Q. Evaluate the potential of Mission Karmayogi in transforming India’s bureaucracy from a rule-based to a role-based system. What institutional challenges could hinder its success? (250 words)

Q. A strong emphasis on state-led industrialisation and centralised planning marked the early years of independent India. Evaluate the influence of Lenin’s New Economic Policy (1921) on India’s approach to economic development and state intervention. (250 words)

Q. The Mughal era witnessed an unprecedented synthesis of Persian, Central Asian, and Indian art traditions. Examine how Mughal patronage influenced the development of the visual and performing arts in India. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

Q.Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.(1200 words)

Q.A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both. (1200 words)

Rohit Kumar, an IPS officer serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in a northern state, has observed growing discontent among police personnel over recent promotion and posting decisions. Several officers belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the Scheduled Tribes (STs) allege that they are routinely sidelined for key operational posts and denied timely promotions, despite meritorious service records. Officers from certain social backgrounds are often given preference for influential postings in urban and sensitive districts, even when more qualified officers are available.

An internal complaint by the SC/ST Officers’ Association highlights patterns of bias in performance evaluation reports (APARs), where subtle prejudice is reflected in lower gradings. The association petitions Rohit to take action and ensure fair representation. However, when Rohit raises the issue in departmental meetings, senior officers advise him to “avoid stirring caste matters” and maintain institutional unity. Some even warn that pursuing the issue could affect his career progression and invite political backlash.

The state government, facing public scrutiny after recent media reports on caste-based bias in police postings, issues a statement promising an internal inquiry. However, there are attempts to downplay the issue as “misunderstandings” rather than systemic discrimination. Meanwhile, affected officers feel demoralised and consider approaching the National Commission for Scheduled Castes.

As a senior officer, Rohit is expected to uphold constitutional values of equality and justice while maintaining institutional discipline and administrative efficiency. The situation demands a careful balance between ensuring fairness in personnel management and preserving organizational stability.

Questions :

A. What are the key ethical dilemmas faced by Rohit Kumar in this situation?

B. Identify and analyse the conflicting values and principles involved in this case.

C. Evaluate the possible courses of action available to Rohit and their likely consequences.

D. Suggest the most ethical and administratively sound course of action Rohit should take to ensure fairness and institutional integrity.

Q. What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke (150 words)

Q. “In the theatre of global politics, morality is often the first casualty.”Analyse the ethical dilemmas faced by nations when strategic interests conflict with humanitarian responsibilities. Illustrate with recent examples. (150 words)

Q. “The rise of AI-generated content has intensified the threat of misinformation and deepfakes.” Critically evaluate India’s efforts to ensure responsible digital governance. (250 words)

Q.“India’s startup ecosystem is dynamic but lacks future readiness.” Critically examine. (250 words)

Q.“Engagement without formal recognition” sums up India’s approach to the Taliban-led regime in Afghanistan. Critically examine this policy in terms of India’s security, economic and ethical interests. (250 words)

Q.“Despite being the ‘pharmacy of the world’, India lacks a robust paediatric drug regulatory framework.”Critically analyse the challenges in ensuring safety, quality, and ethical standards in medicines intended for children in India. (150 words)

Q. The proposed Demographic Mission aims to shift focus from population control to population optimisation in India. Critically analyse its prospects and policy imperatives. (250 words)

Q. Trace the spatial distribution of the world’s offshore petroleum basins and explain the geological and environmental factors influencing their formation. (150 words)

Essay Topics:

Q. Sustainability is no longer about doing less harm. It’s about doing more good. (1200 words)

Q. Mutual assured destruction is a paradox: it guarantees peace by guaranteeing destruction. (1200 words)

In a tragic incident, more than twenty children in a state district lost their lives after consuming a widely used cough syrup later found to be adulterated. Dr Ananya, a senior health officer posted in the state’s Drug Control Department, has been tasked with investigating the matter and ensuring accountability.

As she delves into records, she uncovers alarming lapses in drug testing protocols, delayed inspections, and collusion between some local distributors and manufacturers. Parents and civil society groups are demanding immediate disclosure of investigation reports, punitive action against responsible parties, and systemic reforms to prevent recurrence.

Meanwhile, the state health department is under immense political pressure to manage public outrage and contain negative media coverage. Some senior officials subtly advise Dr Ananya to “handle the matter quietly” to avoid reputational damage to the government and influential stakeholders, warning that strict enforcement may jeopardise her career.

