Mains Practice Questions

Essay Topics

1. A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

2. Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.

Case Studies

Mohan is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentless pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment.

He was posted in a tribal-dominated district notorius for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from the river belt and transporting it through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribal under fear and intimidation.

Mohan being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are hand in glove with them and have developed a close unholy nexous.

Mohan initiated stringent action against them and started conducting raids on their illegal operations of movement of trucks filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many officers in the past had taken such strong steps against the mafia. Some of the office employees who were allegedly close to the mafia informed them that the oofice is determined to clean up the mafia's illegal sand mining operations in that district and may cause them irreparable damage. The mafia turned hostile and launched a counter-offensive.

The tribal musclemen and mafia started threatening him with dire consequences. His family (wife, and old mother) were stalked and were under virtual surveillance and thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of them. The matter assumed serious proportions when a muscle man come to his office and threatened him to stop raids, etc., otherwise, his fate will not be different from some of his predecessores (ten years back one officer was killed by the mafia)

(a) Identify the differnt options availabe to Mohan in attending to this situation.

(b) Critically evaluate each of the options by you.

(c) Among the options provided, which do you believe would be the most suitable?

Q. How can the cultivation of a positive attitude among public servants enhance their effectiveness in addressing the needs and concerns of citizens? (150 words)

Q. What does this quotation convey to you in the present context?
This is our world, a common world. Everybody should feel a common responsibility"— BAN KI-MOON

Q. Analyze the challenges faced by India in WTO negotiations and its strategies to protect its interests in multilateral trade. (250 words)

Q. Examine the importance of GSLV technology in India's space exploration efforts. Evaluate the obstacles encountered during the development and implementation of GSLV technology for satellite launches. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in promoting social justice in the Indian Constitution. (250 Words)

Q. Evaluate the effectiveness of affirmative action policies in India's quest for social justice, considering challenges and potential reforms. (250 Words)

Essay Topics

1. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

2. The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.

Case Studies

You are posted as the District Magistrate in a region where deforestation has become a pressing issue. The local communities rely heavily on forest resources for their livelihoods, including fuelwood collection, timber for construction, and non-timber forest products for sustenance. However, rampant deforestation is leading to ecological imbalances and adversely affecting the communities. The increasing deforestation is driven by various factors, including illegal logging, encroachment for agricultural purposes, and infrastructure development. This has resulted in the loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, and disrupted water cycles, leading to adverse effects on agriculture and local ecosystems.

As the District Magistrate, you are tasked with addressing these problems and finding sustainable solutions that balance the needs of the communities with environmental conservation.

In light of this scenario, analyze the problems and issues of deforestation and propose a comprehensive plan of action that addresses the concerns of both the communities and the environment.

Q. Discuss the ethical implications of AI technology in governance, highlighting its potential for bias and discrimination. Offer solutions for ethical AI implementation. (250 Words)

Q. Analyze the role of whistleblowing in promoting transparency and accountability in public administration. Evaluate its ethical and legal dimensions. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of Gross National Product (GNP) over Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in assessing a nation's economic well-being and its implications for policy formulation. (250 Words)

Q. Analyze the relationship between poverty, unemployment, and inclusive growth, highlighting policy measures to address these challenges. (250 Words)

Q. Explain the concept of the "Basic Structure of the Constitution" as propounded by the Supreme Court. How does it impact the amending power of the Parliament? (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the interplay between the Parliamentary System and the Federal System in India. How does it contribute to the country's governance and federal structure? (250 Words)

Q. Analyze the factors that led to the decline of the Mughal Empire and the emergence of successor states in India. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of the Indus Valley Civilization in shaping the cultural, economic, and social life of ancient India. (250 Words)

Essay Topics:

1. Strongest Minds are Often Those Whom the Noisy World Hears Least.

2. More Honoured in the Breach Than in the Observance.

Case Studies

A Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), known for his principled stand on various issues and unwavering commitment to his political party, decides to defect to another party. He justifies his decision by citing ideological differences and the need to better serve his constituents. However, his decision is widely criticized as opportunistic and a betrayal of the trust placed in him by his constituents and party members. The Chief Minister, who is from the ruling party, alleges that the defections were orchestrated through unethical means, including promises of positions and financial incentives.

As an aspiring civil servant, analyze the ethical implications of political defections. Discuss the challenges faced by lawmakers in balancing their ideological beliefs, party loyalty, and responsibilities towards constituents. Suggest measures to address the issue of political defections while upholding democratic values and integrity in governance.

Q. Discuss the role of integrity in public service, citing examples. How can ethical leadership foster a culture of integrity in organizations? (250 Words)

Q. Examine the relationship between ethics and aptitude in decision-making. How can ethical dilemmas be resolved effectively in administrative scenarios? (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the role of the Reserve Bank of India in implementing banking sector reforms in India, highlighting its impact on commercial banks and the economy. (250 Words)

Q. Evaluate the effectiveness of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) in addressing non-performing assets (NPAs) and its implications for asset reconstruction companies (ARCs) in India. (250 Words)

Q. What is the present financial condition of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India? Analyze the hurdles PRIs face in generating internal revenue and suggest measures to strengthen their financial autonomy. (250 words)

Q. Assess the successes and limitations of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Recommend reform strategies for the WTO to maintain its significance amid changing global dynamics. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the importance and potential challenges associated with implementing the proposed Women’s Urban Employment Guarantee Act in India. Recommend strategies for realizing substantial economic empowerment for women across the nation. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the extent of the groundwater crisis in India and suggest strategies to mitigate its consequences. (250 words)

Essay Topic:

1. The strong do what they have to do and the weak accept what they have to accept.

2. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

Case Studies

Lakhimpura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme backwardness and abject poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local population, though it is primarily subsistence due to the very small landholdings. There is insignificant industrial or mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programs have inadequately benefited the tribal population. In this restrictive scenario, the youth has begun to migrate to other states to supplement the family income. Plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by labor contractors to send them to work in the Bt Cotton farms of a nearby state. The soft fingers of the minor girls are well suited for plucking the cotton. The inadequate living and working conditions in these farms have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the districts of domicile and the cotton farms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused the twin issues of child labour and development of the area.

You are appointed as the District Collector of Lakhimpura. Identify the ethical issues involved. Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve the overall economic scenario in the district?