Q. What are the key features of the National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy 2016? While mentioning achievements under the new IPR policy, also discuss issues related to it. (250 words)

Q. What are the problems faced by the transgender community in India? How far The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019 will be able to address these problems and bring justice to this community? (150 words)

Q. “The CIC (Central Information Commission) is the highest appellate body under the RTI Act, however it has its own limitations.” In this context, discuss the powers and functions of the CIC. (150 words)

Q. What were the socio-economic factors responsible for the emergence of the cooperative movement in post-independent India? Also, highlight the key characteristics of this movement. (150 Words)

Q. What are rare earth materials? Discuss their strategic and environmental significance with respect to India. (150 words)

Essay Topic

1. One must win his internal battle to awaken his consciousness.
2.The primary goal of education policy should be to create liberal and tolerant individuals.

Q. What are the principles of effective public service delivery? Why is it an important component of governance? Explain in the context of Sevottam model. (150 Words)

Q. In the religious land of India, there exists the exploitative custom of sexual slavery known as the Jogini system (a local variation of the Devadasi system) which involves marrying young girls to a deity. This social evil has resisted the legal measures aimed at curbing it till date, despite having been prohibited as per the Devadasi (Prohibition of Dedication) Act. You are posted as a District Magistrate and you get to know about such practice taking place in the area of your jurisdiction. Two Dalit girls have been confined and being prepared for dedication to God as devadasis. The children are forced into becoming Devadasis by their own parents because girls are their only source of income in most cases. In a society where a girl child is often considered a liability, turning them into Devadasis is how patriarchy works to transform them into assets. You also get to know of child prostitution being practiced in the name of Devadasi.

(a) What course of action will you take in such a scenario?

(b) What are the issues involved in banning the practice of Devadasi system, in spite of the laws already present against it? (250 Words)

Q. What are the standards of public life as expounded by the Nolan Committee? (150 Words)

Q. What is e-Citizen Charter? Describe how the PRAGATI platform can help in effective Grievance redressal mechanism? (150 Words)

Q. Despite having definite foundational objectives in respective fields, the ISRO as an organisation proved more successful than the DRDO. Discuss. (150 words)

Q. What are Microbial Fuel Cells? Discuss its possible applications in various fields. (150 words)

Q. “The appointment of the first Lokpal, though delayed, is an important step towards the cause of fighting graft in the government.” Comment. (150 words)

Q. Pressure groups, unlike political parties, are formed to address their immediate problems. Discuss the different methods adopted by the pressure groups to realise their goals. (150 words)

Q. There have been various statehood demands in India since Independence. What have been the reasons for such demands? Discuss. (150 words)

Q. How far is it justified to say that the problem of communalism in modern India is a product of colonial legacy? (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”
2. Success is not a good teacher, failure makes you humble.

Q. What is Information Ethics? Explain how RTI Act can help in maintaining ethical governance in the country. (150 Words)

Case Study

Mr. Siddhant is the chairman of a cultural organization under the central government. The organization has a historical and cultural legacy. Recently he has been charged with the responsibility of organizing an international event by involving artists from different countries. For this event, he has roped in a famous personality from Bollywood as the brand ambassador and face of the event. This has helped in popularising the program at a wide scale and also in the generation of revenue. However, in the mid of the preparation, a female singer artist came in front of the media and accused the Bollywood personality of sexual harassment 10 years ago when she was a minor and searching for work. This accusation has sparked controversy and protest by the public. People are raising their voices against his involvement in the event. Meanwhile, the National Commission of Women has also approached Mr. Siddhant and demands the removal of the Brand Ambassador. Mr. Siddhant is in mid of the finalization of the event and all the preparations regarding inviting people from different parts of the world, their accommodation, etc have already been done. Initially, his consciousness pushed him to do something in this regard but because of external pressure, he is not sure about the right course of action. With reference to the above case study–

(a) What arguments can you give him to show that keeping quiet is not morally right?
(b) What course of action would you advise him to adopt and why? (250 Words)

Q. What do you understand by the Code of Conduct? Explain its utility in changing governance structure in India. (150 Words)

Q. India’s refusal to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) highlights its tendency for calibrated globalization. Comment. (150 words)

Q. Explain what is CSIR’S IndiGen Project? Critically evaluate its potential benefits in the health sector. (150 words)

Q. Displacement of tribals and other marginalised communities has been one of the major consequences of development process in India. Comment. (150 words)

Q. In order to realise the benefits of demographic dividend, health is one of the most critical prerequisites. Discuss in light of National Health Policy 2017. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of women in various social, political and environmental movements since independence in India. (150 words)

Q. Instances of the prevalence of bonded labour system in India are noticed now and then even long after its abolition. What are the reasons that have kept the bonded labour system still alive? (150 words)

Essay Topic

1. Happiness is only real when shared
2. Democracy is worth dying for.

Case Study

Q. You are posted as Superintendent of Police (SP) in a city where a horrific incident of gang rape and murder of an IT professional has shaken the conscience of the entire nation. Since the culprits are still at large, the public anger is mounting and the aggrieved family is refusing to cooperate in investigations because they have no faith in the local police. Earlier, when they tried to lodge a missing complaint of the victim in a nearby police station, they were turned away as the police said that the area falls outside their jurisdiction. In such circumstances when the police force is under heavy media scrutiny.

(a) What will you do to dissuade the rising mistrust between the public and the police?
(b) Also, bring out the long term measures to check this ever growing menace of violence against women. (250 Words)

Q. The basic thrust of the Citizen’s Charter is to render public services citizen-centric by making them demand-driven rather than supply-driven. How an organization should utilise citizen charter for effective governance? (150 Words)

Q. Examine the need of Code of Ethics for civil servants in India. (150 Words)