Mains Practice Questions

Q. The US's exit from Afghanistan has triggered Taliban emergence, geopolitical flux and thus, instability in the region. Discuss the options available for India to deal with the issue. (250 Words)

Q. The empowerment of youth will ensure that demographic dividend, which is a time-limited opportunity, becomes a boon for India. Discuss. (250 words)

Essay Topic

In a conflict between the heart and the brain, follow your heart.

Rampura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme backwardness and abject poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local population, though it is primarily subsistence due to the very small land holdings. There is insignificant industrial or mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programs have inadequately benefited the tribal population.
In this restrictive scenario, the youth has begun to migrate to other states to supplement the family income. Plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by labour contractors to send them to work in the Bt Cotton farms of a nearby state. The soft fingers of the minor girls are well suited for plucking the cotton.
The inadequate living and working conditions in these farms have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the districts of domicile and the cotton farms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused the twin issues of child labour and development of the area. You are appointed as the District Collector of Rampura.

Identify the ethical issues involved. Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve the overall economic scenario in the district? (250 words)

Q. What do you understand by the term ethical egoism? (150 words)

Q. Plastic pollution is the most widespread problem affecting the marine environment. Discuss. (250 Words)

Q. The Covid-19 pandemic impacted women more than the men and further increased the gender gap. Discuss the statement. (250 words)

Q. A unique form of temple architecture developed on the Himalaya in northern Indian states. Elucidate. (150 Words)

Q. International politics, like all politics, is a struggle for power. 

Q. The pursuance of a foreign policy, guided by the interest of British imperialism often led to India’s conflicts with neighboring countries. Discuss.

Q. With the changing nature of public administration and higher expectations from public servants, codes of conduct in the public sphere assumed greater importance. Comment. (150 Words)

Q. Disasters are not an ‘act of God’ alone, but are also determined by human interventions. Comment. (250 Words)

Q. One Nation One Ration Card scheme is the panacea for India's migrant population. Critically examine. (250 Words)

Q. Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose had a deep respect for one another despite their hugely differing ideologies.Comment (250 words)

Q. Federalism for me but not for thee.

Q. Gauav successfully cleared the prestigious civil services examination and was excited about the opportunity that he would get through the civil services to serve the country. However, soon after joining the service, he realized that things are not as rosy as he had imagined.

He found a number of malpractices prevailing in the department assigned to him. For example, funds under various schemes and grants were being misappropriated. The official facilities were frequently being used for personal needs by the officers and staff.

After some time, he noticed that the process of recruiting the staff was also not up to the mark. Prospective candidates were required to write an examination in which a lot of cheating was going on. Some candidates were provided external help in the examination.

Gaurav brought these incidents to the notice of his seniors. However, he was advised to keep his eyes, ears and mouth shut and ignore all the things which were taking place with the connivance of the higher-ups. Gaurav felt highly disillusioned and uncomfortable. He comes to you seeking your advice.

Indicate various options that you think are available in this situation. How would you help him to evaluate these options and choose the most appropriate path to be adopted?

Q. If there’s one fundamental truth about social media’s impact on democracy it’s that it amplifies human intent — both good and bad. Comment.

Q. Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity?

Q. Discuss the major contributions of Socrates in the field of ethics and morality.

Q. Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) are critical intermediaries for channeling long-term finance required for infrastructure and realizing higher economic growth. Discuss.

Q. Patience is the companion of wisdom.

Q. Discuss the salient features of National Education policy 2020 and how can it bring holistic changes to the Indian education system?

Q. Elucidate the challenges faced by a newly independent India.

Q. Discuss the role of social influence in shaping the behavior of a person. 

Q. Discuss the major challenges that are ailing the power sector in India.

Q. There is a need to abolish the sedition law on the ground that it is used to curb freedom of expression and speech. Discuss.

Q. You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation.

Q. Discuss the elements of colonial legacy in post-independent India.

Q. Explain the term conscience with a special reference to various explanations given by various moral thinkers on it.

Q. Child labour deprives children of their right to go to school and reinforces intergenerational cycles of poverty. Comment.