UKPSC 2016 Paper V

Points to Remember: Increased devolution of funds to states. Focus on strengthening local governance. Emphasis on tax reforms and fiscal prudence. Recommendations for improving public service delivery. Introduction: The 14th Finance Commission (FC), constituted in 2013, submitted its report in 2015. Its mandate was to recommend the principles governing the distribution of net proceeds of … Read more Give the main recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission.

Points to Remember: Monetary Policy Formulation and Implementation Regulation and Supervision of Banks Management of Foreign Exchange Reserves Issuance of Currency Banker to the Government Introduction: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the central bank of India, established on April 1, 1935, under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. It plays a crucial … Read more Explain the main functions of the Reserve Bank of India.

Points to Remember: Land fragmentation in hilly areas. Difficulty in surveying and demarcation. Environmental concerns related to terracing and slope stability. Socio-economic implications for small farmers. Legal and administrative challenges. Lack of infrastructure. Introduction: Uttarakhand, a state in the Indian Himalayas, is characterized by its rugged terrain and fragmented land holdings. Consolidation of land holdings, … Read more What are the problems of consolidation of land holdings in hilly areas of Uttarakhand?

Points to Remember: Increased agricultural productivity and income for farmers. Sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. Improved resource use efficiency (water, fertilizers, etc.). Enhanced farmer resilience to climate change impacts. Inclusive growth benefiting small and marginal farmers. Introduction: India’s Green Revolution, starting in the 1960s, dramatically increased food production through the adoption of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of … Read more What are the objectives of the ‘Second Green Revolution’ in India?

Points to Remember: Key features of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Introduction: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a comprehensive, multi-stage, destination-based consumption tax levied on the supply of goods and services. Introduced in India on July 1, 2017, it replaced a plethora of indirect taxes levied by the central and … Read more Write five features of Goods and Service Tax.

Points to Remember: Key features of the 2015-20 Foreign Trade Policy (FTP). Impact on Indian exports and imports. Strengths and weaknesses of the policy. Suggestions for future trade policies. Introduction: India’s Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) is a five-year plan that outlines the government’s strategy for promoting international trade. The 2015-20 FTP, officially titled “Foreign Trade … Read more What is ‘New Foreign Trade Policy’ 2015-20?

Points to Remember: Establishment: Planning Commission (PC) was established in 1950; NITI Aayog in 2015. Nature: PC was a government body; NITI Aayog is a policy think tank. Approach: PC followed a centralized, top-down approach; NITI Aayog promotes a cooperative, bottom-up approach. Role: PC focused on plan formulation and allocation of resources; NITI Aayog focuses … Read more What is the difference between the ‘Planning Commission’ and ‘NITI Aayog’?

Points to Remember: Uttarakhand’s geographical diversity. Existing adventure tourism infrastructure. Potential for growth and challenges. Sustainability and responsible tourism. Introduction: Uttarakhand, often called the “Dev Bhoomi” (Land of Gods), is a state in northern India renowned for its breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, spiritual significance, and rich biodiversity. Beyond its religious and cultural attractions, Uttarakhand possesses immense … Read more ‘There are ample prospects of adventure tourism in Uttarakhand.’ Elaborate briefly.

Points to Remember: High initial investment cost Dependence on fossil fuels Environmental impact Social impact (unemployment, displacement) Maintenance and repair challenges Unequal access to technology Lack of skilled labor Introduction: Mechanized farming, the use of machinery in agricultural practices, has been touted as a solution to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency. While it offers significant … Read more What are the limitations of mechanized farming in India?

Points to Remember: Accepting deposits Lending money Facilitating payments Providing other financial services Introduction: Commercial banks are the backbone of any modern economy, acting as intermediaries between savers and borrowers. They play a crucial role in channeling funds from individuals and businesses with surplus funds to those who need them for investment or consumption. Their … Read more Give the main functions of Commercial Banks.