Mains Practice Questions

Q. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is often described as a "bridge technology" in the global transition to net-zero. Examine its potential and challenges in the Indian context. (250 words)

Q.The Human Development Index (HDI) shows potential, while the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) reveals performance. Discuss with reference to India. (150 words)

Q. “The Himalayan region is simultaneously India’s water tower and disaster epicenter.” Critically examine in light of glacier retreat and hydropower expansion. (250 words)

Q. Analyze how data has emerged as the ‘new factor of production’ in India’s economy. What challenges arise in terms of regulation, ownership, and privacy? (250 words)

Q. Technological sovereignty is emerging as the cornerstone of national power in the 21st century. Examine how India can achieve self-reliance in semiconductors, space technology, and critical minerals while staying embedded in global value chains.(250 words)

Q. Do structural interventions such as embankments and dams provide long-term solutions to floods, or do they create new vulnerabilities? Critically evaluate. (150 words)

Q. “Borders today are as much digital as they are physical.” Analyze India’s vulnerabilities to cyber intrusions and digital espionage. Suggest an integrated cyber defense and digital sovereignty strategy. (250 words)

Q. How far can carbon farming and regenerative agriculture provide India with both climate resilience and export competitiveness? Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “Narco-terrorism is the silent war on youth.”Analyze how narco-terrorism affects India’s demographic dividend. Suggest preventive and rehabilitative measures to shield the young population from this menace. (250 words)

Q. “Care work is the invisible scaffolding of the economy.” How can recognising and integrating care work reshape labour markets and raise the female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)? (150 words)

Q. Climate justice and carbon markets have gained prominence in international negotiations. Critically evaluate India’s position on these concepts and their relevance for equitable sustainable development. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the structural, financial, and regulatory challenges in formalizing India’s informal sector while preserving its employment generation potential. (250 words)

Q. Critically analyze how climate change is altering the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts in India. Assess the preparedness of India’s disaster management framework to address cloudburst events. (250 words)

Q."A river’s purity is the first casualty of unchecked progress."Discuss the challenges in implementing effective wastewater treatment to curb river pollution in India. (150 words)

Q. Despite being the largest cotton producer globally, India lags in productivity. Critically examine the key challenges in cotton productivity in India and evaluate the role of recently launched “Mission for Cotton Productivity” in addressing them. (250 words)

Q. India’s participation in the Axiom Mission marks a shift towards global human spaceflight collaboration. Analyze its implications for India’s space sector. (150 words)

Q. “In a country where deprivation wears many faces, economic policy must begin at the margins, not the median.” Examine in the context of poverty alleviation strategies in India. (250 words)

Q. “India’s renewable energy transition is necessary, but not yet sufficient.” Analyse the environmental and socio-economic trade-offs in large-scale solar and wind energy projects. (250 words)

Q. "Disasters in India are often a result of development choices rather than natural hazards alone." Examine how unplanned urbanization has contributed to increasing disaster risk. (250 words)

Q. "Indigenous defence technology plays a critical role in enhancing India’s strategic autonomy and national security”. Discuss its significance in the context of India’s evolving security landscape. (250 words)

Q. “With the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, India must urgently integrate climate change adaptation into its disaster risk management framework. Discuss in the context of recent events and policy responses.” (250 words)

Q. "Logistics is the backbone of a nation’s economic efficiency, and its transformation is essential for India’s journey from a developing economy to a developed one." Discuss. (250 words)

Q. “India’s counter-terrorism strategy has evolved over time in response to changing patterns of terrorism”. Discuss the key components of India's current counter-terrorism strategy and evaluate its effectiveness in curbing cross-border terrorism. (250 words)

Q. Examine the role of nanotechnology in medical applications, especially in drug delivery systems. What are the potential health risks and regulatory challenges associated with its widespread use? (250 words)

Q. "The Himalayas are not just a geographical feature, but a living ecosystem, vital for sustaining the environment, biodiversity, and livelihoods." Discuss. (150 words)

Q. Critically assess the potential impact of the National Manufacturing Mission on India’s manufacturing sector. How can this initiative enhance the sector’s global competitiveness? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the current flood management strategies adopted by Indian cities. How effective are these strategies in mitigating urban flooding, and what improvements can be made in flood risk management and disaster preparedness? (250 words)

Q. Assess the role of green investments in India’s transition to a sustainable economy. How can India integrate environmental sustainability with economic growth in the context of its ‘Net-Zero’ emissions target by 2070? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the impact of deforestation on biodiversity and climate change in India, highlighting the government initiatives undertaken to mitigate these effects. (150 words)

Q. Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a key tool in improving governance and public service delivery in India. Discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with its adoption in the public sector. (250 words)