Mains Practice Questions

Q. What constitutes air pollution, particularly in the context of stubble burning? What measures can be implemented to mitigate its effects? (250 words)

Q. Explain the significance of foreign direct investment (FDI) for the Indian economy and analyze the reasons behind the recent decline in FDI inflows. Suggest remedial measures to enhance FDI in India. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the mechanisms through which the Indian Constitution establishes a system of separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Evaluate how this separation functions as a check on parliamentary sovereignty in the Indian context. (150 words)

Q. Recently, the conduct of many governors of states have been questioned, raising doubts about the constitutional propriety of their actions. In this regard, evaluate the need for the office of Governor in India. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Case Studies

Ramesh is an employee at a prestigious multinational corporation known for his diligent work ethic. He consistently arrives at the office punctually, submits assignments on time, and occasionally extends his work hours to meet targets.

While Rajesh, serving as Ramesh's reporting manager, is a trusted leader responsible for a team of fifty individuals. His reputation within the organization is that of a sincere and results-oriented manager who excels in delivering under pressure. With a decade of unwavering service, Rajesh has garnered the admiration of top management, positioning himself as their go-to person during crises or periods of high workload. Consequently, he is on the cusp of a well-deserved promotion to a higher role within the company.

However, an unexpected challenge emerges for the company. A feedback form circulated among employees reveals an alarming number of negative reviews including that of Ramesh pertaining to Rajesh. These reviews accuse him of misbehavior, misconduct, and even allegations of mental abuse. This development puts the CEO of the company, the ultimate decision-maker, in a perplexing situation with regards to Rajesh's impending promotion.

(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.

(b) Critically examine the options available to the CEO of the company in the above situation.

(c) Which of the above would be the most appropriate for a CEO and why?

Q. What do you understand by this quote: "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching." - C.S. Lewis (150 words)

Q. Discuss the ethical dilemmas associated with space exploration and commercialization. How can governments and international organizations promote responsible space activities while considering the potential impact on celestial bodies and extraterrestrial life? (150 words)

Q. How has the Human Genome Project contributed to our understanding of genetic diseases and the development of targeted therapies? (150 words)

Q. Explore the potential of micro-irrigation in revolutionizing farming towards profitability and sustainability within the framework of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. (150 words)

Q. “The Indian constitution was designed not for people how they are but how they ought to be “. Comment (150 words)

Q. What role does the Preamble play in guiding the interpretation and evolution of the Constitution, especially in the context of landmark judicial decisions? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the development of science and technology in post-independence India. (150 Words)

Q. How revolt of 1857 was a regime shift for India? Highlight the significance of the revolt. (150 Words)

Essay Topics

1. Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.

2. Righteousness is the foundation stone of peace and good governance.

Case Studies

The state is facing a severe water crisis due to the prolonged drought. The groundwater level has dropped drastically and many wells and borewells have dried up. The farmers are struggling to irrigate their crops and the people are suffering from acute water scarcity. The situation has led to widespread protests and unrest in the affected areas. The Chief Minister is worried that this will hamper the party’s chances in the upcoming elections. However, the state has no funds to implement any long-term solutions, such as building dams, canals, or pipelines. The only option is to provide temporary relief by supplying water through tankers and trains. But this requires a lot of coordination and logistics, as well as a huge amount of money. The state can only afford this by diverting funds from other development schemes or by borrowing from the central government or external agencies. In this situation, the Chief Minister has asked the Chief Secretary, Ramesh Kumar, to find a way out of this crisis.

Imagine yourself as the Chief Secretary and discuss the different options available and how will you respond in this case?

Q. There is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Right to Information Act. Do you agree with this view? Discuss. (150 words)

Q. Ethical leadership is the cornerstone of good governance, as it inspires public trust and champions transparency, accountability, and inclusivity within government institutions. Comment. (150 words)

Q. What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements. (150 words ) (GS-III, Mains 2023)

Q. Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard. (150 words ) (GS-III, Mains 2023)

Q. Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India. (150 Words)  (GS-II, Mains 2023)

Q. ‘‘Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy.’’ Comment. (150 Words) (GS-II, Mains 2023)

Q. What were the similarities and differences between the political and ideological thinking of Vir Savarkar and Gandhi Ji? (150 Words)

Q. How do folk arts celebrate the diversity of Culture and harmony of nature through their various art forms? Explain. (150 Words)

Essay Topics

1. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

2. In diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength.

Case Study

You are the founder of a social enterprise that provides solar lamps to rural villages that lack access to electricity. You have been working hard to scale up your impact and reach more communities in need. One day, you receive an email from the CEO of a major oil company who is interested in partnering with you. He says that he wants to support your cause and help you expand your operations. He also mentions that he has to meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards for his company. However, over the years working with renewable energy, you have developed a strong aversion to fossil fuel companies. Now, the CEO’s offer has put you in a moral dilemma. On one hand, you resent the idea of accepting help from a company that is contributing to climate change and environmental degradation, and on the other hand, you feel that the company’s assistance is a golden opportunity for your social enterprise to provide more light to the dark.

A. What are the various ethical issues involved here?

B. Will it be morally right for you to accept money from the oil company?

Q. Evaluate the ethical dimensions of police misconduct and brutality. What reforms are needed to ensure greater accountability and ethical behavior within law enforcement agencies? (150 words)

Q. With the increasing use of technology and data in governance, analyze the ethical challenges related to digital privacy and data security in the public sector. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the factors contributing to the increasing frequency of landslides in the Himalayan region and their implications. Suggest sustainable mitigation strategies that can be implemented to address this growing concern. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel based vehicles and evaluate the effectiveness of policy initiatives in addressing these concerns. What further steps should be taken to mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuel based vehicles in India? (250 Words)