervical cancers, 80% of anal cancers, 60% of vaginal cancers, and 40% of vulvar cancers.

(d) What are India’s stakes in the South China Sea?

Answer: India has a strong interest in keeping sea lanes open in the South China Sea. The SCS is not only a strategic maritime link between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, but also a vital gateway for shipping in East Asia.
Almost, 55% of India’s trade with the Asia Pacific transits through the SCS. India was taken aback after Beijing denounced plans by an Indian Company to develop oil fields in the region. The Chinese objection was to ONGC
Videsh’s (OVL) venture for off-shore oil exploration in water’s belonging to Vietnam (not recognised by China), Beijing urged India to refrain from entering into deals with Vietnamese firms exploring oil and gas in the disputed SCS over which China enjoys ‘indisputable’ sovereignty.

(e) Explain the concepts “Environmental Sustainability” and “Sustainable Development of People”.

Answer: Environmental sustainability involves making decisions and taking action that are in the interests of protecting the natural world, with particular emphasis on preserving the capability of the environment to support human life. Sustainable Development of People refers to a mode of human development in which aims use resource to meet human needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come.

(f) Explain briefly the “Clean Development Mechanism” as provided under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

(UNFCCC).

Answer: The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), defined in Article 12 of the Protocol, allows a country with an emission-reduction or emissionlimitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to implement an emission-reduction project in developing countries. Such projects can earn saleable certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of C02, which can be counted towards meeting Kyoto targets.