Mains Practice Questions

Q. While civil society organisations act as watchdogs of democracy, concerns regarding their transparency and accountability have also emerged. Critically analyse this paradox in the Indian context. (250 words)

Q. The ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and West Asia have exposed the limitations of existing international security architectures.Critically analyse how these developments affect global stability and India’s strategic interests.(250 words)

Q. Judicial activism is both a safeguard and a challenge to democratic governance. Critically examine.(250 words)

Q. “India’s engagement with Africa is moving from solidarity to strategic partnership.” Critically analyse. (250 words)

Q.“Executive dominance often undermines institutional checks and balances in governance.” Discuss (150 Words)

Q. India’s relations with Russia continue to evolve amid shifting global geopolitics. Examine the strategic, economic, and geopolitical dimensions of contemporary India–Russia engagement. (250 Words)

Q. While digital governance initiatives aim to create more accountable and transparent governance,they often risk exacerbating existing socio-economic inequalities.Analyze this paradox in the light of India’s push of ‘ Digital Public Infrastructure’(DPI). (250 word)

Q. “India’s approach to evolving multipolar world order is characterised by the Multi alignment and strategic autonomy.” Analyze the effectiveness of this approach in securing India’s core national interests,particularly in dealing with challenges posed by the rise of China. (250 words)

Q. “India’s rise will depend not only on power projection but on norm-setting in the global order.”
Analyse India’s ability to shape global rules on technology, trade, and climate. (150 words)

Q. “The Indian model of secularism is not about the separation of religion and State, but the principled engagement of the State with all religions.”Discuss this statement in light of recent policy debates. (250 words)

Q.“India’s engagement with Africa has moved towards a development-centric and demand-driven partnership. Critically evaluate the key drivers and challenges shaping this evolving relationship. (250 words)

Q. Compare and contrast the doctrine of Parliamentary supremacy in the UK with the concept of Constitutional supremacy in India. (150 words)

Q. India–Sri Lanka relations have evolved from historical and cultural closeness to strategic engagement shaped by geopolitical realities. Discuss the major challenges in the relationship and suggest measures to strengthen mutual trust. (250 words)

Q. The inadequate devolution of the 3Fs—Funds, Functions, and Functionaries—remains the biggest bottleneck in empowering PRIs. Analyse the challenges and recommend practical reforms for effective decentralisation. (250 words)

Q. The India–US partnership has moved from a transactional to a transformational phase. Critically assess this evolution in the context of emerging global power shifts.(250 words)

Q. “Constitutionalism is not merely about limiting power, but about enabling good governance.” Examine how the Indian Constitution balances restraint and empowerment of the State. (150 words)

Q. “India’s multilateralism is guided by both moral leadership and strategic pragmatism.” Discuss this duality with examples from India’s role in the SCO and BRICS. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the potential of Mission Karmayogi in transforming India’s bureaucracy from a rule-based to a role-based system. What institutional challenges could hinder its success? (250 words)

Q.“Engagement without formal recognition” sums up India’s approach to the Taliban-led regime in Afghanistan. Critically examine this policy in terms of India’s security, economic and ethical interests. (250 words)

Q.“Despite being the ‘pharmacy of the world’, India lacks a robust paediatric drug regulatory framework.”Critically analyse the challenges in ensuring safety, quality, and ethical standards in medicines intended for children in India. (150 words)

Q. India’s foreign policy demonstrates a delicate balance between strategic cooperation with the United States and the pursuit of autonomy in relations with Russia and China. Comment.

Q. Do you think the recurrent resort to ordinances by the Executive undermines the principles of separation of powers and parliamentary accountability in India? Discuss.

Q. Transparency is the cornerstone of democracy, but without accountability, it risks becoming ornamental. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the Right to Information Act, 2005, in promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance in India. (150 words)

Q. Examine the key factors driving women’s empowerment in India and analyse the major barriers that continue to impede its full realization. (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. 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.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)