Mains Practice Questions

Essay Topics

1. Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.

2. The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Case Study

Recently, in a tragic incident occurred in west Delhi where a 20-year-old woman was found naked and dead. She had been dragged beneath a car for 12 kilometers. According to reports, the occupants of the car, which included the son of a ruling party president, were aware that the woman was trapped under the car but chose to keep driving in order to avoid getting caught. Additionally, there is reported pressure on the police by the ruling party to resolve the case quickly and protect the accused.

As a IPS officer you were given responsibility to handle the case, what would you do in this scenario?

Q. What is the meaning of key ethical terms such as 'right', 'wrong', 'love', and 'compassion'? How do these terms relate to our understanding of morality and ethical principles? (150 words)

Q. Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant and justify their inclusion in the matrix. (150 words)

Q. Analyze the challenges faced by India in maintaining internal security in the current scenario. (250 words)

Q. What is the role of vulnerability assessment in defining disaster impacts and how can it be used to identify the threat to vulnerable communities? (150 words)

Q. How does the doctrine of separation of powers reduce the possibility of arbitrary actions by the government in India? Give examples to illustrate your answer. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the impact of economic policies on social justice in India, and suggest measures to ensure that economic growth is inclusive and equitable. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of museums and institutions in preserving and promoting Indian art and cultural heritage. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the concept of natural farming in India and its significance in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. The need for gender-sensitive policy-making in India and the challenges in achieving it.

2. The role of the Indian judiciary in protecting civil liberties and ensuring accountability of the state.

Case study

An Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer is posted in a host country as the Ambassador of India. The officer is tasked with representing India's interests and promoting bilateral relations between the two countries. However, the host country has a poor human rights record and the government has been accused of committing atrocities against ethnic and religious minorities.

The IFS officer has been approached by representatives of these minorities, who have requested assistance and support from the Indian government. They have also provided evidence of human rights abuses to the officer. However, the officer has been advised by the Ministry of External Affairs to not interfere in the internal affairs of the host country and to maintain good relations with the host government.

If you were in the position of IFS officer, what would you do in this situation?

Q. Discuss the role of rational thinking in resolving ethical dilemmas in the field of education. (150 words)

Q. What are the ethical considerations surrounding the use of technology in warfare and armed conflicts, and how can they be addressed? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the potential impact of climate change on India's tourism industry and suggest ways to adapt to it. (150 words)

Q. Analyse the challenges posed by the rise of Metaverse and Artificial Intelligence (AI), suggest measures to tackle these challenges. (250 words)

Q. The largest region of illicit opium cultivation in its neighborhood poses threat to India's youth. Discuss protective measures that are necessary to stop this drug menace? (250 words)

Q. How have technological innovations such as e-governance impacted the way that government functions and interacts with citizens in India? (150 words)

Q. Examine the impact of the second World War on the development of the modern world, including the shift in global power dynamics and the emergence of new ideologies. (250 words)

Q. Explain the impact of human activities on the Earth's physical geography. (150 words)

Essay Topics

1. The future of transportation: electric vehicles and self-driving cars.

2. A prudent foreign policy requires both pragmatism and opportunism.

Case Study

As a civil servant, you have been appointed as the District Collector of your district. One day, you receive a complaint from a local NGO stating that a government-run school in a remote village in your district is not providing students with proper facilities and infrastructure. The NGO has also provided you with photos and videos as evidence of the poor conditions at the school.

Upon investigation, you find that the allegations made by the NGO are true and the schools in your district are indeed in a poor state. You also find out that they lack basic facilities such as clean drinking water, proper classrooms, and proper sanitation facilities etc.

You are faced with a dilemma - on one hand, you want to take immediate action and improve the conditions of schools in your district to provide the students with a better learning environment. On the other hand, you are aware that the process of improving the school's facilities will take time and money, and you are not sure if the funds allocated for the district will be sufficient to cover the costs.

As a district collector what would you do in this situation?

Q. What are the ethical considerations in public policy making and how do they impact the well-being of citizens? (150 words)

Q. How do organizations and institutions address ethical challenges, such as corruption and discrimination? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the need for regulation in addressing issues related to online gaming in India and suggest potential approaches for addressing these challenges. (250 words)

Q. Discuss some challenges that startups face in India, and how can they be overcome? (150 words)

Q. There is a dire need for electoral reforms in India, discuss various challenges related to elections in India and suggest some measures to resolve them. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy security and international trade. (150 words)

Q. Analyze the impact of colonialism on the economic, social, and political structures of India during the 19^th and early 20^th century. Discuss the various forms of resistance that emerged in response to colonial rule. (250 words)

Q. Explain the concept of caste system in India and discuss its impact on the social and economic status of the various groups within the society. (250 words)