Mains Practice Questions

Case Studies

You are a senior police officer in charge of the Mumbai police. You have recently learned that one of your subordinates has won Rs. 2 crore on a fantasy sports app, by assembling a virtual cricket team. He has also given media interviews in uniform, without seeking permission from you, and has become a celebrity overnight. However, you also know that playing such games is considered unethical and socially unacceptable by many people, and that there is an ongoing debate about the legality and morality of such apps. You are worried that his actions might tarnish the image and reputation of the police force, and also set a bad example for other officers and common people.

(a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

(b) What are the possible courses of action that you can take as his superior officer?

(c) What are the merits and demerits of each course of action?

(d) Which course of action would you choose and why?

Q. What are the ethical issues involved in patronage appointments in the public sector? How can they affect the efficiency and accountability of the civil service? (150 words)

Q. What is cognitive dissonance and how does it affect ethical decision making? How can you overcome cognitive dissonance and act in accordance with your moral values? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of methanol-based economy in India. What are the key factors that need to be considered for the successful implementation of a methanol economy to address energy and environmental concerns in the country? (250 words)

Q. Explain the formation and characteristics of winter smog in the context of India. What strategies would you recommend for mitigating and controlling winter smog in Indian metropolitan areas? (250 words)

Q.The United Nations (UN) is often criticized for its failure to maintain peace and security in the world, despite its commendable work. Analyze the challenges faced by it and suggest some reforms to enhance the UN’s role and effectiveness in the 21st century. (250 words)

Q. Parliamentary committees are an essential part of Indian democracy while they face several challenges and limitations in their functioning. Discuss the role and challenges of parliamentary committees in India. (250 words)

Q. Examine the impacts of globalization in the context of developing countries like India and discuss how India can strike a balance between economic growth and safeguarding its cultural and social identities in an increasingly globalized world. (250 words)

Q. Analyzing the challenges and implications of communalism on social cohesion and the country's overall development, discuss the role of state policies in tackling communalism. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.

2. Morality is simply the attitude we adopt towards people we personally dislike.

Case Studies

You are a district collector in a drought-prone area. You have been entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) in your district. The scheme aims to provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. However, you find that there is a large-scale corruption and leakage of funds in the implementation of the scheme. Some of the common malpractices are:

1. Fake job cards and muster rolls

2. Inflated wage payments and material costs

3. Substandard work quality and measurement

4. Collusion between local officials, contractors and politicians

You have to take appropriate steps to curb the corruption and ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.

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

B. What are the measures that you can take to prevent and punish the corrupt practices?

C. How can you use technology and innovation to improve the transparency and accountability of the scheme?

Q. Examine the ethical challenges in influencer marketing, including potential societal and individual consequences of unethical practices. (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the ethical dimensions surrounding the concept of 'just war' in the contemporary geopolitical context. (150 Words)

Q. Define Artificial Intelligence(AI). In the context of agriculture in India how can AI be harnessed for various applications?(150 Words)

Q. In recent times, there has been a growing trend towards the use of electric vehicles. What obstacles are currently present in the Indian market, and what measures have the Indian government implemented to address them? (250 Words)

Q. Critically examine the arguments for and against legalising same sex marriage in India. What are the constitutional and social implications of such a move? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the need and challenges of sub-categorisation of OBCs in India. How will it affect the existing reservation policy and the social justice agenda?

Q. Discuss the primary and secondary factors that contribute to the formation of ocean currents. How do these factors interact and influence the characteristics of ocean currents, and what are the global implications of these interactions? (250 Words)

Q. Examine the multifaceted challenges and issues encountered by transgender individuals in India, emphasizing the role of societal stigma, discrimination, and the absence of legal recognition. (250 Words)

Essay Topics

1. Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man.

2. Quality is not an act, it is a habit.

Case Studies

There is a lady who wants to terminate her 26-week pregnancy on the grounds of depression and financial hardship. She claims that she was unaware of her pregnancy until recently and that she cannot afford to raise another child. She also says that she suffers from severe mental stress and anxiety due to her situation. The doctors at AIIMS have examined her and confirmed that the fetus is alive and has a heartbeat, and they have refused to perform an abortion as it would amount to ending a life.

a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

b) What are the legal and ethical concerns regarding abortion in India?

Q. What is the difference between empathy and sympathy? How can empathy help a civil servant in understanding the needs and feelings of the stakeholders and delivering better public service? (150 words)

Q. The ethical way is the intelligent way. What does this quote mean for the role of public servants in upholding ethical standards? (150 words)

Q. India's roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime heralded a paradigm shift in taxation structure but it has been marred down with certain glitches downgrading its effectiveness. Discuss (250 words)

Q. Examine the role of agricultural marketing in India's rural economy and the challenges it faces in achieving a robust and efficient marketing system. What measures can be taken to address these challenges and promote agricultural marketing for the benefit of farmers and the overall economy ? Discuss with relevant examples.(250 words)

Q. Geopolitical and Socio-Economic dimensions across the globe are undergoing changes which call for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms pending since its coming into existence. Elucidate (250 words)

Q. Discuss the significance and contemporary relevance of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RPA Act, 1951) in the Indian electoral system. Analyze its various amendments, and their impact on the conduct of free and fair elections. (250 Words)

Q. Issue of Israel-Palestine conflict can be attributed to both World Wars I & II. Discuss (250 Words)

Q. Caste system has been a unique feature of Indian Society. How will the Caste Census in India resolve the age-old crisis of caste atrocities and marginalization ? Explain (250 Words)

Essay Topics

1. Education is the movement from darkness to light.

2. Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.