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Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service citing examples.: a)Probity ; b)Taking Accountability; c)Delegation; d)Developing Others; e)Consultation and Consensus Building (250 Words)

Mentor’s Comments: Similar question was there in 2017. These values have been mentioned repeatedly in PM’s speeches and various government reports. Such values and many more need to be covered in good detail. Answer a) Probity Probity is the indication of ethical behaviour in public life. It entails integrity, uprightness and honesty. It is the… Continue reading Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service citing examples.: a)Probity ; b)Taking Accountability; c)Delegation; d)Developing Others; e)Consultation and Consensus Building (250 Words)

Discuss the changes in the nature and character of Peasant Movements of 1920’s compared to early uprisings/movements? (250 W)

Mentor’s Comments: The question is quite straightforward and expects students to have conceptual knowledge of peasant movements in India during British rule and their methods. The first phase to be discussed is prior to 1920s (i.e. before the start of gandhian era) and second phase will be after 1920 (when national movement acquired its mass… Continue reading Discuss the changes in the nature and character of Peasant Movements of 1920’s compared to early uprisings/movements? (250 W)

What are the issues surrounding surrogacy? Does the recently passed Surrogacy Bill address these concerns? (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: 1. Discuss what is Surrogacy and issues around it 2. Mention provisions of the Surrogacy Bill 3. Analyse its positives and shortcomings 4. Give your opinionalong with the improvement, if any, in the bill. Answer: Surrogacy is a method or agreement whereby a woman agrees to carry a pregnancy for another person or persons, who… Continue reading What are the issues surrounding surrogacy? Does the recently passed Surrogacy Bill address these concerns? (250 Words)

Electric Vehicles need to travel a long road before they become mainstream mode of mobility in India. Discuss. (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: 1. Mention the EV targets set by government 2. Discuss the benefits of EVs 3. Discuss the challenges they face 4. While providing feasible solutions to EVs, mention your opinion on EV based mobility. Answer: Electric vehicles (EVs) are automobiles that run on electricity only. They are propelled by one or more electric… Continue reading Electric Vehicles need to travel a long road before they become mainstream mode of mobility in India. Discuss. (250 Words)

The Civil Services Exam is one of the toughest and the longest exam system in the country. With the limited number of attempts and nearly five to six lakh applicants appearing each year, of which only 1,000 or less get selected, there is a huge pressure on the candidates to crack the exam and it may lead to the bouts of depression, anxiety and mental stress. Civil Services candidate faces many issues during the course of the preparation. For an exam like UPSC, where there is cut- throat competition, the only goal of aspirants is to somehow clear the exam and they ignore the insurmountable pressure on them. You are also one among them. After repeated attempts you failed to qualify this exam and you are in stress as you have lost most valuable time where you could have easily opted for alternate career. One of your best friends has met the same fate and he is in depression. His mother calls you and asks you to take care of her only child. She requests you to motivate him to something big in life, one examination does not make or break everything in life. In the given scenario, how will you motivate yourself and your friend? And, how will you cope with your stress?

Answer: Overcoming failure is all about starting again yourself to achieve your goal. The failure of a project, relationship, or other goal might initially overwhelm you, but if you acknowledge your disappointment and accept your mistakes you will be able to move on. Realistic optimism will help you form a new plan without setting yourself… Continue reading The Civil Services Exam is one of the toughest and the longest exam system in the country. With the limited number of attempts and nearly five to six lakh applicants appearing each year, of which only 1,000 or less get selected, there is a huge pressure on the candidates to crack the exam and it may lead to the bouts of depression, anxiety and mental stress. Civil Services candidate faces many issues during the course of the preparation. For an exam like UPSC, where there is cut- throat competition, the only goal of aspirants is to somehow clear the exam and they ignore the insurmountable pressure on them. You are also one among them. After repeated attempts you failed to qualify this exam and you are in stress as you have lost most valuable time where you could have easily opted for alternate career. One of your best friends has met the same fate and he is in depression. His mother calls you and asks you to take care of her only child. She requests you to motivate him to something big in life, one examination does not make or break everything in life. In the given scenario, how will you motivate yourself and your friend? And, how will you cope with your stress?

