Q.3 Biotechnology is often seen as a revolutionary intervention, but the applications of biotechnology have had mixed socio-economic implications. Examine. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce the meaning of biotechnology and explain how it is a revolutionary intervention. Next, analyze the positive and negative sides of its socio-economic impact. Conclude with an optimistic statement.

Q.2 “Every second adolescent girl has anaemia. Every second woman of reproductive age is anaemic.” Highlighting the reasons for prevalence of anaemia in India, mention some suggestions to improve the situation. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/indias-great-anaemia-mystery-8149375/ In the introduction, discuss what is anaemia and talk about its high prevalence in the country. In the body, mention the causes for the disease. Next, list down some suggestions to improve the situation. Conclude accordingly.

Q.4 Garima has joined Flexible Industries Limited, a reputed manufacturing company. She has just passed out of engineering college. It has been her dream to work at the shop floor of a production company and she is very excited for her new job. Her friends call her gearhead because of her love for machines. She desires to prove her worth and has been working diligently for it. During the training period, she has expressed a desire to work in the production department. But the gender attitude especially of blue-collar workers in the production department is not considered conducive for women. Traditionally, shop floors have been dominated by men. With no immediate gains in sight, the managers consider it an unfeasible burden to undertake any change among the workers relating to their attitude towards women. The Human resources department has communicated to Garima that after her probation period is over, she might be offered roles in ‘Research & Development’ department or ‘Marketing’ which have more women employees. Garima meets her HR manager and tells him again that she wants to work in the production department. Her manager tells her that the assembly line in production functions 24×7 and every worker in the production line works at least two night shifts a week. He further explains that workers in the production line are not much educated and are reluctant to take orders from female engineers. Job in the production line is physically demanding and not suitable for a girl. Garima is not satisfied with the answer of her HR manager. Garima is feeling frustrated at her capabilities and aspirations not being appreciated enough only because of her gender. Seeing limited opportunities for her talent, she is thinking about resigning from the job to prepare for the civil services examination. You are Garima’s best friend who happens to be a civil service aspirant. Garima calls you and asks for your advice. What advice would you give to her? According to you, what are the attributes of a good work culture? How can workplaces be made gender sensitive? (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Start by describing the central issue in the case study. For the first part, delineate different approaches viz, idealistic or realistic pathways. For the second part, define work culture. List the attributes of good work culture. In the third part, list different ways to make workplaces gender-sensitive.

Q.1 Post-independent environmental movements in India have been a result of both ecological concerns as well as unfulfilled socio-economic aspirations. Discuss with relevant examples. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce with a comment on unique nature of India’s environmental movement. In the main body, discuss how environmental and socio-economic concerns converge in India. Substantiate with examples. For conclusion, give some suggestions for balancing developmental needs and environmental conservation.

Q.3 The recent report of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) emphasizes upon the significance of a robust patent system for a knowledge economy. Highlighting some of the concerns in India’s patent ecosystem, mention suggestions to improve the same. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/connecting-the-dots-to-boost-the-patent-ecosystem/article65887012.ece Introduce by presenting some statistics on surge in patent applications in India. In next part, talk about the challenges in India’s patent ecosystem. Suggest some improvements drawing from the report of EAC-PM. Conclude suitably.

Q.2 Illustrate using examples India’s movement towards an “all-alignment” policy. How does India’s all alignment policy function within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) grouping? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/for-india-the-buzzword-now-is-all-alignment/article65887072.ece Introduce by highlighting India’s foreign policy move from traditional optimistic non-alignment to more realistic multiple engagements. Substantiate using examples. In next part, talk about India’s handling of various SCO members like Russia, China, Iran and Pakistan. Conclude with an optimistic way forward.

Q.1 It is said that during Quit India Movement Mahatma Gandhi was willing to risk complete lawlessness in place of orderly disciplined anarchy of the British. Analyse. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- State uniqueness of Quit India movement and briefly describe disciplined anarchy existing in the country. In the body, list the British actions which created disciplined anarchy. List points highlighting the changed methodology in the Quit India movement under inspiration of Gandhi. Conclude by highlight significance of the movement.

