Mains Marathon

Day 53: Full Length Test 5

Q1.(a)."Moral courage is often tested when personal interests collide with the greater good."Analyse the significance of moral courage as a dimension of ethics. Illustrate with examples how it shapes ethical choices in public administration. (150 words)
(b). Differentiate ‘deontological ethics’ from ‘consequentialist ethics’ with illustrations from policy-making decisions. (150 words)

Q2.(a)."Positive attitude is not denial of reality, but a constructive engagement with it." Elaborate with reference to crisis management in governance. (150 words)
(b).“When morality guides power, justice thrives; when power corrupts morality, tyranny begins."Examine the scope and challenges of integrating moral reasoning into political decision-making in a democracy. (150 words)

Q3.(a)."Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done." In the present socio-political environment, how can a civil servant ensure impartiality and non-partisanship while dealing with politically sensitive matters? (150 words)
(b).“The family sets the tone, society amplifies it, and institutions sustain it.”
Assess the roles and interplay of family, society, and educational institutions in the value-building process. (150 words)

Q4.(a)."Data drives decisions, but emotions drive acceptance.” Discuss how emotional intelligence complements evidence-based policymaking. (150 words)
(b)."Trust in governance rests on the ability to rise above self-interest."Examine how the principle of probity in public life can act as a safeguard against conflict of interest in public administration. Provide relevant examples. (150 words)

Q5.What do each quotation convey to you in the present context :
(a)."No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care." – Theodore Roosevelt (150 words)
(b)."I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy." — Rabindranath Tagore (150 words)
(c). Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do." — Potter Stewart (150 words)

Q6.(a). "Gandhi’s ahimsa and Rawls’ justice walk different paths but meet at fairness."
Examine the convergence of Eastern and Western moral thought in shaping inclusive governance. (150 words)
(b). "A public office is a public trust.” Critically examine the concept of public service in India. How should the values of selflessness, dedication, and accountability guide civil servants today? (150 words)

Q.7.Riya, a young IAS officer, is posted as the Director of the State Digital Media Governance Mission (SDMGM). Her department has recently launched a platform called “DigiVoice”, which integrates AI-driven content moderation, citizen complaint redressal, and social media analytics to track misinformation, hate speech, and online harassment. The stated objective is to ensure responsible online discourse, prevent cybercrime, and protect citizens from harmful content.

However, civil liberties groups and free speech advocates have raised concerns. They argue that the platform’s AI algorithms are opaque, there is limited citizen oversight, and the criteria for flagging or removing content are unclear. Critics warn that the system could censor legitimate dissent or political criticism under the guise of controlling misinformation.

During a technical audit, Riya discovers that the AI content moderation tool is being trained using private datasets from social media companies, some of which include personal user data without explicit consent. Additionally, preliminary reports indicate that certain trending topics are artificially suppressed, potentially influencing public opinion ahead of local elections.

When Riya raises these concerns with her senior officials, she is instructed not to disrupt the rollout, as the platform has strong political support and is being promoted as a “landmark initiative in digital governance.” She is under pressure to give a favorable report before the elections.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Riya in this situation?

B. What options are available to her? Critically examine the consequences of each.

C. What course of action would you recommend, considering ethical principles, constitutional rights, and public interest?

D. How can long-term policies be designed to balance AI-driven content moderation with freedom of speech and privacy?  (250 words)

Q.8.Sahana, a young IAS officer, has been posted as the District Education Officer in a backward rural district. She is responsible for improving girls’ enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes in government schools. During her field visits, she observes several persistent challenges: many classrooms are dilapidated, overcrowded, and poorly ventilated; sanitation facilities are either non-functional or insufficient, particularly for adolescent girls; and access to safe drinking water is limited. Teachers often report for duty irregularly, and many lack proper training in pedagogy or gender-sensitive teaching methods.

Parents express concern that their daughters are reluctant to attend school regularly because of unsafe and unhygienic conditions, poor quality of teaching, and lack of basic amenities. They are especially worried about adolescent girls’ privacy and safety due to inadequate toilet facilities. Despite these issues, higher officials and local politicians prioritize meeting enrollment targets and reporting quantitative indicators, rather than addressing qualitative deficiencies.