The Railway system was built not for the modernization of India, but to serve the imperial, colonial and strategic objectives of the British. Examine. (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: Briefly mention about the beginning of Railways in India. Discuss whether Railways aimed to serve the interests of the British and any modernisation was not the outcome of deliberate policy, but incidental. Answer: In 1831-32, the idea of railway construction was put forward in India. The first train ran between Mumbai and Thane… Continue reading The Railway system was built not for the modernization of India, but to serve the imperial, colonial and strategic objectives of the British. Examine. (250 Words)

India’s space technology has the larger socio-economic cause behind it. Discuss. (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: 1. What are the various space technologies developed by India 2. How do they benefit the development in the country 3. What else needs to be done 4. Suitable conclusion/ comment Answer: Today, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s success has made India to be inducted in an elite group of countries, where India is… Continue reading India’s space technology has the larger socio-economic cause behind it. Discuss. (250 Words)

The frequent policy challenge faced by RBI is that of Monetary Policy Transmission. Analysing the reasons for the same, provide solutions. (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: 1. What is monetary policy transmission 2. What are the challenges it faces and why 3. Solutions Answer: Monetary transmission refers to the process by which a central bank’s monetary policy signals (like repo rate) are passed on, through financial system to influence the businesses and households. There are many monetary policy signals… Continue reading The frequent policy challenge faced by RBI is that of Monetary Policy Transmission. Analysing the reasons for the same, provide solutions. (250 Words)

For thousands of years, man has exploited the earth in the name of development. In return, instead of replenishing it, we humans defile it and pollute the environment. Be it forests, natural resources, water, soil, rain, mountains, winds, flora or fauna, we have ravaged it in the name of our use and needs. By making concrete jungles out of green belts, we have destroyed the ecology in the garb of growth. After exploiting the earth for hundreds and thousands of years, the planet is now taking its revenge. Can we grudge this, for this is our own doing and we cannot escape the penalty? But then is it too late to correct our mistakes? Well, pause for a moment and think. For the time immemorial most of the people have initially been concerned with the goals to achieve and then pragmatically considered means available to them. In other words end mattered first, means were chosen according to their compatibility with desired ends. In the premise of this paradigm evaluate the following thoughts. (a) What is the relation between means and ends? b) What was the idea of Gandhi in this regard? (c) Illustrate the relevancy of the whole concept in context of modern world.

Answer: (a) What is the relation between means and ends? The term means and end refers to any action (the means) carried out for the sole purpose of achieving something. (an end). • The end denotes the goal which we have to achieve and in that process we utilize different methods, processes and paths available… Continue reading For thousands of years, man has exploited the earth in the name of development. In return, instead of replenishing it, we humans defile it and pollute the environment. Be it forests, natural resources, water, soil, rain, mountains, winds, flora or fauna, we have ravaged it in the name of our use and needs. By making concrete jungles out of green belts, we have destroyed the ecology in the garb of growth. After exploiting the earth for hundreds and thousands of years, the planet is now taking its revenge. Can we grudge this, for this is our own doing and we cannot escape the penalty? But then is it too late to correct our mistakes? Well, pause for a moment and think. For the time immemorial most of the people have initially been concerned with the goals to achieve and then pragmatically considered means available to them. In other words end mattered first, means were chosen according to their compatibility with desired ends. In the premise of this paradigm evaluate the following thoughts. (a) What is the relation between means and ends? b) What was the idea of Gandhi in this regard? (c) Illustrate the relevancy of the whole concept in context of modern world.

