Mains Practice Questions

Case Studies

Ravish, a young and dedicated civil servant known for his competence and integrity, was assigned to a district plagued by a low literacy ratio and controlled by an education mafia involved in extorting money from students for facilitating cheating in exams. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Ravish swiftly grasped the intricate workings of the mafia, discovering their clandestine methods and the complicity of local authorities and strongmen.

Upon investigation, Ravish unearthed the involvement of some of his office employees in this illicit nexus. Taking decisive action, he initiated stringent measures against them and conducted raids to dismantle the illegal operations. Unaccustomed to facing such resistance, the mafia became alarmed, with some office employees tipping them off about Ravish's determination to eradicate bribery and cheating promotion in the district.

In response, the mafia adopted a hostile stance and launched a counter-offensive. They resorted to threatening Ravish with dire consequences, and his family, including his wife and elderly mother, became targets of stalking and virtual surveillance, causing immense mental distress. The situation escalated when a thug visited Ravish's office, warning him to cease the raids or face a fate similar to some of his predecessors, one of whom had been killed by the mafia a decade earlier.

A. Considering the challenges faced by Ravish in dealing with the education mafia, what are the various options available to him to address the situation effectively?

B. Provide a critical assessment of each of the options outlined for Ravish in addressing the challenges posed by the education mafia in the district.

Q. Examine the necessity and challenges of establishing a global framework for the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). (150 words)

Q. Demolition activities often intersect with complex legal and ethical considerations. Discuss (150 words)

Q. What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMFT)' Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. ‘The expansion and strengthening of NATO and a stronger US-Europe strategic partnership works well for India.’ What is your opinion about this statement ? Give reasons and examples to support your answer. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. ‘Sea is an important Component of the Cosmos’ Discuss in the light of the above statement the role of the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) in protecting environment and enhancing maritime safety and security. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. From being a net food importer in the 1960's, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide Reasons. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Essay Topics

1. Negative feedback can make us bitter or better.

2. If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.

Case Studies

You are posted as the District Magistrate (DM) in a remote district in India. This district is known for its rich tribal culture and pristine natural beauty. However, it also faces challenges like poverty, limited healthcare and education facilities, and deforestation due to illegal logging.

A multinational pharmaceutical company (MNC) approaches you with a proposal to set up a research facility in the district. The MNC claims that the research facility will bring economic development, employment opportunities, and better healthcare services to the district. The MNC also offers you a hefty amount of money as a personal incentive to approve the proposal.

However, you are aware that the research facility will have negative impacts on the environment, the tribal culture, and the rights of the local people. The MNC has a history of unethical practices such as exploiting natural resources, violating human rights, and conducting illegal experiments on animals and humans. You also suspect that the MNC has some hidden agenda behind the research facility.

As the DM, you have to decide whether to accept or reject the proposal.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case? How will you resolve them?

B. What are the possible consequences of your decision for yourself, the district, and the MNC? Justify your answer with suitable arguments and examples. (250 words)

Q. Explain the difference between psychological egoism and ethical egoism. How does psychological egoism pose a challenge to ethical egoism? (150 words)

Q. In the context of international relations, how can diplomats leverage emotional intelligence to facilitate peaceful conflict resolution? (150 words)

Q. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few of India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. “Development and welfare schemes for the vulnerable, by its nature, are discriminatory in approach.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Skill development programmes have succeeded in increasing human resources supply to various sectors. In the context of the statement analyse the linkages between education, skill and employment. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Essay Topics

1. He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior.

2. Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.

Case Studies

An IAS officer, Mr. Sharma, is working in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as a Joint Secretary. He is responsible for drafting a policy on surrogacy, which aims to regulate the practice of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and protect the rights and interests of the surrogate mothers, the intended parents, and the children born through surrogacy.

Mr. Sharma is married to Mrs. Sharma, who is a successful lawyer and a partner in a reputed law firm. They have been trying to have a child for the past 10 years, but have failed due to medical reasons. They have also explored the option of adoption, but have faced many hurdles and delays in the process.

One day, Mrs. Sharma informs Mr. Sharma that she has found a surrogate mother through an online platform, who is willing to carry their child for a reasonable amount of money. She also tells him that she has consulted her law firm and they have assured her that they can handle the legal formalities and paperwork for the surrogacy arrangement. She urges Mr. Sharma to agree to this option, as it is their last chance to have a biological child of their own. However, the current law prohibits commercial surrogacy and allows only altruistic surrogacy for eligible couples.

1. What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

2. What are the possible options available to Mr. Sharma?

3. What should Mr. Sharma do in this situation? Justify your answer with suitable arguments. (250 words)

Q. Explain the term social capital. How does it enhance good governance? (Answer in 150 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. "The greatest good for the greatest number" is a foundational principle of quantitative utilitarianism. Discuss the ethical implications of prioritizing numerical outcomes over individual rights in the context of public policy decision-making. (150 words)

Q. The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. What is the main task of India's third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the Virtual Launch Control Centre' at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Explain the significance of the 101^st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Q. Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. (Answer in 250 words, UPSC Mains 2023)

Essay Topics

1. The Best is the Enemy of the Good.

2. There is no happiness in comfort, Happiness comes from suffering.