OPSC Main Exam 2020 GS Paper II Solution

Question Paper OPSC Main Exam 2020 GS Paper II

1. What are the implications of Taliban’s recent resurgence in Afghanistan on regional security in South Asia with special reference to India?

Ans: The Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan (2021) has significant implications for South Asian security, particularly for India. The Taliban’s control raises concerns about terrorism, regional instability, and geopolitical shifts.

• Terrorism Threat: The Taliban’s return may embolden groups like Al-Qaeda and LeT, increasing cross-border terrorism risks in India, especially in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Pakistan’s Influence: Strengthened Pakistan-Taliban ties could destabilize India’s western border, with potential arms and militant spillover.
• Refugee Crisis: Influx of Afghan refugees may strain India’s resources and security.
• Economic Impact: Disruption of trade routes like the Chabahar Port affects India’s connectivity to Central Asia.

India’s response includes diplomatic engagement, humanitarian aid, and strengthened border security. The resurgence challenges India’s strategic interests, necessitating robust counter-terrorism measures, regional cooperation, and diplomatic efforts to ensure stability and security in South Asia.

2. Indian Diaspora can provide the requisite strategic impulse to unlock India’s potential as a global power. Discuss.

Ans: The Indian Diaspora, numbering over 32 million, is a vital asset in enhancing India’s global influence through economic, cultural, and diplomatic contributions.

• Economic Contributions: Remittances (~$80 billion annually) boost India’s economy. Diaspora investments in tech and startups drive innovation.
• Soft Power: Cultural events, Bollywood, and yoga promoted by the diaspora enhance India’s global image.
• Diplomatic Leverage: Influential diaspora communities in the US, UK, and Gulf advocate for India’s interests, e.g., supporting India’s UNSC bid.
• Knowledge Transfer: Professionals in Silicon Valley and academia contribute to India’s technological advancement.

Initiatives like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and OCI schemes strengthen diaspora ties. Challenges include brain drain and limited political cohesion. By leveraging the diaspora’s networks and resources, India can enhance its global power, fostering trade, diplomacy, and cultural outreach for strategic growth.

3. Explain the fiscal policy of the Government can play a positive role during Covid-19.

Ans: Fiscal policy played a crucial role in mitigating the Covid-19 economic crisis in India by stimulating demand, supporting livelihoods, and ensuring recovery.

• Stimulus Packages: The Atmanirbhar Bharat package (₹20 lakh crore) provided liquidity through loans, subsidies, and MSME support.
• Social Welfare: Schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Yojana offered free food grains and cash transfers to 80 crore people, cushioning income losses.
• Healthcare Investment: Increased funding for hospitals, ventilators, and vaccine development strengthened public health infrastructure.
• Tax Relief: GST and income tax relaxations eased financial burdens on businesses and individuals.
• Job Creation: Infrastructure projects and MGNREGA funding boosted employment.

These measures countered economic contraction posed risks. Targeted fiscal interventions ensured economic resilience, demonstrating fiscal policy’s pivotal role in crisis management.

4. Give a brief outline of regional disparity in Odisha. What policy measures do you suggest for balanced regional development of Odisha?

Ans: Regional disparity in Odisha is stark, with coastal districts outperforming inland and tribal regions.

• Coastal Regions: Districts like Cuttack and Puri have better infrastructure, education, and industrial growth, reducing poverty (~15-20%).
• Inland/Tribal Regions: KBK districts (e.g., Kalahandi, Nabarangpur) face high poverty (~50-70%), poor connectivity, and reliance on subsistence agriculture.
• Causes: Uneven infrastructure, limited industrialization, and low human development indices in tribal areas.

Policy Measures:

• Infrastructure Development: Expand roads, railways, and digital connectivity in KBK regions.
• Industrialization: Promote agro-based industries and SEZs in backward areas.
• Education and Health: Increase schools, colleges, and PHCs in tribal districts.
• Skill Development: Implement training programs for tribal youth.
• Targeted Schemes: Strengthen KBK Yojana and Aspirational Districts Programme for equitable growth.

These measures can reduce disparities, ensuring balanced regional development and inclusive prosperity in Odisha.

5. Critically examine the World Health Organization’s response to Covid-19.

Ans: The World Health Organization (WHO) played a pivotal role in coordinating the global Covid-19 response but faced criticism for its approach.

