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One of the biggest reasons our poverty alleviation measures have failed to achieve the desired impact is Corruption, inefficient targeting, and lack of information with the intended beneficiaries about plans and schemes meant to assist them. How can E-Governance help in this regard? (250 W)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/government-mukt-governance/article24542415.ece   Model answer: The “e” in e-Governance stands for ‘electronic’. Thus, e-Governance is basically associated with carrying out the functions and achieving the results of governance through the utilization of ICT (Information and Communications Technology). Governance is concerned with ensuring equitable access to public services and the benefits of economic growth to all.… Continue reading One of the biggest reasons our poverty alleviation measures have failed to achieve the desired impact is Corruption, inefficient targeting, and lack of information with the intended beneficiaries about plans and schemes meant to assist them. How can E-Governance help in this regard? (250 W)

An important landmark in the cultural history of medieval India was the silent revolution in society brought about by a galaxy of socio-religious reformers, a revolution known as the Bhakti Movement. In the context of the above statement, critically examine the impact of Bhakti Movement on medieval Indian society, culture and religion? (250 W)

CLICK:-REGISTER & DISCUSS ETHICS CASE STUDIES & YOUR UPSC PREPARATION WITH CD MENTORS FOR FREE Mentor’s Comment: The medieval period has witnessed a new phage of cultural development in the form of Bhakti Movement which gave birth to different culture, practices, philosophical and religious traditions and ideas. The introduction should explain about the Bhakti Movement… Continue reading An important landmark in the cultural history of medieval India was the silent revolution in society brought about by a galaxy of socio-religious reformers, a revolution known as the Bhakti Movement. In the context of the above statement, critically examine the impact of Bhakti Movement on medieval Indian society, culture and religion? (250 W)

Ethics Case Study: 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 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. (250 words)

Mentor’s Comment: The answer should begin with the context and the gravity of the situation. There should be proper introduction to the issues involved in the case followed by the mention of all the stakeholders affected. Next, in the main body with the given context, one should evaluate all the given options with possible merits… Continue reading Ethics Case Study: 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 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. (250 words)

India’s abysmal spending on healthcare is a big matter of concern and requires an increased expenditure on preventive healthcare system. Analyze (250 W)

Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-we-need-a-leap-in-healthcare-spending/ Mentor’s Comment: The question is important since the issue has prompted recently with the announcement of interim budget. The question wants us to examine methodically and go deep into the issue of low healthcare spending in India and bring out the reasons to increase resource allocation towards health sector in general and preventive… Continue reading India’s abysmal spending on healthcare is a big matter of concern and requires an increased expenditure on preventive healthcare system. Analyze (250 W)

RTI Act has transparency, accountability and participation as its mandate and is considered equally important legal document after the Constitution. In the light of the above statement describe the importance of Information Commissions at the center and state levels. Also discuss the challenges they have been facing in fulfilling their mandate. (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: The question has two parts, importance of information commission at centre and state and challenges being faced by them in fulfilling their mandate. In the first part we need to highlight the mandate,, objective, organization of the information commission at centre and states level and discuss the parameters of transparency, accountability and predictability,… Continue reading RTI Act has transparency, accountability and participation as its mandate and is considered equally important legal document after the Constitution. In the light of the above statement describe the importance of Information Commissions at the center and state levels. Also discuss the challenges they have been facing in fulfilling their mandate. (250 W)

Do you think the American Revolution would have happened if, there had not been an age of enlightenment? (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: We usually find 3-4 questions in UPSC main examination from World History and hence this section holds its important. Here the introduction should talk about Age of Enlightenment which gave rise to many modern ideas like liberty, secularism, separation of powers, equality, scientific temper etc. Further, in the main body, the impact of… Continue reading Do you think the American Revolution would have happened if, there had not been an age of enlightenment? (250 W)

Ethics Case Study: India looses too many lives due to heavy floods and other natural disasters every year. In some areas flood situation is worsened due to high level of siltation and rising river bed. Poor maintenance and resultant failure of embankments and erosional activities are other contributing factors leading to recurrence of floods causing high magnitude of losses and damages. Also, floods are a result of yet another set of contributing factors such as inadequate urban drainage, poor maintenance of drains and improper land use planning. In such a context, disaster risk reduction efforts to reduce flood losses require due attention to not only the direct causes but also the social milieu, economic diaspora, natural environment, ethical and cultural practices etc. These processes are complex in nature owing to historical background and the present processes of development and urbanization. Culture influences to a large extent affect the implementation of strategies and policies. You have been appointed as a District Administrator tasked with disaster risk reduction in an area unknown to you in terms of cultural and traditional practices. 1.) What are the actions do you think will be suitable for such areas and how are you going to deal with the situation? Justify your actions. 2.) What are the ethical impediments you are likely to face in dealing with the people affected by floods? (150 W)

