Mains Marathon

Day 45: The RTI Act was envisioned as a tool for participatory democracy. Critically evaluate how political, bureaucratic, and technological factors have shaped its effectiveness in the last decade. (150 words)

Day 45: "A Code of Ethics inspires, while a Code of Conduct enforces." Critically analyse this distinction in the context of public service in India. (150 words)

Day 45: "Probity ensures that power remains a trust, not a privilege.” Examine this statement in the context of India’s governance system. (150 words)

Day 44: “In business ethics, stakeholders matter more than shareholders.” Evaluate the ethical shift from shareholder primacy to stakeholder welfare in modern corporate governance. (150 words)

Day 44: “Ethical foreign policy is not about charity; it is about justice.”Analyze the moral responsibility of developed nations towards least developed countries (LDCs) in the context of climate finance and technology transfer. (150 words)

Day 44: “An ethical dilemma occurs when values collide, not when values are absent.”Discuss this statement in the context of competing values like transparency and confidentiality in governance. (150 words)

Day 44: “Corruption is not just the abuse of power, but the betrayal of trust.”Assess how corruption erodes institutional integrity and public confidence in governance. (150 words)

Day 43: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law."How can Kant’s categorical imperative guide ethical decision-making in civil services? (150 words)

Day 43: "Justice is the first virtue of social institutions."Analyze how Rawls' theory of justice can help in designing policies for inclusive and equitable governance. (150 words)

Day 43: “Gandhi’s doctrine of the seven sins is not merely moral reflections but ethical benchmarks.” How can a civil servant use these principles as ethical checks in everyday decision-making? (150 words)

Day 43: “A crisis of conscience is a storm within; emotional intelligence is the anchor.” Analyze this statement in the context of administrative decision-making under ethical conflict. (150 words)

Day 42: Essay

Day 41: You are a senior Indian diplomat posted in a strategically important country. Recently, India has been negotiating a crucial defence cooperation agreement with the host nation, which could significantly boost India's regional influence and access to critical technology. The negotiations are in the final stages.

Day 41: You are a senior officer serving as the Public Information Officer (PIO) in the State Urban Development Department. One day, you receive an RTI application from a journalist requesting details of tenders and financial allocations made to a high-profile Smart City project over the past three years. The requested documents include internal file notings, approval memos, correspondence with private contractors, and minutes of meetings.

Day 41: You are the District Collector of a semi-urban district in eastern India. Six months ago, a key road bridge over a river was inaugurated with great fanfare. Built under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and co-funded by the state government, it was projected as a symbol of rural connectivity and development.