Course of Action Questions

• Statement: An increasing number of farmers prefer loans from local moneylenders rather than banks because bank paperwork is complicated. Courses of Action: I. Local moneylenders who charge interest rates lower than banks should be punished. II. Banks should simplify loan procedures to suit farmers. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: A major river in the city has become a polluted, dirty canal after tonnes of sewage were discharged into it over the years. Courses of Action: I. All those who dump garbage and sewage into the river should be penalized. II. The government should modify the sewage system and provide an alternate route for the city’s waste instead of the river. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: The water table in most parts of the state has gone down to such a level that extraction for irrigation is no longer economical. Courses of Action: I. Extraction of groundwater for any purpose in the state should be banned for some time to replenish the water table. II. The government should provide alternative methods of irrigation so that farmers are not compelled to use groundwater. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: The university librarian has reported an increase in cases of book theft from the library. Courses of Action: I. Stricter security arrangements should be put in place to prevent such incidents. II. All students of the university should be made to pay a hefty fine to replace the lost books. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: Indigenous tribes living near the Amazon forest are cutting down trees to meet their basic needs, severely affecting the ecological balance in the region. Courses of Action: I. All tribes living near the Amazon rainforest should be forced to shift to urban areas of the country. II. The government should implement community-based forest management and sustainable livelihood programs (e.g., regulated fuelwood, agroforestry, and alternative income) to reduce deforestation. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: Two local passenger trains collided while running in opposite directions on the same track because the signalling system failed for a short period. Courses of Action: I. The services of the motormen of the trains should be terminated immediately. II. The government should immediately constitute a task force to review the functioning of the signalling system. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: Almost 90% of the flights of a private airline company were cancelled for the fourth consecutive day as pilots refused duty in protest against the sacking of two colleagues. Courses of Action: I. The Government should order the airline to reinstate the sacked pilots immediately to end the crisis. II. The Government should immediately take steps to end the impasse between the management and the pilots to help stranded passengers. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: A major part of the local market in the city was gutted due to a short circuit, causing extensive damage to goods and property. Courses of Action: I. The Government should issue strict guidelines for all establishments regarding installation and maintenance of electrical fittings. II. The Government should relocate all the markets to the outskirts of the city. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: Air export volume has increased substantially over the past decade, causing backlogs and difficulties for air cargo agents due to increased demand for space and service. Courses of Action: I. Airlines and air cargo agents should jointly work out a solution to combat the problem. II. The reasons for the increase in the volume of air export should be found out. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: The world conference on “Education For All” took place in 1990. Members who attended endorsed a framework of action for meeting the learning needs of all children. Courses of Action: I. India should suitably implement the action points of this conference. II. India should also immediately organize this type of conference. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: A number of school children in local schools fell ill after consuming their subsidized tiffin provided by the school authority. Courses of Action: I. The tiffin facility of all schools should be discontinued with immediate effect. II. The Government should implement a system to certify the quality of tiffin provided by schools. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement: Heavy rains hit the state during October, just before the State Assembly elections, and caused heavy damage to standing crops in most parts of the state. Courses of Action: I. Elections should be postponed to give candidates the opportunity to campaign. II. The Government should announce a relief package for those who are affected. Which course(s) of action logically follow(s)?
• Statement — An increasing number of graduates produced by Indian universities are unemployable. Courses of Action — I. Colleges and institutes of higher learning should be given greater autonomy to decide the course content. II. World-class foreign universities should be encouraged to set up campuses in India.
• Statement — Although India is still heavily dependent on agriculture, its share in global agricultural trade is low and even less than agriculture’s share in India’s total exports. Courses of Action — I. Efforts should be made to increase agricultural production. II. The exports of non-agricultural commodities should be reduced.
• Statement — Developing tourist places in India requires huge resources, as the country is endowed with a vast coastline, rivers, forests, temples, and more. Courses of Action — I. Start more tourist resorts along the coastlines only. II. Systematically exploit India’s overall tourism potential.
• Statement — The Government will not provide financial support to voluntary organizations in the next five-year plan and has communicated that such organizations must raise their own funds. Courses of Action — I. Voluntary organizations should collaborate with foreign agencies. II. They should explore other sources of financial support.
• Statement — An expert group on technical education stresses that computer education should begin from primary school and be implemented in urban and rural schools simultaneously. Courses of Action — I. The Government should issue instructions to all schools to implement computer education. II. At least one teacher in each school should be trained in computer operations to teach children.
• Statement — Dolphin populations in India have been decreasing sharply over the past few years. Courses of Action — I. Declare dolphins an endangered species and breed them in aquariums or protected areas. II. Enlist local communities to protect dolphins.
• Statement — Inflows into Govindsagar reservoir of the Bhakra Dam have declined steeply and continuously; thermal plants in the North also face depleted stocks of steam coal, creating a risk of a serious regional power crisis. Courses of Action — I. Immediately step up the supply of steam coal to the thermal power plants. II. Set up hydroelectric power plants on other rivers in the region.
• Statement — Financial stringency has prevented State “X” from paying salaries to its employees since April this year. Courses of Action — I. Immediately curtail staff strength by at least 30%. II. Reduce wasteful expenditure and arrange to pay pending salaries.