-Terrorism is a big problem
-Terror mastermind killed by SEAL commandoes
-9/11 and 26/11 are etched in the memories of people
-Terror elements know no religion or values
-If Kashmir is made a separate state, serious International conflict will erupt.
-Godhra (train) and Akshardham temple were attacked.
-The citizens of the world must unite to eliminate terrorism.
In April 2013, when the bomb blasted at the end of Boston Marathon, killing and injuring many people, United States of America was once again jolted by the ugly force of terrorism. Similarly, bomb blasts at Hyderabad in March 2013 and near BJP office in Bangalore on 17th April 2013, have shown that the terrorists are very active.
-Expansion of financial, trade and business activities across borders is called Globalization.
-Started in 1980s.
-Market efficiency increase and competition plays healthy roles in global markets.
-Four aspects of globalization are – trade, capital movement, people movement and spread of knowledge and technology.
-Gaps between rich and poor nations increasing despite globalization.
-Gaps between rich and poor within a country increasing; this is a cause of concern.
-Average income increased but it is not evenly dispersed across societies and nations.
-This trend would contribute despite its negative features and limitations.
Points: 1. Which is better – Public sector or Private sector?
2. Examples, citing reasons
3. Issue of job security
4. Issue of privatisation
5. Conclusion
The old debate of the public versus the private sector – which one of the two is better for the growth of Indian economy – has been long alive. It has assumed increased importance with India’s impressive performances in the last decade in all fields: health, IT, computer software, telecommunications, generation of energy, manufacturing of industrial goods etc.
Points: 1. UN role in conflict resolution and socio-economic intervention.
2. Some of its successful actions and some of its failures.
3. Most of its failures arose in trying to enforce peace in conflicts within nations. Causes.
4. Many of its successes are on the socio-economic front
5. Impact of changes in world order on the role of UN and the need to reinvent itself.
After the first World War, many nations of the world, conscious of both their global responsibilities and the ever-looming threat of war, got together and formed League of Nations. They pledged to free mankind from the ravages of war.
Points: 1. Concern for environment has increased.
2. Pollution – a major environmental concern
3. Types and sources and effects of pollution
4. Causes and associated problems
5. Remedial measures
Both internationally and within nations, the new appreciation of our bonds with nature has spawned new institutions and policies – new UN and Governmental agencies, new laws, altered aid programmes, new international treaties. Yet for the most part, responses remain inadequate to the needs. For the most urgent need today is to protect and preserve what remains of the environment. To do that one has to understand the meaning of pollution and consider ways of tackling it.
Points: 1. Place of “opposition” in various forms of government.
2. Opposition and the party system
3. Functions of opposition in a democracy
4. During national crises, a democracy gains strength as Govt. and opposition act in concert.
5. Responsible behaviour required of opposition is to work for the nation’s good.
Although the term “opposition” was used as far back as the 18th century to refer to a party or a caucus within an assembly, the suggestion of an established opposition is relatively new. It is now quite normal to refer to a “loyal opposition” and to imply that the interests of the State are as well served by the opposition as by the government itself.
Points: 1. Concept of separation of powers in a democracy
2. Independent judiciary a must in a democracy.
3. Role of the judiciary in a democracy
4. Judicial verdicts have brought down rulers in a democracy.
5. The Indian situation
The three powers normally considered to be separable in the exercise of government in a democracy are the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. The first formulates policy and enacts it as law, the second carries out policy in action and the third applies the law according to rules of procedural justice and resolves disputes.
Points: 1. Concept of “basic structure” of the Constitution born out of judicial activism.
2. PIL and judicial activism
3. Judiciary as part of the three wings of polity; their roles & how judicial activism fits into.
4. Instances of judicial activism getting the desired results.
5. Judicial intervention inevitable when Executive & Legislative fail to perform their duties.
Judicial activism involves innovative interpretations of the nuances of law. According to Justice J. S. Verma of the Supreme Court, “The role of the judiciary in interpreting existing laws according the needs of the times and filling in the gaps appears to be the true meaning of judicial activism”.
Points: 1. Planned development not necessarily enough to control population.
2. Increase in population has diluted every achievement on development front.
3. Development has not benefited a majority.
4. How to counter the vicious syndrome?
5. Difficulties involved.
Development refers to progress in all the sectors of the economy benefitting large section of the society. In India, planned development and family planning have been going on for over five decades now.
Points: 1. Controversies in India
2. Meaning and concept
3. Why the concept has become significant?
4. Balance between development and exploitation.
5. Measures suggested.
Controversy has surrounded many major developmental and infrastructure projects in India. For example, the Sardar Sarovar dam on the river Narmada, the Chilka Lake in Orissa, the Konkan Railways, the East Coast Road etc.