Mains Practice Questions

Q. In an increasingly volatile global economic environment, India’s macroeconomic stability depends on prudent management of inflation, external sector vulnerabilities, and capital flows. Discuss the policy trade-offs involved. (250 words)

Q.“India’s fertilizer policy needs a paradigm shift from product-based subsidy to result-based nutrient management.” Discuss this in the context of the emerging role of nano fertilizers and precision agriculture. (250 words)

Q. Critically evaluate the significance of India’s recent labour reforms under the four new Labour Codes. (250 words)

Q. India aspires to become an economically self-reliant nation by 2047. Examine the key structural constraints that impede this transition and suggest reforms needed to overcome them. (250 words)

Q. "India’s road transport sector is vital for economic growth, but remains plagued by poor infrastructure and rising road accidents." Analyse the challenges in ensuring road safety and suggest measures to build a safer and more sustainable transport ecosystem. (250 words)

Q." Despite possessing substantial reserves, India’s rare earth sector remains underdeveloped." Analyse the strategic importance of rare earth minerals for India’s economic security and evaluate the key challenges hindering their optimal utilisation. (250 words)

Q.“India’s startup ecosystem is dynamic but lacks future readiness.” Critically examine. (250 words)

Q. Fiscal health determines the developmental resilience of a state. How can the FHI (Fiscal Health Index) help bridge the gap between fiscal capacity and fiscal performance across Indian states? (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 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.” 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 Human Development Index (HDI) shows potential, while the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) reveals performance. Discuss with reference to India. (150 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. “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. Analyze the structural, financial, and regulatory challenges in formalizing India’s informal sector while preserving its employment generation potential. (250 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. “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. "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. 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. 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. The convergence of organized crime and terrorism poses a significant threat to India’s internal security. Examine the nature of this nexus and its implications for counter-terrorism efforts.(250 words)

Q. India’s economic growth has been uneven in generating employment and ensuring equitable income distribution. Discuss the structural issues contributing to this disparity and propose corrective measures. (250 words)

Q. Examine the role of MSMEs in India’s economic growth and employment generation. What are the key challenges confronting the MSME sector, and how can they be addressed? (250 words)

Q. To what extent can gender budgeting serve as a tool for women empowerment in India? Discuss its status and key requirements for effective implementation. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate whether steady GDP growth and low inflation indicate a well-performing Indian economy. Justify your argument. (150 Words)

Q. Explain the concepts of the 'care economy' and the 'monetized economy.' In what ways can women's empowerment facilitate the inclusion of the care economy within the formal monetized economy?(150 Words)

Q. Systemic inefficiencies are often at the root of banking crises. In this context, analyze the significance of Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) in revealing the structural challenges of the Indian banking sector. (150 words)

Q. Agriculture is a vital sector for India’s economy but faces several challenges. Discuss these challenges and propose measures to address them. (250 words)

Q. Critically evaluate the effect of financial inclusion initiatives on improving access to banking services in rural and remote regions of India.(150 words)