UPSC Civil Services Exam (CSE) General Studies III: Economy, Science & Technology, Environment, Security & Disaster Management Syllabus

Name the three pillars of the 1991 economic reforms (LPG).

Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation.

What was the impact of liberalisation on India's trade and foreign investment?

It reduced tariffs and import quotas, made the rupee convertible on the current account, opened sectors to FDI/FII, increased exports and integrated India more deeply with the global economy.

Distinguish between FDI and FII (FPI).

FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) is long-term investment giving lasting interest/control in an enterprise (e.g., setting up a factory). FII/FPI (Foreign Portfolio Investment) is investment in financial assets like stocks and bonds, typically short-term and easily withdrawn ('hot money').

What was the New Industrial Policy of 1991's key reform regarding licensing?

It abolished industrial licensing for all industries except a short list (now very few, e.g., defence, certain hazardous/strategic sectors), ending the 'License Raj'.

Differentiate the automatic route and the government (approval) route for FDI.

Under the automatic route no prior government approval is needed; the investor only informs the RBI. Under the government route prior approval from the concerned ministry/department is required before investment.

What are the main investment models for infrastructure: PPP, BOT and HAM?

PPP is Public-Private Partnership. BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) means a private party builds, operates for a concession period, then transfers to government. HAM (Hybrid Annuity Model) splits cost: government funds ~40% during construction and the rest is paid as annuities, sharing risk.

What is the difference between Kharif and Rabi crops, with examples?

Kharif crops are sown with the southwest monsoon (June-July) and harvested in autumn (e.g., rice, maize, cotton, bajra, jowar). Rabi crops are sown in winter (Oct-Dec) and harvested in spring (e.g., wheat, barley, gram, mustard).

What are Zaid crops?

Zaid crops are grown in the short season between Rabi and Kharif (roughly March to June), mainly summer crops such as watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber and fodder crops, requiring warm dry weather and irrigation.

Define cropping intensity and give its formula.

Cropping intensity = (Gross cropped area / Net sown area) x 100. It measures how many times a piece of land is cropped in a year; higher intensity reflects better land utilisation.

What climatic conditions does rice (paddy) cultivation require?

Rice requires high temperature (above 25 C), high humidity, and abundant rainfall (above 100 cm) or assured irrigation, and grows best on clayey alluvial soils with standing water.

What is shifting cultivation and by what local names is it known in India?

Shifting cultivation is a primitive method where forest land is cleared, burnt and cultivated, then abandoned for a new patch. In India it is called Jhum (Northeast), Podu (Andhra/Odisha), and Penda/Bewar among others.

What is the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and who recommends it?

MSP is the guaranteed price at which the government procures crops from farmers to protect them from distress sales when market prices fall. It is recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and announced by the government (CCEA).

Differentiate A2, A2+FL and C2 costs used in MSP calculation.

A2 covers actual paid-out costs (seeds, fertiliser, labour, fuel, etc.). A2+FL adds the imputed value of unpaid family labour. C2 is the comprehensive cost adding rental value of owned land and interest on owned capital to A2+FL.

What is the Public Distribution System (PDS) and its targeted version?

PDS is the government's network of fair price shops distributing subsidised food grains and essentials. The Targeted PDS (TPDS, 1997) categorises beneficiaries into Below Poverty Line (BPL), Above Poverty Line (APL) and Antyodaya (poorest) to focus subsidies on the needy.

What does the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 guarantee?

It legally entitles up to 75% of the rural and 50% of the urban population to receive subsidised foodgrains (5 kg per person per month at Rs 1/2/3 for coarse grains/wheat/rice), covering about two-thirds of India's population.

Distinguish between explicit (food/fertiliser) subsidies and implicit subsidies.

Explicit subsidies are direct budgetary outlays shown in the budget (e.g., food, fertiliser, fuel subsidy). Implicit subsidies are hidden, such as underpriced services, electricity, water, or interest concessions not fully reflected as direct cash outgo.

What was the objective of land reforms in India after independence? Name its four components.

To redistribute land, ensure social justice and increase agricultural productivity. Four components: abolition of intermediaries (zamindari), tenancy reforms (security of tenure, regulation of rent), ceiling on land holdings, and consolidation of holdings.

What is meant by 'abolition of intermediaries' in land reforms?

It means removing zamindars, jagirdars and other rent-collecting intermediaries between the state and the actual cultivator, bringing tillers into direct contact with the government to receive ownership rights.

What is a land ceiling and why was it imposed?

A land ceiling is the legally fixed maximum area of land an individual or family can own. It was imposed to acquire surplus land above the limit and redistribute it to the landless and small farmers, reducing inequality.

What is consolidation of holdings in the context of land reforms?

Consolidation reorganises scattered, fragmented land parcels of a farmer into a single compact block, improving efficiency, reducing boundary disputes and enabling mechanisation and irrigation.

What is the food processing industry and why is it called a 'sunrise sector'?

Food processing transforms raw agricultural produce into value-added consumable products through methods like canning, freezing and packaging. It is a 'sunrise sector' because of its high growth potential, employment generation, reduction of post-harvest losses and boost to farm incomes.

Name the central ministry and a flagship scheme promoting food processing in India.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI); the flagship scheme is PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana), along with the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme.

What is the difference between White Revolution and Blue Revolution?

The White Revolution (Operation Flood, led by Verghese Kurien) made India the world's largest milk producer through dairy cooperatives. The Blue Revolution refers to the rapid growth of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

What is the cooperative model exemplified by Amul, and on what 'three-tier' structure does it operate?

Amul follows the Anand pattern of dairy cooperatives. The three-tier structure is: village-level Dairy Cooperative Societies, district-level Milk Unions, and state-level Federations (marketing).

What are the major colour-coded 'revolutions' in Indian agriculture (Green, Yellow, Pink, Silver)?

Green Revolution = foodgrains (wheat/rice); Yellow Revolution = oilseeds; Pink Revolution = meat/poultry processing; Silver Revolution = eggs/poultry. (Also: Golden = horticulture/honey, Round = potato.)

Name India's first indigenously developed satellite and the indigenous satellite navigation system.

Aryabhata was India's first satellite (1975). The indigenous regional navigation system is NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), formerly IRNSS.

What is the difference between PSLV and GSLV launch vehicles?

PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) places lighter satellites into polar/sun-synchronous and lower orbits. GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), with a cryogenic upper stage, carries heavier satellites into geostationary transfer orbit.

What everyday applications stem from GPS/NavIC satellite navigation technology?

Vehicle and aviation navigation, ride-hailing and food-delivery apps, precision agriculture, disaster warning, time synchronisation for banking/telecom networks, and tracking/logistics.

What is biotechnology and give one everyday application in agriculture and one in medicine.

Biotechnology uses living organisms or their systems to develop products/processes. In agriculture: genetically modified (e.g., Bt cotton) and improved crop varieties. In medicine: production of vaccines, insulin, and gene-based therapies/diagnostics.

Name three 'new/emerging technologies' and one application of each.

Artificial Intelligence (diagnostics, automation), Blockchain (secure transactions, supply-chain tracking), and 3D printing (rapid prototyping, customised medical implants). (Others: quantum computing, IoT, nanotechnology.)

What is 'indigenisation of technology' and name an example in India's defence sector.

Indigenisation means developing and manufacturing technology domestically to reduce import dependence. Examples include the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, Arjun main battle tank, and Agni/BrahMos missile systems developed by DRDO.