Case Study

You are posted as the District Magistrate in a rural district of India with a significant population belonging to various caste groups. Despite legal provisions and affirmative action policies, instances of caste discrimination are prevalent in the district. Recently, a group of Dalit students from a government school in a predominantly upper-caste village have approached you, complaining of discrimination and harassment by their upper-caste classmates and teachers.

The students allege that they are often made to sit separately, are not allowed to use the common water source and face verbal abuse from their peers and teachers. They also claim that their grades are intentionally marked lower than those of their upper-caste counterparts.

Upon investigation, you find that the allegations are substantiated, and there is a deep-seated bias against the Dalit students in the school. The school management, dominated by upper-caste members, is reluctant to address the issue, citing "tradition" and "social norms."

As the District Magistrate, how would you approach this situation ethically and effectively to address the caste discrimination in the school? What steps would you take to ensure justice for the Dalit students and promote a more inclusive and equitable environment in the school?

Q. Discuss the impact of farm subsidies on agricultural productivity, income distribution, and food security in India. Suggest reforms for better effectiveness. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the causes, consequences, and global efforts to mitigate ozone depletion. How can international cooperation address this environmental challenge effectively? (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of Article 3 of the Indian Constitution in the context of territorial reorganization and its implications for federalism. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance and challenges of India's 'Neighbourhood First Policy' in fostering regional cooperation and addressing geopolitical dynamics. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the challenges and strategies involved in the integration of princely states into independent India. How did it shape post-independence India's territorial integrity? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the social repercussions of globalization on traditional cultures, identities, and social structures, emphasizing both positive transformations and challenges. (250 words)

Essay Topics:

1. Keeping the forest in sight, do not get lost in the trees.

2. In times of uncertainty, people yearn for certainty.

Case Study

You are the Human Resources Manager of a medium-sized company that operates in the service sector. The company employs a diverse workforce, including individuals from different cultural backgrounds and genders. Recently, an employee, Ms. A, who has been with the company for three years, has filed a complaint of sexual harassment against her immediate supervisor, Mr. B.

Ms. A alleges that Mr. B has been making unwanted advances towards her, including inappropriate comments about her appearance and unwelcome physical contact. She states that these incidents have been ongoing for several months and have created a hostile work environment for her.

Upon receiving the complaint, you conducted a preliminary investigation and found some corroborating evidence, such as witness statements and emails. However, Mr. B denies the allegations and claims that his interactions with Ms. A were friendly and professional.

As the HR Manager, you are tasked with handling this sensitive issue in a fair and impartial manner. Your actions will not only affect the individuals involved but also impact the overall work culture and reputation of the company.

In light of the above scenario, discuss the ethical dilemmas you face as the HR Manager and outline the steps you would take to address the complaint of sexual harassment, ensuring transparency, fairness, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Q. Discuss the ethical implications of corporate lobbying in influencing government policies. Suggest measures to ensure transparency and accountability in such interactions. (250 Words)

Q. Analyse the role of social media in shaping public opinion and political discourse. How can its misuse be mitigated to uphold ethical standards? (250 Words)

Q. Explain the objectives of public debt management. How does effective debt management contribute to macroeconomic stability? Discuss. (250 Words)

Q. Critically assess the future prospects of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the context of evolving global climate change scenarios. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the evolution of Centre-State relations in India since independence. How have constitutional provisions and judicial interpretations influenced these relations? (250 Words)

Q. Assess the effectiveness of India's flagship welfare schemes in promoting social justice and reducing inequality. Discuss with examples. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the impact of the Non-Cooperation Movement on India's struggle for independence, analyzing its strategies and consequences. (250 words)

Q. Examine the social, political, and economic factors leading to the French Revolution, evaluating its long-term significance on global governance and societal restructuring. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

2. Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.

Case Studies

Mohan is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentless pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment.

He was posted in a tribal-dominated district notorius for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from the river belt and transporting it through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribal under fear and intimidation.

Mohan being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are hand in glove with them and have developed a close unholy nexous.

Mohan initiated stringent action against them and started conducting raids on their illegal operations of movement of trucks filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many officers in the past had taken such strong steps against the mafia. Some of the office employees who were allegedly close to the mafia informed them that the oofice is determined to clean up the mafia's illegal sand mining operations in that district and may cause them irreparable damage. The mafia turned hostile and launched a counter-offensive.

The tribal musclemen and mafia started threatening him with dire consequences. His family (wife, and old mother) were stalked and were under virtual surveillance and thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of them. The matter assumed serious proportions when a muscle man come to his office and threatened him to stop raids, etc., otherwise, his fate will not be different from some of his predecessores (ten years back one officer was killed by the mafia)

(a) Identify the differnt options availabe to Mohan in attending to this situation.

(b) Critically evaluate each of the options by you.

(c) Among the options provided, which do you believe would be the most suitable?

Q. How can the cultivation of a positive attitude among public servants enhance their effectiveness in addressing the needs and concerns of citizens? (150 words)

Q. What does this quotation convey to you in the present context?
This is our world, a common world. Everybody should feel a common responsibility"— BAN KI-MOON

Q. Analyze the challenges faced by India in WTO negotiations and its strategies to protect its interests in multilateral trade. (250 words)

Q. Examine the importance of GSLV technology in India's space exploration efforts. Evaluate the obstacles encountered during the development and implementation of GSLV technology for satellite launches. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in promoting social justice in the Indian Constitution. (250 Words)

Q. Evaluate the effectiveness of affirmative action policies in India's quest for social justice, considering challenges and potential reforms. (250 Words)

Essay Topics

1. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

2. The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.

Case Studies

You are posted as the District Magistrate in a region where deforestation has become a pressing issue. The local communities rely heavily on forest resources for their livelihoods, including fuelwood collection, timber for construction, and non-timber forest products for sustenance. However, rampant deforestation is leading to ecological imbalances and adversely affecting the communities. The increasing deforestation is driven by various factors, including illegal logging, encroachment for agricultural purposes, and infrastructure development. This has resulted in the loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and disrupted water cycles, leading to adverse effects on agriculture and local ecosystems.

As the District Magistrate, you are tasked with addressing these problems and finding sustainable solutions that balance the needs of the communities with environmental conservation.

In light of this scenario, analyze the problems and issues of deforestation and propose a comprehensive plan of action that addresses the concerns of both the communities and the environment.

Q. Discuss the ethical implications of AI technology in governance, highlighting its potential for bias and discrimination. Offer solutions for ethical AI implementation. (250 Words)

Q. Analyze the role of whistleblowing in promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. Evaluate its ethical and legal dimensions. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of Gross National Product (GNP) over Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in assessing a nation's economic well-being and its implications for policy formulation. (250 Words)