During her review of school accounts, Sahana discovers that funds earmarked for infrastructure development, teacher training, and sanitation improvements have been partially diverted to other non-educational projects. Reporting this misuse could attract political backlash, as some local officials are influential and the matter is considered sensitive ahead of local elections.

Sahana must decide how to act ethically while balancing bureaucratic accountability, political pressures, and the welfare of girl students. She is concerned that failing to act may perpetuate gender disparities in education, but aggressive reporting may affect her career and relationships with local authorities.

A. What ethical dilemmas does Sahana face in this situation?

B. What options are available to her? Critically examine the consequences of each.

C. Recommend a course of action to ensure safe, quality, and equitable education for girls, with ethical reasoning.

D. Suggest long-term strategies to improve infrastructure, teaching quality, and sanitation facilities, ensuring sustainability and accountability. (250 words)

Q.9.You are a senior diplomat representing India at a high-level international trade and economic summit. The summit aims to negotiate a global digital trade agreement, including regulations on cross-border data flows, intellectual property, and e-commerce taxation. Developed nations are pushing for stringent norms that would favor their technology firms and limit data sovereignty for developing countries. They argue that harmonized rules are necessary for global economic growth and innovation.

India, however, insists on protecting its citizens’ data, supporting domestic technology industries, and ensuring equitable market access for developing countries. This stance is supported domestically but has led to frustration among powerful trading partners, who claim India is delaying consensus.

During the negotiations, a multinational corporation offers you an exclusive consulting position with lucrative compensation, subtly implying that supporting their proposals could help secure your career advancement. While no explicit quid pro quo is demanded, the offer creates a potential conflict of interest.

Simultaneously, you receive confidential advice from a fellow diplomat that compromising India’s position could facilitate technology transfer, foreign investment, and long-term strategic partnerships, which may benefit the country’s development goals. However, yielding too readily could weaken India’s negotiating credibility and violate principles of fairness and sovereignty.

A. Identify the ethical dilemmas faced in balancing national interest, personal gain, and international cooperation.

B. How should you reconcile national sovereignty and equitable global engagement with ethical responsibilities as an international negotiator?

C. How should you respond to the corporate offer, and what ethical values should guide your conduct?

D. Suggest long-term strategies to uphold integrity, fairness, and strategic interests in international economic negotiations. (250 words)

Q.10.Arjun, a young IAS officer, has been posted as the District Collector in a Naxal-affected district. He is responsible for restoring law and order while promoting development, but he quickly realizes the situation is far more complex. Many villages lack schools, healthcare, and employment opportunities, leaving youth vulnerable to recruitment by extremist groups. At the same time, security forces pressure him to prioritize counter-insurgency metrics, often ignoring socio-economic grievances.

Local communities, however, are deeply distrustful of administration efforts. They report harassment during security operations, corruption in welfare schemes, and delays in public service delivery. Civil society groups emphasize that heavy-handed policing without participatory development fuels alienation and radicalization.

Arjun also discovers that some development funds have been misallocated by local officials, and whistleblowing could trigger political backlash. Furthermore, media coverage of any incident is often sensationalized, adding pressure to take visible action, even if short-term security measures compromise human rights.

He must decide how to balance immediate security needs, administrative accountability, and long-term socio-economic interventions. Any misstep could either exacerbate violence or undermine public trust, and the decisions have ethical, legal, and political ramifications.

What ethical dilemmas does Arjun face in balancing security, development, and public trust?

What options are available to him? Critically examine the consequences of each.

Recommend a course of action to reduce radicalization while upholding human rights and administrative integrity.

Suggest long-term strategies to address poverty, education, and governance gaps in conflict-prone areas.  (250 words)

Q.11.You are a senior officer in the Ministry of Defence, responsible for overseeing the procurement of a new fighter aircraft fleet for the Air Force. The project is critical for national security and air superiority, involving a large budget and long-term strategic implications. During the tender evaluation, you discover that one of the shortlisted vendors has close political and bureaucratic connections, and some technical specifications may have been tailored to favor their products, raising concerns about fair competition.

Additionally, recent flight trials of aircraft from this vendor have reported minor but recurring technical glitches, which, if ignored, could potentially lead to flight accidents, risking pilot safety and operational readiness. You also learn that maintenance and spare parts costs for this model are significantly higher than alternative options, which may strain defense finances over decades.