Q.4 Highlighting the factors responsible for social inequality in the country, discuss the role of Dr. BR Ambedkar in paving the way for social equity. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Define social inequality. Mention its various manifestations in brief. Then list the factors that create social inequality including values and attitudes. List out contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in ushering in an agenda, instruments and institutions for social equity in India. Conclude with combined summary of the two parts of the question.

Q.2 India can take advantage of G20 for its economic growth and security architecture. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/with-great-g20-power-comes-great-responsibility/article65882684.ece In introduction, briefly talk about G20 and India’s presidency. In the body, discuss the significance for India and the challenges ahead. Conclude with a way forward.

Q.4 In ethics, what we believe to be good or bad has implications on our actions. Discuss how different schools of ethics help us in making moral decisions. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by defining ethics and link with moral decisions. List major schools of ethics and their approaches in making moral decisions. Conclude by commenting on ever evolving debates in ethics.

Q.3 What do you understand by IIP? How does it help us to understand economic health? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://www.livemint.com/opinion/columns/indias-industrial-production-index-isn-t-beyond-repair-11663001132034.html In introduction, define what is IIP. Discuss its main features and show how does it give deep insights into economic health. Give contextual way forward.

Q.1 The history of freedom struggle is replete with the saga of sacrifice, selflessness, bravery of women. Illustrate through examples. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by mentioning the silent work of women as Gandhi mobilized masses for peaceful protests. List contributions of individual women freedom fighter who displayed sacrifice, bravery and selflessness in years of freedom struggle. Conclude by expressing gratitude to unrecognized contributions.

Q.3 The Production Linked Incentive scheme (PLI) was launched with an intention to create a sustainable manufacturing base in India. Highlighting the need of the scheme, mention some of the advantages and concerns associated with it. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/making-in-india-but-how-pli-aims-to-create-a-manufacturing-base-more-evidence-is-needed-before-extending-the-scheme/ Introduce by talking about the PLI scheme. Highlight the reasons why the scheme was needed in the first place. Mention the advantages of the scheme. Also, list down the concerns associated. Conclude with a way forward.

Q.2 Against the intentions of the constitution makers, the use of discretionary powers by governors has become a major source of tension in Centre–state relations. What are the discretionary powers of the Governor? Also, discuss the issues associated with them. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce with talking about Governor as head of the state who is provided with discretionary powers to work for efficient state administration. Discuss various discretionary powers given to Governor under Constitution like CM appointment in case of hung assembly, advising President’s rule, etc. Discuss various issues related to these discretionary powers in form… Continue reading

Q.4 Although ethics in private and public relations are different, they interact and influence each other. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by defining the private and public ethics. In the body, list the differences and then discuss the influence of private ethics on public ethics and public ethics’ influence on private ethics. Conclude by commenting on their interlinked nature.

Q.1 Satyagraha of Gandhi dispelled fear from the minds of masses and sealed the fate of imperialism in the country. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce how the Indian freedom scenario looked before Gandhiji. Briefly discuss the state of freedom struggle between 1870s till Gandhiji’s arrival in India. Discuss how Satyagraha freed the minds of people from fear and sealed the fate of imperialism. Conclude by consolidating your arguments.

Q.4 Effective public service delivery requires a citizen centric system. Citizen’s Charter is seen as an important tool to ensure such a system, but it is not achieving its objectives. Why? Discuss measures to make it more effective? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce your answer by briefly defining citizen’s charter and citizen centric administration. Next, describe the Citizen’s Charter and its role in making a system citizen centric. Also, discuss various issues affecting the Citizen’s Charter. Then suggest various measures to improve the Citizen’s Charter. Conclude by summarizing your arguments.

Q.2 Do you think we can eliminate TB by 2025? Discuss the roadmap and mention some affirmative actions taken by government. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/peoples-participation-in-the-tb-mukt-india-campaign-can-help-eliminate-the-disease-by-2025-8141630/ Introduce by talking about the TB-Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and stressing the role of people’s participation in making it successful. Mention the way ahead that needs to be taken for eliminating TB by 2025. List down some of the government initiatives in this direction. End on a positive note.

Q.1 The Moplah rebellion 1921 was an expression of agrarian and political discontent which got intensified by religious identities. Examine. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce with the peasant discontent in Malabar as background and the reasons behind it. Discuss the agrarian and political discontent which led to the rebellion and how it took communal color subsequently. Conclude with the consequence of the rebellion.

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