Mains Marathon 2024

Day 41: You are the District Collector of a disaster-prone state known for its frequent landslides, forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods, and earthquakes. These natural calamities, often unpredictable and severe, challenge the region's resilience. Recently, a sudden cloudburst triggered devastating floods and landslides, resulting in significant casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power plants. The disaster has stranded over 100,000 people, including pilgrims, tourists, locals, and several high-profile individuals.

Day 41: You are the CEO of a leading private healthcare company known for its patient-centric approach, transparency, and high ethical standards. The company operates several hospitals across the country and employs over 2,000 healthcare professionals. The company has received numerous awards for its innovation in medical care and its commitment to providing quality services at affordable prices.

Day 41: You are a no-nonsense, honest officer recently appointed to head a department in a remote district known for its inefficiency and lack of discipline. Upon your arrival, you discover that the root cause of the department's poor performance is a group of employees who not only neglect their duties but also actively disrupt the work of others. Determined to restore order, you issue a warning to these troublemakers, urging them to improve their behavior or face disciplinary action. When your warning is ignored, you proceed by issuing a show cause notice to the leaders of this group.

Day 40: Amit, a young and proactive Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, is known for his integrity, dedication, and sharp acumen in handling challenging situations. Given his reputation, he was assigned to a forest division in a remote and tribal-dominated district where illegal timber smuggling was rampant. The smugglers, in collusion with local functionaries and tribal musclemen, were exploiting the forests, cutting down valuable trees, and transporting the timber to black markets. The operation had the backing of influential people, and the local tribal population was either coerced into supporting the smugglers or bribed to stay silent.

Day 40: Ravi, a senior officer in the Ministry of Commerce, has access to confidential and sensitive information about upcoming trade policies that the government is about to announce. These decisions will have a significant impact on the stock market, particularly on companies involved in the export and import sectors. If certain investors or companies have early access to this information, they could make substantial profits by strategically buying or selling stocks.

Day 40: Anita, a senior public health officer, is leading a vaccination drive in a district severely affected by a contagious pandemic. The healthcare infrastructure is overwhelmed, and thousands of people are in urgent need of medical attention and vaccination. However, the vaccination campaign has faced significant setbacks due to misinformation, widespread fear, and logistical challenges such as a shortage of vaccines and medical supplies. The situation is further aggravated by the breakdown of communication networks and transportation routes.

Day 40: Priya, a newly appointed district education officer, is assigned to a rural district where traditional beliefs and customs are deeply ingrained in the local population. Shortly after taking charge, Priya observed significant resistance from village elders to girls' education. The elders believe that educating girls beyond basic literacy is unnecessary and that it encourages them to challenge traditional roles, leading to social instability. They argue that girls should remain within the household, focus on domestic responsibilities, and be married off early with minimal education.

Day 39: Discuss how empathy and compassion, alongside intellectual and ethical competencies, contribute to a civil servant’s effectiveness in resolving significant challenges and making pivotal decisions. Provide examples to illustrate their impact. (250 words)

Day 39: The appearance of a conflict of interest can be just as damaging as an actual conflict. How does a conflict of interest manifest in the decision-making of public servants, and what strategies should they use to handle it? ( 250 words)

Day 39: Specify the key values crucial for an effective public servant. Explain the strategies and methods to prevent unethical behavior among public servants. (150 words)

Day 39: The highest form of integrity is to do what is right even when no one is watching, especially in the realm of public service. Elucidate. (150 words)

Day 38: Educated Indians, despite their academic qualifications, may exhibit various negative values influenced by their upbringing and societal context. Discuss. (250 words)

Day 38: Sexual violence against women persists despite existing legal frameworks. Identify the factors contributing to this social attitude and suggest measures to address the issue. (250 words)

Day 38: Cultivating a positive attitude is fundamental to the effectiveness of public service. Comment.(150 words)

Day 38: Politics without principles is a deadly sin.Explain.(150 words)