Meanwhile, a foreign defense company offers you a lucrative consultancy contract after the deal is finalized. While no explicit quid pro quo is demanded, it is implied that supporting certain decisions could help you secure the opportunity. Simultaneously, political authorities and senior officials are pressuring you to expedite procurement, citing urgent security threats. Any delay may affect defense preparedness, international strategic partnerships, and India’s credibility in joint exercises, but fast-tracking could compromise safety, transparency, and ethical norms.

A. Identify the ethical dilemmas in this multi-dimensional defense procurement scenario.

B. What options are available to you? Critically examine the consequences of each.

C. Recommend a course of action that ensures transparency, safety, accountability, and strategic preparedness, with ethical justification.

D. Suggest long-term measures to prevent corruption, favoritism, and safety compromises in high-value defense acquisitions. (250 words)

Q.12.Meera, a young IAS officer, has been posted as the Controller of Examinations in a state public service commission. Her primary responsibility is to ensure the smooth, fair, and transparent conduct of competitive examinations. Recently, several incidents of question paper leaks in state-level examinations have come to light. Investigations suggest that some examination officials and outsourced personnel may have colluded with private agents to leak questions in exchange for money.

During an internal audit, Meera discovers irregularities in printing, distribution, and storage of question papers, and preliminary evidence indicates that financial incentives were used to influence staff. Students from certain centers appear to have received prior access to question papers, creating widespread resentment among aspirants and raising concerns about the integrity of the selection process.

When Meera raises these issues with her seniors, she is instructed to avoid escalating the matter publicly, as high-profile individuals and political stakeholders are indirectly implicated. She is also under pressure to ensure the examination results are declared on schedule to avoid backlash from candidates and the media.

Meera is now faced with a complex ethical dilemma: upholding the integrity of the examination system versus political and administrative pressures to cover up malpractices. Any misstep could either compromise fairness and meritocracy or jeopardize her career and relations with influential officials.

A. Identify the ethical dilemmas faced by Meera in handling paper leaks and corruption.

B. What options are available to her? Critically examine the consequences of each.

C. Recommend a course of action to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the examination process, with ethical reasoning.

D. Suggest long-term measures to prevent leakages and malpractice in competitive exams. (250 words)

Day 52: Full Length Test 4

Q.1.“Financial inclusion is the key that unlocks the gates to inclusive growth.”How has the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana(PMJDY) contributed to broadening financial access and promoting inclusive growth in India? (150 words)

Q.2.“Land reforms are a promise; digitization is the proof of delivery.”Discuss the role of technology in monitoring and enforcing the outcomes of land reform policies. (150 words)

Q.3.“From fragmented laws to unified Labour Codes.”How far can the consolidation ensure equitable protection for workers while fostering industrial growth? (150 words)

Q.4.“Manufacturing-led growth is central to India’s economic strategy.”How effectively do MSME-focused policies drive manufacturing-led economic growth in India? (150 words)

Q.5.Why does hunger persist in India despite surplus food stocks? Examine the role of the Public Distribution System (PDS) in addressing this issue. (150 words)

Q.6.“Value addition is the missing link in India’s agricultural value chain.” Discuss the role of food processing in achieving sustainable agri-economy growth. (150 words)

Q.7.” Maritime infrastructure is the supply chain’s circulatory system.”Assess the impact of modernizing India’s ports and logistics networks on export competitiveness and supply chain efficiency. (150 words)

Q.8.“India’s space journey has shifted from aspiration to application.” Examine the role of ISRO’s recent missions in improving governance and socio-economic development. (150 words)

Q.9."Atoms hold the promise of light, but also the shadow of risk."Critically examine India’s Nuclear Energy Mission in the context of achieving sustainable energy security. (150 words)

Q.10."A disaster ignored is a catastrophe invited."Critically analyse gaps in India’s disaster preparedness and response in light of the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025. (150 words)

Q.11.“Unemployment is the shadow looming over India’s demographic dividend.”Critically examine the structural and cyclical causes of unemployment in India and their socio-economic consequences. (250 words)

Q.12."The future of irrigation lies in integration of technology, community, and ecology."
Discuss the role of participatory irrigation management (PIM) and modern technology in ensuring sustainable water governance. (250 words)

Q.13.“Agricultural productivity underpins India’s food security and rural economy.”Critically examine how Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) is expected to enhance crop yields, promote sustainable agriculture, and reduce regional disparities. (250 words)

