Q. What factors have contributed to the growing activity in biotechnology in India, and how has this development benefited the biopharmaceutical sector? (250 Words)

Q. Evaluate whether steady GDP growth and low inflation indicate a well-performing Indian economy. Justify your argument. (150 Words)

Q. What is the strategic relevance of India’s defence engagements with the United States compared to those with Russia, particularly in the context of promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region? (250 Words)

Q. In what ways has the Supreme Court judgment on the Right to Privacy reshaped the interpretation and implementation of Fundamental Rights in India? (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the policies of Lord Curzon and assess how they contributed to the evolution of India’s national movement. (150 words)

Q. "River interlinking projects have been hailed as a potential solution to water scarcity, yet their implementation raises concerns about ecological disruption and the long-term sustainability of such efforts. Comment." (250 Words)

Essay Topic

1. Focus on the light, and darkness will fall behind you.

2. Adversity offers a choice: to grow bitter or to grow better.

Case Study

Arvind Mehta, a senior public servant, currently heads the Budget Division in the Ministry of Finance. His division is presently involved in allocating budgetary support to various states, four of which are scheduled to hold assembly elections within the current financial year.

As per the latest Union Budget, more than Rs 8,300 crore was allocated to the National Housing Scheme (NHS), a key centrally sponsored welfare programme aimed at providing affordable housing to weaker sections. By June, Rs 775 crore had already been disbursed under the scheme.

Parallelly, the Ministry of Commerce had been pursuing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state to promote exports. After nearly two years of consultation between the Centre and the state, the Union Cabinet gave its approval in August, and the process for acquiring land has since begun.

In another development, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) had proposed a natural gas processing plant in a northern state to support the regional gas grid, an essential element of the country's energy security strategy. The land for the project is already available, and after three rounds of global bidding, the contract was awarded to M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons, a multinational company. The first tranche of payment is scheduled for December.

To meet the funding requirements of these two major development projects, an additional Rs 6,000 crore is required. It has been proposed that this amount be re-appropriated from the NHS budget. The file seeking approval for this re-allocation was sent to the Budget Division for examination and processing.

On reviewing the file, Arvind Mehta became concerned. He realised that diverting funds from the NHS could delay its implementation, a scheme widely promoted by senior political figures and closely linked to electoral commitments. On the other hand, delaying fund allocation to the SEZ and the gas plant could lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage at both national and international levels. Upon raising the issue with his superiors, Arvind was advised that the matter is politically sensitive and must be expedited without delay.

Question:

a) Identify the ethical issues involved in reallocating funds from a welfare programme to development projects.

b) In light of the responsibility to ensure prudent use of public resources, what options are available to Arvind Mehta? Would resigning from his post be a reasonable or ethical course of action?

Q. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." What does this quotation convey about the relationship between integrity and external influences?(150 Words)

Q. Attitude plays a significant role in shaping human development. How can a public servant cultivate the appropriate attitude required for effective service?(150 Words)

Q. Cybersecurity is becoming a key component of national security. Discuss the challenges faced by India in protecting its cyberspace and the steps to be taken to ensure a robust cybersecurity framework.(250 Words)

Q. Explain the concepts of the 'care economy' and the 'monetized economy.' In what ways can women's empowerment facilitate the inclusion of the care economy within the formal monetized economy?(150 Words)

Q. Is BIMSTEC emerging as an alternative to SAARC? Compare the two organisations in terms of structure and objectives, and analyse how BIMSTEC aligns with India's evolving foreign policy priorities. (250 words)

Q. Examine how the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 addressed linguistic and regional aspirations and analyze its impact on national integration and administrative efficiency. (250 words).

Q. Classical dance forms of India are not just artistic expressions, but a fusion of tradition, philosophy, and spirituality. Illustrate with examples. (150 words)

Q. To what extent did the socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century contribute to the rise of national consciousness in colonial India? (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. The Power of Words Can Cut Deeper Than Any Weapon.

2. Gratitude often reveals itself in the quiet light of joy.

Case Study

After serving two decades in the State Civil Services, Abhishek, a seasoned officer, is posted to the capital of a border state. His mother has recently been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment at a renowned cancer hospital in the city. His adolescent children have also secured admissions to a prestigious public school in the area. As Abhishek settles into his new role as the Director of the Home Department, he receives an alarming intelligence report revealing that illegal migrants are infiltrating the state from a neighboring country. Concerned, he decides to personally oversee a surprise inspection of the border posts with his team.

