Mains Practice Questions

Q. Examine the intersection of sustainable development goals and the Sendai Framework. How can integrated approaches to disaster risk reduction contribute to broader socio-economic development? (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the potential of nanotechnology in enhancing India's defense and strategic capabilities. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the impact of the European Union's evolving trade and technology policies on India's strategic interests along with potential areas of collaboration and conflict. (250 words)

Q. Examine the role of the Representation of People's Act,1951 in protecting and promoting electoral integrity. (150 words)

Q. Assess the role of constitutional mechanisms in addressing social inequalities and maintaining social harmony. Analyze their effectiveness and limitations. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the role of handicrafts and traditional artisan communities in preserving India's cultural heritage. (150 words)

Essay Topic:

1. Humanity is as much about coexistence as it is about competition

2. Preservation of the environment is not a liberal or conservation challenge, it’s common sense.

Case Study

Ravi, a Senior Manager in a government infrastructure project, is facing severe pressure to meet deadlines for a highway construction project vital to regional connectivity. Delays caused by land acquisition issues and contractor inefficiency have attracted sharp criticism from higher-ups, with a warning of possible suspension if targets are not met. Amid this, a private consultant approaches Ravi, offering insider information on upcoming regulatory clearances that could expedite approvals, provided Ravi ensures the consultant’s engagement on lucrative terms. Simultaneously, Ravi discovers financial irregularities in subcontractor invoices but worries that taking action might further delay the project and bring negative publicity to his team and organization.

Ravi is now caught between conflicting responsibilities: maintaining personal integrity, ensuring timely project completion, and safeguarding his career. Ravi must critically assess his options, balancing the organizational need for efficiency with adherence to ethical principles, while protecting the project’s credibility and his professional reputation.

(a) Identify and discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by Anil Kumar in this situation.

(b) Examine the possible courses of action available to Anil and evaluate their pros and cons.

(c) Recommend the most ethical and professionally appropriate course of action for Anil, justifying your choice.

Q. Analyze the potential long-term consequences of eroding non-partisanship in public institutions. How does this impact democratic governance and public trust? (150 words)

Q. "Moral courage is the highest form of accountability." Discuss the ethical dilemmas faced by civil servants in challenging administrative environments. (150 words)

Q. Analyze the strategic significance of technological indigenization for India's and economic sovereignty, with reference to recent developments in this area. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the economic impact of GST implementation on small and medium enterprises in India. What strategies can be adopted to further simplify the GST framework to better support their growth and sustainability? (250 words)

Q. Analyze the role of public-private partnerships in improving the quality and accessibility of social sector services. What governance mechanisms can ensure accountability and prevent the commodification of essential services? (250 words)

Q. "State legislatures in India are increasingly becoming mere ratification chambers rather than deliberative bodies." Discuss. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the mineral resource base of the Chhota Nagpur Plateau. What geological and historical factors have been crucial in this development? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the complex interactions between cultural regeneration and political resistance in the Indian nationalist movement. (150 words)

Essay Topic

1. It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.

2. Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime.

Case Study

You are the Municipal Commissioner of a rapidly growing city facing an acute water crisis due to depleting groundwater levels and inadequate water supply infrastructure. To address this, the state government has launched an ambitious project to construct a reservoir and implement a pipeline network to provide water to all households. The project has strict deadlines as it is being funded by an international agency that requires completion within 18 months. However, during the land acquisition process for the reservoir, several tribal families residing in the area protest, claiming that they were not adequately consulted, and their traditional livelihoods are at stake. Simultaneously, an environmental group files a petition in the court, alleging that the project will destroy a critical wildlife corridor. The contractors involved in the pipeline construction also complain of delayed payments, which is slowing down progress. The media has begun portraying the project as a failure, and public pressure is mounting. You are tasked with resolving these issues, ensuring the timely completion of the project while addressing the concerns of all stakeholders.

1. Who are the stakeholders involved in this case?

2. What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

3. What will be your course of action to resolve the issues and ensure the project's timely completion while addressing stakeholder concerns?

Q. Discuss the relevance of Confucian ethics in promoting social harmony and administrative efficiency in modern governance systems. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the relationship between power, knowledge, and compassion. How do institutional narratives constitute and limit the potential for genuine ethical engagement? (150 words)

Q. Examine the complex interplay between economic marginalization, governance deficits, and the rise of radical ideologies in India's left-wing extremism affected areas. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the potential and limitations of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in driving inclusive economic growth and financial transformation in India (250 words)

Q. Discuss how India utilized the G20 platform to advance its multilateral interests and its potential to reshape global economic architectures. (150 words)

Q. "E-governance is not merely a technological intervention but a complex socio-political transformation. Discuss how digital platforms can reshape citizen-state relationships. (250 words)

Q. "The emergence of regional power centers in the 18th century was not merely a sign of Mughal decline but represented new forms of state-building." Discuss (250 words)

Q. "The process of coastal erosion and deposition creates a distinctive suite of landforms." Discuss. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.

2. The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.

Case Study

You are the District Election Officer (DEO) in a politically sensitive district in India, where a local election is taking place. Just days before the election, a deepfake video of one of the leading candidates emerges, showing them making controversial comments about a particular community. The video is quickly shared across social media platforms, leading to widespread misinformation, increased tension between local communities, and several violent protests. The police are struggling to control the situation, and the election authorities are under immense pressure to address the issue.

As the DEO, you are tasked with managing the situation effectively. You must coordinate with local law enforcement, social media companies, and other stakeholders to contain the spread of the video and restore peace in the district. You also need to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future while safeguarding the integrity of the election process.

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

2. What are the laws in place to curb deepfake?

3. What steps will you take to stop the spread of the deep fake video and calm the situation?

Q. Discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in public leadership. Analyze how emotional self-regulation and social awareness can mitigate administrative challenges. (150 words)

Q Swami Vivekananda emphasized the harmony of spiritual and material values for societal progress. Examine the relevance of his philosophy in tackling modern-day ethical dilemmas. (150 words)