Mains Practice Questions

Q. Discuss the consequence of Climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Essay Topics

1. Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.

2. Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.

Case Studies

You are working as an exeutive in a nationalized bank for several years. One day one of your close colleagues tells you that her father is suffering from heart disease and needs surgery immediately to survive. She also tells you that she has no insurance and the operation will cost about Rs. 10 lakh. You are also aware of the fact that her husband is no more and that she is from a lower middle class family. You are empathetic about her situation. However, apart from expressing your sympathy, you do not have the resources to fund her.

A few weeks later, you ask her about the well-being of her father and she informs you about his successful surgery and that he is recovering. She then confides in you that the bank manager was kind enough to facilitate the release of 10 lakh from a dormant account of someone to pay for the operation with a promise that it should be confidential and be repaid at the earliest. She has already started paying it back and will continue to do so until it is all returned.

A. What are the ethical issues involved?

B. Evaluate the behavior of the bank manager from an ethical point of view.

C. How would you react to the situation?

Q. International aid is an accepted form of helping ‘resource-challenged’ nations. Comment on ‘ethics in contemporary international aid’. Support your answer with suitable examples. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. What do you understand by “moral integrity” and “professional efficiency" in the context of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how land ceiling policy on landholding can be considered as an effective reform under economic criteria. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. ‘‘The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.’’ Comment. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India. (150 Words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Essay Topics 

Case Studies

You are a senior police officer in charge of the Mumbai police. You have recently learned that one of your subordinates has won Rs. 2 crore on a fantasy sports app, by assembling a virtual cricket team. He has also given media interviews in uniform, without seeking permission from you, and has become a celebrity overnight. However, you also know that playing such games is considered unethical and socially unacceptable by many people, and that there is an ongoing debate about the legality and morality of such apps. You are worried that his actions might tarnish the image and reputation of the police force, and also set a bad example for other officers and common people.

(a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

(b) What are the possible courses of action that you can take as his superior officer?

(c) What are the merits and demerits of each course of action?

(d) Which course of action would you choose and why?

Q. What is cognitive dissonance and how does it affect ethical decision making? How can you overcome cognitive dissonance and act in accordance with your moral values? (150 words)

Q. What are the ethical issues involved in patronage appointments in the public sector? How can they affect the efficiency and accountability of the civil service? (150 words)

Q. Explain the formation and characteristics of winter smog in the context of India. What strategies would you recommend for mitigating and controlling winter smog in Indian metropolitan areas? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of methanol-based economy in India. What are the key factors that need to be considered for the successful implementation of a methanol economy to address energy and environmental concerns in the country? (250 words)

Q.The United Nations (UN) is often criticized for its failure to maintain peace and security in the world, despite its commendable work. Analyze the challenges faced by it and suggest some reforms to enhance the UN’s role and effectiveness in the 21st century. (250 words)

Q. Parliamentary committees are an essential part of Indian democracy while they face several challenges and limitations in their functioning. Discuss the role and challenges of parliamentary committees in India. (250 words)

Q. Examine the impacts of globalization in the context of developing countries like India and discuss how India can strike a balance between economic growth and safeguarding its cultural and social identities in an increasingly globalized world. (250 words)

Q. Analyzing the challenges and implications of communalism on social cohesion and the country's overall development, discuss the role of state policies in tackling communalism. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.

2. Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people we personally dislike.

Case Studies

You are a district collector in a drought-prone area. You have been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in your district. The scheme aims to provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. However, you find that there is a large-scale corruption and leakage of funds in the implementation of the scheme. Some of the common malpractices are:

1. Fake job cards and muster rolls

2. Inflated wage payments and material costs

3. Substandard work quality and measurement

4. Collusion between local officials, contractors and politicians

You have to take appropriate steps to curb the corruption and ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.

A. What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

B. What are the measures that you can take to prevent and punish the corrupt practices?

C. How can you use technology and innovation to improve the transparency and accountability of the scheme?

Q. Examine the ethical challenges in influencer marketing, including potential societal and individual consequences of unethical practices. (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the ethical dimensions surrounding the concept of 'just war' in the contemporary geopolitical context. (150 Words)

Q. In recent times, there has been a growing trend towards the use of electric vehicles. What obstacles are currently present in the Indian market, and what measures have the Indian government implemented to address them? (250 Words)

Q. Define Artificial Intelligence(AI). In the context of agriculture in India how can AI be harnessed for various applications?(150 Words)

Q. Discuss the need and challenges of sub-categorisation of OBCs in India. How will it affect the existing reservation policy and the social justice agenda?

Q. Critically examine the arguments for and against legalising same sex marriage in India. What are the constitutional and social implications of such a move? (250 words)