During the inspection, Abhishek uncovers two families, 12 individuals in total, caught crossing the border with the assistance of corrupt border security personnel. Further investigation reveals that these migrants, after entering the country, had forged crucial identification documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter IDs, and ration cards, enabling them to settle in a specific area of the state. Abhishek meticulously documents his findings in a comprehensive report and submits it to the Additional Secretary of the State.

A week later, Abhishek is summoned by the Additional Home Secretary, who instructs him to withdraw the report. The Additional Home Secretary informs him that the report has not been well-received by higher authorities and warns him that failing to comply could result in his removal from the prestigious post in the state capital and jeopardize his forthcoming promotion.

Questions:

(a) What ethical dilemmas is Abhishek facing in this situation?

(b) What choices does Abhishek have in his position as Director of the Home Department in a border state? And critically analyze each possible option.

(c) Which option should Abhishek choose, and why?

(d) Critically analyze each possible option.

Q. The principle of impartiality is fundamental to good governance. Evaluate how impartiality contributes to the effectiveness of public administration. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the key dimensions of ethics that influence human behavior and ethical decision-making in professional settings. (150 words)

Q. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of India’s disaster management framework. Suggest key reforms to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in the face of growing climate risks. (250 words)

Q. Systemic inefficiencies are often at the root of banking crises. In this context, analyze the significance of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in revealing the structural challenges of the Indian banking sector. (150 words)

Q. India’s Act East Policy has gained renewed importance amidst Indo-Pacific geopolitics. Discuss the policy’s key components and strategic implications. (150 words)

Q. Judicial activism has often been praised for upholding citizens’ rights. Critically evaluate its impact on the balance of powers between organs of the state. (250 words)

Q. In what ways does Indian temple architecture reflect regional diversity and socio-political influences? Comment with suitable examples

Q. Despite being rich in mineral resources, several regions in India continue to face underdevelopment. Discuss the paradox between mineral wealth and regional development in India.

Essay Topics

1. Power reveals character more than adversity ever could.

2. Morality is not taught, it is awakened.

Case Study

Ananya Singh, a dedicated and empathetic IAS officer, is currently serving as the District Collector in a predominantly tribal and underdeveloped district of Jharkhand. The government has recently rolled out a revised Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) to ensure timely financial support for pregnant women and lactating mothers, aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition. A key feature of this new system is mandatory biometric authentication through Aadhaar at the time of benefit disbursal. The move is intended to reduce pilferage, eliminate ghost beneficiaries, and enhance accountability in welfare delivery.

However, within a few weeks of implementation, several ground-level issues begin to emerge. Many elderly caregivers, especially grandmothers caring for children in the absence of parents, struggle with fingerprint mismatch due to worn-out biometric impressions. In remote tribal hamlets, poor internet connectivity and lack of functional biometric devices cause frequent transaction failures. Local Anganwadi workers and ASHAs report that over 30% of eligible beneficiaries have not received funds, causing significant distress, especially among marginalized families who rely on this support for basic nutrition.

Concerned about the impact on vulnerable groups, Ananya considers allowing alternative forms of verification, such as physical ID checks, mobile OTP, or manual register maintenance, as a temporary stop-gap measure. However, she is advised against it by the State Department, citing strict central guidelines that prohibit deviation from the biometric-based process. Meanwhile, a reputed local NGO organizes protests and contacts the media, accusing the administration of systemic exclusion and violation of Article 21 (Right to Life with Dignity).

Questions:

(a) Identify the core ethical dilemma involved in the case.

(b) What are the options available to Ananya? Critically evaluate each of them and suggest the most appropriate course of action.

(c) What steps can be taken by public institutions to ensure that the use of technology in governance does not exclude the vulnerable?

Q. Ethical governance requires a balance between personal values and professional duties. Discuss.(150 words)

Q. Accountability in public administration is essential for ensuring the efficient use of resources. Evaluate how accountability in the public sector contributes to good governance. (150 words)