Mains Practice Questions

Rajesh is posted as a District Nodal Officer for a leading oil marketing company in a certain district. He has been authorized to make the Ujjwala scheme a success in the district. However, he finds that behavioural issues on the part of residents are a big hurdle. Most of the residents have the apprehension that food cooked on LPG is not healthy and is tasteless. They are also apprehensive about the safety of LPG. These challenges persist even after the conduct of LPG Panchayat and safety awareness camps, and residents dismiss these as misleading. Apart from this, other factors that are checking the success of the scheme include the affordable availability of biomass and unaffordability to refill the LPG cylinder. In view of the above situation, identify and evaluate the options before Rajesh so that he can make the Ujjwala scheme successful in the district. (250 words)

Q. What is environmental ethics? What are the various issues involved in environmental ethics? (150 Words)

Q. State the ethical challenges that the process of globalization has engendered. Also suggest the ways to overcome these challenges. (250 Words)

Q. Enactment of Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act has brought the Indian economy on the path of fiscal prudence only in letter but not in spirit. Critically analyse. (250 words)

Q. Despite India’s outstanding growth in the last two decades, low pay and wage inequality remain serious obstacles towards achieving inclusive growth. Examine. (250 words)

Q. “Social audit helps to narrow gaps between vision and reality.” Examine the statement and also discuss the impediments in the institutionalization of social audit in India. (250 words)

Q. Self-Help Groups have emerged as the most effective mechanism for the delivery of microfinance services to the poor. Critically examine. (250 words)

Q. Throw light on the major environmental movements witnessed in India. Also, discuss the economic and identity issues associated with environmental movements. (250 words)

Q. Explain the concept of geomagnetism. Discuss the impact of the recent shift in the Earth’s magnetic north pole. (250 words)

Essay Topics

a. India is not simply emerging: India has already emerged.

b. There are no failures in science.

Q. From ‘rat-hole mining’ to ‘open cast mining’, India has witnessed major mining disasters. The main reason behind these calamities is the unscientific, illegal and unsafe mining in India. As and when such disasters are in the news, the incumbent governments and administration address it at the immediate level. But there is indifference to providing sustainable solutions which frequently causes such disasters. After such calamities, an administrative tendency has also been observed which puts the blame on victims. The tacit consensus of the government and administration to unsafe mining activities in India and the attraction of miners are mainly linked to revenue and employment realization. But such activities also lead to widespread loss to the public exchequer and environmental degradation. Therefore, there should be a holistic preparedness to prevent such calamities and to comprehensively cope if they occur. 

1. Identify the underlying ethical issues in the above case. 
2. As competent authority, discuss some of the feasible strategies to prevent and combat such calamities. (250 words)

Q. “Public service is the basic objective of the welfare state”. In the context of this statement, enumerate ‘Public Service Values’ towards which all public servants should aspire. (250 words)

Q. A basic issue in international relations is how to reconcile one’s interests with values one professes. Discuss. (150 words)

Q. “India needs smart urbanization”. In light of this, discuss the issues and challenges associated with urbanization in India. (250 words)

Q. There has been a shift in poverty trends in India from rural to urban areas. Comment. (150 words)

Q. Analyse the factors and implications of India’s recent exit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). (250 words)

Q. The recent judgement of the Supreme Court that brings the office of Chief Justice of India under the ambit of the Right to Information Act will give a fillip to people’s quest for transparency and accountability. Comment. (250 words)

Q. Most of the art and architectural remains that survive from ancient and medieval India are religious in nature. Examine. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the impact of the following on Indian society: 

1. Sanskritisation
2. Westernisation
3. Modernisation 

Essay Topics

1. “Science is the great antidote to the poison of enthusiasm and superstition.”
2. "The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance" – Socrates.

Q. You are the Vice-Chancellor of a Public University. Recently, the management has decided to increase the hostel and tuition fees substantially. The students are unhappy with the management's decision and are staging a widespread protest in the university campus. 

A student from the weaker section came to you and explained his inability to pay the proposed hike in fees due to his weak financial family background. His father is a ragpicker and his mother works as a maid. He informed you about similar conditions of other financially weak students who are unable to pay the hiked fees. He also informed you that one of his friends is planning self-immolation in protest under the influence of some politically motivated students. 

With the passing of the day, the protest is growing violent, with several incidents of violence between security forces and students. 

Even though you also do not agree with the management's decision, but are under severe pressure from the government to implement the proposed hiked. 

In such circumstances, is it right to move forward with the management's decision?

1. Identify the moral dilemma faced by you. 
2. Analyze your role and duties, along with a suitable course of action.

Q. Explain the significance of Gandhi’s Talisman for a civil servant in pursuit of administrative justice? (150 words)

Q. Analyze the relevance of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev in modern India. (150 words)

Q. “The awareness of the extent of malnutrition despite agricultural growth has led to a need to converge agriculture and nutrition.” Comment. (250 words)

Q. What are the challenges faced by the AYUSH System with respect to its integration in the mainstream medical system? Examine the potential and suggest measures to capitalise it. (250 words)

Q. BRICS can be the pillar of the emerging fairer polycentric world order. In this context, examine the relevance of BRICS in upholding the voice of developing nations. (250 words)

Q. What is the procedure for the formation of State Legislative Council? Also examine its relevance vis-a-vis legislative assembly. (250 words)

Q. Highlight the socio-political conditions of the Sangam period with special mention of three literary assemblies. (250 words)

Q. As a ruling colonial power, Britain's strategy of dividing its colonised countries on the basis of religious or ethnic grounds at the time of decolonisation has only led to wars and misery, instead of peace. Comment. (250 words)

Essay Topics

A. Justice, in its true sense, carries with it the essence of liberty, equality and fraternity.

B. Sanitation is inseparably linked to human dignity.