Mains Practice Questions

Essay Topic

“You can change friends but not the neighbours"

Q. International laws and treaties act as the sources of ethical guidance in contemporary international relations. Critically examine. (250 words)

Q. What do you understand by Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)? What are the associated challenges and significance of EIA in India? (250 words)

Q. The role of 'Panchayati Raj Institutions' (PRIs) is very important in both disaster risk reduction and post-disaster management. Discuss. (250 Words)

Q. Law has its own limitations in bringing social change. In this context, critically evaluate the efficacy of steps taken to empower women and weaken the grip of patriarchy around them. (250 words)

Essay Topic

Good governance depends on the ability to take responsibility by both the administration as well as the people.

Case Study

You are the Sarpanch of a Panchayat. There is a primary school run by the government in your area. Midday meals are provided to the children attending the school. The Headmaster has now appointed a new cook in the school to prepare the meals. However, when it is found that the cook is from Dalit community, almost half of the children belonging to higher castes are not allowed to take meals by their parents. Consequently the attendance in the school falls sharply. This could result in the possibility of discontinuation of midday meal scheme, thereafter of teaching staff and subsequent closing down the school.

(a) Mention ethical issues of the case and also discuss some feasible strategies to overcome the conflict and to create the right ambience.
(b) What should be the responsibilities of different social segments and agencies to create positive social ambience for accepting such changes?

Q. Examine the following, along with relevant examples:
(A) An action can be legally wrong but ethically correct and vice versa.
(B) Under what situations, a person cannot be held as unethical despite his actions looking seemingly unethical or illegal. (250 words)

Q. Heat waves are among the most dangerous of natural hazards, the frequency and intensity of which will rise in the 21st century due to climate change. Discuss. (250 Words).

Q. The role played by the Election Commission of India has bestowed a very high level of confidence in the minds of Indian citizens in ensuring the purity of the elected legislative bodies in the country. Critically examine. (250 Words)

Q. The bank nationalization in 1969 did India more harm than good. Critically examine. (250 words)

Q. The 'Quit India' movement, more than anything, united the Indian people against British rule. Discuss. (150 Words).

Q. All human beings aspire for happiness. Do you agree? What does happiness mean to you? Explain with examples. (150 Words)

Q. ‘Antimicrobial resistance is one of the biggest challenges of modern medicine.’ Discuss. Also suggest some measures to deal with the issue. (250 Words).

Q. The noble purpose of the anti-defection law is to bring stability to governments. However, it is sometimes said to be against the true spirit of democracy. Discuss. (150 Words)

Q. Food fortification is the new panacea for nutritional deficiency in the Indian population. Critically discuss. (250 Words)

Essay Topic

Disasters cannot be totally prevented but their impact can be reduced.

Q. Ethics of society at large is reflected in any organization’s work culture. Discuss. (150 Words)

Q. What do you understand by natural law ethics? Discuss with examples the criticism of this branch of ethics. (150 Words)

Q. It is beilieved that monetising underutilised public assets will bring in required capital and help build new infrastructure to boost the economy. Discuss the statement in light of the recently launched National Monetisation Pipeline. (250 Words)

Q. Indian women have taken a great stride in all fields of activity, yet a lot remains to be achieved. In the light of the statement discuss the need to relook into various issues related to women's education especially higher education. (250 Words)

Q. Gupta period in ancient India is noted for its achievements in the arts, architecture, sciences, religion, and philosophy. Comment. (150 Words).

Essay Topic

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.

Case Study

Abhishek Singh hails from an influential family of landlords. Being educated in Delhi in a top notch college he developed a preference for the civil services and got selected in the IRS and joined as an Income Tax Officer. Even after joining civil service he could not control the nightlife culture of visiting discotheque and night clubs with friends and getting inebriated.

Nowadays he is invariably out every weekend and can never come punctually to the office. Monday mornings are important in his office because the Commissioner takes a review of results achieved in the last week and plans for the ensuing week. Being late in the office every time, he tries to fabricate a story and explain the delay. His overall performance being good he has not attracted adverse notice of the bosses yet, but his immediate subordinates know why he is late.

What are the ethical issues involved in the present case? What are the alternatives available to Abhishek and choose the most appropriate alternative.

Q. What do you understand by ethical responsibility? What are the commonly recognised ethical responsibilities of government servants? (150 Words)

Q. ‘The US is one of the largest trading partners of India at present.’ In the light of the statement discuss the issues prevalent in the trade relations of the two countries. (250 Words)

Q. SCO has emerged as a key regional organisation in the Eurasian space. In the light of the statement discuss the opportunity for India to fulfil its national interest. (250 Words)

Q. ‘France and the United States are rightly considered the birth places of modern democracy.’ Discuss the statement in the light of the French and American revolution.

Essay Topic

Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights.

Q. What do you understand about disaster-resilient infrastructure? Highlight the role that can be played by the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) in this regard. (250 words)