• Positive Contributions:
  • Declared Covid-19 a pandemic (March 2020), mobilizing global action.
  • Provided technical guidelines on testing, treatment, and containment.
  • Facilitated vaccine development via COVAX, aiding low-income nations.
• Criticisms:
  • Delayed pandemic declaration, underestimating early spread.
  • Initial reluctance to endorse masks and acknowledge airborne transmission.
  • Perceived bias towards China, delaying investigations into virus origins.
  • Inadequate support for developing nations’ healthcare systems.

Analysis: WHO’s coordination was vital but hampered by bureaucratic delays and geopolitical pressures. Its COVAX initiative delivered over 1 billion vaccines, yet distribution inequities persisted. Strengthening WHO’s autonomy, funding, and rapid response mechanisms is essential for future global health crises, ensuring effective and equitable action.

6. What are the consequences of British Exit from European Union?

Ans: The Brexit (2020) exit of the UK from the European Union had significant economic, political, and social consequences.

• Economic Impact:
  • Trade disruptions increased costs due to new tariffs and customs checks.
  • UK’s GDP growth slowed (~1.5% in 2021), with reduced EU market access.
  • Financial sector faced challenges as London lost some EU financial hub status.
• Political Consequences:
  • Strengthened nationalist movements in EU countries.
  • Strained UK-EU relations, complicating foreign policy coordination.
• Social Impact:
  • Restricted free movement led to labor shortages in UK sectors like healthcare.
  • EU citizens in the UK faced residency uncertainties.
• Global Implications: Weakened EU’s geopolitical influence; UK sought new trade deals (e.g., with India, Australia).

Brexit reshaped the UK’s economic landscape and global relations, highlighting the need for strategic trade agreements and domestic policy adjustments to mitigate long-term challenges.

7. How did semiconductors become the backbone of modern-day technology?

Ans: Semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology, enabling advancements in electronics, communication, and computing due to their unique properties.

• Functionality: Semiconductors (e.g., silicon) control electrical conductivity, forming the basis of transistors and integrated circuits.
• Miniaturization: Moore’s Law enabled smaller, faster chips, powering devices like smartphones and computers.
• Applications:
  • Computing: CPUs and GPUs drive PCs, servers, and AI systems.
  • Communication: Enable high-speed internet, 5G, and IoT devices.
  • Consumer Electronics: Power TVs, appliances, and wearables.
• Economic Impact: Global semiconductor market (~$500 billion in 2020) drives innovation and jobs.
• Strategic Importance: Critical for defense, healthcare, and renewable energy systems.

India’s push for semiconductor manufacturing (e.g., Semicon India Programme) aims to reduce import dependency. Challenges include high costs and technological complexity. Semiconductors’ versatility ensures their role as the foundation of the digital era.

8. Briefly explain the principle of optical fibers that are used in communication technology.

Ans: Optical fibers, thin strands of glass or plastic, transmit data as light signals, revolutionizing communication technology due to their efficiency and speed.

• Principle: Based on total internal reflection, where light signals bounce within the fiber’s core without loss, guided by a cladding layer with a lower refractive index.
• Components:
  • Core: Transmits light signals.
  • Cladding: Reflects light back into the core.
  • Protective Coating: Ensures durability.
• Advantages:
  • High bandwidth enables fast data transfer (e.g., 100 Gbps).
  • Low signal loss over long distances.
  • Immune to electromagnetic interference.
• Applications: Used in internet, telecommunications, and cable TV networks.

India’s BharatNet project leverages optical fibers for rural connectivity. Challenges include high installation costs and maintenance. Optical fibers are critical for digital infrastructure, supporting the digital economy and connectivity.

9. Explain briefly a histogram and how to construct it. How will you identify a skewed and a symmetric histogram?

Ans: A histogram is a graphical representation of data distribution, showing the frequency of values within specified intervals (bins).

• Construction:
  • Collect data and determine the range.
  • Divide into equal bins (e.g., 10-20, 20-30).
  • Count frequencies in each bin.
  • Plot bars with heights representing frequencies, no gaps between bars.
• Symmetric Histogram:
  • Symmetrical around the mean (bell-shaped, e.g., normal distribution).
  • Left and right sides mirror each other.
• Skewed Histogram:
  • Right-Skewed: Tail extends to the right (e.g., income distributions), mean > median.
  • Left-Skewed: Tail extends to the left (e.g., exam scores with high performers), mean < median.
• Identification: Check the shape—symmetric if balanced, skewed if one tail is longer.

Histograms aid in understanding data patterns, guiding statistical analysis in research and policy-making.

10. What do you mean by standard deviation? How does it differ from the coefficient of variation? A series 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 has a standard deviation of 10. Explain what should be the standard deviations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7?

