Case Study

Ashok, an IAS officer posted as the District Magistrate in a riverine district, has been facing mounting challenges due to rampant illegal sand mining along the riverbanks. Despite a ban during the monsoon season and strict environmental regulations, sand extraction continues unabated, driven by a nexus between local contractors, transporters, and influential political figures.

The illegal mining has caused severe environmental degradation, including riverbank erosion, falling groundwater levels, and damage to aquatic ecosystems. It has also led to frequent road accidents due to the overloading of trucks and the loss of government revenue.

Ashok’s administration has conducted several raids, seized vehicles, and filed FIRs, but the operations have met with strong resistance. Local miners, backed by political patrons, have staged protests accusing the administration of “anti-development” actions. Some officers in his team have received threats, and a few have even hinted that confronting the sand mafia could cost them their safety or postings. Meanwhile, honest junior officers look up to Ashok for moral leadership, while local media and environmental activists demand tougher action and transparency.

The state government, citing the importance of construction material for infrastructure projects, has asked Ashok to “avoid confrontation” and maintain law and order. However, environmental damage continues, and the judiciary has recently sought a report on compliance with mining regulations.

Questions:

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

B. Evaluate the options available to him and their possible consequences.

C. Suggest the most appropriate course of action for Ashok based on environmental ethics and administrative accountability.

D. Propose long-term systemic reforms to curb illegal sand mining while balancing development and environmental protection. (250 words)

Q. India’s rapid economic growth coexists with social inequalities and environmental challenges. Discuss the need for an ethical framework to ensure inclusive and sustainable development. (150 words)

Q. “Empathy transforms authority into service.”Discuss the relevance of emotional intelligence and compassion in administrative responsibilities. (150 words)

Q. “The proposed GST 2.0 seeks to address the structural inefficiencies of India’s indirect tax framework. Critically examine its rationale and challenges for transforming India’s indirect tax regime. (250 words)

Q. India’s space programme has evolved from a tool for scientific exploration to an instrument of socio-economic transformation.Discuss.(150 words)

Q. "South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) aims to promote knowledge sharing and sustainable development among developing countries." Examine India’s role in SSTC and its impact on global development partnerships. (250 words)

Q. Criminal defamation in India often conflicts with the right to freedom of speech. Critically examine the need to decriminalize defamation and suggest reforms to balance free speech and protection of reputation. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the geographical factors responsible for the uneven distribution of mineral and energy resources in India. How does this influence regional development? (250 words)

Q. Discuss how the Mauryan art and architecture reflected the ideals of the Mauryan state, especially Ashoka’s Dhamma and imperial authority. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

Q1. He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. (1200 words)
Q2. Ambition without wisdom is a tempest, while contentment without effort is a mirage. (1200 words)

Case Study

Ravi, an IAS officer, is serving as the District Magistrate in a politically sensitive district. A massive political rally, expected to attract nearly two lakh people, was organised by the ruling party to showcase its strength. Senior leaders were to attend, and the event had been widely publicised. Although Ravi’s office had earlier issued advisories on barricading, evacuation routes, deployment of police, and medical preparedness, many instructions were ignored by the organisers, citing budgetary constraints and urgency.

On the day of the rally, the situation turned chaotic. Entry and exit points were overcrowded, there was no proper crowd management, and medical facilities were insufficient. During the rally, a sudden push by people wanting to move closer to the stage created panic, leading to a stampede. Several lives were lost, many were injured, and the incident triggered widespread anger.

Different stakeholders reacted sharply. Families of victims demanded justice, accountability, and immediate compensation. Civil society groups and the media accused the administration of negligence. Opposition parties claimed the government had put lives at risk for political gain. The ruling party, however, pressured Ravi to downplay the incident and present it as an “unavoidable tragedy.” Some officials also suggested that highlighting lapses could invite unrest and even threaten Ravi’s career.

Ravi now faces a dilemma. As the administrative head of the district, he is responsible for public safety and upholding the rule of law. At the same time, he faces political pressure, the risk of transfers, and personal threats. His choices will have consequences not just for his career but also for the credibility of governance and the trust of the people.

Questions:

1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Ravi in this situation?

2. Evaluate the options available to Ravi and the possible consequences of each.

3. Suggest the most appropriate course of action for Ravi in light of constitutional values and principles of good governance.

4. What systemic reforms can be introduced to improve crowd management and ensure accountability in large political and public events in the long run? (250 words)

Q. India’s manufacturing sector shows momentum but faces persistent bottlenecks. Critically examine the challenges in this sector and suggest reforms in light of recent initiatives.
(250 words)

Q. Stampedes are often preventable tragedies rooted in inadequate planning, lack of accountability, and weak enforcement. Comment. (150 words)

Q. Ladakh’s demand for Sixth Schedule inclusion tests the balance between national integration and regional autonomy. Critically examine the need and challenges in granting Sixth Schedule protections to this strategically sensitive Union Territory. (250 words)

Q. Inclusion of transgender persons tests the resilience of India’s equality framework. Discuss the obstacles and policy interventions required to ensure their full participation in society. (150 words)

Q. Migration is both an opportunity for social mobility and a source of urban stress. Analyse the socio-economic impacts of internal migration in India and suggest measures to address its challenges. (250 words)

Q. Breaking the silence of the oppressed, Jyotiba Phule gave voice to dignity and emancipation. Discuss how his ideas reshaped the discourse on equality and justice in 19th-century India. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

Q1. Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought. (1200 words)
Q2. Freedom of mind is real freedom. (1200 words)

You are Anil, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer currently posted as the District Election Officer (DEO) in a politically sensitive district. Elections are approaching in two weeks, and you are responsible for ensuring a free and fair process.

