Mains Practice Questions

Q. What do you understand by ethical governance and examine how is it different from good governance? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the environmental and strategic importance of the Arctic region for India. (250 words)

Q. Unequal access to the Internet creates and reproduces socio-economic exclusions. Discuss. (250 words)

Q. What were the major consequences of the disintegration of the Soviet Union for countries like India? (250 words)

Q. What were the key objectives of the Self Respect Movement? Critically evaluate the success of this movement. (250 words)

Essay Topics

A. True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence.

B. He who can listen to music in the midst of noise can achieve great things.

Q. You are District Magistrate of a flood-prone district. The flood control department has allocated forty crore rupees for building embankments in the low lying area of the river bed. There have been various complaints from locals over the delay in project completion, violations of rules and misuse of funds by the nexus of politicians and contractors.

During monsoon, the embankment construction couldn’t withstand a single season of flooding. This has led to the submergence of many villages in floodwater and thousands of people are trapped in the villages. The villages are completely cut off and there is a scarcity of food and drinking water. Due to water stagnation, there is also a risk of epidemic spread in the region.

There is huge discontent and protest over the allegation of corruption against the local politician. As he is a popular face of ruling political party in the state, there is severe pressure from political heads to cover the corruption issue. Defying the orders of political bosses will bring wrath towards you and may also lead to transfer.

1. As a District Magistrate what will be your course of action to manage the situation in the district. (200 words)
2. Identify the various dimensions of the crisis involved in the issue. Based on your understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis. (200 Words)

Q. The needs of development must be balanced with that of climate justice. In this context, explain the relevance of climate justice in the present times. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the similarities and differences between the code of ethics and code of conduct. (250 words)

Q. Without investing in human capital, the goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy will remain a pipe dream for India. Discuss. (250 words)

Q. The MSME sector, apart from being the backbone of the Indian economy, plays a great role in ensuring socialist goals like income equality, employment generation, poverty eradication and balanced regional development. Substantiate. (250 words)

Q. In countries like India, social security in its modern form has been a response to many issues arising out of the development process. Discuss. (250 words)

Q. India does not have a deficit of laws and rules, in fact we have too much of them. Critically examine. (250 words)

Q. In India, language is not only a reflection of the diversity of the country but is also the carrier of the caste system, cultural oppressions and societal inequalities. Comment. (250 words)

Q. Chinese pilgrims played a key role in the exchanges between ancient India and ancient China. Comment. (250 words)

Essay Topics

A. Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.

B. "Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.” – Immanuel Kant

Q. You are a Municipal Corporation Commissioner of your city which is under heavy rainfall over the last few days. The boundary wall of one of the housing society collapses. The incident took place at midnight, leading to the death of 12 workers, including two children, sleeping in the shade beside the wall. 

On the preliminary inquiry, it has been found that inspite of inappropriate soil conditions, the permission to construct wall was given by previous Municipal Commissioner, who happens to be your close friend. Also, irregularities in construction material have been found and the other officials in the department are trying to influence or manipulate you. The whole scenario seems like a nexus between the officials of the municipal department and builder. However, the builder is a close relative of one of the most powerful leaders of the party in power and is trying to threaten you. 

(A) What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation? 

(B) Also, suggest a course of action you would like to follow.

Q. Explain with examples, how emotional intelligence can be used by the civil servants for better governance. (250 words)

Q. Some people feel that values keep changing with time and situation, while others strongly believe that there are certain universal and eternal human values. Discuss with examples. (250 words)

Q. Explain the significance of access to clean energy for developing countries like India. (250 words)

Q. It is the effective and timely implementation of well-designed primary healthcare policies which results in improved health outcomes. List the steps that can be taken by India to strengthen primary healthcare in the country. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in India’s domestic civil aviation sector by highlighting the policy interventions like UDAN, Nabh Nirman etc. (250 words)

Q. Explain how e-governance can facilitate economic inclusiveness and bring social transformation in India. (250 words)

Q. What are the factors that determine the location of cotton textile industries in India? Briefly explain the changes in the location of these industries from 19th century till the present times. (250 words)

Q. A focus on improving the condition of women of India can immensely contribute to poverty alleviation. Discuss. (250 words)

Essay Topics

A. Knowledge is power but wisdom is liberty.

B. Freedom is to live with dignity.

Q. You are a traffic constable and while on duty you see 3 people riding a motorcycle without a helmet and jumping the red signal. On stopping them, you came to know that one of them met with an accident due to potholes and is severely bleeding and due to non-arrival of ambulance they are taking him to the hospital. On further enquiry, you came to know that the driver does not have a driving license and works as day wager. While on his way to work, he found the man lying injured on the road and in a rush to take him to hospital, he left his helmet on the site of an accident. The driver expresses his financial inability to pay increased fines. Recently, due to the enforcement of new Motor Vehicles Act, you are under severe pressure from your seniors for strict enforcement.    

1. What are the ethical issues involved and the options available to you in such a situation. 

2. Also suggest a course of action you would like to follow. (250 words)

Q. “Businesses cannot be successful when the society around them fails.” Analyse the need for Corporate Social Responsibility in light of the above statement. (250 words)

Q. Examine the following quote:

“ I'd rather have a free press without a government than a government without a free press.” (250 words)

Q. RBI’s monetary policy which is based on inflation targeting needs reform. Comment. (250 words)