Mains Practice Questions

Q. There is a view that the Official Secrets Act is an obstacle to the implementation of the Right to Information Act. Do you agree with this view? Discuss. (150 words)

Q. Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the Government in this regard. (150 words ) (GS-III, Mains 2023)

Q. What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements. (150 words ) (GS-III, Mains 2023)

Q. ‘‘Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy.’’ Comment. (150 Words) (GS-II, Mains 2023)

Q. Who are entitled to receive free legal aid? Assess the role of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in rendering free legal aid in India. (150 Words)  (GS-II, Mains 2023)

Q. How do folk arts celebrate the diversity of Culture and harmony of nature through their various art forms? Explain. (150 Words)

Q. What were the similarities and differences between the political and ideological thinking of Vir Savarkar and Gandhi Ji? (150 Words)

Essay Topics

1. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

2. In diversity, there is beauty, and there is strength.

Case Study

You are the founder of a social enterprise that provides solar lamps to rural villages that lack access to electricity. You have been working hard to scale up your impact and reach more communities in need. One day, you receive an email from the CEO of a major oil company who is interested in partnering with you. He says that he wants to support your cause and help you expand your operations. He also mentions that he has to meet Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards for his company. However, over the years working with renewable energy, you have developed a strong aversion to fossil fuel companies. Now, the CEO’s offer has put you in a moral dilemma. On one hand, you resent the idea of accepting help from a company that is contributing to climate change and environmental degradation, and on the other hand, you feel that the company’s assistance is a golden opportunity for your social enterprise to provide more light to the dark.

A. What are the various ethical issues involved here?

B. Will it be morally right for you to accept money from the oil company?

Q. With the increasing use of technology and data in governance, analyze the ethical challenges related to digital privacy and data security in the public sector. (150 words)

Q. Evaluate the ethical dimensions of police misconduct and brutality. What reforms are needed to ensure greater accountability and ethical behavior within law enforcement agencies? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel based vehicles and evaluate the effectiveness of policy initiatives in addressing these concerns. What further steps should be taken to mitigate the environmental impact of fossil fuel based vehicles in India? (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the factors contributing to the increasing frequency of landslides in the Himalayan region and their implications. Suggest sustainable mitigation strategies that can be implemented to address this growing concern. (250 Words)

Q. Critically examine how far the various judgments of the Supreme Court bring independence and accountability in the Central Bureau of Investigation. (250 Words)

Q. What will be the development and concerns of Africa and the world, after Africa’s joining the G20? (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of the Vijayanagara Empire in shaping India's architectural history. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the major factors that influence the distribution of temperature, precipitation, and wind on the Earth’s surface. How do these factors vary across different climatic zones? (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is knocking on our doorsteps.

2. Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Q. You are an IPS officer posted in an area where communal tensions are very much prevalent. One day, a religious procession is being carried out by one community. As they reach the area dominated by another community, sudden firing starts, resulting in several people in the procession getting injured and taken hostage. When you send the police force to control the situation, the force also gets pushed back by the aggressors. Among the hostages, there are individuals who are severely injured and require urgent medical treatment.

A. What are the ethical dilemmas that you face in this situation?
B. What are the possible courses of action that you can take to resolve the crisis?
C. How will you justify your chosen course of action in terms of ethical principles and values?

Q. Discuss the fundamental differences between utilitarianism and deontology in ethical theories. (150 Words)

Q. Discuss the significance of non-partisanship in public administration and its role in ensuring that citizens, irrespective of their political affiliations, are treated fairly and equitably. (150 Words)

Q. How did the Mauryan Empire establish its dominance over a vast portion of the Indian subcontinent? (150 words)

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Q. Critically examine the impact of the First World War on the global political and economic order. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the impact of globalization on Indian society. How has it affected the social empowerment of women and marginalized groups? (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Women are the real architects of society.

2. Agriculture is the greatest health care science in the world.

Q. You are the District Collector of a drought-prone area. The government has announced a relief package for the farmers, which includes waiving off their loans and providing them with free seeds and fertilizers. However, you find out that some of the local politicians and officials are misusing the funds and diverting the resources for their personal gain. They are also threatening the farmers who complain or refuse to cooperate with them. As a responsible officer, how will you deal with this situation? Explain the ethical issues involved and the course of action you will take. (250 words)

Q. Ethics and integrity are crucial elements in public administration. Discuss the significance of ethics and integrity in ensuring effective and accountable governance. Provide examples to support your argument. (250 words)

Q. In today's interconnected world, the role of social media platforms in shaping public opinion and discourse is undeniable. Analyse the ethical challenges posed by the spread of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms. Provide suitable examples to support your arguments. (250 words)

Q: What are the causes and implications of the Khalistan issue in India? How can India address the Khalistan issue? (250 words)