Do you think that the Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG) which has otherwise led to high economic growth, affected the employment rate and the nature of employment in India? (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should briefly describe how the LPG has led to high economic growth in India and also its different prospects. Further, in the main body analyze the effect of LPG on the employment rate and the nature of employment in India (both in organized and un-organized sectors). Next, mention about both positive and… Continue reading Do you think that the Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG) which has otherwise led to high economic growth, affected the employment rate and the nature of employment in India? (200 W)

In the era of E-Governance, specialists have a greater role to play, but our entire administrative structure is designed around “Generalists”. Elaborate. (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Generalist and specialists are two broad functional categories in the Government and play a very important role in rendering advice to the political executives, policy making and in implementation. Hence, the introduction should talk about this briefing about their functions. Next, the main body should be divided in two different parts, mentioning about… Continue reading In the era of E-Governance, specialists have a greater role to play, but our entire administrative structure is designed around “Generalists”. Elaborate. (200 W)

Discuss the contribution of Vijayanagar Empire to Indian art and architecture. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Vijayanagar Empire has been the favourite for UPSC, and UPSC has been asking questions in one or other format in its various exams.   Here the introduction should talk in brief about the time period and the rule of Vijayanagar Empire. Also it has patronaged the types of art and culture which has… Continue reading Discuss the contribution of Vijayanagar Empire to Indian art and architecture. (150 W)

Briefly explain economic elasticity of growth in the Indian economy? What effect can the government actually have on job creation in recent scenario? (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should deal with backgrounder of economic elasticity since 1970 In the main body one should include economic elasticity of different sectors with current ongoing. Next, discuss about its nature and link with other factors like socio- political agenda and filtration of FDI etc. Next, conclude with the appropriate justification.

How far do you think the concept of smart city or digital hub seems to have a vision that originated with giant technology companies hoping to earn profit from big municipal contracts? How can the Programme aid in Governments efforts towards urban poverty alleviation? (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should be about need for the smart city venture. In the main body one should talk about governance issue with developmental goals Next, it should be contain link between profitability, good governance and its impact on poverty alleviation. Next, bring way forward and conclude.

Two statements about patriotism have been given below. Interpret and explain their meaning in contemporary context. (150 W) a) Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. b) Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.

Mentor’s Comment: First  part  of  the  answer  should  bring  out  how  the  subject of patriotism  has  its  own  moral dimensions. Then one should examine the different ethical dimensions of the statement. They may be: Compassionate feeling with moral turpitude Its versatility in the different sphere of life Behavioral attitude as well as individual and collective… Continue reading Two statements about patriotism have been given below. Interpret and explain their meaning in contemporary context. (150 W) a) Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. b) Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.

“A world without nuclear weapons would be less stable and more dangerous for all of us.” Critically examine the ethical dimensions of the given statement from the perspective of international relations. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: First  part  of  the  answer  should  bring  out  how  the  issue  of  nuclear  weapons  has  its  own  moral dimensions. Then one should examine the different ethical dimensions of the statement. They may be: Stability in world affairs v/s always living under fear. If Nuclear weapons in themselves are moral or immoral From the… Continue reading “A world without nuclear weapons would be less stable and more dangerous for all of us.” Critically examine the ethical dimensions of the given statement from the perspective of international relations. (150 W)

While the collective identity of the BRICS bloc is still being tested, the prevailing cracks in the global system present opportunities for it to assert and strengthen its position. Comment (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should talk a brief about the BRICS as an association of emerging national economies to foster mutual cooperation. The main body should talk about the importance of BRICS. Next, should come the challenges which are in front of BRICS. Next, bring way forward and conclude.

While the first half of 18th century in India was marked by instability and stagnancy in the Political front however same cannot be said about economic and cultural front. Discuss (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: In the introduction part one should  include raising of  Mughal empire and its relevance with its stability and geographical spread. Main body should contain brief discussion about Mughal dealings in 18th century with regards to given topic. next, focus on the economic and cultural fronts  like, socio-cultural as well as the political and economic… Continue reading While the first half of 18th century in India was marked by instability and stagnancy in the Political front however same cannot be said about economic and cultural front. Discuss (250 W)

Expediting the migration to electric mobility (E-vehicles) will not just benefit India environmentally but also economically and socially? Discuss (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should mention about the E-Vehicle and its increasing prospects keeping in mind the increasing prices of brent crude oil prices. Further, the main body should discuss about the benefits of E-Vehicles in India. It should also mention about the social and economic benefits. Next, mention what are the challenges for E-Vehicles in… Continue reading Expediting the migration to electric mobility (E-vehicles) will not just benefit India environmentally but also economically and socially? Discuss (150 W)

Globalization has many positive impacts on India and world, however, the recent speed and scope of development has raised several ethical concerns. Substantiate your argument with example. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: It is no doubt that the globalization has made the life easy. The world has become better place to live in terms of economic development, peace, opportunity, human rights etc. however, it has also given a number of ethical concerns like climate change due to increased industrialization and other activities, development and proliferation… Continue reading Globalization has many positive impacts on India and world, however, the recent speed and scope of development has raised several ethical concerns. Substantiate your argument with example. (150 W)

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