For Prelims: Five Year Plans, Green Revolution, 1991 economic reforms, GST, ISRO and initiatives, CSIR and related innovations, Integrated Guided Missile Programme, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, LAC Tejas, DRDO, Missions Shakti, PSLV, GSLV, Stockholm Conference, Environment and Biodiversity related Acts and Rules

For Mains: India’s Economic Growth since Independence, India’s Scientific Progress since Independence, India’s initiatives to protect the Environment

Over the last seven decades, the Indian economy has seen several ups and downs. The country has gone from having a GDP of just Rs 2.7 lakh crore at the time of Independence to now sitting close to Rs 150 lakh crore. Once branded a “third world country”, India is now the fifth largest economy in the world.

Not only this, but India has also made major strides in the field of science & technology as well. Independent India’s tryst with science and technology began with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision of social transformation through public investment in this sector.

Let us understand how India has progressed economically, scientifically and environmentally since its independence.

Q1. Which of the following has/have occurred in India after its liberalization of economic policies in 1991? (2017)

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 4 only  (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Which of the following is/are among the noticeable features of the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission? (2012)

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q3. With reference to the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: (2020)

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 4 only

Q1. Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change? (2016)

Q2. The public expenditure management is a challenge to the Government of India in the context of budget-making during the post-liberalization period. Clarify it. (2019)

Q3. Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indians. Are they competing with the MNCs satisfactorily? Discuss. (2013)

Q4. Explain the salient features of the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough “to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for common national market for goods and services”? (2017)

Q5. Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017. How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions? (2020)

Q6. How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by erstwhile Planning Commission in India? (2018)

Q1. Consider the following statements: (2016)

The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only  (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3  (c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 only

Q1. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission but has not ventured into manned space mission. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically. (2017)

Q2. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How has the application of this technology helped India in its socio-economic development? (2016)

Q3. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (2019)

Colonial era environment laws were oriented towards revenue gain or protecting upper-class interests. The first change came in 1972 when the Stockholm Conference shifted the global approach towards conservation and protection of the environment.

India created the administrative and legal structures to ensure the protection of forests and wildlife. India’s initiatives to protect the environment include:

Q1. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the (2015)

(a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Q2. Consider the following statements: (2019)

The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q3. If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication? (2020)

(a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant. (b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances. (c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant. (d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

Q1. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)

Q2. How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? (2020)

Q3. What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the government of India? (2020)

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