Q. “Indian urbanisation is not merely a demographic shift but a civilizational transformation.” Analyse how this transformation is reshaping identities, social relations, and spatial inequalities. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the significance of the Gupta period in shaping the foundations of classical Indian culture. How far can it be considered a “Golden Age”? (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.

2. Justice is the first condition of humanity.

Case Study

Meera Rao, the District Magistrate of an expanding industrial district, is confronted with increasing incidents of language-based violence targeting migrant labourers arriving from different parts of the country. In recent weeks, several troubling events have created a climate of fear. A group of construction workers was beaten by local youth for not speaking the regional language. Two delivery workers were humiliated and forced to record apology videos for using their mother tongue. A factory supervisor allegedly denied work shifts to labourers who could not communicate in the local language.

Hospitals report a visible rise in assault cases involving migrant workers. Police inputs indicate that intimidation is being coordinated through social media groups that promote linguistic purity and urge locals to reclaim jobs. Investigators also suspect that some cultural organisations with political influence are indirectly escalating tensions by encouraging divisive narratives during public gatherings.

Meera drafts a multi-layered plan that includes strict legal action under relevant provisions, a multilingual grievance helpline, sensitisation programmes in industrial areas, mandatory anti-discrimination guidelines for factories, and partnerships with labour unions and community groups.

Opposition to her plan emerges immediately. Local trade associations fear that strict policing will disrupt hiring practices and harm small industries already facing economic stress. Cultural groups accuse the administration of undermining regional identity and argue that the increasing presence of migrants is eroding local culture. A few media channels portray Meera’s efforts as an attempt to favour outsiders, deepening the polarisation. Some political leaders privately advise her to slow down due to the sensitivity of the upcoming elections.

Simultaneously, labour welfare organisations, rights-based NGOs, and several industrialists express deep concern. They warn that delayed action will embolden extremist behaviour and cause large numbers of migrant workers to flee the district. This could severely disrupt essential services, supply chains, and industrial production. Meera feels torn between the duty to safeguard vulnerable workers and the need to maintain social stability, between enforcing the law with firmness and respecting cultural identity, and between administrative neutrality and political pressure.

Questions:

1. What are the main ethical dilemmas Meera faces in this situation?

2. Identify and analyse the conflicting values and principles involved in this case.

3. Evaluate the possible courses of action available to Meera and their likely consequences.

4. What should be Meera’s most ethical and administratively sound course of action to address language-based violence against migrant labourers? (250 words)

Q. “Innovation without compassion leads to exploitation.”In the era of AI, surveillance technologies, and digital monopolies, what ethical principles should technologically advanced nations uphold to prevent digital colonisation and ensure equitable technological access worldwide? (150 words)

Q. “A civil servant’s success depends more on emotional competence than on cognitive ability.” Do you agree? Substantiate with examples. (150 words)

Q. COP30 reflects both the potential and the limits of multilateral climate cooperation. Discuss the key strengths and structural weaknesses of the present global climate governance. (250 words)

Q. Critically evaluate the significance of India’s recent labour reforms under the four new Labour Codes. (250 words)

Q.“India’s engagement with Africa has moved towards a development-centric and demand-driven partnership. Critically evaluate the key drivers and challenges shaping this evolving relationship. (250 words)

Q. Compare and contrast the doctrine of Parliamentary supremacy in the UK with the concept of Constitutional supremacy in India. (150 words)

Q. Dead zones are expanding rapidly in world oceans due to a combination of anthropogenic and climate-related factors. Examine the causes, assess their impact on marine ecology and coastal economies, and propose policy-level solutions. (250 words)

Q. The 1920s marked a shift from a single-stream nationalist struggle to a multi-ideological movement. Examine how diverse ideological currents shaped the character of India’s freedom struggle during this decade. (150 words)

Case Study

Ritika Sharma, the District Magistrate of a rapidly developing district, is confronted with worrying reports of a steady rise in drug use among students and young professionals. Over the past few weeks, multiple incidents have raised alarms: five college students were admitted to the district hospital after consuming synthetic drugs at a birthday party; police intercepted a courier parcel containing narcotics disguised as health supplements; and several school counsellors reported behavioural changes and absenteeism linked to possible substance abuse.

Preliminary investigations reveal that drugs are being distributed through encrypted messaging apps and anonymous digital wallets. Intelligence inputs point toward a network involving a local nightclub owner, a few influential businessmen, and some college staff who allegedly “look the other way” during campus events. Ritika proposes a plan involving targeted NDPS enforcement, surprise inspections, mandatory counselling sessions in institutions, and collaboration with parents and community groups.

However, as soon as the proposal is made public, pushback begins. Parents’ associations accuse the administration of “criminalising youth experimentation” and argue that harsh action may stigmatise students. The nightclub and hospitality lobby warns that raids and strict policing will harm the district’s business climate. A few NGOs frame the administration’s approach as intrusive and insist that addiction should be treated primarily as a health and rights-based issue. Local media channels run debates portraying the crackdown as moral policing rather than a public safety necessity. Politically connected individuals try to influence Ritika, advising her to avoid taking decisions that may create controversy before the upcoming local elections.

