After the battle of Plassey in 1757, the political control of the East India Company increased and by the end of the eighteenth century, the British emerged as the main power in India. These changes led to dislocation in the socio-cultural, economic and political life of the people. The subsequent turmoil led to an outbreak… Continue reading The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. (10 Marks)

Answer:  The goods and services tax (GST), introduced in India on 1 July 2017, replaced a host of indirect taxes being levied by the central and state governments, which has changed the taxation landscape. The underlying theme was to have a ‘one nation one tax’ which would improve ease of doing business for taxpayers, bring… Continue reading Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the goods and services tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (10 Marks)

Mentors Comments: It’s a direct question based on the static portion of the polity. So you will not have many issues going with it. In the intro, discuss what is separation of power and how it is not mentioned in the constitution. In the 1st part of the main body, discuss the powers given to… Continue reading Do you think that the constitution of India does not accept the principle of strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of ‘checks and balances’? Explain. (10 Marks)

Mentors Comments: This is a direct question. Divide the question into two parts. Influence of Central Asian elements in Gandhara art and Greek elements in Gandhara art. Gandhara was an ancient state, a mahajanapada, in the Peshawar basin in the northwest portion of the ancient Indian subcontinent, present-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. Central Asian features:  Green… Continue reading Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (10 Marks)

Mentors Comments: Ethics by Lexicon publications Explain what work culture is and then discuss how it is defined and shaped through observations and experiences of the individual in the workplace. Use suitable case studies and examples to justify better. In the introduction, define what work culture is. In the main body discuss the significant features… Continue reading Define work culture. Explain in what way work culture is shaped through the observations and experiences of the individual in the workplace. Illustrate with suitable examples. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-hype-over-hypersonics/article30659477.ece In intro briefly state what the term hypersonic means in the conventional sense. In the body, explain the new developments being made by the various countries in technology and how the vehicles travelling at the speed which is many time the speed of sound can make the missile defence systems unreliable option… Continue reading What is the Hypersonic Glide Vehicles? Explain how they make the missile defence systems obsolete and what are its implications for India? (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-four-phases-of-constitutional-interpretation/article30653706.ece In the intro, briefly explain one of the most important roles of the judiciary i.e. interpretation of the Constitution. In the body, explain the approach adopted by the judiciary in various cases in the interpretation of the Constitution-for ex. A. K. Gopalan,  Maneka Gandhi and Keshavanand Bharati to the expansion of the… Continue reading ‘The process of interpretation of the Constitution of India has undergone a sort of evolution since its inception’. Examine the above statement with examples. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: https://www.ndtv.com/education/10-more-rural-women-participate-in-workforce-than-urban-women-says-nss-report-1822828 The question is about discussing and differentiating the conditions of Urban poor women with those of rural counterparts. The answer must briefly discuss how the conditions of women are different and rather more deplorable for Women of Urban areas in India in comparison with those of rural areas. In a few introductory… Continue reading “Conditions of urban poor women are more appalling than their rural counterparts.” Comment. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: List the facts of the case, mention various stakeholders. The prospective interest must be inferred from the facts. Avoid giving unverifiable opinions. Bring out the ethical dilemma faced. Evaluate all the available options – mention their merits and demerits. Give the course of action. Try to address the demerits mentioned and evolve a… Continue reading You are a Secretary in a government department. Your Minister has proposed an unemployment grant, which is expected to cost the public exchequer heavily. Having already made the decision, he asks you to come up with research to support the scheme. Despite your best efforts, you fail to find socio-economic benefit in it. You approach the Minister with relevant facts and studies and ask him to reconsider his decision. Instead, he asks you to suppress the negative impacts and actively promote the scheme through mass media as the perceived social impacts are more important than economic impacts. Elections are due in a short time and the political party currently in power is expected to win. You are also due for promotion at the same time. You are expected to fully cooperate in the situation and make the scheme a success, however flawed its foundations may be. (a) List the different stakeholders in the above situation and mention their prospective interests. (b) Discuss the ethical dilemma which you face in this situation. (c) Some of the alternatives for you to handle the situation could be: (i) Do as asked by the Minister. (ii) Insist on publication of results and let the public decide whether it wants the scheme. (iii) Call a press conference and brief the media about the results and the callous attitude of the Minister. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving reasons for it. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-flawed-spin-to-indias-cotton-story/article30627778.ece In the intro, briefly state the importance of cotton as a crop to the farmers of India. In the body, explain the various reason behind the low productivity like lack of irrigation, use of unsuitable seeds in water-stressed areas, lack of use of technology, lack of information etc. After that suggest the… Continue reading ‘This year India is about to be the largest cotton producer surpassing China in output, yet for all that India lags behind the other major cotton-producing countries in terms of productivity (yield per unit area)’. In light of the above statement explain the reason for the low productivity of cotton and suggest ways to increase it. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: In the intro, briefly describe the articles in the Constitution which provides for the CAG. In the body, describe the functions and various duties performed by the CAG and importance of these functions for the country. Explain how in India, CAG only functions as Auditor and does not perform the role of Comptroller… Continue reading What is the significance and importance of Comptroller and Auditor General of India and how its function in India differ from his British counterpart? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: The question makes an assertion that socialism has lost its meaning because of the various forms of socialism in practice. We have to examine the various schools of socialism, their similarities and differences and whether socialism still conveys some essential meaning or whether it is just a meta ideology. In the introduction highlight… Continue reading Socialism has lost its meaning because of the various forms of socialism in practice. Evaluate in context of the various forms of socialism in practice during 19th and 20th century. (15 Marks) 

