Q. "The Vice President’s role as Rajya Sabha Chairperson is central to the spirit of bicameralism." Discuss the constitutional and practical significance of this role in ensuring federal balance. (250 words)

Q. "Marginalized communities in India face layered vulnerabilities that go beyond economic deprivation." Analyze with examples. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the role of moderates and extremists in shaping the early phase of the Indian National Movement. Were their methods complementary or contradictory? (250 words)

Essay Topics:

1. The line between right and wrong is drawn with the ink of perspective.

2. Science can explain the stars, but only reason can guide our steps.

Case Study

Vikram is an environmental officer working with a state government’s department responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations in the construction and industrial sectors. Recently, a large real estate company has proposed a new residential complex on the outskirts of the city, and Vikram’s department is tasked with evaluating the environmental impact of the project. The company has submitted the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which states that the construction will have minimal impact on the local environment.

While reviewing the report, Vikram notices several discrepancies and omissions. Key details about the impact on local wildlife, soil quality, and water sources have either been underrepresented or completely ignored in the report. Vikram’s initial analysis suggests that the construction could have significant adverse effects on the local ecosystem, but the developers have provided a large donation to a local charity that Vikram's department is associated with. The charity has funded several environmental initiatives in the past, and Vikram is aware that this donation will enhance the department’s reputation and attract further funding.

Furthermore, Vikram’s superior, the head of the department, has publicly praised the development as a much-needed project for the city’s growth and has hinted that the real estate company might receive expedited approval if the environmental report is favorable.

Vikram feels torn between his duty to uphold environmental regulations, his concern about the long-term ecological consequences, and the pressure to support the development in exchange for future funding opportunities for his department.

Questions:

a) What should Vikram’s course of action be in this situation to ensure the integrity of the environmental review process?

b) How can Vikram justify his decision if the real estate company pressures him to approve the report despite the discrepancies?

c) How do personal interests and external pressures compromise environmental ethics in this case, and what measures can be taken to prevent such conflicts in future projects?

Q. “Sustained ethical behaviour in public service demands not just conviction, but also psychological resilience.” Discuss the phenomenon of ‘ethical fatigue’ and how to address it in the civil services. (150 words)

Q. "Integrity without compassion is rigidity, and compassion without integrity is weakness."
Discuss the significance of balancing integrity and compassion in public service. Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. "Disasters in India are often a result of development choices rather than natural hazards alone." Examine how unplanned urbanization has contributed to increasing disaster risk. (250 words)

Q. "Indigenous defence technology plays a critical role in enhancing India’s strategic autonomy and national security”. Discuss its significance in the context of India’s evolving security landscape. (250 words)

Q. "The concept of social justice in India is intertwined with the principles of equality, affirmative action, and social empowerment." Discuss how the Constitution of India addresses social justice, particularly for marginalized communities. (250 words)

Q. "The promise of democratic decentralization, envisioned through the constitutional amendments, remains far from fully realized due to various constraints." Discuss. (250 words)

Q. How do regional variations in soil types across India influence patterns of cropping intensity and land degradation? (250 words)

Q. The ideals of liberty, equality, and nationalism shaped the course of revolutions and redefined the global order in the 18th and 19th centuries. (250 words)

Essay Topics:

1. The future belongs to those who can adapt, not to those who resist change.

2. The more we divide the world into ‘us’ and ‘them’, the more we lose our connection to ‘we’.

Case Study

As the District Collector of a Suratwada district, you are overseeing a government-funded rural development project aimed at improving infrastructure. However, you soon discover that several contractors awarded the contracts for building roads, sanitation systems, and affordable housing have strong political ties to local and state-level politicians. These contractors, despite a history of substandard work and financial mismanagement in previous projects, continue to be awarded lucrative tenders due to their political leverage.

Upon reviewing the project, you uncover that funds are being misused, with inflated costs and substandard materials being used in construction. Corrupt local officials are found to be complicit in manipulating the approval process. Despite knowing this, you face immense pressure from both your political superiors and influential local figures to allow the project to continue without intervention. Exposing the corruption could stall the project, affecting the district’s development and potentially harming your career, as the political backlash could lead to your transfer or disciplinary action.

You are caught in a dilemma: Should you expose the corruption and risk your career and the completion of the project, or turn a blind eye, knowing that doing so would compromise your ethical duty to the public? The decision is further complicated by the knowledge that your actions could affect both the future of the project and your ability to carry out governance in the district.

