Mains Marathon

Day 18: Essay Topics

Day 17: “The balance between political accountability and bureaucratic autonomy is essential for effective governance.” Discuss this statement in the context of recent debates on lateral entry, performance evaluation, and tenure security in the Indian civil services.(250 words)

Day 17: “An independent Election Commission is the guardian of political fairness, not just a logistical body.” In the light of recent developments, assess the institutional challenges facing the ECI in ensuring electoral integrity.(250 words)

Day 17: “The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) bridges the gap between public expenditure and legislative scrutiny.” Evaluate its effectiveness in maintaining democratic accountability.(150 words)

Day 17: “The problem with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is not lack of purpose but lack of teeth.”Critically examine.(150 words)

Day 16: "The Collegium system is good in principle but opaque in practice." Critically assess the need for reforming the judicial appointments process while ensuring judicial independence. (250 words)

Day 16: “Free and fair elections are the bedrock of a democratic polity, yet the electoral process in India remains vulnerable to opacity and influence.” Examine the need for comprehensive electoral reforms in light of recent controversies. (250 words)

Day 16: “Judicial activism ensures accountability; judicial overreach threatens democratic balance.”Critically analyze.(150 words)

Day 16: "Parliament debates, but committees deliberate." Examine the contribution of the committee system to India's legislative process. (150 words)

Day 15: Discuss the principle of ‘principled distance’ in Indian secularism versus the doctrine of ‘laïcité’ in France. In light of recent controversies over religious symbols in public spaces, how effective are both models in balancing religious freedom and state neutrality? (250 words)

Day 15: Analyze the principles of ‘harmonious construction’ and ‘federal supremacy’ as evolved by Indian courts in resolving disputes over the distribution of legislative powers. Compare this approach with the mechanisms adopted by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court in addressing federal disputes. (250 words)

Day 15: "While the United Kingdom upholds absolute parliamentary sovereignty, India embraces constitutional supremacy." Compare and contrast the legislative authority of Parliament in the two countries. (150 words)

Day 15: "The U.S. Constitution provides for a strict separation of powers, whereas India's model is based on checks and balances within a fusion framework."Discuss with suitable examples from both systems. (150 words)

Day 14: “Federalism in India is shaped not just by institutional design but by political behaviour.”How have cooperation, competition, and confrontation defined Centre–State relations in recent years? (250 words)

Day 14: “Decentralisation of governance is effective only when backed by functional autonomy, financial empowerment, and accountability.” In this context, evaluate the effectiveness of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in empowering local governments. (250 words)