Q. Analyze the role of revolutionary movements in India's freedom struggle. (250 words)

Q. Urbanization is not merely a demographic shift but a transformative process reshaping social structures and relationships in India. Discuss. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. The self is both a sanctuary and a battlefield.

2. Strength lies not in resistance, but in resilience

Case Study

Sneha Verma, a young and upright IAS officer, is serving as CEO of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) in a drought-prone district of Maharashtra. She is overseeing the implementation of a crucial Rs 50 crore water conservation project under the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, aimed at preventing crop failure and mass migration. While finalizing tenders, the lowest bidder—XYZ Pvt. Ltd.—emerges with strong credentials. However, Sneha is informally warned by colleagues about the firm’s alleged involvement in substandard work and bribery in another state, despite no formal conviction or blacklist status.

The situation escalates when a local MLA visits Sneha, subtly pressuring her to award the contract to Saraswati Infra, citing urgency and hinting at consequences for her upcoming transfer. The next morning, she receives an anonymous email with alleged proof of the firm’s manipulated quality reports in previous projects. With villagers anxiously awaiting project execution before the monsoon, Sneha is torn between ensuring integrity and avoiding delays that could harm livelihoods and invite political backlash.

Questions

(a) Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.

(b) What are the options available to Sneha? Evaluate each of them. What would be the most appropriate course of action for Sneha?

(c) In the long run, how should public institutions ensure ethical integrity and transparency in public procurement while balancing the urgency of developmental needs?

Q. Discuss the relevance of Gandhian ethics in contemporary governance and administration. Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. What do you understand by 'conscience' and 'moral reasoning'? How do they influence ethical decision-making in public life? (150 words)

Q. Energy security encompasses availability, accessibility, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Critically examine how India’s energy source diversification strategy addresses these dimensions of energy security. (250 words)

Q. "The food processing industry is a sunrise sector with the potential to boost the economy." Discuss its role in reducing post-harvest losses and enhancing income and employment. (150 words)

Q. Soft power is a key pillar of India’s Neighbourhood First policy. How effectively has India used it to strengthen regional ties amid geopolitical challenges? (250 words)

Q. How does the principle of "eminent domain" justify state acquisition of private property? Analyze its scope under Indian constitutional law in light of Supreme Court rulings. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Truth is not what we see, but what we choose to acknowledge

2. The past is a compass, not a map.

Case Study

Q. You are a senior officer working in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Recently, a major policy on regulating social media was rolled out, and you've played a significant role in its drafting and implementation. One evening, while returning home, you receive a call from your daughter’s college counselor asking you to come over the next day.

When you visit the college, the counsellor informs you that your daughter has been showing signs of stress, reduced class participation, and increasing absenteeism. Upon speaking to your daughter privately, you learn that she has been facing online bullying on a popular social media platform. Memes, videos, and posts have targeted her appearance and her connection to "the officer who is banning things people love."

She reveals that her classmates have been mocking her in school and online, blaming her for their parents' inconvenience due to the ban on certain social media activity. She requests you not to take any official or public action, fearing further embarrassment. Your colleagues advise you to issue a formal clarification through your Ministry's press wing or release a personal video presenting facts and defending your family. However, senior bureaucrats caution you against making it personal or emotional, fearing it might set a precedent and undermine institutional protocol.

(a) Identify and discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.

(b) What course of action would you take in this situation and why? Substantiate your answer using ethical principles.

(c) What regulatory framework should be in place to ensure that social media remains a space for free expression while protecting individuals from online abuse, misinformation, and digital manipulation?

Q. "Emotional Intelligence is the cornerstone of ethical and empathetic public service." Discuss the statement with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. How does financial prudence in public administration contribute to probity in governance? Discuss with examples. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the strategic, economic, and technological dimensions of transforming India from a major defence importer to a potential global defence manufacturing hub. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the role of the logistics sector in India's economic transformation. Discuss the key challenges hindering its potential and propose strategic interventions to enhance its efficiency and competitiveness. (250 words)

Q. Analyze India's engagement with Africa in the 21st century by examining the geopolitical and geoeconomic dimensions of the partnership. (250 words)

Q. Examine the principles and practices of judicial review in India and the United States. How do the constitutional approaches of these two democracies differ in empowering their judiciaries? (250 words)

Q. "The Sanchi Stupa is a testament to India’s rich Buddhist heritage and evolving architectural styles. Discuss its historical significance, artistic features, and the contributions of various dynasties in its development. (250 words)

Q. How do geomorphological processes influence the formation and evolution of river systems in India? Illustrate with examples from different river basins. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. Convenience is the new cage of the human mind.

2. Not all departures are escapes, and not all arrivals are destinations.

Case Study

You are the Dean of Admissions at a prestigious government university. The admission process is underway, and strict merit-based criteria are in place. A few days before the final selection, you receive a call from a senior bureaucrat in the state government requesting admission for his son, who does not meet the cut-off marks. He emphasizes that his support has been crucial in securing government grants for the university’s expansion projects.

Simultaneously, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) informs you in a private meeting that the university’s funding is at a critical juncture and the bureaucrat’s goodwill may help in securing future grants. The VC suggests that you explore "discretionary quotas" to accommodate the student.

Meanwhile, a junior faculty member from the admissions committee privately expresses concerns to you about unusual last-minute changes in the admission list, hinting at possible external interference. You are caught between your duty to uphold fairness and the practical challenges of maintaining the university’s financial health.

Questions:

1. Identify and analyze the ethical issues involved in this case.

2. Examine the possible courses of action available to you as the Dean of Admissions. Discuss the merits and demerits of each option. What course of action will you take and why?

3. What institutional reforms can be implemented to ensure transparency, fairness, and resistance to external pressures in the university’s admission process?

Q. How does the concept of "moral distress" manifest in public service, and what strategies can administrators employ to address it constructively? (150 words)

Q. "Moral courage requires both the willingness to stand alone and the humility to change one's position." Discuss with examples from public administration. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the structural factors responsible for growth-employment mismatch in India and propose strategic interventions to ensure growth that is both robust and employment-intensive. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the role of technology and innovation in transforming India's manufacturing sector. How can India better prepare for Industry 4.0? (250 words)

Q. Assess the implementation challenges of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and suggest measures to strengthen its effectiveness. (150 words)

Q. Examine the efficacy of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in addressing national security challenges. Has it strengthened India's federal structure? (250 words)

Q. “Gandhara and Mathura schools of art represent two distinct yet interconnected artistic traditions of ancient India”. How did these schools contribute to the evolution of Indian sculptural art? (150 words)

Q. Compare and contrast the Permanent Settlement and the Ryotwari Settlement introduced by the British in India. How did these land revenue systems impact agrarian society and the overall economy? (250 words)