Mains Practice Questions

You are a struggling reporter of a news channel and have been under severe pressure from your Editor-in-Chief to bring some sensational news to boost Television Rating Points (TRPs).

You have interviewed a famous religious leader of a minority faction on the recent Ayodhya verdict of Supreme Court. In the interview, the religious leader used a provocative statement and urged the members of the community to rebel against the court ruling. If the interview is aired, it might spark communal tensions and law and order problem in society. You are very well aware that if the interview is presented to the Editor-in-Chief, he will definitely air it to boost TRPs. The interview may lead to the exponential growth of your career.  

In such circumstances, would it be right to present the interview to Editor-in-Chief?  

1. Identify the moral dilemma faced by you. 
2. Analyse your role and duties as a responsible reporter, also suggest your course of action.

Q. The RTI Act is a strong weapon that enhances accountability, citizen activism and, consequently, participative democracy. Comment. (150 words)

Q. Explain how the basic philosophy of Jainism can help to tackle various social and environmental problems. (150 words)

Q. The ‘ease of doing business index’ is not the true reflection of business activity in the country. Comment. Also suggest the policy measures taken to improve business activity in India. (250 words)

Q. Identify the issues related to stubble burning. Mention how an effective policy planning can convert crisis of stubble burning into opportunity. (250 words)

Q. Objectives of gender justice go beyond the boundaries of the courts. Comment. (250 words)

Q. The recent judgement of the Supreme Court that brings the office of Chief Justice of India under the ambit of the Right to Information Act will give a fillip to people’s quest for transparency and accountability. Comment (250 words)

Q. Do you agree that the process of urbanisation if carried out in a planned, sustainable and inclusive manner, can potentially help India mitigate the impact of all-pervasive casteism? (250 words)

Q. What are the causes of ocean currents? How do currents affect the temperature of a region? (250 words)

Essay Topics

A. Sustainability, more than anything else, is agriculture's biggest problem.

B. Education in India has not been able to empower all the sections of society. 

The Government has planned the strategic disinvestment of State Road Transportation Corporation in a phased manner by allowing some private companies to ferry buses on marked routes. The outraged workers have called for a strike against the move. You are the head of the workers union of the transport corporation. In a meeting with State officials, they have informed you about the circumstances of inefficiency, corruption and deteriorating quality of service to commuters. You have also presented the worker’s viewpoint and their complaints of low payscale and non-payment of salaries from the past few months. A deadlock has occurred between the two parties where no-side is willing to lose. To break the deadlock, the officials offer you a bribe and other perks to comply with the decision of privatisation in a phased manner. State transport services are in a state of peril and there is a huge outcry among the common masses.

1. Identify the moral dilemma faced by you.
2. Analyse your role and duties, also suggest your course of action.

Q. Gandhiji's vision and philosophy encompasses human rights and sustainable development. Discuss. (150 words)

Q.What do you understand by man animal conflict? Examine the conflict in light of environmental ethics and sustainability. (150 words)

Q. Indian railways has been the lifeline of India’s growth story. Analyse the challenges, advantages and disadvantages of its privatisation. (250 words)

Q. Strong data protection and privacy laws are important for the digital well being of citizens in India. Examine. (250 words)

Q. Tackling air pollution has rarely been a priority in policymaking. Analyse the statement in the light of ongoing health emergency declared in the National Capital Region. (250 words)

Q. Analyse the factors and implications of India’s exit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). (250 words)

Q. What are the characteristics of Hoysala architecture? Examine how is it distinct from Nagara and Dravidian architecture. (250 words)

Q. Pre-Independence Women’s Movements were led and dominated by men. Critically examine. (250 words)

Essay Topics

A. Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.

B. For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Q. You are a senior officer at an intelligence agency working for the internal security of the nation. You find out that a junior officer has been a victim of honey trapping through social media. In all of this, his phone was hacked and confidential files were leaked. 

The entire department has come together and wants you to take strict action against that officer for his behavior. That junior officer is highly skilled and a valuable asset for the organisation. He is also very close to you as you have mentored him throughout and he also respects you a lot. Moreover, any action against him might attract media attention and bring a bad repute to the organisation at large.

(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. “Not only must Justice be done; it must also be seen to be done.” Examine. (150 words)

Q. Explain Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative and compare it with the Utilitarian principle of ethics given by Jeremy Bentham? (150 words)

Q. Briefly explain the Naga crisis, along with initiatives taken to resolve the issues. (150 words)

Q. What do you understand by Quantum Supremacy? What can be the possible applications of quantum computing? (250 words)

Q. The Aspirational Districts’ Programme seeks to remove heterogeneity in socio-economic indicators reflected in prevalent inequality in districts of India. Discuss. (250 words)

Q. Analyse India-Saudi Arabia relations amidst geopolitical flux in Southwest Asia. (250 words)

Q. What was the idea behind “privy purse” and its abolition? Do you think the concept of the privy purse was justified in a democratic nation committed to socio-economic justice and equality? (250 words)

Q. “Our earth is a playfield for two opposing groups of geomorphic processes.” Discuss. (250 words)

Essay Topics

A. Parliamentary accountability is as important as parliamentary debate.

B. Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world.