Essay Topics

1. That government is best which governs least.

2. A leader is a dealer in hope.

Case Study

As the District Magistrate of a city with a sizable transgender population, you are confronted with a growing number of public complaints about aggressive begging by some members of the transgender community at busy traffic intersections. Commuters report feeling harassed or coerced into giving money, and traffic police raise concerns about disruptions and safety hazards at junctions.

Upon investigation, you find that many transgender individuals have limited access to education or employment due to deep-rooted social stigma and exclusion. Several transgender advocacy groups acknowledge the complaints but assert that, for many in the community, begging remains the only viable source of livelihood given the persistent discrimination they face in mainstream employment sectors.

You are under pressure to act swiftly to restore public order and ensure road safety, but you are also mindful of the need to uphold dignity, rights, and social justice for a historically marginalized community.

Questions:

(a) What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in balancing public order with the rights and dignity of transgenders? How do prevailing societal attitudes shape these dilemmas?

(b) What policy interventions could you consider to address both the immediate concerns and the long-term welfare of the transgender community?

Q. To what extent is the crisis of ethical values in contemporary society a result of a limited understanding of what constitutes a good life?(150 words)

Q. How does the idea that 'forgiveness is the attribute of the strong' reflect strength of character in personal and societal contexts?(150 words)

Q. What is the ecological significance of wetlands? Discuss the Ramsar Convention’s approach with reference to wetland conservation efforts in India?(150 words)

Q. To what extent can gender budgeting serve as a tool for women empowerment in India? Discuss its status and key requirements for effective implementation. (250 words)

Q. Analyse the key challenges and geopolitical hurdles India faces in its quest for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. (250 words)

Q. Examine the role of the Vice-President of India as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha in upholding federalism and parliamentary discipline. (150 words)

Q. How did Bhakti literature shape Indian culture, and what was the nature of its expression across regions?(250 words)

Q. Analyze how the characteristics of the troposphere make it the principal layer for weather phenomena. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. Blind belief in authority is the greatest enemy of truth.

2. The enemy is fear. We think it is hate but it is fear.

Case Study

You have recently been appointed as a District Labour Officer in a state where tourism plays a key role in the local economy. During a routine check, you discover that a large hotel in the area has been violating the Minimum Wages Act by not paying its workers the mandated wages. The hotel owner is a powerful local political leader with strong ties to influential officials in the state. You decide to initiate a preliminary inquiry, as you have the authority to take suo-motu cognizance of such violations. However, when you approach the workers, none of them are willing to file formal complaints, fearing retaliation from the hotel management and the loss of their jobs. At the same time, your investigation catches the attention of higher authorities, who begin pressuring you to drop the inquiry, citing the hotel owner’s political influence.

This situation presents an ethical dilemma. While the violation of workers’ rights is clear, you face a conflict between your duty to uphold the law and the pressure from higher authorities to ignore the issue. The decision you make will have significant consequences, both for the workers and your career.

Questions:

(a) Identify the issues involved in this case?

(b) Evaluate the following options and suggest preferred course of action, with reasons:

1. Drop the matter as advised informally by higher authorities.

2. Persuade the hotel owner to fix the violations.

3. Submit a detailed report and seek formal directions.

4. Serve notice and begin legal action under the Minimum Wages Act.

(c) What can be the recommended course of action?

Q. Corruption is often described as a moral failure that erodes the social fabric of a nation. In your opinion, what ethical principles should guide anti-corruption measures? (150 words)

Q. Aristotle's concept of 'Virtue Ethics' focuses on the development of good character traits. How can this philosophy be integrated into the ethical framework of public service in modern democracies? (150 words)

Q. What factors have contributed to the growing activity in biotechnology in India, and how has this development benefited the biopharmaceutical sector? (250 Words)

Q. Evaluate whether steady GDP growth and low inflation indicate a well-performing Indian economy. Justify your argument. (150 Words)

Q. What is the strategic relevance of India’s defence engagements with the United States compared to those with Russia, particularly in the context of promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region? (250 Words)

Q. In what ways has the Supreme Court judgment on the Right to Privacy reshaped the interpretation and implementation of Fundamental Rights in India? (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the policies of Lord Curzon and assess how they contributed to the evolution of India’s national movement. (150 words)

Q. "River interlinking projects have been hailed as a potential solution to water scarcity, yet their implementation raises concerns about ecological disruption and the long-term sustainability of such efforts. Comment." (250 Words)

Essay Topic

1. Focus on the light, and darkness will fall behind you.

2. Adversity offers a choice: to grow bitter or to grow better.

Case Study

Arvind Mehta, a senior public servant, currently heads the Budget Division in the Ministry of Finance. His division is presently involved in allocating budgetary support to various states, four of which are scheduled to hold assembly elections within the current financial year.

As per the latest Union Budget, more than Rs 8,300 crore was allocated to the National Housing Scheme (NHS), a key centrally sponsored welfare programme aimed at providing affordable housing to weaker sections. By June, Rs 775 crore had already been disbursed under the scheme.

Parallelly, the Ministry of Commerce had been pursuing the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state to promote exports. After nearly two years of consultation between the Centre and the state, the Union Cabinet gave its approval in August, and the process for acquiring land has since begun.

In another development, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) had proposed a natural gas processing plant in a northern state to support the regional gas grid, an essential element of the country's energy security strategy. The land for the project is already available, and after three rounds of global bidding, the contract was awarded to M/s XYZ Hydrocarbons, a multinational company. The first tranche of payment is scheduled for December.

To meet the funding requirements of these two major development projects, an additional Rs 6,000 crore is required. It has been proposed that this amount be re-appropriated from the NHS budget. The file seeking approval for this re-allocation was sent to the Budget Division for examination and processing.

On reviewing the file, Arvind Mehta became concerned. He realised that diverting funds from the NHS could delay its implementation, a scheme widely promoted by senior political figures and closely linked to electoral commitments. On the other hand, delaying fund allocation to the SEZ and the gas plant could lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage at both national and international levels. Upon raising the issue with his superiors, Arvind was advised that the matter is politically sensitive and must be expedited without delay.

Question:

a) Identify the ethical issues involved in reallocating funds from a welfare programme to development projects.

b) In light of the responsibility to ensure prudent use of public resources, what options are available to Arvind Mehta? Would resigning from his post be a reasonable or ethical course of action?

Q. Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind." What does this quotation convey about the relationship between integrity and external influences?(150 Words)

Q. Attitude plays a significant role in shaping human development. How can a public servant cultivate the appropriate attitude required for effective service?(150 Words)

Q. Cybersecurity is becoming a key component of national security. Discuss the challenges faced by India in protecting its cyberspace and the steps to be taken to ensure a robust cybersecurity framework.(250 Words)

Q. Explain the concepts of the 'care economy' and the 'monetized economy.' In what ways can women's empowerment facilitate the inclusion of the care economy within the formal monetized economy?(150 Words)

Q. Is BIMSTEC emerging as an alternative to SAARC? Compare the two organisations in terms of structure and objectives, and analyse how BIMSTEC aligns with India's evolving foreign policy priorities. (250 words)

Q. Examine how the States Reorganisation Act of 1956 addressed linguistic and regional aspirations and analyze its impact on national integration and administrative efficiency. (250 words).

Q. Classical dance forms of India are not just artistic expressions, but a fusion of tradition, philosophy, and spirituality. Illustrate with examples. (150 words)

Q. To what extent did the socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century contribute to the rise of national consciousness in colonial India? (250 words)