💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship Aug Batch

The rape of small girls on the scale at which it is currently taking place, especially in the north, signifies a breakdown of the ethical order of common living. Do you agree? Suggest solutions. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: The question seeks to address the growing issue of the rape incidences and the treatment meted out to the victims by the society in an insensitive manner with lacunae in compassion and empathy. One has to discuss the deteriorating conditions of our society with respect to treating the rape incidents and the victims… Continue reading The rape of small girls on the scale at which it is currently taking place, especially in the north, signifies a breakdown of the ethical order of common living. Do you agree? Suggest solutions. (15 Marks)

What do you understand by Vaccine Hesitancy? What are the reasons for it? What negative outcomes does it carry? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Explain the term and how WHO responded to it recently 2. Examine various reasons behind the phenomenon 3. What’s the impact?  4. Suggest solutions for the same. Answer: WHO defines Vaccine hesitancy as a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services. Vaccine hesitancy has been reported… Continue reading What do you understand by Vaccine Hesitancy? What are the reasons for it? What negative outcomes does it carry? (15 Marks)

Discuss the significance of the QUAD grouping, especially for India. Is it’s relevance mere tokenism? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. What is QUAD? 2. Why was it formed? Examine its goals. 3. What are the limitations in taking it to the next level? 4. What should be done to make the grouping relevant to this century? Answer: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) is the strategic dialogue between the four countries viz. India, United… Continue reading Discuss the significance of the QUAD grouping, especially for India. Is it’s relevance mere tokenism? (15 Marks)

“Aristotelian and Buddhist ethics are alike formally: each advocates moderation”. Discuss. (15 Marks)

According to Aristotle Happiness exits in the rational exercise of the soul’s faculties in conformity with virtues such as courage, justice, temperance, benevolence, and prudence. Aristotle argues that virtue is achieved by maintaining the Mean, which is the balance between the two excesses. Aristotle’s doctrine of the Mean is reminiscent of Buddha’s Middle Path. Aristotle’s… Continue reading “Aristotelian and Buddhist ethics are alike formally: each advocates moderation”. Discuss. (15 Marks)

India needs a reinvented secularism 2.0 rooted in complete separation of religion and state. Comment. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comment: You must have come across the commentaries on Indian secularism for the last couple of years in various newspapers, blogs and magazines. It’s the hot topic right now and it’s in crisis. This question is based on that theme, albeit with a little bit of change. It’s not asking about crisis in secularism… Continue reading India needs a reinvented secularism 2.0 rooted in complete separation of religion and state. Comment. (15 Marks)

Why do farmers burn stubble, despite severe pollution? What steps can be taken to reduce stubble burning and the pollution that follows? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Introduce with the events happening in Punjab and Haryana at present 2. Give reasons on why farmers burn stubble without adopting any technologies  3. Provide alternatives to such practices 4. Conclude by emphasizing the need for sustainable agriculture practices  Answer: Stubble burning is a post-harvest practice used to clear fields of paddy… Continue reading Why do farmers burn stubble, despite severe pollution? What steps can be taken to reduce stubble burning and the pollution that follows? (15 Marks)

Why did the February Revolution in 1917 ultimately fail? What were the consequences for Russia of the failure of Kerensky’s Provisional Government? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comment: The question is quite straightforward and you may not have a problem in attempting it. Start with introducing Feb Revolution and what changes it bought.  Then in the first part of the answer, discuss why the provisional government, established after Feb Revolution, failed. WW1, Land, Bread, and Peace were the major factors. After… Continue reading Why did the February Revolution in 1917 ultimately fail? What were the consequences for Russia of the failure of Kerensky’s Provisional Government? (15 Marks)

Peace for Nagaland seems elusive in the aftermath of the government’s decision on JnK. Discuss. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Explain the current news on Nagaland peace. 2. What are the reasons for delayed peace in the state? 3. Suggest steps to address the issue and also give a futuristic perspective on the same. Answer: Despite the signing of historic Naga framework agreement 4 years back between the central government and the… Continue reading Peace for Nagaland seems elusive in the aftermath of the government’s decision on JnK. Discuss. (15 Marks)

 What are the reasons for the unique state of pollution in Delhi? Examine the reasons and try to give solutions. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Introduce by explaining the state of pollution in Delhi now. 2. Explain the anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic reasons for the state of air. 3. Suggest solutions. Answer: Air pollution is now the third-highest cause of death among all health risks, ranking just above smoking, in India. An environment think tank Centre for Science… Continue reading  What are the reasons for the unique state of pollution in Delhi? Examine the reasons and try to give solutions. (15 Marks)

