Mains Practice Questions

Q. Bhakti and Sufi movements are often seen as parallel paths to spiritual realization. Compare and contrast their basic tenets and their impact on society. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the causes of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Himalayas. What measures can be taken to mitigate the risks associated with GLOFs? (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. There is a nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy and a grace in forgiveness.

2. When the winds of change blow, some build walls while others build windmills

Case Study

You are the Superintendent of Police (SP) in a rapidly urbanizing city facing significant infrastructure challenges. An intense monsoon has overwhelmed the city’s drainage system, leading to widespread waterlogging. While coordinating relief efforts, you receive an urgent distress call about a gym in the basement of a high-rise building in a posh locality.

The heavy rainfall and inadequate water management have caused water to break through the gym's door, flooding the basement and rapidly rising. Reports indicate that several people are trapped inside. The situation is further aggravated by panic among the building's residents and a growing crowd outside. The scenario is critical, necessitating immediate action to carry out rescue operations, prevent further property damage, and ensure public safety. As the SP, you must efficiently coordinate rescue efforts, assess the evolving situation, and implement measures to mitigate the impact of the waterlogging.

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

2. What will be your immediate course of action to manage the rescue operations and ensure public safety?

3. What long-term measures can be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future?

Q. 'The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated’.- Mahatma Gandhi
Discuss the ethical dimensions of animal welfare in the context of India's socio-cultural and economic realities. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of emotions in moral decision-making. Are emotions a hindrance or a help to ethical reasoning? (150 words)

Q. Illegal migration has emerged as a critical challenge to India's internal security. Analyze the various dimensions of this issue, including its impact on demographic patterns, socio-economic fabric, and national security. (250 words)

Q. Examine the potential of the food processing industry in India to enhance agricultural growth and create employment opportunities. Also, identify the key challenges related to this sector. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the concept of "sharp power" in international relations. How does it differ from soft and hard power? (150 words)

Q. Analyze the doctrine of separation of powers in the Indian context. Discuss the challenges to its effective implementation and suggest measures to strengthen the system. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the impact of consumerism on Indian society and culture. How has it reshaped consumption patterns, lifestyles, and social aspirations? (150 words)

Q. Examine the economic policies of the British East India Company and the subsequent British Raj. How did these policies shape India's agrarian, industrial, and commercial development? (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. What you are afraid to do is the clear indication of what you need to do.

2. It is a mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it

Case Study

You are the head coach of a state football team preparing for the National Cup finals. Two days before the final match, you witness your star striker, who is crucial to the team's strategy and morale, using a performance-enhancing drug. This drug is undetectable by current testing methods. On confronting him, he expresses deep remorse and begs you not to report him, as it would end his career and possibly result in stripping the team of all their tournament victories.

As you grapple with this revelation, you realize the magnitude of your decision. Playing him risks the integrity of the sport and your personal ethics, but benching or reporting him could cost your nation its first-ever National Cup title. The hopes of fans rest on this match, and the economic impact of winning would be significant for your state. You must decide quickly whether to play him, bench him with a cover story, or report the violation to the authorities, knowing each choice carries profound consequences for the player, the team, and the sport itself.

1. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this situation?

2. As the head coach, what would be your immediate course of action and why?

3. How can the current system of monitoring and preventing the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports be improved to address situations like this in the future?

Q. “Happiness is the activity of the soul in accordance with virtue.” - Aristotle
Discuss the relationship between virtue, character, and happiness in the context of public service.(150 words)

Q.Discuss the relationship between law and ethics. How do they complement and conflict with each other? (150 words)

Q. Critically examine the concept of 'disaster-resilient livelihoods'. How can it be promoted in disaster-prone regions of India? (250 words)

Q. Discuss the challenges faced by India's manufacturing sector in competing globally. What strategies can be adopted to enhance its competitiveness? (250 words)

Q. Examine India's role in the Global South. Discuss the challenges and opportunities in strengthening South-South cooperation. (250 words)

Q. The principle of "minimum government, maximum governance" has been central to recent policy initiatives in India. In this context, assess how effectively this approach has been implemented in the country. (250 words)

Q. Evaluate the impact of internal migration on social structures and urban development in India's megacities. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the concept of carrying capacity in the context of population geography. (150 words)

Essay

1. The weight of a decision is not in its making, but in the shadows it casts on the souls it touches.

2. Every dawn brings a promise, and every dusk a reflection.

Case Study

You are the captain of a space exploration mission to Mars. Six months into the journey, a critical life support system malfunctions. After careful analysis, your engineer determines that the system can be repaired, but it requires a specialized part that can only be 3D printed using a rare material. There's enough of this material on board to either print the part or to continue producing essential medication for one of your crew members with a chronic condition.

If you choose to repair the life support system, all crew members will survive the journey, but the one crew member will likely suffer severe health complications. If you continue producing the medication, that crew member will remain stable, but the faulty life support system significantly increases the risk of mission failure and potential loss of all lives on board.

The crew member in question is your most experienced engineer, crucial for the mission's success on Mars. Earth is too far away to provide immediate assistance, and your decision must be made within 24 hours. Your choice will have profound implications for the mission, the lives of your crew, and potentially the future of space exploration.

1. What are the ethical dilemmas involved in this case?

2. How should a leader balance the ethical principles of non-maleficence and beneficence in this critical situation?

3. What lessons can be learned from this scenario to improve contingency planning and resource allocation?

Q. "Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached."- Swami Vivekananda. What ethical principles can guide us in achieving our goals without compromising our values? (150 words)

Q. Discuss the concept of "natural law" and its place in ethical reasoning. Do you believe there are universal moral laws inherent in nature? (150 words)

Q. Discuss how India can mainstream biodiversity conservation in all relevant sectors of development to achieve long term sustainability. (250 words)

Q. The growing influence of money laundering on financing terrorism and organized crime poses a significant threat to India’s internal security. Discuss. (250 words)

Q. Discuss the importance and obstacles in Indo-French relations. Propose measures for enhancing their collaboration. (250 words)

Q. Analyze the challenges encountered by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in India. Suggest effective measures to empower them for full societal participation. (250 words)