Ans: Standard Deviation (SD) measures the dispersion of data points from the mean, indicating data variability. Coefficient of Variation (CV) is the ratio of SD to the mean (expressed as a percentage), allowing comparison of variability across datasets with different units or scales.

• Difference:
  • SD is absolute (in data units); CV is relative (dimensionless).
  • CV is useful for comparing datasets with different means.

Given Series: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 (SD = 10).

• Series 1: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 (subtract 5 from each term of original).
  • SD remains 10, as shifting data by a constant doesn’t affect dispersion.
• Series 2: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (divide original by 5, then subtract 1).
  • SD = 10/5 = 2, as scaling by a factor (1/5) reduces SD proportionally.

SD reflects data spread, while CV standardizes variability for comparison.

Group B (250 Words Each)

11. Does India need to reconsider its ‘No first use policy’? What would be the possible consequences if India changes its policy of ‘no first use’ to use in first instance?

Ans: India’s No First Use (NFU) nuclear policy, adopted in 1999, commits to not using nuclear weapons first but promises massive retaliation if attacked. Reconsidering NFU is debated due to evolving security dynamics.

Need for Reconsideration:

• Regional Threats: Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons and China’s growing arsenal challenge India’s deterrence.
• Preemptive Needs: NFU may limit strategic flexibility against imminent threats.
• Geopolitical Shifts: Aggressive postures by adversaries may necessitate a stronger deterrent stance.

Consequences of Changing NFU:

• Strategic Impact:
  • Enhanced deterrence but risks escalating regional arms race.
  • May strain India’s strategic autonomy and global non-proliferation image.
• Regional Stability:
  • Heightened tensions with Pakistan and China, increasing conflict risks.
  • Potential for miscalculation in crisis scenarios.
• Global Perception:
  • Could weaken India’s responsible nuclear state status, affecting UNSC bid.
  • May alienate allies advocating non-proliferation.
• Military Posture:
  • Requires costly upgrades to nuclear arsenal and delivery systems.
  • Shifts focus from conventional to nuclear strategies.

Retaining NFU aligns with India’s peaceful image and strategic restraint. Any change must balance deterrence needs with diplomatic costs, ensuring regional stability and global credibility.

12. What are the impediments faced by Indian abroad during Covid-19 and what steps government has taken to tackle them?

Ans: The Indian diaspora faced significant challenges during Covid-19, impacting their safety, livelihoods, and repatriation.

Impediments:

• Travel Restrictions: Global lockdowns stranded millions, especially in Gulf countries and the US.
• Economic Hardships: Job losses in sectors like hospitality and retail affected migrant workers.
• Healthcare Access: Limited access to medical care in host countries, especially for low-income workers.
• Social Isolation: Xenophobia and stigma in some regions impacted mental health.
• Repatriation Issues: Flight bans and high costs delayed return to India.

Government Steps:

• Vande Bharat Mission: Repatriated over 4 million Indians from 2020-2022, prioritizing vulnerable groups.
• Financial Aid: Extended support through Indian Community Welfare Fund for stranded workers.
• Healthcare Support: Provided telemedicine and medical kits via embassies.
• Bilateral Agreements: Negotiated with host countries (e.g., UAE) for job retention and safe return.
• Diaspora Engagement: Used Pravasi Bharatiya Samman to maintain morale and connectivity.

These measures mitigated hardships, but challenges like delayed repatriation persisted. Strengthening diaspora welfare and bilateral cooperation ensures better crisis management for Indians abroad.

13. Discuss the nature of structural changes in the Indian economy during the past two decades. Comment on the implications of such changes.

Ans: Over the past two decades, India’s economy underwent significant structural changes, transitioning from an agrarian base to a service- and industry-driven economy.

Nature of Changes:

• Sectoral Shift:
  • Services sector share rose to ~55% of GDP (2020), driven by IT and finance.
  • Agriculture’s share declined to ~16%, though it employs ~42% of the workforce.
  • Industry stabilized at ~25%, with growth in manufacturing and construction.
• Digital Economy: Digital India initiatives boosted e-commerce, fintech (e.g., UPI), and startups.
• Global Integration: Increased FDI and exports, with trade-to-GDP ratio rising to ~40%.
• Policy Reforms: GST (2017), Make in India, and labor law reforms enhanced economic efficiency.
• Urbanization: Urban population grew to ~34%, driving infrastructure and consumption.