Discuss the problems that impeded the integration of the princely states into the Indian Union. How were these problems tackled? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comment: The question has two parts and they are crystal clear in their demands. First, you have to discuss what were the challenges that Indian leadership faced while integrating these princely states into the Union of India. Secondly what were the mechanisms and steps used to overcome this challenge. In the intro, discuss the… Continue reading Discuss the problems that impeded the integration of the princely states into the Indian Union. How were these problems tackled? (15 Marks)

The excessive focus on the numbers of GDP takes us away from the quality of living. Discuss the need to move away from GDP as an indicator of economic growth. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Define GDP and highlight its significance as an economic indicator. 2. What issues are raised in using GDP as a standard? 3. Provide alternatives to GDP and give a futuristic solution Answer: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is one of the most widely used measures of an economy’s output or production. It is defined… Continue reading The excessive focus on the numbers of GDP takes us away from the quality of living. Discuss the need to move away from GDP as an indicator of economic growth. (15 Marks)

What barriers does India face in including the last mile in its financial network? Suggest solutions for the same. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Mention the state of financial inclusion in India. 2. Highlight the challenges for the same and barriers in improving the situation. 3. Provide solutions to address the issue. Answer: Financial inclusion may be defined as the process of ensuring access to financial services and timely and adequate credit where needed by vulnerable groups… Continue reading What barriers does India face in including the last mile in its financial network? Suggest solutions for the same. (15 Marks)

Answer the following questions: (a) Discuss few criterias used to define a trait as positive? (7.5 Marks) (b) How does optimism work and what positive functions does it serve? (7.5 Marks)

(a) Discuss a few criteria used to define a trait as positive? Traits are internal characteristics that define an individual. They influence the meanings we give to life events, the goals we select, and the actions we take. The criteria are discussed below: (a) Examine whether a particular individual characteristic enhances or diminishes a person’s… Continue reading Answer the following questions: (a) Discuss few criterias used to define a trait as positive? (7.5 Marks) (b) How does optimism work and what positive functions does it serve? (7.5 Marks)

“By offering an ideological critique of the western civilization in its modern phase, Gandhiji was effectively contesting the moral legitimacy of the Raj that rested on a stated assumption of the superiority of the west.” Comment. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comment: Gandhi Ji published Hind Swaraj which contained an ideological critique of western civilization and its practices. When seen in isolation, these criticisms are mere rebuttal of what western nations and civilizations practiced and their institutions. But when seen in the light of the national freedom movement, you will realize that these criticisms were… Continue reading “By offering an ideological critique of the western civilization in its modern phase, Gandhiji was effectively contesting the moral legitimacy of the Raj that rested on a stated assumption of the superiority of the west.” Comment. (15 Marks)

Is it as much of a mistake to define ‘right action’ as to define ‘good consequence’? (15 Marks)

The above statement captures the essence of consequentialist and deontological approaches. Consequentialism talks of a good consequence regardless of whether the action was right or wrong. It says ends justify means.  Deontological view talks of the right action regardless of the end consequence. Meaning, the end is not important, it’s more important to follow the… Continue reading Is it as much of a mistake to define ‘right action’ as to define ‘good consequence’? (15 Marks)

Discuss the issue of Antibiotic resistance, with special focus on the unique socio-economic conditions in India. What are the challenges India faces in combating the issue of Drug resistance? (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments: 1. Define Antibiotic resistance. 2. What makes it a significant issue for India? 3. What challenges do we face in combating it? 4. Provide solutions. Answer: The term antibiotic resistance is a subset of antimicrobial resistance or AMR which is the ability of a microbe to resist the effects of medication. AMR is… Continue reading Discuss the issue of Antibiotic resistance, with special focus on the unique socio-economic conditions in India. What are the challenges India faces in combating the issue of Drug resistance? (15 Marks)

The partnership India and Saudi Arabia is the need of the hour for both the countries. Discuss. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments: 1. Brief on the state of relationship/ recent visits 2. What makes the relationship a necessity for both nations? 3. What are the mutual advantages of each of the two countries? 4. Brief the challenges and highlight the road ahead. Answer: PM Modi’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia was seen as a watershed… Continue reading The partnership India and Saudi Arabia is the need of the hour for both the countries. Discuss. (15 Marks)

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