Mains Practice Questions

Essay Topics

1. Trade money for time, not time for money. You’re going to run out of time first.

2. Without development of knowledge and reason, a civilization cannot advance.

Case Study

Ashwani Sood is a farmer who resides in a village of moderate size in the Sitamarhi district of Bihar. He was once chosen to lead the local Panchayat. He has a 25-year-old young son Divyansh. Being the only son of the family, Divyansh was pampered and became spoilt. He was arrogant, always wanted to have his way and would pick up a fight at the slightest opportunity.

A primary school teacher of the area was shot in the head by Divyansh in full view of a large number of persons. He was arrested and remained in jail, despite several attempts to come out.

The MLA of the district is happened to be a part of state cabinet and is also a longtime friend of Ashwani and is currently very influential in the government. The present District Magistrate (Sanjit) has good relations with the minister as he had worked under this Minister in the secretariat before he came to this district and was also recommended by him.

Later, the cabinet minister from the district called Sanjit for recommending parole to Divyansh.

The Minister did not claim that Divyansh is innocent; his pleading was restricted to the circumstances the family was passing through as his mother had died recently. The Minister’s request has created a somewhat difficult situation for Sanjit. This Minister rarely intervenes in any administrative day-to-day functions.

What would be the course of action should Sanjit follow and why?

Q. “The unexamined life is not worth living”, how would you interpret this statement of Socrates? (250 words)

Q. How can information and communication technology help in reducing corruption? illustrate your answer with two examples (250 words)

Q. Despite being the second-largest producer of tea globally, there are challenges faced by the Tea industry in India. Highlight some government initiatives to promote the growth of the tea industry. (250 words)

Q. “Indian Biological Data Bank will reduce the dependency of Indian researchers on American and European data banks.” In the light of the statement, discuss key features of indigenous data bank centre. (250 words)

Q. Whether electoral bonds are effective in ensuring fair, just and open elections? Discuss the various concerns regarding electoral bonds. (250 words)

Q. Highlight the Indo-US relations in the changing geopolitical scenario. Discuss the nuances between the relation of two countries. (250 words)

Q. To what extent has the urban planning and the culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provides inputs to the present-day urbanization? Discuss. (250 Words)

Q. Highlight the earthquake distribution in the world. Discuss the vulnerability of India to earthquake-related hazards. (250 Words)

Essay Topics

1. In history lies all the secrets of statecraft.

2. Peace cannot be kept by force but can be achieved only by mutual-understanding.

Case Study

Q. Industrial chemicals are produced on a big scale by a conglomerate. It suggested establishing a second unit. Due to its negative impact on the environment, many states rejected this proposal. But one state government acceded to the request and permitted the unit close to a city, brushing aside all opposition. Further, the unit was set up 10 years ago and was in full swing till recently. The pollution caused by the industrial effluents was affecting the land, water, and crops in the area. It was also causing serious health problems to human beings and animals. This gave rise to a series of agitations demanding the closure of the plant. In a recent agitation, thousands of people took part, creating a law-and-order problem necessitating stern police action. Following the public outcry, the State government ordered the closure of the factory. The closure of the factory resulted in the unemployment of not only those workers who were engaged in the factory but also those who were working in the ancillary units. It also very badly affected those industries which depended on the chemicals manufactured by it.

As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of handling these issues, how are you going to address it?

Q. What do you understand by probity in governance? Based on your understanding of the term, suggest measures for ensuring probity in government. (250 words)

Q. Discuss how a good character is necessary for holding higher positions in civil services. (250 words)

Q. India's data storage center industry had leap-frogged at least a decade in the past couple of years. Discuss (150 words).

Q. What are the unique features of James Webb telescope which makes it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the parliament to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness. (250 words)

Q. How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa? Discuss. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the role played by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in India’s freedom struggle and in post-independence integration of princely states. (250 words)

Q. Explain the reasons for the decline of mangroves forest and discuss their significance in the preservation of coastal ecology. (250 words)

Case Study

Suppose you are an officer in-charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide support to old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits of the scheme. However, she has no documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility criteria. But after meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your enquiries also show that she is really destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemma as to what to do. Putting her under the scheme without necessary documents would clearly be violation of rules. But denying her the support would be cruel and inhuman

1. Can you think of a rational way to resolve this dilemma?

2. Give your reasons for it.

Essay Topics:

1. It is not wealth that creates road, but it is the roads that lead to the creation of wealth

2. Wisdom brings freedom

Q. What are the four moral ends of Hinduism? Outline them in brief. (150 words)

Q. What are different types of personal qualities desirable in civil servants? Why has civil service ethics become prominent in public administration? (250 words)

Q. What is e-Rupee? How would it affect the existing banking system in India? (150 words)

Q. Genetically Modified crops play a significant role in enhancing productivity, fight against hunger and malnutrition. Critically analyze? (250 words)

Q. Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (250 words)

Q. The governor is mere ‘agent of the centre’ rather than being the ‘constitutional head of state’. Discuss the recent controversies involving the post of Governor in India. (250 words)

Q. There is a need for uniformity in the personal laws regulating secular affairs. Discuss (250 words)

Q. Swami Vivekananda had revolutionized and awakened the Indian philosophical mind. He can be viewed as great Master of Philosophy of unity in diversity. Discuss (250 words)