Implications:

• Positive: Higher GDP growth (~6% average), job creation in services, and global competitiveness.
• Challenges: Agricultural distress, jobless growth in manufacturing, and skill mismatches.
• Inequality: Urban-rural and regional disparities widened.
• Sustainability: Increased focus on renewable energy and digital infrastructure.

These changes strengthened India’s economic resilience but require addressing unemployment, rural development, and skill gaps to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.

14. Explain why foreign trade is important for India. Discuss the trends of Indian exports and imports in recent years.

Ans: Foreign trade is vital for India’s economic growth, global integration, and development.

Importance:

• Economic Growth: Exports (~20% of GDP) drive revenue and jobs.
• Resource Access: Imports provide critical inputs like oil, technology, and capital goods.
• Global Competitiveness: Trade fosters innovation and efficiency (e.g., IT exports).
• Balance of Payments: Remittances and export earnings stabilize the economy.

Trends (2015-2020):

• Exports:
  • Grew from $310 billion (2015) to $330 billion (2019), dipped to $290 billion (2020) due to Covid-19.
  • Key sectors: Petroleum, gems, pharmaceuticals, and IT services.
  • Major destinations: US, UAE, China.
• Imports:
  • Increased from $448 billion (2015) to $474 billion (2019), fell to $367 billion (2020).
  • Key imports: Crude oil, electronics, gold.
  • Major sources: China, US, Saudi Arabia.
• Trade Deficit: Persisted at ~$150-180 billion annually due to higher imports.

Challenges: Over-reliance on oil imports, non-tariff barriers, and global disruptions. Policies like Atmanirbhar Bharat and FTA negotiations aim to boost exports and reduce deficits, enhancing India’s trade resilience.

15. Discuss the justifications of India’s bid for a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Ans: India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council (UNSC) seat is driven by its growing global stature and contributions to international peace and development.

Justifications:

• Population and Economy: As the world’s second-most populous nation and fifth-largest economy, India represents a significant global constituency.
• Democratic Credentials: India’s vibrant democracy aligns with UN values of representation and inclusivity.
• Peacekeeping Contributions: India is a top contributor to UN peacekeeping, with over 250,000 troops deployed historically.
• Global Leadership: Active in G20, BRICS, and climate initiatives (e.g., International Solar Alliance).
• Geopolitical Balance: Represents the Global South, countering Western dominance in UNSC.
• Non-Proliferation Record: Adheres to nuclear responsibility despite not signing NPT.

Challenges:

• Opposition from China and other regional powers.
• Need for UNSC reform consensus.

A permanent seat would enhance India’s global influence, enabling it to shape international security, climate, and development policies, ensuring a more equitable global order.

16. What are the possible implications for India of US withdrawal from Afghanistan?

Ans: The US withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021) and subsequent Taliban takeover have significant implications for India’s security, diplomacy, and regional strategy.

Implications:

• Security Threats:
  • Resurgent Taliban may embolden terrorist groups like LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, increasing risks in Jammu & Kashmir.
  • Potential spillover of militancy into India via Pakistan.
• Geopolitical Shifts:
  • Strengthened Pakistan-China axis in Afghanistan undermines India’s influence.
  • Loss of strategic leverage in Central Asia due to disrupted Chabahar Port connectivity.
• Economic Impact:
  • Delayed infrastructure projects (e.g., TAPI pipeline) affect energy security.
  • Reduced trade with Afghanistan ($1.5 billion in 2020).
• Refugee Influx: Potential migration strains India’s resources and security.
• Diplomatic Challenges: Balancing engagement with the Taliban while maintaining ties with the US and other allies.

India’s Response:

• Enhanced border security and counter-terrorism measures.
• Humanitarian aid and diplomatic outreach to stabilize ties.
• Strengthened QUAD and regional partnerships to counter China’s influence.

India must navigate these challenges through strategic diplomacy and security preparedness to safeguard its interests in a volatile region.

17. Wireless communications are a curse for the society. Please justify this statement.

Ans: The notion that wireless communications are a curse is an oversimplification, but certain negative impacts warrant consideration.

Negative Aspects:

• Health Concerns: Prolonged exposure to electromagnetic radiation raises unproven health risks (e.g., WHO’s classification of RF as possibly carcinogenic).
• Social Isolation: Overuse of smartphones and social media reduces face-to-face interactions, impacting mental health.
• Privacy Issues: Data breaches and surveillance (e.g., Pegasus spyware) threaten personal security.
• Digital Divide: Limited access in rural areas exacerbates inequalities.
• Cyber Threats: Wireless networks are vulnerable to hacking, affecting critical infrastructure.
• Environmental Impact: E-waste from devices and energy-intensive networks harm sustainability.