Simultaneously, the district’s anti-narcotics unit warns that delay could allow the emerging drug network to become entrenched. Medical professionals highlight a sharp increase in substance-related emergency cases and caution that untreated early-stage addiction can quickly escalate. Ritika finds herself torn between safeguarding youth welfare and respecting personal freedoms, between enforcing the law firmly and adopting a compassionate, rehabilitation-oriented approach. She is aware that her decision will have long-term implications for public health, administrative credibility, and trust between the youth and the state.

Questions

1. What are the main ethical dilemmas Ritika faces in this situation?

2. Identify and analyse the conflicting values and principles involved in this case.

3. Evaluate the possible courses of action available to Ritika and their likely consequences.

4. What should be Ritika’s most ethical and administratively sound course of action to address the rising drug problem?

Q. “Integrity is not an act but a habit formed through small, invisible choices.” Discuss how micro-decisions shape moral character, drawing upon Aristotle’s virtue ethics. (150 words)

Q. “Ethics lies in choosing the ‘right’ even when the ‘good’ seems more attractive.”
Discuss with reference to the conflict between deontological duty and consequentialist outcomes in public life. (150 words)

Q. Terrorism in India is rapidly evolving from cross-border insurgency to urban symbolic attacks, cyber terrorism and white collar terrorism. Critically analyse these emerging trends and suggest a multidimensional counterterrorism strategy for India. (250 words)

Q. India aspires to become an economically self-reliant nation by 2047. Examine the key structural constraints that impede this transition and suggest reforms needed to overcome them. (250 words)

Q. India–Sri Lanka relations have evolved from historical and cultural closeness to strategic engagement shaped by geopolitical realities. Discuss the major challenges in the relationship and suggest measures to strengthen mutual trust. (250 words)

Q. The inadequate devolution of the 3Fs—Funds, Functions, and Functionaries—remains the biggest bottleneck in empowering PRIs. Analyse the challenges and recommend practical reforms for effective decentralisation. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the impact of displacement and rehabilitation on tribal communities in India and suggest measures for inclusive and sustainable development. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the representation of Shiva’s Tandava in early Indian inscriptions and its symbolic meaning in religious and artistic traditions. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

Q.1.Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. (1200 words)

Q.2.Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. (1200 words)

Case Study

Ananya Rao, an IPS officer serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber & Internal Security), is deeply troubled by intelligence inputs indicating a sharp rise in white-collar terrorism driven by the radicalisation of highly educated youth. Several recent incidents highlight this trend: engineering graduates developing encrypted communication tools for a banned extremist network, a finance professional funnelling cryptocurrency to foreign terror groups, and university students circulating extremist literature under the defence of intellectual debate.

Although strong digital evidence implicates certain tech entrepreneurs, academics, and online influencers in facilitating these activities, Ananya’s proposal for targeted surveillance, deplatforming recruiters, and initiating UAPA-based action faces intense criticism. Civil society groups accuse her of suppressing free speech and violating privacy norms. Influential educational institutions lobby political leadership to avoid “unnecessary scandal.” Media debates portray the crackdown as ideological policing rather than a national security imperative. Parents of the accused youth argue for leniency on the grounds of immaturity.

At the same time, central intelligence agencies warn that inaction may enable the growth of a covert terror ecosystem capable of cyber sabotage, financial crimes, and ideological infiltration of campuses. Ananya is torn between protecting civil liberties and addressing an urgent security threat. Her decision carries the risks of public controversy, political backlash, and potential legal challenges, but delaying action could compromise public safety and embolden extremist networks.

Questions:

A. What are the key ethical dilemmas faced by Ananya Rao in this situation?

B. Identify and analyse the conflicting values and ethical principles involved in this case.

C. Evaluate the possible courses of action available to Ananya and their likely consequences.

D. Suggest the most ethical and administratively prudent course of action that balances civil liberties with the need to counter rising radicalisation and white-collar terrorism.

Q. What are the essential features of good governance? Critically assess how e-Governance initiatives have contributed to enhancing transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in India.(150 words)

Q. Explain how moral intuition and moral reasoning together influence ethical judgment. Illustrate your answer with examples from civil services.(150 words)

Q. "India’s road transport sector is vital for economic growth, but remains plagued by poor infrastructure and rising road accidents." Analyse the challenges in ensuring road safety and suggest measures to build a safer and more sustainable transport ecosystem. (250 words)

Q. Critically examine India’s evolving forest conservation strategy and suggest measures to strengthen it in the context of ecological and developmental challenges. (150 words)

Q. The India–US partnership has moved from a transactional to a transformational phase. Critically assess this evolution in the context of emerging global power shifts.(250 words)

Q. “Constitutionalism is not merely about limiting power, but about enabling good governance.” Examine how the Indian Constitution balances restraint and empowerment of the State. (150 words)

Q. How is digital technology transforming the nature of women’s participation in education and employment in India? (250 words)