Mentors Comment: Look at the war of 1962 in the present-day context. After 1962, China suddenly became the leader of third world nations, a place which India was vying for under the leadership of Nehru. Therefore, base your answer on the rise of China post-1962 and how the war was used by the Chinese govt… Continue reading “The Sino-Indian War Was A Masterstroke That Placed China as The Leader of The Third World.” Analyze. (15 Marks)

Answer Laws alone are not enough to promote ethical behavior. The reasons being –  Laws can never be so exhaustive to cover each and every scenario possible. Hence, there will always be scope for discretion. In such scenarios, ethical behavior should come from within.  There are many scenarios where laws cannot exist. Eg. We cannot… Continue reading Are laws enough to promote ethical behavior? Explain with examples. (15 marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Many states are introducing laws, SC recommended law to curb lynching. 2. What are the limitations of laws? 3. What other steps should supplement a law against lynching? https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-law-isnt-enough-ncrb-data-mob-lynching-6084672/ Answer: Indian civilization has been known for imparting certain fundamental values like tolerance, brotherhood, harmony, secularism, liberty, etc. across the globe. These values… Continue reading A law is the last tool needed, to curb the menace of lynching. Discuss. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Introduce the speed at which the digital economy is growing day by day. 2. Why traditional ideas of taxation fail in taxing digital spaces. 3. What ideas were brought to tax this arena and what other ways can be suggested? https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/oecd-draft-report-digital-taxation-6092253/ Answer: The spread of the digital economy brings about many benefits,… Continue reading What are the challenges in taxing digital spaces? What steps are taken in this direction? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. What is the state of climate vulnerability in India? 2. Why does India need to act immediately on climate change? What challenges does it face? 3. Provide solutions.

Corruption is a constant in society and occurs in all civilizations; however, it has only been in the past 20 years that this phenomenon has begun being seriously explored. It has many different shapes as well as many various effects, both on the economy and the society at large. Among the most common causes of… Continue reading Corruption is an important manifestation of the failure of ethics. Discuss. Also, suggest ways to reduce corruption in government offices. (250 Words)

Mentors Comment: This is a famous quote regarding the downfall of the French East India Company in India. Their rise and downfall in the Indian subcontinent were both astonishing and quick. So you have to base your answer on these lines. Introduce the French East India Company in the intro and its establishment of centers… Continue reading Beginning with small means, then suddenly astonishing the world by its dazzling promise, the venture of the French in India was destined to end thus early in humiliation and failure. Discuss. (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: 1. Give examples of laws/ programs failing due to behavior limitations – eg., dowry prohibition, Swachh Bharat  2. Discuss the theory of nudge and how it helps in effective program implementation. 3. Provide examples and also highlight the challenges.

Mentors Comments: 1. Briefly discuss the Paris Climate Agreement? 2. What are the challenges in its implementation? eg., finances, global disagreements  3. What steps could be taken to address climate change? Both as individual nations and globally.

People pursue to become success and forget to nurture their character. Albert Einstein says that become a man of value, in other words, keeps honesty, diligence, equality or empathy towards others as the core values that you should abide to. Because when you do that you not just nurture your character but also influence the… Continue reading Albert Einstein has said – “try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” Discuss this statement with its relevance in the present context. (250 Words)

Mentors Comment: This question has historical as well as contemporary moorings and the key for the answer is to blend these moorings. We are witnessing a cultural and political phenomenon around the world where a single and unitary idea of nationalism is being pushed upon countries and India is also touched by it. Rise of… Continue reading Any single idea of the country is neither necessary nor sufficient for maintaining the unity of India. Comment. (250 Words)

Moral education means teaching children in a way that will help them develop as moral, civic and good-mannered citizens. Moral education covers a person’s character and morality and inculcates cultural and ethical values in him. It must be a part of the school curriculum and it should be the duty and responsibility of teachers to… Continue reading It is essential to inculcate moral values in children from early stages itself in order to build a peaceful and prosperous society. In this regard, discuss what values should be emphasised upon while teaching morals to children? (250 words)

  Mentors Comment: Neither price support alone nor income support alone and both price and income support for farmers are the keywords in the question. Meaning, both interventions should work alongside each other rather than running separately through a watertight division. This will be beneficial for farmers. Start with describing various modes of income support… Continue reading Neither price support alone nor income support alone will alleviate the problems being faced by Indian Farmers. India needs both price and income support for farmers. Comment? (250 Words)

Mentors Comments:  1. Define what a PBO is. 2. Write the problems of the budgeting process in India and discuss how a PBO can address these – eg., poor outcome monitoring; input focus, etc., 3. Also highlight limitations if any, of PBO and provide ways to strengthen the budgetary process  https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/an-independent-fiscal-watchdog-for-parliament/article29471596.ece  

Mentors Comments: Rajasthan has become the latest state to join the bandwagon of states proposing to provide job reservations in the private sector. It plans to reserve 75% of jobs for the local residents in the private sector, much as Andhra Pradesh did earlier this year through a law. The main demand of the question… Continue reading “Governments should provide the kind of education and skills that the job market demands rather than impose quotas on the private sector.” Do you agree? Give arguments of both sides. (200 Words)

Mentors Comments: Recently Union Minister of Science & Technology inaugurated the National Centre for Clean Coal Research and Development at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc)-Bengaluru. The question in on based on this news. One has to explain the concept of clean coal technology, and also in what way it has a key role to… Continue reading “Clean Coal could potentially be a game-changer for meeting the energy needs of the country in terms of higher efficiency and capacity at lower operating costs and size.” Critically analyze. (200 Words)

The traditional cultural and spiritual values, which have been the mainstay of our civilization, seem to be losing their grip over society and politics due to Corruption. The corruption is prevalent in all the field of governance whether executive, legislature, judiciary, civil society, etc. each is supporting other to compromise national interest by providing service… Continue reading The corrupt have many masters. The honest serve none”. In the light of the above statement discuss the reasons for decrement of ethics in public service. (200 words)