Counterview:

• Enables instant communication, education (e.g., BharatNet), and economic growth.
• Supports Digital India and emergency response systems.

While wireless communications drive connectivity and innovation, their misuse or overuse can harm health, privacy, and social cohesion. Regulation, awareness, and equitable access can mitigate these challenges, balancing benefits with risks.

18. Computers use various kinds of memory devices. In what way do they differ from each other?

Ans: Computer memory devices store data and instructions, differing in speed, capacity, volatility, and function.

Types and Differences:

• Primary Memory:
  • RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile, fast (nanoseconds), used for temporary data storage during processing (e.g., 8-16 GB in PCs).
  • ROM (Read-Only Memory): Non-volatile, stores firmware, read-only, critical for booting.
• Cache Memory: Ultra-fast (picoseconds), small (KB-MB), stores frequently accessed data near CPU.
• Secondary Memory:
  • HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Non-volatile, high capacity (TB), slower (milliseconds), cost-effective for bulk storage.
  • SSD (Solid State Drive): Non-volatile, faster than HDD, uses flash memory, more durable but costlier.
• Virtual Memory: Part of HDD/SSD used as temporary RAM extension, slower but expands capacity.
• Flash Memory: Non-volatile, used in USB drives and SD cards, portable with moderate speed.

Key Differences:

• Volatility: RAM is volatile; ROM, HDD, SSD are non-volatile.
• Speed: Cache > RAM > SSD > HDD.
• Capacity: HDD/SSD > RAM > Cache.
• Cost: HDD cheapest, Cache costliest.

These distinctions ensure efficient data handling, supporting computing performance across applications.

19. Explain, with suitable examples, the terms frequency, relative frequency, and cumulative frequency. Summarize the given data in terms of a suitable frequency distribution and obtain less than type cumulative frequencies. Estimate the following: (a) Probability that the length of a word in the poem is 9. (b) Probability that the length of a word in the poem is less than or equal to 3. (c) Probability that the length of a word in the poem is not less than 5.

Ans: Frequency is the count of occurrences of a value in a dataset (e.g., 10 words of length 2 in a poem). Relative Frequency is the proportion of a value’s frequency to the total observations (e.g., 10/90 = 0.111 for length 2). Cumulative Frequency is the sum of frequencies up to a given value (e.g., total words of length ≤ 3).

Given Data: Word lengths (90 words): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Frequency Distribution:

Word Length	Frequency	Relative Frequency	Cumulative Frequency (Less Than)
2	16	0.178	16
3	18	0.200	34
4	17	0.189	51
5	20	0.222	71
6	8	0.089	79
7	10	0.111	89
8	2	0.022	91
9	4	0.044	95

Calculations:

• (a) Probability (Length = 9): 4/90 = 0.044.
• (b) Probability (Length ≤ 3): (16 + 18)/90 = 34/90 = 0.378.
• (c) Probability (Length ≥ 5): (20 + 8 + 10 + 2 + 4)/90 = 44/90 = 0.489.

These probabilities aid in understanding word length patterns, useful for linguistic analysis.

20. Discuss briefly some of the important types of diagram which are used in the representation of statistical data. Draw a suitable diagram to represent the following data on the distribution of employment status of people by their broad categories.

Ans: Statistical diagrams visually represent data, aiding interpretation and analysis.

Types:

• Bar Diagram: Shows categorical data with bars (e.g., employment status by region).
• Pie Chart: Displays proportions of a whole (e.g., sectoral employment share).
• Histogram: Represents frequency distribution of continuous data (e.g., age groups).
• Line Graph: Shows trends over time (e.g., unemployment rates).
• Frequency Polygon: Connects midpoints of histogram bars for distribution.

Data: Employment Status (in 1000):

Employment Status	Rural Male	Rural Female	Urban Male	Urban Female
Employed	961	703	977	625
Unemployed	11	9	7	8
Not in Labour Force	28	283	16	166

Diagram: A Grouped Bar Diagram is suitable.

• X-Axis: Employment Status (Employed, Unemployed, Not in Labour Force).
• Y-Axis: Number of People (in 1000).
• Bars: Four bars per category (Rural Male, Rural Female, Urban Male, Urban Female), color-coded for clarity.
• Observation: Employed category dominates; females have higher “Not in Labour Force” counts, especially in rural areas.

This diagram effectively highlights employment disparities across regions and genders, aiding policy insights.

Read: OPSC Notes