Discuss the spatial and temporal variation of rainfall in India. Has this pattern been changing in recent years? Examine. (250 words)

Mentors Comments: In the first part of the answer, discuss the distribution of rainfall over a year across major regions in India and the reasons behind this variation. In the second part, discuss the recent changes in rainfall pattern and reasons behind it. Answer: Rainfall in India is highly uneven over a period of time… Continue reading Discuss the spatial and temporal variation of rainfall in India. Has this pattern been changing in recent years? Examine. (250 words)

Do you think that the proposed consolidated labor codes will resolve the problems of Indian workers? Discuss. (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: 1. mention the various codes proposed – and their purpose 2. discuss various problems faced by Indian labor 3. articulate how the proposed laws address these issues and where they remain silent Answer: Labor is in the concurrent list and more than 40 central laws and more than 100 state laws govern the… Continue reading Do you think that the proposed consolidated labor codes will resolve the problems of Indian workers? Discuss. (250 Words)

The Competition Act of 2002 is inadequate to deal with abuses of monopoly power in a changing business environment. Comment. (250 Words)

Mentors Comments: 1. mention why competition act came in the first place 2. how is it able to change with times and its limitations 3. what ways would you suggest to ensure fair competition Answer: Competition policy in India is governed by the Competition Act of 2002. The main motive of the act was to… Continue reading The Competition Act of 2002 is inadequate to deal with abuses of monopoly power in a changing business environment. Comment. (250 Words)

More Indian children are in school than ever before, but the quality of government schools has sunk to spectacularly low levels. The children in these schools come from the poorest of families – those who cannot afford to send away their young to private schools elsewhere, as do most Indian families who have the means. India has had a legacy of weak schooling for its young, even as it has promoted high-quality government-financed universities. In the light of the grim picture of public schooling in India, suppose you are a District Collector, and a group of poor people approach to make you aware about the pathetic conditions of public schools in their areas. They handed you a letter that contains five problems regarding dismal states of schools i.e. (a) Lack of hygienic toilet facility especially for girls as there are common toilets only, (b) Non availability of clean drinking water, (c) Lack of proper security, (d) Absentee teachers and (e) Rude behavior of teachers and staff with the students. Because of such problem often parents are not sending their children. Dropout rate is also high. Your education minister also expects something concrete from you, as he has to answer local public and media about this issue. With respect to such problems how will you go about providing solutions so that your action may become example for others to learn? (250 Words)

Answer: There are many reasons for the failure: First of all, there is an acute shortage of teachers. Children often don’t get a support from their parents. Parents seem to be indifferent to their child’s learning and only see them as additional hands for work. There is also longstanding neglect, insufficient public financing and accountability,… Continue reading More Indian children are in school than ever before, but the quality of government schools has sunk to spectacularly low levels. The children in these schools come from the poorest of families – those who cannot afford to send away their young to private schools elsewhere, as do most Indian families who have the means. India has had a legacy of weak schooling for its young, even as it has promoted high-quality government-financed universities. In the light of the grim picture of public schooling in India, suppose you are a District Collector, and a group of poor people approach to make you aware about the pathetic conditions of public schools in their areas. They handed you a letter that contains five problems regarding dismal states of schools i.e. (a) Lack of hygienic toilet facility especially for girls as there are common toilets only, (b) Non availability of clean drinking water, (c) Lack of proper security, (d) Absentee teachers and (e) Rude behavior of teachers and staff with the students. Because of such problem often parents are not sending their children. Dropout rate is also high. Your education minister also expects something concrete from you, as he has to answer local public and media about this issue. With respect to such problems how will you go about providing solutions so that your action may become example for others to learn? (250 Words)

Explain the concept of Sun-spot cycle. In view of the approaching Solar minimum, highlight the changes that it brings on the sun’s surface and the effects that it has on earth. (250 words)

Mentors Comments: Explain the concept of Sun-spot cycle with special reference to solar minimum. Explain the changes that it brings on sun’s surface during solar minimum. Discuss the effects of solar minimum on earth. Answer: Sun-spot cycle is the solar magnetic activity cycle with the average time period of eleven years. It refers to changes… Continue reading Explain the concept of Sun-spot cycle. In view of the approaching Solar minimum, highlight the changes that it brings on the sun’s surface and the effects that it has on earth. (250 words)

“There is an effort to clean India Inc but the pendulum cannot swing from one extreme to the other. It has to be in a phased out manner.” Discuss in the light of the tragic death of a big entrepreneur. (250 words)

