Q. "Compassion without competence in public service can lead to greater harm than good."Discuss this statement with reference to emotional intelligence in governance. (150 words)

Q. "India has set ambitious targets for Land Degradation Neutrality by 2030. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in achieving these targets." (250 words)

Q. The informal sector remains both a strength and vulnerability of the Indian economy. Analyze the challenges in formalizing the informal sector while preserving its employment generation potential." (250 words)

Q. Discuss the concept of de-dollarisation and delve into opportunities and challenges it presents for India. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the legal implications of bandhs in India, with reference to landmark judicial pronouncements and committee recommendations. Suggest measures to balance the right to protest with the need to maintain public order and safeguard citizens' rights. (250 words)

Q. How do societal attitudes towards women, shaped by cultural norms and gender stereotypes, perpetuate gender inequality in everyday life? (150 words)

Q. "The Industrial Revolution not only revolutionized production but also fueled the expansion of European colonialism." Discuss the interconnectedness of industrial growth and imperialism. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Creativity begins where routine ends.

2. Justice delayed is justice denied, but justice rushed is justice flawed

Case Study

You are a young Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer posted in a country where a large Indian diaspora resides. Recently, a conflict broke out in one of the regions of the country, and several members of the Indian community, including women and children, are stranded and seeking urgent evacuation. Your embassy has limited resources and a small staff.

While coordinating the evacuation, a prominent local businessperson with significant political connections requests immediate priority evacuation for his family, bypassing the official protocol. He offers to donate a large sum to support the evacuation mission if you agree to his demand. However, prioritizing his request would mean delaying the evacuation of several families who are in more precarious situations.

Adding to the complexity, you are under pressure from the local government to minimize visible evacuation operations as they fear it might escalate tensions further. You must decide how to proceed in this crisis, balancing ethical considerations, resource constraints, and diplomatic pressures.

(a) What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

(b) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as the officer in charge of the evacuation?

(c) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by you?

Q."Kautilya's Arthashastra presents a unique blend of moral pragmatism and ethical governance." Examine how his ideas remain relevant for contemporary public administration. (150 words)

Q. "Meta-ethical inquiries into the nature of morality have a direct impact on practical governance decisions." Discuss this statement with reference to policy implementation challenges. (150 words)

Q. Differentiate between Hazard, Vulnerability, and Risk in the context of disaster management, and explain their interrelationship with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. "Forests are not only vital for ecological balance but also crucial for India’s socio-economic development." Discuss the significance of forests in India in light of the findings of the India State of Forest Report 2023. (250 words)

Q. "Social justice without economic justice is incomplete." In light of this statement, examine how India's affirmative action policies have addressed both dimensions of justice. (250 words)

Q. "The Chairman of Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in maintaining federal balance through their constitutional powers." Discuss. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the contribution of Mathura and Gandhara schools in the evolution of Buddhist art in India. (150 words)

Q. Why is the Bay of Bengal more prone to cyclones compared to the Arabian Sea? Discuss this phenomenon with reference to recent cyclones in India. (250 words)

Essay Topics:

1.The pursuit of equality often starts with the acknowledgment of difference.

2. In the desert of apathy, even a drop of compassion is an oasis.

Case Study

You are working as a senior officer in a public sector company. One day, a junior colleague, who is known for her diligence and commitment, approaches you in a distressed state. She informs you that her younger brother, a final-year engineering student, has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness requiring urgent treatment costing Rs. 8 lakh. Being the sole breadwinner in her family, she is struggling to arrange the funds, as her meager salary barely covers her household expenses.

You sympathize with her situation but are unable to provide financial assistance personally. A month later, you notice her spirits have improved, and upon inquiry, she reveals that the treatment is underway, thanks to an advance payment facilitated by the head of the department using discretionary funds allocated for emergency employee welfare. She also shares that she has committed to repaying the amount in monthly installments, which she has already begun.

However, on reviewing the company's guidelines, you realize that the discretionary fund is meant strictly for official purposes and not for personal use under any circumstances. The department head's action, though well-intentioned, bypassed standard procedures and could attract legal and disciplinary consequences if discovered.

(a) What are the ethical issues involved in this case?

(b) As a senior officer aware of the situation, what course of action will you take?

(c) Suggest broader organizational measures to prevent misuse of discretionary funds.

Q. "Countries advocating global peace while maintaining military superiority through advanced weapons research face a fundamental ethical contradiction." How can this paradox be resolved? (150 words)

Q. "True compassion requires going beyond mere tolerance to active empowerment of marginalized communities." Discuss this statement in the context of public service delivery. (150 words)

Q. "Banning single-use plastics is not enough to solve the plastic pollution crisis." Discuss this statement with alternative strategies for sustainable plastic management in India. (250 words)

Q. What is the relationship between e-commerce growth and the required investment in logistics infrastructure and last-mile delivery capabilities?. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the strategic implications of India's expanding maritime engagement in the Indian Ocean Region. How does this align with its regional security objectives? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the electoral reforms introduced by the Government of India Act 1935. Critically analyse how these reforms expanded political participation while simultaneously maintaining colonial political restrictions. (250 words)

Q. "Plateaus are often termed 'treasure houses of minerals.' Discuss this statement with reference to the major plateaus of the world. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the transformation of Indian miniature painting from court art to a global artistic medium. How do these paintings reflect socio-political narratives across different historical periods ? (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. Growth begins at the edge of our comfort zones, both for individuals and nations.

2. Progress is the art of balancing innovation with preservation.

Case Study

A new and ambitious District Magistrate (DM) was recently appointed in a district plagued by severe water scarcity and recurring farmer suicides. During his initial field visits, he observed widespread illegal extraction of groundwater by industries, which exacerbated the crisis in rural areas. Despite a Supreme Court directive banning unregulated groundwater extraction, the industries continued to exploit resources, often bribing local officials to evade scrutiny.

One day, during a surprise inspection, the DM sealed a major industrial plant violating water extraction laws. Soon after, he began receiving veiled threats from influential industrialists and even faced indirect pressure from senior bureaucrats to revoke his action. The DM also discovered that the illegal activities were intertwined with the livelihoods of many low-income workers employed by these industries, creating a social and ethical conflict. As public protests against the plant's closure gained momentum, the DM was faced with a challenging decision: to uphold the law and protect long-term water security or to consider the immediate economic impact on local workers and their families.

(a) Identify the ethical dilemmas faced by the DM.

(b) What options are available to the DM in this situation?

(c) Suggest the most appropriate course of action with justifications.

Q. Evaluate the philosophical challenges posed by technological advancements to traditional concepts of administrative ethics and accountability. (150 words)