Over the last few days, you have received numerous complaints from political parties, civil society groups, and independent monitors alleging serious irregularities. Many genuine voters’ names have been mysteriously deleted from the rolls, while fake entries and names of deceased individuals remain. The ruling party’s candidates are accused of misusing government vehicles, welfare schemes, and public funds for campaigning. In certain constituencies, reports suggest the use of musclemen to intimidate opposition workers and voters. Some lower-level election staff appear partisan and are suspected of colluding with influential candidates. There are also widespread allegations of the distribution of cash, liquor, and freebies to buy votes.

When you bring these matters to the notice of senior officials, you are told to treat them as “minor operational issues” and not escalate the situation. Political leaders caution you that strict action might trigger unrest, lead to violence, and invite adverse consequences for your career and family. At the same time, civil society groups, the Election Commission’s observers, and sections of the media are demanding accountability and strict enforcement of electoral laws.

The stakes are high. On one hand, your duty is to uphold the sanctity of elections as the bedrock of democracy. On the other hand, you face the risk of political retaliation, career setbacks, and personal threats if you pursue the matter with full transparency.

Questions

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

B. Evaluate the different options available to him and the possible consequences of each option.

C. Suggest the best course of action for Anil in light of constitutional values, ethical reasoning, and principles of good governance.

D. How can systemic reforms be introduced to reduce such electoral malpractices in the long run? (250 words)

Q. “Essential services cannot be treated as commodities.” Examine the ethical concerns arising from the commercialization of education and healthcare in modern society. (150 words)

Q. Do values precede laws, or do laws shape values? Examine with reference to the evolution of ethical norms in society. (150 words)

Q. Analyse the factors contributing to insurgency in India’s North-Eastern states and assess the effectiveness of government interventions and peace accords in the past decade. (250 words)

Q.” India faces significant food wastage due to inefficiencies in the movement of produce from farms to consumers.”Examine the role of a farm-to-fork supply chain in ensuring food security and minimising post-harvest losses in India. (150 words)

Q.The Saudi-Pakistan Mutual Defence Pact marks a potential reconfiguration of regional security dynamics. Critically analyse its implications for India’s strategic calculus. (250 words)

Q.“Environmental pressure groups are often seen as catalysts of participatory democracy.”
To what extent have they succeeded in reconciling development imperatives with ecological sustainability in India? (150 words)

Q. “The right to choose a life partner is a facet of fundamental rights under Article 21.” Discuss in light of honour killings and the challenges faced by inter-caste and inter-faith marriages in India. (250 words)

Q. Assess the impact of climate change on agriculture, migration, and resource utilization in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. (150 words)

Essay

1. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will. (1200 words)
2. You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. (1200 words)

Case Studies

You are Rahul, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer posted as the District Development Officer in an agrarian district hit by seasonal unemployment and distress migration. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) has been a lifeline here—providing wage employment and creating rural assets. Recently, however, local activists and a whistleblower collective have compiled a dossier alleging massive corruption in MNREGA implementation across several Gram Panchayats.

The dossier alleges the following irregularities: ghost beneficiaries and fake job-cards on muster rolls; inflated measurement and bills for rural works (roads, water harvesting structures) with poor or no physical progress; collusion between local contractors, panchayat functionaries and a few junior officials who split commissions; delayed wage payments that force workers to accept bribes for expedited pay; and deliberate misclassification of work to route funds to private contractors. A recent Social Audit showed many assets either not created or of sub-standard quality. Previous audit notes from the State Rural Development Department had flagged similar issues but resulted in token action.

A Central Ministry team is scheduled to visit the district next week to assess MNREGA outcomes. You are instructed by your political superiors and some senior district officials to present reports that attribute shortfalls to “operational constraints” and natural factors (poor monsoons, migration) while avoiding mention of systemic corruption. You are warned that exposing the truth may lead to transfer, adverse remarks in your record, and targeted political backlash against your family. Conversely, if you comply, millions of workers will continue to be deprived, and corruption will persist.

Local villagers, labour unions, and civil society groups demand a full, transparent public report, prosecution of culprits, timely wage payments, and restoration of genuine MNREGA works. National-level media and a public interest petition in the High Court have also drawn attention to the district’s problems.

Questions

1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Rahul in this case?
2. Evaluate the options available to him and the possible consequences of each option.
3. Suggest the best course of action for Rahul.
4. Justify your recommendation with ethical reasoning and principles of good governance.
(250 words)