Exam Details

Subject english
Paper paper 3
Exam / Course
Department department of statistics and information management (dsim)
Organization Reserve Bank of India Services Board
Position regional officer
Exam Date 2010
City, State central government,


Question Paper

CON 160
R. B. I. S. B. R. O. (DSIM) 2010
[TIME—2-30 P.M. TO 5-30 P.M.] (Maximum Marks—100)
PAPER III
ENGLISH
N.B.—(1) All questions are compulsory. Figures to the right indicate full marks to each question.
Answers to each question should begin on a fresh page.
All parts of a question must be answered together without answers to other questions intervening. Marks will be deducted if an answer far exceeds or falls short of the set limit or is irrelevant or if the handwriting is illegible.
Answers must be written only in English. Marks
1. Write an argumentative essay of about 500 words on any one of the following topics 40
Politics and economics can never be separated. Should there be reservation for women
Has our middle-class become an unconcerned class
Corruption is the bane of democracy. To err is human to forgive divine.
2. Make a précis of the following passage, reducing it to about 200 words and give it a suitable title. Use the special sheet provided for this purpose 24
India has, for long, been regarded as a soft state a phrase coined by Gunnar Myrdal. It means a country where law enforcement and social discipline are low. By extension, the term implies that such a state is as timid and diffident in its dealings with other nations as with its own citizens. Unlike tough and totalitarian states or power-projecting countries like Israel, India was seen as mild and non-aggressive preferring compromise to confrontation.
However, a look at the modern history belies such an image of India. Accession of Hyderabad State soon after Independence liberation of Goa annexation of Sikkim and intervention in Sri Lanka and Maldives project India as an emerging power. In fact, some have already anointed India as a potential or soon-to-be superpower. If the size and growth of the economy is a criterion, India deserves a seat in the United Nations Security Council. Its impressive growth over the last two decades is but a prelude to even more acceleration in the next few decades. In fact, the prediction is that it will be the third largest economy by 2015, overtake the US by 2040

and around 2050 become even bigger than China.
Turn over
CON 160 2
Marks
How can India influence developments in countries of interest to
it Relevant to this is the definition of brand India. Are its primary
attributes related to military power India is the biggest importer of
armaments and has the third largest army. It is unlikely that this
will give us greater clout than that of our competitors. Surely, it is
not arms and armies but culture and cuisine, democracy and diversity,
spirituality and software that we would rather be known for.

It is these and similar facets of India that people elsewhere look
up to and fortunately, in today's world, it is these that are
increasingly important. These have become the new currency of
power as countries realize that battles are not about occupying land
but about capturing hearts and minds. It is this ability to obtain
what one wants through co-operation and attraction rather than
coercion without the threat or actual use of force that has been
defined -most cogently by Joseph Nye -as soft power. This is India's
biggest strength and USP (Unique Selling Point). It is this that can
give us competitive advantage, complement our economic attraction
and supplement our military strength. In fact-from the viewpoint of
outcome (which is what ultimately matters -there is a trade-off
between soft power and military force. For India, an investment in
the former will have far higher pay-off. As the global power makes
the transition from force to influence India is well placed to be a
dominant player.

India's soft power began with spirituality, culture and even
movies. Its morality-based global policies, democratic institutions
(particularly the judiciary, Election Commission and media) are
respected. Its knowledge-based sectors (including nuclear, space,
pharmaceutical and IT) are admired globally. This provides India the
wherewithal for its soft power. It not only opens doors for commercial
deals but enables strong leverage for persuasive diplomacy on the
geopolitical plane.

This huge fount of sustainable and growing power needs to be
nurtured and further developed. It is diminished by blemishes such
as human rights violations, by corruption and scams. If we are to
enhance our soft power such anomalies cannot be permitted. If ever
they happen one expects media attention, a public outcry and
prompt corrective action by the state. Apart from the civil society, the
corporate world also has both an important role and responsibility in
this changing scenario. As the global power equation shifts from
force to influence, India has sufficient clout to emerge a winner from
a soft state to a soft power.

Answer briefly and in your own words any two of the following 10 questions based on the passage given above

What is meant by a soft state What does it imply


Do you agree with the view that India has the potential to be a superpower Give reasons in support of your answer.


How can India influence developments in countries of interest to it


Distinguish between superpower and soft power What are the features of a soft power


State the factors that may affect India's image as a soft power. How can one check such anomalies




Explain clearly the contextual meaning of any three following expressions from the passage of the 6
totalitarian state
primary attributes
to look up to
trade-off
persuasive diplomacy.
3. Attempt any one of the following in about 250 words 20
The Reserve Bank of India is deeply concerned about rising inflation. A Committee has been appointed to make an in-depth study of inflation dynamics. Draft the Committee's Report including in it measures to strengthen co-ordination between the RBI and the Government with a view to controlling inflation.
The Reserve Bank of India has been receiving numerous complaints about mismanagement, lack of transparency, poor recovery of loan, high NPAs etc. about a leading co-operative bank in a state. Draft an order, on behalf of the RBI for the dissolution of the BoD citing circumstantial evidence in support of such a drastic step.
It has been observed that several importers were misusing the facility of letter of credit given by the banks for up to one year. During this period they were using various banking channels to multiply their gains. On behalf of the RBI draft a circular to be sent to all the nationalized banks reducing the terms of L/C to 90 days from up to one year. State briefly the background that led to this step.


Other Question Papers

Departments

  • department of economic and policy research (depr)
  • department of statistics and information management (dsim)

Subjects

  • civil
  • descriptive type
  • economic and social issues
  • electrical
  • english
  • finance and management
  • general knowledge of law
  • rajbhasha