Mains Practice Questions

Q. As India confronts increasing security challenges, reforming the role of the National Security Advisor (NSA) requires a multifaceted approach.Comment.(150 words)

Q. Embracing policy reforms that create a favorable environment for agricultural growth will enable India to unlock the full potential of its national development. Discuss. (250 words)

Q. With the evolving trade architecture in the Asia-Pacific region, how can India balance its participation in regional trade agreements with its commitment to self-reliance and domestic economic development? (250 words)

Q. Assess the effectiveness of the Anti-Defection Law in curbing political instability and promoting party discipline. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the social and legal challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community and suggest measures for promoting their rights and inclusion. (250 words)

Q. "Art for art's sake" versus "Art for social change." Discuss this debate in the context of contemporary Indian art. (150 words)

Essay

1. The unexamined life is not worth living, but the unlived life is not worth examining.

2. The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Case Study

You are the Superintendent of Police in a city hosting a major religious festival. The event is expected to draw over a million pilgrims to a sacred site with limited infrastructure. Despite careful planning, a sudden surge in the crowd near the main shrine entrance has resulted in a stampede. Initial reports indicate multiple casualties and injuries, with panic spreading rapidly through the dense crowd.

The narrow streets around the shrine complex are congested, making it difficult for emergency vehicles to access the area. False rumors are spreading rapidly on social media, claiming that the stampede was caused by a terrorist attack, leading to increased panic and the potential for communal tensions.Your actions in the next few hours will be crucial in minimizing casualties and preventing the situation from escalating further.

1. Identify the key stakeholders involved in this case.

2. What immediate measures should be taken to prevent further casualties and manage the aftermath of the stampede?

3. Discuss the long-term strategies that need to be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future and enhance the safety of large public gatherings

Q. Discuss how ethical egoism and ethical altruism influence decision-making in a professional setting. (150 words)

Q. Discuss how the principles of Gandhian ethics can be applied in the context of contemporary public service? (150 words)

Q. Explain the ecological and economic impacts of invasive species and discuss strategies for their control and eradication. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the viability of nuclear power as a clean and sustainable energy source for India. Discuss challenges associated with nuclear energy. (250 words)

Q. Discuss how digital technologies can be leveraged to promote social inclusion and empower marginalized groups. (150 words)

Q. Decentralization of power through Panchayati Raj Institutions is crucial for participatory democracy and development at the grassroots level. Comment. (250 words)

Q. The rise of regional kingdoms in post-Gupta India presented a fragmented political landscape. Discuss the factors that led to this fragmentation and analyze its impact on the cultural development of the subcontinent. (250 words)

Q. The Eastern and Western Ghats are two major mountain ranges in India, yet their influence on climate and agriculture differs significantly. Discuss. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. We are simultaneously the observer and the observed, caught in a recursive loop of self-perception that defines our reality.

2. Consciousness is both the canvas and the brush, painting realities that collapse and expand with each thought.

Case Study

You are the District Collector of a drought-prone area. The government has allocated funds for a major irrigation project that promises to benefit thousands of farmers. However, during the initial survey, it's discovered that the project will require the displacement of a small tribal community of 500 people from their ancestral lands. The community lacks formal land ownership documents but has been living there for generations. They are unwilling to move, citing cultural and spiritual connections to the land.

As you begin stakeholder consultations, you learn that some influential local politicians and businessmen stand to gain significantly from the irrigation project. They are pressuring you to expedite the process and minimize interaction with the tribal community. Meanwhile, a group of environmental activists has raised concerns about the project's potential negative impact on the local ecosystem, particularly on a rare species of fish found only in the river that will be diverted for irrigation. You have to navigate the situation with sensitivity and balance competing interests.

A. What are the stakeholders involved in this case?

B. What are the ethical dilemmas you face as the District Collector in this situation?

C. Outline the steps you would take to address this situation, ensuring a balance between development goals and the rights of the tribal community. How would you ensure transparency and fairness in the process?

Q. Compare and contrast Virtue Ethics with Consequentialism. Which approach do you think is most valuable for building a strong ethical character in a civil servant? (150 words)

Q. The concept of intrinsic value suggests that nature has value independent of its utility to humans. Discuss the ethical implications of this perspective on environmental policymaking. (150 words)

Q. Urban areas are increasingly susceptible to disaster risks due to unplanned development and overcrowding. Suggest strategies for making urban infrastructure and communities more resilient to disasters. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate how Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises are the backbone of the Indian economy. Also, suggest measures to address their financial and operational constraints. (150 words)

Q. Explain the concept and evolution of federalism in India. Identify major challenges and propose solutions for strengthening India's federal structure after the resurgence of coalition politics in India. (250 words)

Q. Why is there an increasing phenomenon of an ageing population in India? Discuss the vulnerabilities faced by the elderly and propose solutions to empower them. (250 words)

Q. "The caste system is adopting new identities and associational forms; therefore, it cannot be eradicated in India." Discuss. (250 words)

Q. Numerous voices contributed to the strengthening and enrichment of the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

2. We shape our tools, and thereafter our tools shape us.

Case Study

You are the District Collector of a coastal district. A severe cyclone is expected to make landfall in your district within 48 hours. The meteorological department has issued a red alert, warning of wind speeds up to 150 km/h, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surges.

Your district has a population of about 5 lakh people, with 2 lakh living in low-lying coastal areas at high risk of flooding. The district has limited evacuation centers, and moving such a large number of people on short notice poses significant logistical challenges. The district hospital is located in a low-lying area and houses 200 patients, including 50 in the ICU. Moving them would be risky and time-consuming.

Additionally, there's a large fishing community that is reluctant to leave their boats and homes, as they fear looting in their absence. Many of them also doubt the severity of the weather forecast, based on past experiences where cyclone warnings didn't materialize into major events.

Questions:

1. Who are the key stakeholders involved in this case?

2. What immediate course of action will you take to ensure the safety and evacuation of the population, particularly those in high-risk areas?

3. What long-term measures can be implemented to improve disaster preparedness and resilience in your coastal district?

Q. Critically examine the relationship between rights and duties in a democracy. How do individual rights sometimes come into conflict with societal duties? (150 words)

Q.  Explore the contrasting approaches of the Ethics of Care and the Ethics of Justice.  Discuss how a civil servant might navigate situations where these ethical principles seem to conflict.  (150 words)