Q. What is lifeboat ethics? Explain with examples. (150 Words)

Q. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve revised standards?

Q. The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings?

Q. Discuss the impact of the following on Indian society: (250 words)
(a) Sanskritisation
(b) Westernisation
(c) Modernisation

Q. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a high point of what came to be known as the Cold War. State the major reasons behind it along with its consequences. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.

2. I never lose, I either win or learn.

Q. What do you understand by attitude and attitude change? Highlight the factors that influence attitude change. (150 Words)

Q. Define the terms cooperation and competition. What are the determinants of cooperation and competition? (150 Words)

Q. What does the following quotation mean to you?

“Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all.”- Erik Erikson

Q. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (150 Words)

Q. Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V-shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer. (250 Words)

Q. Discuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.

Q. The new tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.

Q. Discuss the various economic and socio-cultural challenges in bringing down fertility rate in India. (250 words)

Q. “Urbanisation and migration are causing feminisation of the agricultural sector in India”. In the light of this statement, discuss socio-economic impacts of feminisation of the agricultural sector. (250 words)

Essay topics

1. Democracy and socialism are means to an end, not the end itself.

2. Discipline is learned in the school of adversity.

Q. Discuss how India’s North-East is emerging as a drug trafficking corridor. Also highlight its implications on national security and local population. (150 Words)

Q. Social Engineering attacks are not only becoming more common against Businesses and Small and Medium Enterprises, but they are also increasingly more sophisticated. Analyse how Social Engineering attacks pose challenge to internal security in India? (250 Words)

Q. What does the following quotation mean to you? (150 Words)

“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama

Q. “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being.” Justify with suitable illustration. (150 Words)

Q. Describe the major outcomes of the 26^th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (250 Words)

Q. Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. (150 Words)

Q. Critically evaluate the functioning of NITI Aayog since its inception. (150 words)

Q. Microfinancing was introduced in India as a solution to poverty and to empower Self Help Groups (SHGs). Despite its strong potential, the microfinance sector faces challenges related to accessibility in India. Analyse. (250 words)

Q. How far has linguistic diversity helped in strengthening Indian unity? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the recent trends in the Indian caste system and the factors responsible for the change. (250 words)

Essay Topic

1. A great man is different from an eminent one in that he is ready to be the servant of the society.

2. They cannot make history who forget history.

Case Study

A reputed food product company based in India developed a food product for the international market and started exporting the same after getting necessary approvals. The company announced this achievement and also indicated that soon the product will be made available for the domestic consumers with almost the same quality and health benefits. Accordingly, the company got its product approved by the domestic competent authority and launched the product in Indian market. The company could increase its market share over a period of time and earn substantial profit both domestically and internationally. However, the random sample test conducted by inspecting team found the product being sold domestically in variance with the approval obtained from the competent authority. On further investigation, it was also discovered that the food company was not only selling products which were not meeting the health standard of the country but also selling the rejected export products in the domestic market. This episode adversely affected the reputation and profitability of the food company.

(a) What action do you visualise should be taken by the competent authority against the food company for violating the laid down domestic food standard and selling rejected export products in the domestic market?

(b) What course of action is available with the food company to resolve the crisis and bring back its lost reputation?

(c) Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case.

Q. Highlight the salient features of the Fundamental Duties in the Indian constitution. Also, discuss the ways in which different ministries can play a constructive role in the promotion of the individual fundamental duties. (150 Words)

Q. Should impartial and being non-partisan be considered as indispensable qualities to make a successful civil servant? Discuss with illustrations. (150 Words)