Questions:

1. What options are available to you to ensure that the corruption in the project is thoroughly investigated, while minimizing disruption to public services?

2. What course of action would you take to maintain your integrity and balance the investigation with the need for continued public service delivery?

3. What long-term reforms would you consider implementing in your district to prevent similar situations of corruption in future government projects, and how would you ensure that such reforms gain traction in the face of political and administrative resistance?

Q. “Compassion is a necessity, not a luxury. Without it, humanity cannot survive.” How can public servants institutionalize compassion without compromising on rule-based governance? (150 words)

Q. "In an era of institutional accountability and performance metrics, is there still space for altruism in public administration? Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “With the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, India must urgently integrate climate change adaptation into its disaster risk management framework. Discuss in the context of recent events and policy responses.” (250 words)

Q. "Logistics is the backbone of a nation’s economic efficiency, and its transformation is essential for India’s journey from a developing economy to a developed one." Discuss. (250 words)

Q. How effective are the policies aimed at ensuring social justice for differently-abled persons in India? Discuss the gaps that still exist in the implementation of these policies. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the challenges in maintaining judicial independence while ensuring judicial accountability in India. To what extent do the existing mechanisms address this tension? (250 words)

Q. The rise of digital media has reshaped the traditional fabric of Indian society. Discuss the impact of social media on social behavior, political engagement, and identity formation in contemporary India. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the architectural innovations introduced during the Mughal period, focusing on the fusion of Persian and Indian styles. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

1. In a rapidly changing world, the battle between progress and preservation of values defines the future of humanity.
2. The search for identity is not a quest for who we are, but for what we are not.

Case Study

Anjali Verma, a young and highly motivated Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has been assigned to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for over a year. She is a diligent and conscientious officer, known for her hard work and commitment to upholding the law. Recently, Anjali was tasked with overseeing an operation involving the raid of a well-known business conglomerate in the city. The company, owned by an influential businessman, is suspected of large-scale tax evasion, money laundering, and illegal financial transactions.

As the raid unfolds, Anjali’s team discovers significant evidence of financial irregularities, including hidden assets and unreported foreign bank accounts. However, just as the raid is about to conclude, Anjali receives an anonymous phone call suggesting that a close relative of hers, who works at a senior position in the same conglomerate, might be involved in the illicit activities. The caller, however, provides no concrete proof, only a vague assertion.

Anjali is now at a moral and professional crossroads. She has always been fiercely dedicated to her role, ensuring that justice is done, regardless of the social or political consequences. However, this new revelation about her relative raises concerns for her personal life. Anjali fears that pursuing the investigation against her relative could cause her family immense distress and create a personal conflict, potentially affecting her career and her relationship with her relatives.

The business empire is well-connected in both business and political circles, and there are pressures from influential figures suggesting that the raid should be concluded swiftly with minimal fallout. Despite this, Anjali feels compelled to continue the investigation, as she believes that the evidence uncovered so far indicates serious financial crimes.

Her immediate superior has asked her to provide a report on the raid and suggested that the case be handled carefully, without any unnecessary escalation. Anjali is under intense pressure to balance the integrity of the investigation with the personal and professional repercussions she might face if she pursues her relative’s involvement in the case.

Questions:

1. What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in the situation?

2. What would be the most appropriate course of action for Anjali, also discuss what ethical framework should guide her to resolve ethical dilemmas.

3. What long-term strategies can be implemented to support investigation officers in maintaining professional integrity and impartiality in high-profile investigations?

Q. The rise of cryptocurrencies presents a paradox between financial freedom and the potential for harm in terms of market instability and misuse. In light of key ethical principles, critically assess the ethical challenges posed by cryptocurrencies in India. (150 words)

Q. "In the context of ethical governance, how can the virtue of temperance guide decision-making in addressing issues such as inequality and environmental sustainability? (150 words)

Q. “India’s counter-terrorism strategy has evolved over time in response to changing patterns of terrorism”. Discuss the key components of India's current counter-terrorism strategy and evaluate its effectiveness in curbing cross-border terrorism. (250 words)

Q. Examine the role of nanotechnology in medical applications, especially in drug delivery systems. What are the potential health risks and regulatory challenges associated with its widespread use? (250 words)

Q. The advent of Artificial Intelligence and automation in public administration is reshaping governance structures in India. Assess the institutional and procedural challenges of integrating AI into public services. (250 words)