Q. How do regional variations in soil types across India influence patterns of cropping intensity and land degradation? (250 words)

Q. The ideals of liberty, equality, and nationalism shaped the course of revolutions and redefined the global order in the 18th and 19th centuries. (250 words)

Essay Topics:

1. The future belongs to those who can adapt, not to those who resist change.

2. The more we divide the world into ‘us’ and ‘them’, the more we lose our connection to ‘we’.

Case Study

As the District Collector of a Suratwada district, you are overseeing a government-funded rural development project aimed at improving infrastructure. However, you soon discover that several contractors awarded the contracts for building roads, sanitation systems, and affordable housing have strong political ties to local and state-level politicians. These contractors, despite a history of substandard work and financial mismanagement in previous projects, continue to be awarded lucrative tenders due to their political leverage.

Upon reviewing the project, you uncover that funds are being misused, with inflated costs and substandard materials being used in construction. Corrupt local officials are found to be complicit in manipulating the approval process. Despite knowing this, you face immense pressure from both your political superiors and influential local figures to allow the project to continue without intervention. Exposing the corruption could stall the project, affecting the district’s development and potentially harming your career, as the political backlash could lead to your transfer or disciplinary action.

You are caught in a dilemma: Should you expose the corruption and risk your career and the completion of the project, or turn a blind eye, knowing that doing so would compromise your ethical duty to the public? The decision is further complicated by the knowledge that your actions could affect both the future of the project and your ability to carry out governance in the district.

Questions:

1. What options are available to you to ensure that the corruption in the project is thoroughly investigated, while minimizing disruption to public services?

2. What course of action would you take to maintain your integrity and balance the investigation with the need for continued public service delivery?

3. What long-term reforms would you consider implementing in your district to prevent similar situations of corruption in future government projects, and how would you ensure that such reforms gain traction in the face of political and administrative resistance?

Q. “Compassion is a necessity, not a luxury. Without it, humanity cannot survive.” How can public servants institutionalize compassion without compromising on rule-based governance? (150 words)

Q. "In an era of institutional accountability and performance metrics, is there still space for altruism in public administration? Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “With the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, India must urgently integrate climate change adaptation into its disaster risk management framework. Discuss in the context of recent events and policy responses.” (250 words)

Q. "Logistics is the backbone of a nation’s economic efficiency, and its transformation is essential for India’s journey from a developing economy to a developed one." Discuss. (250 words)

Q. How effective are the policies aimed at ensuring social justice for differently-abled persons in India? Discuss the gaps that still exist in the implementation of these policies. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the challenges in maintaining judicial independence while ensuring judicial accountability in India. To what extent do the existing mechanisms address this tension? (250 words)

Q. The rise of digital media has reshaped the traditional fabric of Indian society. Discuss the impact of social media on social behavior, political engagement, and identity formation in contemporary India. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the architectural innovations introduced during the Mughal period, focusing on the fusion of Persian and Indian styles. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

1. In a rapidly changing world, the battle between progress and preservation of values defines the future of humanity.
2. The search for identity is not a quest for who we are, but for what we are not.

Case Study

Anjali Verma, a young and highly motivated Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has been assigned to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for over a year. She is a diligent and conscientious officer, known for her hard work and commitment to upholding the law. Recently, Anjali was tasked with overseeing an operation involving the raid of a well-known business conglomerate in the city. The company, owned by an influential businessman, is suspected of large-scale tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal financial transactions.

As the raid unfolds, Anjali’s team discovers significant evidence of financial irregularities, including hidden assets and unreported foreign bank accounts. However, just as the raid is about to conclude, Anjali receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that a close relative of hers, who works at a senior position in the same conglomerate, might be involved in the illicit activities. The caller, however, provides no concrete proof, only a vague assertion.

Anjali is now at a moral and professional crossroads. She has always been fiercely dedicated to her role, ensuring that justice is done, regardless of the social or political consequences. However, this new revelation about her relative raises concerns for her personal life. Anjali fears that pursuing the investigation against her relative could cause her family immense distress and create a personal conflict, potentially affecting her career and her relationship with her relatives.

The business empire is well-connected in both business and political circles, and there are pressures from influential figures suggesting that the raid should be concluded swiftly with minimal fallout. Despite this, Anjali feels compelled to continue the investigation, as she believes that the evidence uncovered so far indicates serious financial crimes.

Her immediate superior has asked her to provide a report on the raid and suggested that the case be handled carefully, without any unnecessary escalation. Anjali is under intense pressure to balance the integrity of the investigation with the personal and professional repercussions she might face if she pursues her relative’s involvement in the case.

