VTS-12-GS-M-01

VAJIRAM IAS TEST SERIES

[Institute for IAS Examination]
GENERAL STUDIES TEST NO. 1 Indian Polity & Indian Geography
Time Allowed: Three Hours Maximum Marks: 300

INSTRUCTIONS

Answers must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No marks will be given for the answers written in a medium other than that specified in the Admission Certificate. The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question. Important Note: All parts of a question being attempted are to be answered contiguously. That is, all parts of the question being attempted must be completed before attempting the next question. Pages left blank in the answer book must be clearly struck out. Answers following blank pages may not be given credit.
9-B, Bada Bazar Marg, Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi-110060

1. Answer ONE of the following in about 250 words: (25 x 1 = 25 marks) (a) Critically examine the statement in the light of the recent developments that Indias federalism has become a classical mix of bargaining, competitive and cooperative federalism. (b) Lokpal is necessary, but not sufficient to control corruption in India - Elucidate. 2. Comment on any TWO of the following in about 200 words each: (20 x 2 = 40 marks) (a) Free speech and the Supreme Courts guidelines on reporting to the media. (b) Reforms needed to strengthen the functioning of the Election Commission of India. (c) Despite having a President, why India is said to have a Parliamentary form of government? 3. Answer the following in NOT more than 150 words each: (15 x 2 = 30 marks) (a) Constitutional (Ninety Seventh Amendment) Act 2011. (b) What are the Constitutional provisions relating to the nomination of persons to the Parliament? How the nomination of a sports person to the Rajya Sabha is justified? Write short notes (NOT exceeding 100 words each) on the following: (10 x 2 = 20 marks) (a) Coalition government and Anti-defection law. (b) Role of Indian diaspora in accelerating Indias transition as a global power.
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Explain the following in NOT more than 50 words each: (5 x 5 = 25 marks) (a) Procedure for the election of a judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). (b) Steps taken in the recent times to promote Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) Mechanism. (c) Why Article 169 of the Constitution was in the news recently? (d) Difference between the writs of Mandamus and Prohibition. (e) The system of Single Transferable Vote (STV) followed in the election of the President of India. Why the following were in the news recently? (Each answer should not exceed 20 words). (2 x 5 = 10 marks) (a) Special sitting of the Parliament. (b) Reservation of seats for religious minorities in Central government employment. (c) Kamla Persad- Bissessar. (d) Article 143 of the Constitution. (e) National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC). Write in a sentence or two on the following: (2 x 10 = 20 marks) (a) Distributive justice. (b) Social justice. (c) Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. (d) Agricultural income tax. (e) Right to recall. (f) Preventive detention. (g) First Information Report. (h) National Commission for Scheduled Castes. (i) Contempt of Parliament. (j) Ground of removal of Vice-President of India.
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Write a short note (in about 20 words each) on the following: (2 x 5 = 10 marks) (a) Nikki Randhawa Haley. (b) Right to vote in elections to NRI. (c) Rohinton Mistry. (d) Jaggi Singh. (e) Arun Sarin. Answer the following in NOT more than 150 words each: (15 x 2 = 30 marks) (a) Discuss the threats to indigenous biodiversity of India. (b) Suggest measures to control poaching of wild animals, especially tigers, rhinoceros and elephants.

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10. Answer the following in NOT more than 100 words each: (12 x 2 = 24 marks) (a) Discuss, with illustrations, the linkages between geology and mineral distribution in India. (b) Identify the constraints in the development of Inland Waterways as effective mode of transport in India. 11. Write short notes on the following in NOT more than 100 words each: (10 x 2 = 20 marks) (a) What is Climate Change? What according to you is its impact on rainfall patterns in India? (b) Identify and discuss the regional policies in Indias Planning. 12. Write brief but precise notes on the following. Your answer should NOT exceed 50 words in each case. (5 x 6 = 30 marks) (a) Retreating Monsoon.
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(b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

Census Classification of Urban Areas. Fungus Farmers. Eco-Cities Project. Ground Water Assessment Units. Role of Jet streams in Indias Climate.

13. Write brief notes on the following in about 20 words each: (2 x 8 = 16 marks) (a) Seismic Gap. (b) Outgrowth and Urban Agglomeration. (c) Meteorological Drought. (d) Canal Based Solar Project. (e) Indicator Species. (f) Environmental Performance Index. (g) Total Reporting Area. (h) Contiguous Zone.