Q. Evaluate the adequacy of constitutional and legal provisions that ensure the independence of the Election Commission. What reforms would strengthen its autonomy? (250 words)

Q. How has the increasing commercialization of agricultural practices influenced rural social structures and gender relations? (150 words)

Q. "The tribal revolts in colonial India were not just acts of resistance but also expressions of indigenous identity and autonomy." Discuss with examples. (250 words)

Essay

1. True happiness comes from the journey of life rather than a final goal.

2. Achieving environmental justice requires a fair distribution of responsibilities.

Case Study

As the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in a metropolitan city, you oversee the implementation of an AI-based Facial Recognition System (FRS) designed to track criminals and prevent crimes. The system, installed across public spaces, has been instrumental in reducing theft, identifying suspects, and solving pending cases. However, concerns have emerged regarding false positives, privacy violations, and potential biases in the AI’s algorithm.

Recently, the system flagged Ravi, a 22-year-old college student, for allegedly being present at a protest that turned violent. Based on the AI-generated report, Ravi was briefly detained for questioning, despite his insistence that he was not involved. His family and civil society groups argue that he was misidentified due to a technical error in the AI system. Investigations reveal that multiple individuals from marginalized backgrounds have been disproportionately flagged, raising concerns about bias in AI-driven policing.

The city’s administration is now divided. Some officials advocate for pausing the AI project for an independent review, citing privacy concerns and wrongful detentions. Others argue that the benefits outweigh the risks and that AI errors can be rectified over time. Meanwhile, public outrage over Ravi’s case is growing, and the police department's credibility is at stake.

Questions:

A. How can law enforcement balance the benefits of AI-driven facial recognition with concerns over false positives, privacy violations, and algorithmic bias?

B. What ethical principles should guide law enforcement in deploying AI tools, particularly in ensuring non-discrimination and protecting marginalized communities?

C. What legal, procedural, and technological safeguards should be implemented to ensure AI-driven policing remains transparent, fair, and accountable?

Q. How can Buddha’s Middle Path serve as an ethical framework for civil servants in decision-making and governance? (150 Words)

Q. How do public service values shape ethical decision-making among civil servants? Discuss with relevant examples. (150 Words)

Q. Explain the concept of ‘information warfare’ and discuss how misinformation and social media manipulation can pose challenges to India’s internal security. (150 words)

Q. “India’s rapid economic growth has not translated into equitable development”. Analyze the key structural challenges hindering inclusive growth and suggest policy measures to bridge the gap. (250 words)

Q. "The evolution of India-US relations from 'estranged democracies' to 'strategic partners' reflects changing global dynamics." Examine this transformation with specific milestones. (250 words)

Q. "The discretionary powers of the Governor have become a source of constitutional friction rather than federal harmony." Discuss while suggesting measures for reforming the office of governor in India. (250 words)

Q. What are earthquake swarms? How do they differ from typical mainshock-aftershock sequences? (150 words)

Q. The decline of the Mughal Empire has often been attributed to Aurangzeb's policies. To what extent is this assessment justified? Examine other factors that contributed to the empire's disintegration. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. The pursuit of progress is meaningless without the pursuit of purpose.

2. Vision without action is a dream; action without vision is a nightmare.

Case Study

You are the District Collector of a rapidly urbanizing district. A large government housing project is under construction to provide affordable homes to economically weaker sections. The project is being executed by a private contractor under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

One evening, a section of an under-construction residential block collapses, leading to the death of five workers and injuring many others. A preliminary investigation suggests that poor-quality construction materials were used. Further, it is revealed that the project approval process had several irregularities, including the violation of environmental clearance norms and unauthorized expansion beyond the sanctioned plan. The project was approved under the tenure of your predecessor, who is now a senior bureaucrat in the state government.

As you begin an in-depth inquiry, you receive immense pressure from multiple stakeholders. Senior officials advise you to avoid implicating your predecessor, arguing that it could tarnish the administration's reputation. The contractor, a politically well-connected businessman, offers you a lucrative post-retirement consultancy role in exchange for diluting the report. Additionally, local political leaders, citing the urgency of providing housing to the poor, urge you to let the project continue despite the lapses. Meanwhile, workers' unions and civil society groups demand strict action against those responsible.