Questions:

1. What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in the situation?

2. What would be the most appropriate course of action for Anjali, also discuss what ethical framework should guide her to resolve ethical dilemmas.

3. What long-term strategies can be implemented to support investigation officers in maintaining professional integrity and impartiality in high-profile investigations?

Q. The rise of cryptocurrencies presents a paradox between financial freedom and the potential for harm in terms of market instability and misuse. In light of key ethical principles, critically assess the ethical challenges posed by cryptocurrencies in India. (150 words)

Q. "In the context of ethical governance, how can the virtue of temperance guide decision-making in addressing issues such as inequality and environmental sustainability? (150 words)

Q. “India’s counter-terrorism strategy has evolved over time in response to changing patterns of terrorism”. Discuss the key components of India's current counter-terrorism strategy and evaluate its effectiveness in curbing cross-border terrorism. (250 words)

Q. Examine the role of nanotechnology in medical applications, especially in drug delivery systems. What are the potential health risks and regulatory challenges associated with its widespread use? (250 words)

Q. The advent of Artificial Intelligence and automation in public administration is reshaping governance structures in India. Assess the institutional and procedural challenges of integrating AI into public services. (250 words)

Q. Discuss India’s approach to leveraging the SCO for its geopolitical goals while managing the challenges posed by its bilateral relations with China and Pakistan. (250 words)

Q. Explain the role of subtropical westerly and tropical easterly jet streams in the onset and withdrawal of the Indian monsoon. (250 words)

Q. "The art and culture of the Vijayanagara Empire were not only expressions of aesthetic excellence but also instruments of political legitimacy and religious consolidation." Discuss. (250 words)

Essay Topics:

1. Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom.
2. Technological advancement is not a substitute for ethical responsibility, but a vehicle for its expression.

Case Study

Vikram is an urban planner in a fast-growing metropolitan city. His department has been tasked with overseeing the redevelopment of an old industrial area into a modern residential neighborhood. The project promises to rejuvenate a dilapidated part of the city and provide affordable housing for hundreds of families. However, the area in question is also home to a vibrant but lower-income community that has lived there for decades.

While the local government has promised that the redevelopment will bring economic opportunities and better living standards, Vikram has begun to uncover troubling details. Many of the residents have been living there for years and have a strong social and cultural attachment to the area. They also run small businesses that are crucial for their livelihoods. The redevelopment plan includes tearing down their homes and businesses, displacing them, and relocating them to a different part of the city, far from their current community and support systems. Moreover, there is a lack of detailed information on how the government will ensure affordable housing for the displaced families or whether they will be properly compensated.

Vikram is also aware that there are significant financial interests behind the project. Several influential real estate developers stand to gain immensely from the redevelopment, and their lobbying efforts have heavily influenced the planning process. Vikram, who was initially excited about the project’s potential to revitalize the city, now feels conflicted. On one hand, the redevelopment could bring economic growth, but on the other hand, it may cause social harm to the marginalized community that lives there.

As the project progresses, Vikram is put under pressure by his superiors to approve the project without further scrutiny, as delays could risk funding and affect the city’s overall development plan. He is aware that his career could suffer if he raises objections or calls for a review of the plan. At the same time, he is troubled by the ethical implications of displacing vulnerable communities for the sake of economic development and real estate profit.

Questions:

1. What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?
2. How should Vikram handle the apparent conflict of interest in this situation, with powerful developers pushing for the project and the displacement of a marginalized community?
3. Can economic growth justify the displacement of a community? What ethical principles should guide policymakers when planning such development projects.

Q. "Wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows." - Martin Luther King, Jr. In the context of the above quote, discuss whether lasting peace can be achieved through violent means, or if non-violence is the only ethical way to attain peace. (150 words)

Q. Is ethical relativism a valid approach to governance in a multicultural society like India? Discuss its implications on policy formulation. (150 words)

Q. Critically assess the potential impact of the National Manufacturing Mission on India’s manufacturing sector. How can this initiative enhance the sector’s global competitiveness? (250 words)

Q. "The Himalayas are not just a geographical feature, but a living ecosystem, vital for sustaining the environment, biodiversity, and livelihoods." Discuss. (150 words)

Q. In what ways does India’s engagement with the G7 contribute to its global diplomatic aspirations and strategic autonomy? Discuss the challenges India faces in aligning with G7 priorities while maintaining its leadership role in the Global South. (250 words)

Q. "The Supreme Court of India has transformed Article 21 from a narrow procedural guarantee into a vast reservoir of substantive rights." Discuss with reference to relevant case laws. (150 words)