Mains Practice Questions

Essay Topics

1. Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.

2. Detachment isn’t about owning nothing, it’s about nothing owes you.

Case study

You are a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Rural Development. The Ministry is responsible for implementing various welfare schemes for rural areas such as employment guarantee, housing, and sanitation programs. Your personal values and beliefs are aligned with the objective of the Ministry to bring about positive change in the lives of rural citizens.

One of your close friends, Tarun, who is a successful businessman, approaches you with a proposal to start a joint venture. Tarun wants to bid for a rural sanitation project that is currently being tendered by the Ministry. The project involves the construction of toilets in rural areas and is part of the government’s larger mission to improve sanitation facilities in rural India.

What would you do in this situation?

Q. What are the key principles of deontological ethics and how do they differ from consequentialist ethics? (150 words)

Q. What is the relationship between ethics and morality in a society, and how do they differ from each other? (150 words)

Q. Analyze the impact of climate change on the Indian monsoon and the consequences for agriculture and water resources. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the reasons for India's high current account deficit and suggest ways to address it. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the role of regional organizations such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in shaping India's foreign policy. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the impact of the 73^rd and 74^th Constitutional amendments on the decentralization of power and the functioning of Panchayats and Municipalities in India. (250 words)

Q.  Discuss the role of  women in controlling population growth in India. (150 words) 

Q. Discuss the reasons for the decline of the Maratha Empire till the 19^th century. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. The mind is everything; what you think you become.

2. The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one's destiny to do, and then do it.

Case study

Mr. Sudarshan is a highly competent and experienced civil engineer working in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the construction of a major road project in the state. The project has been awarded to a private company, Rudra Inc.

During the course of the project, Mr. Sudarshan becomes aware of certain irregularities and unethical practices being carried out by Rudra Inc. These include the use of sub-standard materials, overcharging for work done, and making payments to government officials such as Mr. Bhushan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, to secure the project contract.

What should Mr. Sudarshan do in this situation? What ethical principles should guide his decision-making process?

Q. Explain the different types of attitudes and how they influence our thoughts and behavior. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of probity in public administration and evaluate its impact on the functioning of public institutions. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the significance of BharOS in promoting the use of indigenously developed technology and reducing dependence on foreign Operating System in smartphones in India. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the global economy and job market, and the implications for future policy and workforce development. (250 words)

Q. What are the main challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in terms of social justice and how can they be addressed? (250 words)

Q. Analyze the role of the judiciary in shaping and interpreting the Constitution of India and its impact on the functioning of democratic institutions in the country. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the impact of British policies on Indian agriculture during the colonial period. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the present state of Indian society with regard to issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and exploitation. Are we really moving towards being a developed country? (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions and thought.

2. The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Case study

Recently, the Digi Bank-Biocoin loan fraud case was in the news for loan fraud and irregularities in loans provided to the Biocoin Group by Digi Bank, where Teesha Verma was the CEO and Managing Director. Verma and her family allegedly received kickbacks in exchange for granting loans to the Biocoin group, many of which became non-performing assets (NPAs) and caused a loss of 1,730 crores to the bank. Furthermore, Teesha Verma's husband was in the head position in Biocoin company, and the loan indirectly benefitted him, as he siphoned off all the funds to his Swiss bank accounts. The Enforcement Director is called upon to carry out the further investigation, further you as the senior officer leading the case and there has been political pressure to hush up the matter so that Teesha and her Husband don’t get involved in the case.

As a senior enforcement director officer what would you do in this situation? Also Suggest actions that could have been taken to prevent and address these ethical violations.

Q. Analyze the challenges facing India's Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and suggest ways to support their growth. (150 words)

Q. The use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture has led to a decline in the population of pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Discuss (250 words)

Q. In light of recent debates on the need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India, discuss the constitutional and legal provisions related to personal laws and their impact on the country's polity and governance. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the rise of China as a global power and its implications for the international system. (250 words)

Q. Examine the influence of Indian art and culture on Southeast Asian civilizations. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of western disturbances in causing cold waves in India and explain how La Nina conditions can affect the severity of cold waves. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

2. The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Case Study

Recently, in a tragic incident occurred in west Delhi where a 20-year-old woman was found naked and dead. She had been dragged beneath a car for 12 kilometers. According to reports, the occupants of the car, which included the son of a ruling party president, were aware that the woman was trapped under the car but chose to keep driving in order to avoid getting caught. Additionally, there is reported pressure on the police by the ruling party to resolve the case quickly and protect the accused.

As a IPS officer you were given responsibility to handle the case, what would you do in this scenario?