Mains Practice Questions

1. The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.

Quotes to Enrich Your Essay: 

• “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” Ralph Nader 
• “Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.” Robin S. Sharma. 
• “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell. 
• “Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” John C. Maxwell 

Theoretical and Philosophical Dimensions: 

• Nature of Leadership: True leadership empowers others by fostering autonomy, growth, and resilience. By inspiring individuals to lead, it creates a ripple effect that ensures long-term adaptability and innovation. 
• Succession and Legacy: The ultimate legacy of a leader is measured not by their personal achievements, but by the leaders they leave behind and the continuity of their vision. 
  • Effective leaders mentor, delegate responsibility, and encourage critical thinking, enabling others to take ownership and innovate. 
  • Great leaders share their vision, inspiring others to adapt and expand upon it, rather than imposing it rigidly. 
• Indian Philosophy and Leadership: The Bhagavad Gita teaches the concept of “Dharma” and “Swadharma” where leaders must guide others to realize their own purpose and responsibilities. 
• Socratic Method: Encourages questioning and dialogue, helping others discover knowledge and leadership within themselves. 

Historical and Policy Examples: 

• Ashoka the Great: Inspired and motivated by his predecessors like Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka transformed from a fierce conqueror to a compassionate and moral leader after the Kalinga war. 
• Guru Nanak: Emphasized self-realization and leadership rooted in service and equality, inspiring followers to become spiritual leaders. 
• Mahatma Gandhi: Inspired millions to become leaders in their own right, fostering a mass movement for independence and influencing global leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. 
• Swami Vivekananda: Encouraged youth empowerment and independent thinking rooted in Indian culture and values. Inspired reformers, freedom fighters, and spiritual leaders who followed his path. 
• Education and Leadership Development: Initiatives like the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS) nurture leadership qualities among youth. 
• Corporate Leadership Models (CLMs): Successful organizations promote leadership pipelines, mentoring, and empowerment rather than command-and-control structures. 
• Mission Karmayogi: It supports leadership development through shifts focus from routine administrative tasks to strategic leadership roles. Prepares officers for complex decision-making, innovation, and public leadership. 

Contemporary Examples: 

• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Leaders like Vikram Sarabhai supported and mentored visionaries such as Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who later emerged as an inspiring leader himself and carried forward the legacy of nurturing future leaders through education and innovation. 
• Ratan Tata: Groomed future business leaders within the Tata Group, while promoting ethical business leadership in India.  
  • His leadership style is often credited for cultivating a culture of responsibility and innovation. 
• Indra Nooyi (Former CEO, PepsiCo): Focused on building leadership pipelines, promoted women and minorities to leadership roles. Known for mentorship and long-term leadership development within the organization. 
• Jacinda Ardern (Former PM of New Zealand): Practiced inclusive leadership, gave voice to youth, women, and indigenous communities. 

Conclusion: 

Leadership that multiplies itself is the foundation of enduring success, innovation, and social progress. By empowering others to lead, true leaders create a legacy that outlasts their own tenure and transforms organizations and societies for the better. The greatest leaders are those who lift others to join them at the top, ensuring the torch of leadership is passed on, not hoarded. 

2. Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves.

Quotes to Enrich Your Essay: 

• “Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves.” Friedrich Nietzsche 
• “Freedom means responsibility; that is why most men dread it.” George Bernard Shaw 
• “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” Thomas Jefferson 

Philosophical and Theoretical Dimensions: 

• Concept of Freedom: Freedom is not mere absence of restraint but the ability to act responsibly and ethically. Freedom is not mere absence of restraint, but the conscious choice to act ethically and accept consequences. 
• Social Contract Theory: Freedom is balanced with social responsibility to maintain order and justice in society. Freedom without responsibility leads to chaos, responsible freedom strengthens democracy and social harmony. 
• Psychological Perspective: Responsible freedom fosters autonomy, self-regulation, and personal growth. Sartre’s philosophy stresses that freedom entails responsibility for one’s choices and actions. 
  • The Bhagavad Gita describes freedom (Moksha) as liberation through self-discipline and responsibility towards one’s dharma. Karma Yoga teaches responsible action without attachment to result. 
• Gandhian Perspective: Gandhi saw freedom as a means to fulfill one’s responsibilities to self, community, and humanity. Self-governance and discipline are prerequisites for true liberty. 
• Kantian Ethics: Immanuel Kant argued that freedom is realized through self-imposed moral laws. Responsibility is the essence of freedom, as it enables ethical choice. 
• Authenticity: True freedom is being true to oneself, even when it means defying social expectations or external pressures. 
• Moral Agency: Free will implies moral responsibility, our choices are meaningful because we are accountable for them. 

Historical and Policy Examples: 

• Democratic Societies: The foundation of democracy is individual liberty balanced with civic responsibility, freedom of speech, for example, is paired with the duty not to incite violence. 
• The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of South Africa exemplifies the idea that true freedom entails taking responsibility for one’s actions, both individually and collectively.  
  • The TRC process encouraged perpetrators to acknowledge their wrongdoings and victims to voice their experiences, fostering accountability and moral responsibility. 
• Constitutional Provisions: Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental freedoms alongside duties (Article 51A). 
• RTI Act (India): The Right to Information empowers citizens, but also expects them to use information responsibly for public good. 
• Environmental Stewardship: The freedom to exploit resources must be balanced with responsibility to future generations. 

Contemporary Examples: 

• Social Media: The freedom to express is often misused without responsibility, leading to misinformation and polarization. 
• Entrepreneurship: Societies that destigmatize failure foster innovation, but this freedom comes with responsibility to stakeholders and society. 

Conclusion: 

Freedom finds its highest expression in responsibility, towards oneself, others, and society. True liberty is not license, but the will to act with integrity, self-mastery, and a sense of duty. Only when individuals embrace responsibility does freedom contribute to justice, harmony, and progress.