Essay Topics

1. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from future generations.

2. Not everything that is technologically possible is ethically desirable.

Case Study

Ms. Kavya Iyer is serving as the District Magistrate of a rapidly urbanising district. Recently, a video clip went viral on social media allegedly showing police personnel using excessive force against a group of migrant workers protesting delayed wages at a construction site.

Within hours, the issue gained national attention. Several media channels began running prime-time debates accusing the district administration of human rights violations. Hashtags demanding suspension of officials started trending online. Civil society groups organised protests, demanding immediate action.

However, a preliminary internal report suggests that the video clip is selectively edited and does not capture the full sequence of events. According to field officers, the situation had turned violent, and minimal force was used to control the mob and prevent damage to public property.

Meanwhile, political leaders from opposition parties visit the site and publicly criticise the administration, demanding immediate suspension of the police officers involved. On the other hand, police officials feel demoralised and argue that any punitive action without a fair inquiry will undermine morale and embolden lawbreakers.

The State Government informally advises Ms. Iyer to take “quick visible action” to control the narrative and prevent escalation, even if the facts are not fully verified.

At the same time, there are genuine concerns about delayed wage payments to migrant workers, which triggered the protest in the first place.

Ms. Iyer must decide how to respond to the situation, balancing truth, justice, public perception, and administrative responsibility.

Questions

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

2. What options are available to Ms. Iyer? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each.

3. What should be the most appropriate course of action for Ms. Iyer? Justify your answer in terms of ethical values, administrative neutrality, and public trust.

Q. “Integrity without courage is often ineffective in public life.” Discuss the role of moral courage in upholding ethical governance. (150 words)

Q. “Excessive compassion can dilute justice, while excessive rigidity can erode humanity.” Analyze this tension in administrative decision-making. (150 words)

Q. With increasing emphasis on infrastructure-led growth and capital expenditure, analyse whether public investment can effectively crowd-in private investment and generate sustainable employment. (250 words).

Q. In the context of growing environmental awareness and activism, analyse how public participation and decentralised governance influence environmental outcomes. (250 words).

Q. “In the evolving geopolitics of West Asia, the UAE has emerged as a key strategic partner for India. Analyze the role of this partnership in advancing India’s regional interests.” (250 words)

Q. “The idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’ promises administrative efficiency but raises concerns about federalism and democratic accountability. Discuss.” (250 words)

Q. In the context of socio-religious reform movements, examine how these movements attempted to reconcile tradition with modernity in colonial India. (150 words).

Q. Despite constitutional guarantees and policy interventions, gender disparities persist across multiple domains. Analyse how structural, cultural and institutional factors intersect to shape gender inequality in India. (250 words).

Essay Topics

1. “The erosion of trust is the beginning of institutional decline.”

2. “The pursuit of success often overlooks the value of significance.”

Case Study

Mr. Saurabh Singh is the District Magistrate of a district where the State Board examinations for Class 12 are currently underway. The district has a history of examination malpractices, including cheating, impersonation, and organised paper leaks. Determined to ensure fairness, Mr. Singh has implemented strict measures, installation of CCTV cameras, deployment of flying squads, and strict enforcement of anti-cheating laws.

During an inspection of an examination centre in a rural area, a flying squad catches a group of students using unfair means. Among them is a meritorious girl student from an economically weaker background who is known in the village for her academic excellence and aspirations to pursue higher education. On questioning, she breaks down and reveals that she was under immense pressure from her family to secure top marks, as her scholarship and future prospects depend on her results. She admits that she made a mistake under stress.

At the same time, local reports indicate that organised cheating rackets are still active in other centres, often involving collusion between invigilators and local influential persons. Civil society groups and media are closely watching the administration’s actions, praising strict enforcement but also cautioning against “over-penalisation” of vulnerable students.

Some local leaders approach Mr. Singh informally, requesting leniency in this particular case, arguing that a harsh punishment could destroy the student’s future. On the other hand, education officials emphasise that any exception may weaken deterrence and send the wrong signal.

Mr. Singh must decide how to respond in a way that upholds examination integrity, ensures fairness, and reflects compassion without compromising the rule of law.