Mentors Comments: The answer must evaluate the atmosphere in the country that is made available to the entrepreneurs. Discuss the importance of entrepreneurs for the economy in general. The answer should mainly talk about the factors of ease of doing business in India. To what extent India has a conducive atmosphere for entrepreneurs. Throw light… Continue reading “There is an effort to clean India Inc but the pendulum cannot swing from one extreme to the other. It has to be in a phased out manner.” Discuss in the light of the tragic death of a big entrepreneur. (250 words)

In the light of recent findings of CAG, highlight the shortcomings in the Goods and Services Tax (GST). How can the government strengthen the weak links of the reformed system of taxation in India? Discuss (250 words)

Mentors Comments: The answer should evaluate the lacunae present and what are the problems in the implementation and what can be done to overcome these concerns and challenges. After intro, discuss about GST, its mandate and trace its coming till date. Explain the lacunae being faced in implementation of the reforms. Discuss that the major… Continue reading In the light of recent findings of CAG, highlight the shortcomings in the Goods and Services Tax (GST). How can the government strengthen the weak links of the reformed system of taxation in India? Discuss (250 words)

Q.4) While filling a form for driving license in RTO office, you come to know about a clause in the form where there was organ donation consent form which stated: “Organ Donation: Upon my death I am willing to donate the following – there were then a set of boxes labelled – eyes, liver, kidney, any organ and none, together with a place for her signature.” Lady at the counter explains that this form of camping has been promoted by NGOs for the larger interest for humanity, however it is voluntary and you can escape it if you are not finding it of any worth. You are not sure about giving consent. You come out of the office without filling the form. Later that evening you decided to talk to your mother. When you explained about your anxiety, your mother replied that you should follow your heart in the matter of organ donation. Answer the following questions based on the above case study: (a) From a utilitarian perspective, should you agree to donate her organs? Provide an analysis. (b) From a Kantian perspective, would refusing to donate one’s organ violate a moral duty?

Answer: (a) From a utilitarian perspective, should you agree to donate her organs? Provide an analysis. Utilitarianism, as a form of consequentialism, is concerned with the consequences of actions, the end results, and not necessarily the grounding conditions from which the action has been formed. If we directly consider significance of organ donation, the greatest… Continue reading Q.4) While filling a form for driving license in RTO office, you come to know about a clause in the form where there was organ donation consent form which stated: “Organ Donation: Upon my death I am willing to donate the following – there were then a set of boxes labelled – eyes, liver, kidney, any organ and none, together with a place for her signature.” Lady at the counter explains that this form of camping has been promoted by NGOs for the larger interest for humanity, however it is voluntary and you can escape it if you are not finding it of any worth. You are not sure about giving consent. You come out of the office without filling the form. Later that evening you decided to talk to your mother. When you explained about your anxiety, your mother replied that you should follow your heart in the matter of organ donation. Answer the following questions based on the above case study: (a) From a utilitarian perspective, should you agree to donate her organs? Provide an analysis. (b) From a Kantian perspective, would refusing to donate one’s organ violate a moral duty?

What are the major welfare schemes for elderly in India? Do you think the benefits of such schemes are reaching a wide section of the target segment? Give reasons. (250 WORDS)

Mentors Comments: In the introduction, briefly demonstrate the significance of geriatric care in India. List some of the core policies and programmes aimed at elderly population. Assess the implementation of these welfare schemes and highlight the lacunae and major reasons behind the same. Conclude by briefly suggesting the way forward. Answer: The number of elderly… Continue reading What are the major welfare schemes for elderly in India? Do you think the benefits of such schemes are reaching a wide section of the target segment? Give reasons. (250 WORDS)

Should Corporate Social Responsibility be made mandatory? Discuss the ethical dimension behind mandating charity. (250 W)

Mentors Comments: 1. Introduce the issue and mention government’s plan of penalizing corporates for not doing their part of CSR 2. Mention the provisions of Companies Act that mandate CSR 3. Discuss the relevance of CSR 4. Discuss for and against the idea of mandating it – through punishments 5. Give a personal opinion Answer:… Continue reading Should Corporate Social Responsibility be made mandatory? Discuss the ethical dimension behind mandating charity. (250 W)

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