1. Identify the ethical dilemmas in this case and analyze them using relevant ethical theories.

2. What course of action should you take to ensure accountability while balancing the interests of all stakeholders?

3. What policy recommendations can help prevent the recurrence of such infrastructure failures?

Q. What are the ethical obligations of a welfare state toward its citizens? Analyze with reference to India's constitutional philosophy and social justice policies. (150 words)

Q. Is conscience an infallible guide to ethical conduct, or is it shaped by social conditioning? Examine in the context of professional ethics for civil servants. (150 words)

Q. India's coastal ecosystems face multiple threats from climate change and development pressures. Examine the effectiveness of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms in protecting these vulnerable ecosystems.. (250 words)

Q. "India's space sector privatization marks a paradigm shift from being capability-driven to market-driven." Evaluate the opportunities and challenges in this transition, with special reference to IN-SPACe. (250 words)

Q. The concept of 'Extended Neighborhood' has become central to India's foreign policy. How does this concept shape India's strategic and economic engagements beyond its immediate neighbors? (250 words)

Q ."Cooperative federalism is giving way to competitive federalism, while collaborative federalism remains an aspiration." Analyze this evolution with special reference to the changing nature of Centre-State relations. (250 words)

Q. "Tribal communities in India face the dual challenge of preservation of their cultural identity and integration with mainstream development." Discuss this statement with suitable examples. (250 words)

Q. Discuss how the syncretic traditions of the Deccan, particularly under the Bahmani and Vijayanagara kingdoms, contributed to India's composite culture. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. A ladder is useless if it leans against the wrong wall

2. A traveler without a map is lost, but a traveler without curiosity is stagnant.

Case Study

Puneet is a young and dynamic officer serving as the Director of the State Sports Council. His mandate is to promote sports at the grassroots level, improve infrastructure, and ensure fair selection of athletes for national and international competitions.

During his tenure, Puneet receives multiple complaints from young athletes and coaches about rampant favoritism and corruption in the selection process for a prestigious international sports event. Allegations suggest that several underqualified candidates were selected due to political connections and bribes, while talented athletes, especially from economically weaker backgrounds, were ignored.

Upon investigation, Puneet finds strong evidence of malpractice involving senior officials, influential politicians, and sports federation members. When he raises the issue with his superiors, he is advised to “look the other way” as the individuals involved are politically powerful. Some officials warn him that exposing the issue could lead to career repercussions, frequent transfers, or administrative sidelining.

Athletes and their families have intensified their protests, demanding justice and transparency, sparking mass public outrage. The issue has gained widespread media attention, putting significant pressure on the authorities to act. Meanwhile, a well-known journalist approaches Puneet, seeking insider information to expose the scandal. However, Puneet faces a dilemma: taking action against the malpractice could delay the team selection process, potentially jeopardizing the country’s participation in the prestigious event, while inaction would compromise his integrity and the principles of fairness and accountability.

Questions:

1. What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Puneet in this situation?

2. Evaluate the possible courses of action Puneet can take in this scenario. Discuss the merits and consequences of each approach in light of his ethical responsibilities and the public interest.

3. What institutional and grassroots-level reforms can be implemented to prevent favoritism and corruption in sports governance and ensure fair opportunities for athletes, especially those from economically weaker backgrounds?

Q. “Obeying unjust laws is itself unethical.” Critically examine the ethics of legal obedience and moral resistance. (150 words)

Q. In a world driven by efficiency and results, do virtue ethics still hold relevance in governance? Critically analyze with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. Gender budgeting is an important tool for women's empowerment. Analyze its effectiveness in addressing gender disparities in India’s development policies. (250 words)

Q. “The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides autonomy to certain regions but has also posed challenges in governance”. Discuss the relevance of the Sixth Schedule in contemporary India. (250 words)

Q. Climate and vegetation are interdependent. Analyze how different climatic regions of the world influence their natural vegetation patterns with examples from major climatic zones. (250 words)