Junior officers involved in sample testing and reporting express fear of harassment, transfers, or legal consequences if they fully disclose the facts. At the same time, courts have taken suo motu cognisance, and multiple PILs have been filed seeking transparency in the investigation, compensation for affected families, and reforms in drug safety oversight.

Questions:

A. What ethical dilemmas confront Dr Ananya in this scenario?

B.  Evaluate the options available to her and their potential consequences.

C. Suggest the most appropriate course of action for Dr Ananya based on balancing administrative responsibility and citizen welfare.

D. Propose long-term systemic reforms to strengthen drug safety oversight.

Q. What does quotation convey to you in the present context?
“We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet.” – Swami Vivekananda. (150 words)

Q. “Moral absolutism can lead to rigidity, while moral relativism may justify injustice. A balance between the two is essential in ethical decision-making.”Justify with suitable illustration. (150 words)

Q. The Indian Ocean is emerging as the strategic heartland of the 21st century. Discuss the evolving maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and evaluate India’s preparedness to safeguard its strategic interests. (250 words)

Q. While mining drives economic growth and industrial development, it simultaneously threatens ecological balance. Examine how mining activities contribute to environmental degradation and suggest sustainable strategies to minimise their adverse impacts. (150 words)

Q. India’s foreign policy demonstrates a delicate balance between strategic cooperation with the United States and the pursuit of autonomy in relations with Russia and China. Comment.

Q. Do you think the recurrent resort to ordinances by the Executive undermines the principles of separation of powers and parliamentary accountability in India? Discuss.

Essay Topics:

Q. The individual is not a pre-given entity; he is constituted through power relations. (1200 words)

Q. Experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play. (1200 words)

Case Study

Ritika, an IAS officer posted as the Public Information Officer (PIO) in a state department, has been facing mounting challenges due to widespread mismanagement in handling RTI requests. Citizens frequently report delays exceeding statutory limits, incomplete disclosures, and arbitrary denials citing vague exemptions. Several RTI applications relate to public procurement, environmental clearances, and fund utilization, raising concerns about corruption and administrative opacity.

Despite repeated reminders and follow-ups, the backlog of pending RTI cases has grown substantially. Some senior officials in the department discourage timely compliance, fearing that disclosure might expose irregularities and implicate influential contractors or political patrons. A few junior officers have expressed fear that strict adherence to the RTI Act could attract harassment, transfers, or litigation. Meanwhile, civil society organizations and media outlets demand transparency, timely responses, and public accountability.

The state government, concerned about negative publicity and political fallout, has subtly instructed Ritika to “avoid unnecessary disclosure” and focus on maintaining departmental harmony. At the same time, the Central Information Commission and local courts are actively monitoring compliance, with some PILs filed questioning delays and partial disclosures.

Questions:

A. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Ritika in this situation?

B. Evaluate the options available to her and their possible consequences.

C. Suggest the most appropriate course of action for Ritika based on administrative accountability and citizen-centric governance.

D. Propose long-term systemic reforms to improve RTI implementation, reduce backlogs, and protect officials from retaliation while ensuring transparency and participatory governance.

Q. Evaluate the ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies such as AI, Big Data, and Digital Governance. How should ethical frameworks guide their adoption in public administration? (150 words)

Q.“Ethical dilemmas are inevitable in administration, but ethical decision-making is non-negotiable.” Explain with reference to moral reasoning and conflict resolution. (150 words)

Q. AI holds the potential to bridge governance gaps or exacerbate digital divides. Examine how the IndiaAI Mission can promote equitable access to AI benefits across different regions and sectors in India. (250 words)

Q. Fiscal health determines the developmental resilience of a state. How can the FHI (Fiscal Health Index) help bridge the gap between fiscal capacity and fiscal performance across Indian states? (150 words)

Q. Transparency is the cornerstone of democracy, but without accountability, it risks becoming ornamental. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of the Right to Information Act, 2005, in promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance in India. (150 words)

Q. Examine the key factors driving women’s empowerment in India and analyse the major barriers that continue to impede its full realization. (150 words)

Q.“Decolonisation after the Second World War was both a moral reckoning and a strategic necessity.” Examine how the global balance of power and nationalist movements influenced the decolonisation process in Asia and Africa. (250 words)