Mains Practice Questions

Essay Topics

1. The true measure of a society's greatness is how it treats its weakest members.

2. The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to fulfill one's potential and contribute to the betterment of society.

Case Study

You are a senior executive at a large healthcare organization that has recently implemented an artificial intelligence (AI) system to assist doctors in diagnosing and treating patients. The system uses machine learning algorithms to analyze patient data, identify patterns and predict outcomes. It has been designed to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

However, the system has recently come under scrutiny from the media, patient groups and regulators who are concerned about the ethical implications of using AI in healthcare. There are concerns that the system may be biased, as it has been trained on data that may not represent all patient populations. There are also concerns about the potential loss of privacy and autonomy for patients, as their data is being collected and analyzed without their explicit consent.

You have been tasked with addressing these ethical concerns and ensuring that the healthcare organization is operating in a responsible and ethical manner.

What steps will you take to address biases in AI systems and ensure that they are transparent and accountable?

Q. What are the key ethical theories and frameworks, and how can they be applied to real-world ethical dilemmas? (150 words)

Q. What ethical principles should guide decisions regarding issues such as human rights, conflict resolution, and the use of force in international affairs? (150 words)

Q. The use of plastics has led to a significant increase in pollution and the destruction of marine ecosystems. Discuss the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and suggest measures to reduce it and protect marine life. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the role of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in maintaining monetary stability and suggest ways to improve its effectiveness. (150 words)

Q. What are the key challenges faced by rural India in border areas, and how can the Vibrant Villages initiative help address these challenges? Discuss (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of non-state actors such as transnational corporations and international non-governmental organizations in shaping international relations. (250 words)

Q. “The Himalayas are not only India's natural borders but also a major source of water for India's rivers”. In the light of this statement discuss the importance of the Himalayan region for India and the challenges in preserving its ecology and environment. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the contributions of the Mughal Empire to the Indian history in terms of art, culture, and architecture. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

2. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

Case Study

Shradha Sharma is a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. She has been working for the past 20 years and has a reputation for being honest, competent, and impartial. Her department has been tasked with granting environmental clearances to a large corporation that wants to build a new factory in a forest area.

Shradha Sharma knows that the project could have serious environmental impacts, including deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and pollution. She also knows that the corporation has a history of flouting environmental norms and regulations in other parts of the country.

Shradha Sharma is under intense pressure from the corporation to grant the clearance, as it would create thousands of jobs and bring in large investments. On the other hand, she is also under pressure from environmental activists and NGOs who are urging her to reject the clearance, citing the potential environmental and social costs.

Shradha Sharma is facing dilemma between her duty as a public servant to promote development and create jobs, and her duty to protect the environment and safeguard the interests of the local communities. She has to decide whether to grant or reject the environmental clearance, and her decision will have far-reaching consequences.

Q. What factors should Ms. Sharma consider in making her decision? What are the possible solutions to this ethical dilemma, and what are the trade-offs involved in each solution?

Q. How does the principle of utilitarianism relate to ethical decision-making in public policy? Discuss with the help of an example. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the concept of "ethical relativism" and evaluate its merits and demerits as a basis for ethical decision-making. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of community-based conservation efforts in protecting endangered species in India. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the challenges and opportunities of India's export sector and suggest strategies to increase its competitiveness. (250 words)

Q. How can we work to create a more just and equitable society through education, policy, and grassroots activism? (150 words)

Q. Assess the effectiveness of the current electoral reform measures in India in addressing issues of political financing, voter turnout, and fair representation. (250 words)

Q. What are the key cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity in India? How do they influence the social fabric of the country and shape its identity? (250 Words)

Q. Evaluate the role of Indian women in the Indian National Movement. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.

2. Detachment isn’t about owning nothing, it’s about nothing owes you.

Case study

You are a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Rural Development. The Ministry is responsible for implementing various welfare schemes for rural areas such as employment guarantee, housing, and sanitation programs. Your personal values and beliefs are aligned with the objective of the Ministry to bring about positive change in the lives of rural citizens.

One of your close friends, Tarun, who is a successful businessman, approaches you with a proposal to start a joint venture. Tarun wants to bid for a rural sanitation project that is currently being tendered by the Ministry. The project involves the construction of toilets in rural areas and is part of the government’s larger mission to improve sanitation facilities in rural India.

What would you do in this situation?

Q. What are the key principles of deontological ethics and how do they differ from consequentialist ethics? (150 words)

Q. What is the relationship between ethics and morality in a society, and how do they differ from each other? (150 words)

Q. Analyze the impact of climate change on the Indian monsoon and the consequences for agriculture and water resources. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the reasons for India's high current account deficit and suggest ways to address it. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the role of regional organizations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in shaping India's foreign policy. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the impact of the 73^rd and 74^th Constitutional amendments on the decentralization of power and the functioning of Panchayats and Municipalities in India. (250 words)

Q.  Discuss the role of  women in controlling population growth in India. (150 words) 

Q. Discuss the reasons for the decline of the Maratha Empire till the 19^th century. (250 words)