Q. Discuss the constitutional powers and functions of the President of India, highlighting their role as both the ceremonial head of the state and the guardian of the Constitution. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of the Election Commission of India in ensuring free and fair elections, and analyze the challenges it faces in contemporary times. (250 Words)

Q. Examine the architectural evolution during the Vijayanagara Empire in India, highlighting the distinctive features and the impact of this era on the country's architectural history. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the significance of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement in India's struggle for independence, examining its impact on early nationalists and the role of revolutionaries. (250 words)

Essay Topic

1. The great aim of education is not knowledge, but action.

2. Democracy is not simply a matter of holding elections.

Case Studies

Q. You are a government officer under the central government. In the pursuit of improved public services, the central government is implementing a digital transformation initiative, involving the collection and analysis of citizens' data. You are vested with the responsibility of implementing the digital transformative initiative of the central government. During the implementation process, concerns were raised about the right to privacy and the potential misuse of personal data by private tech firms. While the initiative promises socio-economic development, questions about fair benefits distribution and societal inequalities have emerged due to a lack of clear regulations.

A. What are the ethical challenges that you face as an officer in charge of the digital transformation initiative?

B. How would you balance the competing interests of the government, the citizens, and the private tech firms in this situation?

Q. In what ways do ethical considerations vary between private and public relationships, and what guiding principles should individuals follow when addressing ethical challenges in each domain? (150 Words)

Q. How can the lives and teachings of great leaders serve as valuable lessons in shaping and promoting essential human values? (150 Words)

Q. Examine the concept of inclusive growth and its relevance in the realm of socio-economic development. (150 Words)

Q. Analyze the intricacies associated with the transportation and marketing of agricultural products within the Indian context. (150 Words)

Q. Explore the constitutional distribution of powers between the Union and States in India and assess mechanisms for resolving disputes in this context. (150 Words)

Q. Analyze how the India-Nepal Joint Commission can effectively address common concerns and promote mutual interests between Nepal and India. (150 Words)

Q. Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Essay Topic

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

2. Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.

Case Studies

Ravish, a young and dedicated civil servant known for his competence and integrity, was assigned to a district plagued by a low literacy ratio and controlled by an education mafia involved in extorting money from students for facilitating cheating in exams. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Ravish swiftly grasped the intricate workings of the mafia, discovering their clandestine methods and the complicity of local authorities and strongmen.

Upon investigation, Ravish unearthed the involvement of some of his office employees in this illicit nexus. Taking decisive action, he initiated stringent measures against them and conducted raids to dismantle the illegal operations. Unaccustomed to facing such resistance, the mafia became alarmed, with some office employees tipping them off about Ravish's determination to eradicate bribery and cheating promotion in the district.

In response, the mafia adopted a hostile stance and launched a counter-offensive. They resorted to threatening Ravish with dire consequences, and his family, including his wife and elderly mother, became targets of stalking and virtual surveillance, causing immense mental distress. The situation escalated when a thug visited Ravish's office, warning him to cease the raids or face a fate similar to some of his predecessors, one of whom had been killed by the mafia a decade earlier.

A. Considering the challenges faced by Ravish in dealing with the education mafia, what are the various options available to him to address the situation effectively?

B. Provide a critical assessment of each of the options outlined for Ravish in addressing the challenges posed by the education mafia in the district.

Q. Examine the necessity and challenges of establishing a global framework for the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). (150 words)

Q. Demolition activities often intersect with complex legal and ethical considerations. Discuss (150 words)

Q. What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMFT)' Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India.’ What is your opinion about this statement ? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. ‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’ Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. From being a net food importer in the 1960's, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide Reasons. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Essay Topics

1. Negative feedback can make us bitter or better.

2. If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.

Case Studies

You are posted as the District Magistrate (DM) in a remote district in India. This district is known for its rich tribal culture and pristine natural beauty. However, it also faces challenges like poverty, limited healthcare and education facilities, and deforestation due to illegal logging.

A multinational pharmaceutical company (MNC) approaches you with a proposal to set up a research facility in the district. The MNC claims that the research facility will bring economic development, employment opportunities, and better healthcare services to the district. The MNC also offers you a hefty amount of money as a personal incentive to approve the proposal.

However, you are aware that the research facility will have negative impacts on the environment, the tribal culture, and the rights of the local people. The MNC has a history of unethical practices such as exploiting natural resources, violating human rights, and conducting illegal experiments on animals and humans. You also suspect that the MNC has some hidden agenda behind the research facility.

As the DM, you have to decide whether to accept or reject the proposal.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case? How will you resolve them?

B. What are the possible consequences of your decision for yourself, the district, and the MNC? Justify your answer with suitable arguments and examples. (250 words)

Q. Explain the difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism. How does psychological egoism pose a challenge to ethical egoism? (150 words)

Q. In the context of international relations, how can diplomats leverage emotional intelligence to facilitate peaceful conflict resolution? (150 words)

Q. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few of India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)