Q.14.“Infrastructure is the skeleton of an economy; its fragility determines the nation’s posture.” Examine the current status of India’s infrastructure and its adequacy in meeting the demands of a $5 trillion economy. (250 words)

Q.15.“The indigenization of defence technology is crucial for India’s strategic autonomy.“Examine the current status of defence indigenization in India and assess the effectiveness of policies like Atmanirbhar Bharat in this domain. (250 words)

Q.16.“Artificial Intelligence is the new electricity, while Quantum Computing is the new engine."Examine how the integration of AI and quantum computing can reshape India’s economic growth trajectory. (250 words)

Q.17."The air we breathe is now an indicator of governance quality."Discuss the major causes of air pollution in Indian cities and evaluate the effectiveness of governmental policy interventions in addressing this challenge. (250 words)

Q.18."Mountains of waste are the monuments of our urban neglect."Examine the challenges of solid waste management in India in the context of rapid urbanisation and changing consumption patterns. (250 words)

Q.19."Data is the new oil, but it can also be the new dynamite." Examine the challenges of cybersecurity in India and suggest measures for a resilient digital infrastructure. (250 words)

Q.20.“In the shadow economy, organized crime and terrorism are often two sides of the same coin.” Examine the role of money laundering, hawala, and drug trafficking in financing terrorism in India. Propose robust measures for prevention and detection. (250 words)

Day 51: Full Length Test 3

Q.1. Discuss the meaning of the adjectives ‘Sovereign,’ ‘Socialist,’ ‘Secular,’ and ‘Democratic’ as used in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. In the context of present-day India, how defendable and relevant are these ideals? (150 words)

Q.2. “The Basic Structure is an evolving mosaic, pieced together by judicial wisdom.”Analyze the evolution of this doctrine in safeguarding constitutional supremacy. (150 words)

Q.3. A citizen’s right to own private property is a human right. How has the Indian judiciary interpreted property rights in balancing individual liberty with the state’s power of eminent domain? (150 words)

Q.4. "Checks and balances are the guardrails of democracy."Critically analyse the adequacy of India’s separation of powers in preventing institutional overreach. (150 words)

Q.5. "Emergency powers test the soul of a constitution." Compare provisions in India and Germany regarding the suspension of rights. (150 words)

Q.6. "A federation’s strength lies in the equity of its purse."Analyse the challenges of vertical and horizontal imbalances in India’s fiscal federalism. (150 words)

Q.7. "Committees are the Parliament at work in miniature." Examine the role of Parliamentary Committees in ensuring legislative scrutiny in India. (150 words)

Q.8. “Power without resources is rhetoric.”Critically evaluate the state of devolution of functions, funds, and functionaries to local bodies in India. (150 words)

Q.9. "Glass ceilings remain, even in the corridors of power."Examine the challenges in achieving political empowerment for women in India in the context of the Global Gender Gap Index findings. (150 words)

Q.10. "In a world of shifting tectonic plates, BRICS seeks to redraw the map of global governance."Evaluate the impact of BRICS’ expansion and strategic agenda on the balance of power in the international order. (150 words)

Q.11. Would ‘One Nation, One Election’ streamline governance or strain federal autonomy and accountability? Examine feasibility, constitutional pathways, and administrative design. (250 words)

Q.12.“The GST Council is a round table where consensus meets centralization.”Critically assess whether the GST Council’s design and practice have deepened cooperative federalism, with specific reference to compensation, cesses, and dispute resolution. (250 words)

Q.13.“The Rajya Sabha’s neutrality rests upon the chair it is presided from.”Analyse the role of the Vice President as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in ensuring political neutrality and parliamentary objectivity. (250 words)

Q.14."A democracy that is not digitally inclusive risks becoming democratically exclusive."Examine the significance of the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling in Amar Jain v. Union of India & Ors on inclusive digital access as a facet of the fundamental right to life and liberty. (250 words)

Q.15.” Justice too long delayed is justice denied.”Analyse the causes and consequences of judicial pendency in India and propose structural reforms to ensure timely adjudication. (250 words)

Q.16."NGOs often reach where governments cannot, and act where markets will not."Evaluate how NGOs bridge service gaps in India, the accountability issues they face, and measures to enhance their credibility. (250 words)

