Q. Discuss India’s use of soft power as a foreign policy tool in the context of an emerging multipolar world order. Highlight its key role in enhancing India’s global standing and influence. (250 words)

Q. The Attorney-General is the chief legal advisor and lawyer of the Government of India. In light of this statement, discuss the role and responsibilities of the Attorney-General of India. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the extent to which British colonial policies in the 19th century contributed to the decline of traditional Indian industries and the emergence of a colonial economic structure. (150 Words)

Q. Tropical cyclones are products of complex interactions between oceanic and atmospheric systems. Discuss the factors responsible for their formation and regional distribution, with special reference to the Indian Ocean region. (250 words)

Essay Topics:

1. Justice is the first virtue of social institutions.

2. Freedom is the recognition of necessity.

Case Study:

A well-established Indian food products company recently developed a new product intended for the international market. After securing all necessary approvals, the company began exporting the product and proudly announced its success. It further assured consumers that the same high-quality and health-beneficial product would soon be made available in the Indian market.

Following due process, the product received approval from the relevant domestic authority and was launched for Indian consumers. Over time, the product gained significant market share and contributed substantially to the company’s profits, both in India and abroad.

However, during a routine inspection, a random sample test revealed that the version of the product sold domestically did not comply with the standards approved by the competent authority. Further investigations uncovered that the company had been selling substandard products in India, including items that had been rejected for export due to quality issues.

This revelation caused public outrage, tarnished the company’s image, and led to a sharp decline in its profitability and consumer trust.

Questions:

1. Identify and analyze the ethical issues present in this case. Discuss the competing values and responsibilities involved.

2. What actions should the competent authority take against the company?

3. What remedial measures can the company adopt to manage the crisis, regain consumer trust, and restore its public reputation?

Q. Discuss the relevance of John Rawls’s theory of social justice in the Indian socio-political context. (150 Words)

Q. In the context of the defense services, patriotism often entails a willingness to sacrifice one's life for the nation. What does patriotism mean in everyday civilian life? Illustrate your answer with examples. (150 Words)

Q. Indian cities face rising risks from both natural and man-made disasters. Discuss the need for integrating disaster risk reduction (DRR) into urban planning and infrastructure. (150 words)

Q. The commercialization of space and increasing private participation have created a new space economy. Discuss its significance for India and outline the role of ISRO in this evolving ecosystem. (250 words)

Q. India’s approach to refugees and migration has been guided by humanitarian principles but has also faced practical challenges. Discuss the challenges faced in balancing humanitarian concerns with national interests. (250 words)

Evaluate the twin role of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in asset creation and income security among the rural poor in India, along with their contribution to women’s empowerment. (150 words)

Q. Despite several policy measures and constitutional safeguards, manual scavenging continues to persist in India. Analyse the reasons for its continued existence despite legal bans and targeted welfare initiatives. (250 words)

Q. The architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire represents a high point in the cultural history of South India. Comment. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

1. The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.

2. Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves.

Case Study:

As the Sarpanch of a village Panchayat, you oversee a government-run primary school that provides midday meals to its students. Recently, a new cook was appointed as per government norms, following due process and eligibility criteria. However, it emerges that the cook belongs to a Scheduled Caste community. A section of parents, influenced by caste prejudices, begins to prevent their children from consuming the meals. As a result, school attendance drops, raising concerns about the continuity of the midday meal scheme, teacher retention, and even the functioning of the school itself.

This situation threatens not just the education of children but also social harmony, inclusion, and the credibility of public welfare programs.

Questions:

1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Sarpanch?

2. What steps can the Sarpanch take to resolve the caste-based conflict and restore school attendance?

3. How can different stakeholders support inclusive practices in public services?

Q. How does corruption hinder national development, and what were Kautilya's views on tackling corruption within governance?(150 Words)

Q. What does the term 'voice of conscience' mean to you, and how can one train themselves to listen and respond to it effectively? (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the effectiveness of India’s climate change policies in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. (150 words)

Q. Examine the role of MSMEs in India’s economic growth and employment generation. What are the key challenges confronting the MSME sector, and how can they be addressed? (250 words)

Q. Critically examine how India’s neighbourhood policy seeks to balance strategic and security concerns with the objectives of regional economic integration. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the role of parliamentary committees in ensuring legislative oversight and policy accountability. (150 words)

Q. Western Disturbances are crucial to India’s winter rainfall pattern, yet their variability poses both opportunities and risks for Indian agriculture. Discuss (150 words)

Q. Critically assess the impact of colonial land revenue settlements on India’s agrarian economy, and patterns of land ownership. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.

2. The world is full of educated derelicts.

Case Study

You are a young field athlete, proudly representing India in your debut at an international championship. While staying at the athletes' village, you accidentally enter the common restroom and see a few senior team members injecting themselves with an unidentified substance. Suspicious, you ask them about it. They explain that it's a ‘recovery booster, a performance-enhancing drug (PED) that supposedly helps with endurance and muscle repair.

They further suggest that using it is common practice, especially in global competitions, and if you want to remain competitive and secure your place in the team, you should consider taking it too. Later, while contemplating whether to approach the coach, you learn from another junior athlete that the team coach is not only aware but has allegedly recommended its use, citing ‘national interest’ and ‘medal pressure.’

Questions:

(a) What are the key ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?

(b) What are the possible courses of action available to you in this scenario?

(c) What course of action would you choose and why?

Q. A man who won’t die for something is not fit to live-Martin Luther King Jr. What does this quotation convey to you in the present context? (150 words)

Q. What are the key components of emotional intelligence, and to what extent can they be developed through learning and experience?(150 words)

Q. How does the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) contribute to reducing vulnerability in coastal states?(150 words)

Q. Critically examine the role of Indian intelligence agencies in countering terrorism. In light of existing challenges, do you think structural reforms are needed to enhance coordination?(250 words)