Questions

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

2. What options are available to Mr. Singh? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each.

3. What should be the most appropriate course of action for Mr. Singh? Justify your answer in terms of ethical values and administrative responsibility.

Q. “Emotional intelligence is as important as intellectual competence in ethical decision-making.” Discuss. ( 150 words).

Q. To what extent is ethical decision-making a product of personal conscience rather than institutional design in situations marked by competing interests?. ( 150 words).

Q. With the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles by non-state actors, examine the challenges to border management and internal security, and assess the adequacy of India’s institutional preparedness. (250 words).

Q. In the backdrop of global economic uncertainties, supply-chain realignments and domestic structural constraints, critically analyse how India can sustain high growth while ensuring macroeconomic stability and inclusive development. (250 words).

Q. In recent years, multilateral institutions have faced challenges of legitimacy and effectiveness. Examine how India’s approach to multilateralism reflects both reformist aspirations and pragmatic engagement. (250 words).

Q. Amid concerns over declining parliamentary deliberation, reduced sittings and limited scrutiny of legislation, critically examine how legislative processes influence democratic accountability, transparency and the overall quality of governance in India. (250 words).

Q. In the context of increasing pressure on land resources and ecological stress, examine how geographical factors influence the patterns and processes of land degradation and desertification in India. (250 words)

Q. With the recognition of intangible cultural heritage at national and global levels, discuss how oral traditions, performing arts and indigenous knowledge systems contribute to cultural continuity and identity formation. (250 words)

Case Study

Dr. Neha Kapoor, a medical professional turned District Magistrate, is posted in a semi-urban district that has recently witnessed a sudden outbreak of a highly infectious respiratory disease. Within days, government hospitals are overwhelmed with patients, ICU beds are scarce, and there is an acute shortage of oxygen cylinders and life-saving medicines.

The district administration receives an emergency consignment of oxygen and critical drugs from the State government. However, the supply is far below the actual demand. Doctors on the ground inform Dr. Kapoor that they are being forced to make difficult choices about which patients should receive treatment, often prioritising those with higher chances of survival.

Meanwhile, influential individuals, including local politicians and wealthy citizens, begin pressuring the administration to reserve beds and oxygen supplies for their families and associates. Some private hospitals are also accused of hoarding essential medicines and overcharging patients.

On the other hand, frontline healthcare workers are exhausted and demoralised. They demand clear guidelines for triage and protection from legal or political backlash arising from life-and-death decisions.

Media coverage intensifies, highlighting both the suffering of patients and alleged administrative lapses. Public anger is rising, and there is a growing perception that access to healthcare is becoming inequitable.

Dr. Kapoor must take urgent decisions regarding allocation of scarce medical resources, regulation of private healthcare providers, and protection of frontline workers—while ensuring fairness, transparency, and public trust.

Questions

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

2. What options are available to Dr. Kapoor? Evaluate the merits and demerits of each.

3. What should be the most ethical course of action for Dr. Kapoor? Justify your answer in the context of public health ethics and administrative responsibility.

Q. In democratic governance where public officials exercise significant discretion, examine why integrity is considered the cornerstone of public service. (150 words).

Q. In contemporary governance systems increasingly driven by rules and procedures, examine whether ethical conduct can be sustained without internalisation of moral values. (150 words).

Q. With growing risks from climate change, sea-level rise and extreme weather events, analyse the need for integrating climate adaptation strategies with disaster risk reduction policies. (250 words).

Q. With India aspiring to become a $5-trillion economy amid global economic uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions, examine the challenges in sustaining high economic growth while ensuring macroeconomic stability. (250 words).

Q. In the context of shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, analyse the strategic significance of maritime partnerships for India’s security and economic interests. (150 words).

Q. “Passive euthanasia raises complex intersections between law, ethics, and medical decision-making.” Analyse how Indian courts have attempted to balance these dimensions through evolving jurisprudence. (250 words)

Q. In the context of the twentieth century, examine how industrialisation, imperialism and ideological conflicts collectively reshaped the global political order. (250 words).

Q. With the expansion of digital communication and social media, analyse how public discourse and social attitudes are being reshaped in Indian society. (150 words).

Essay Topics

1. “The quality of a society is reflected not in its achievements, but in its choices.”

2. “Civilisations endure when wisdom keeps pace with innovation.”