Q.17."The ballot is stronger than the bullet."Analyse the measures and challenges before the Election Commission in ensuring voter participation and inclusivity in India’s democracy. (250 words)

Q.18."Eradicating hunger requires more than just feeding mouths".Discuss the role of livelihoods, skill development, and social protection in breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and hunger in India. (250 words)

Q.19."Connectivity is the new currency of influence."Critically analyse India’s West Asia policy in light of emerging regional trade corridors and geopolitical realignments. (250 words)

Q.20." In commerce, as in diplomacy, friction can kindle both conflict and change."
Critically analyse the impact of recent U.S. tariff impositions on India’s trade relations, strategic cooperation, and role in reshaping global supply chains. (250 words)

Day 50: Full Length Test 2

Q.1."The Pallavas laid the foundation, and the Cholas built the edifice of South Indian temple architecture." Examine the evolution of Dravidian architecture with reference to the contributions of both dynasties.(150 words)

Q.2. "Bhakti and Sufi literature served as the conscience of their times." Examine their impact on medieval India's social ethos.(150 words)

Q.3. "If Gandhi was the conscience of the nation, Bose was its restless will."Discuss the differences in Gandhi’s and Bose’s approaches to nationalism.(150 words)

Q.4. "When reform became the prelude to rebellion." Examine the linkages between 19th-century socio-religious reform movements and the growth of political consciousness in India.(150 words)

Q.5. “Revolutions do not merely change rulers; they change rules."Critically analyse the causes, trajectory, and consequences of the Russian Revolution of 1917.(150 words)

Q.6. “Tradition as an anchor, transformation as the tide.” Analyse how Indian society negotiates the preservation of traditional values while adapting to modernising forces.(150 words)

Q.7. Examine the concept of intersectionality and its relevance in understanding gender inequality in India.(150 words)

Q.8. “Media has the power either to fan the flames of communal hatred or to promote peace and harmony.”Comment.(150 words)

Q.9. Analyse the geological formation of the Himalayas and the associated natural hazards in the region.(150 words)

Q.10. Analyse the impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of cyclones globally and in the Indian Ocean region. (150 words)

Q.11. Compare the status of women in the Early and Later Vedic periods. How do these shifts resonate with today’s gender equality debates? (250 words)

Q.12. “When famine became a footnote in governance.”Examine the causes behind the surge of famines in colonial India from the mid-18th century and critically assess their socio-economic implications. (250 words)

Q.13. "Decolonisation was not merely a transfer of power, but a rewriting of history."Analyse the post–Second World War decolonisation process and its key challenges in Africa and Asia. (250 words)

Q.14. Urbanisation is a melting pot of cultures, but can also become a boiling point of social tensions. Analyse the social challenges arising from urbanisation in India and suggest ways to promote inclusive urban growth. (250 words)

Q.15. “Secularism is the institutional guarantee of equal citizenship regardless of religion.”Discuss the significance of secularism in India’s Constitution and the challenges it faces in contemporary times. (250 words)

Q.16. “Regionalism is a symptom of the failure of the national project to accommodate diversity.”Examine the causes and consequences of regionalism in India. (250 words)

Q.17. Caste acts like a glass ceiling blocking access to opportunities for many. Discuss how caste-based discrimination affects education and employment in India. Suggest measures to overcome these barriers. (250 words)

Q.18. Explain the role of wind patterns, temperature, and salinity in shaping ocean currents. How do these currents influence the distribution of marine biodiversity and fisheries worldwide? (250 words)

Q.19. Analyse the spatial distribution of India’s manufacturing hubs. How do infrastructural, socio-economic, and policy factors interact to influence industrial location decisions? (250 words)

Q.20. Ice caps at the poles regulate global climate but are receding alarmingly. Discuss the effects of polar ice cap melting on global sea levels and climate patterns. (250 words)

Day 49: Full-Length Test 1

Write two essays, choosing one topic from each of the following sections A and B, in about 1000-1200 words each :

Section A

1. Life must be understood backward. But it must be lived forward.

2. The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage.

3. Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.

4. The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.

Section B

5. When women move forward, the family moves, the village moves, and the nation moves.

6. In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.

7. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

8. The balance of power is the guardian of sovereignty in an anarchic world.