Mentor’s comment: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/economy-slowdown-gdp-growth-development-where-demand-has-gone-6230425/ In the intro, briefly explain what do you mean by informal sector. In the body, explain how official figures cannot factor in the exact contribution of the informal sector but how significant role is played by that sector in the economy. Further, explain how the government spending would benefit that sector, and… Continue reading Do you agree with the view that the huge presence of the informal sector in the Indian economy would make the government spending to revive the economy more beneficial than what would appear in the official figures. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/ending-inaction/article30627769.ece In the intro, briefly explain what is an anti-defection law. In the body, explain various cases in which the Speakers have acted impartial and let the political parties defeat the purpose of the law. This impartial nature whether in acting against the defectors or in some case not acting against the defectors… Continue reading “Replacing the Speaker with “permanent tribunal” as adjudicating authority under anti-defection law would be a step in the right direction to achieve the objectives sought under the law”. Comment. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: Introduce your answer by identifying the ethical dilemma involved in this case for you, as a public servant. List the various courses of action you can take. Evaluate the listed action in terms of logical thinking that went behind it and justify the best option among them. Answer: This case presents a unique… Continue reading You are posted in a district as a public servant responsible for looking into the matters of violation of Right to Education Act. You came across a case in which a poor farmer had beaten his daughter for not going to take her fifth class annual exams. Eventually, he tied her up with his motorbike and took her to the examination hall. Corporal punishment to the children by parents or teachers is a punishable offence with three-month jail term. When you enquired about it the poor farmer explained that he had done so for ensuring a better future for her daughter as he does not want his children to live in poverty in which he is living. He also says that his economic condition is poor and if he is taken to jail his children will face severe hardships. (a) What are the options available to you? (b) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would adopt, giving reasons. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: The question expects us to examine whether the loss of British Control in America led to changes in its approach which enabled it to strengthen its hold over another empire (India). Thus we need to point out the steps British took in India post-American declaration of independence that enabled it to strengthen its… Continue reading Although Great Britain suffered temporarily due to the American Revolution, it eventually became an even more powerful and expansive empire as a result of it and strengthened its stronghold in the East. Examine. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: The answer should begin with the context and the gravity of the situation. In this context, one should evaluate all the given options with possible merits and demerits. In conclusion, one should choose any of the given options or any other option of his/her choice with adequate reasons. Answer: The situation is characterized… Continue reading In the face of acute famine in the district, you, as an area officer, have instructed your subordinates to procure food grains from the FCI godowns located in the adjoining districts. This would make the food grains available to the public through PDS shops. Considering the gravity of the situation, this task has to be done immediately, because the majority of the people in the district are poor, and therefore can’t buy the food at the market prices. However, you were told that all the truck operators have formed a cartel and are asking for three times the usual transportation rate, in order to exploit the situation. This would nullify your effort, as the prices of the food grains would increase due to high transportation charges. (a) Following are some suggested options. Please evaluate the merits and demerits of each of the options: 1) Threaten the truck owners of severe consequences if they do not fall in line and cancel their transportation permits. 2) Transport the food grains by Railways, though it may take a week. 3) Agree to pay the truck owners the transportation charges they are demanding, so as to ensure the availability of food grains, but searching for alternative and affordable transportation. However, take legal actions against the truck owners at a later time. 4) Asking the state government for sending some help. (b) Also indicate (without necessarily restricting to the above options) the course of action you would like to follow, giving proper reasons for the same. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment: In the intro, briefly elaborate the roles of security agencies in safeguarding the country from various threats. In the body, explain how security agencies have undergone changes whether in methods or in learning from the experience or cooperation with the agencies of other countries. Also, elaborate various steps taken by the government in… Continue reading Indian security agencies have evolved a lot and have been dealing successfully with the threat of terrorism in recent years. Elaborate. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment: In the intro briefly explain what is an electoral bond. In the body, explain what was the rationale behind the introduction of the electoral bond. And what were the loopholes in it. Explain how the loopholes are proving as a hindrance in fulfilling its intended purpose. In the conclusion stress the need for… Continue reading To what extent has the introduction of electoral bonds been successful in dealing with the electoral malpractices? (15 Marks)