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What do you understand by resource Curse? How abundance of natural resources did affected the Geo-politics and economy of the African Countries? (200 W)

Mentor Comment: The first part of the question gives you the clue of approaching this question. Just start with defining resource curse and highlight its features. Then move to second part of the question which is asking the case of Africa wrt resource curse in the fields of geopolitics and economy. Discuss how the fight… Continue reading What do you understand by resource Curse? How abundance of natural resources did affected the Geo-politics and economy of the African Countries? (200 W)

Despite their critical role in biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation, grasslands are amongst the most neglected ecosystems in India. Comment. (250 W)

Mentors Comment: This is quite straightforward question and you should not have much trouble with it. Start with discussion on grasslands and their spread in India. Next discussion will focus on their importance in ecology of our nation. How they support our ever growing cattle stocks, how they are home of some of our most… Continue reading Despite their critical role in biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation, grasslands are amongst the most neglected ecosystems in India. Comment. (250 W)

Not all have the courage to speak at injustice and this is what transforms the honest people into soldier without guns. Explain the essence of this statement in the context of recent trends in the government organizations? (150 W)

Model Answer: Courage is the quality of an individual which permits him to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear. Courage is required to take action when one has doubts or fears about the consequences. One witnesses various types of injustice across himself in the society in which he lives. It may vary from simple… Continue reading Not all have the courage to speak at injustice and this is what transforms the honest people into soldier without guns. Explain the essence of this statement in the context of recent trends in the government organizations? (150 W)

Legislating payments out of RBI’s excess capital could compromise its independence. Critically examine keeping in mind the recent committee established for examining issues of how much equity that RBI should hold. (200 W)

Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-legislating-payments-out-of-rbis-excess-capital-could-compromise-its-independence/   Model Answer: RBI’s equity sharing works as a fuel cum cushion to its operations and supports against any financial downturn. In simple words, it is the capital set aside to meet the contingency requirement of RBI. The RBI’s current equity holding is around 27% of its total assets which puts an argument… Continue reading Legislating payments out of RBI’s excess capital could compromise its independence. Critically examine keeping in mind the recent committee established for examining issues of how much equity that RBI should hold. (200 W)

What do you understand by ‘Communalism’ in the Indian context? What are its stages? Critically analyse its growth and development in India. (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: The similar question has been asked in 2017 mains. Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India. (2017 mains) The introduction should explain the meaning of communalism and how it happens in Indian society. Like often originate with the clashes… Continue reading What do you understand by ‘Communalism’ in the Indian context? What are its stages? Critically analyse its growth and development in India. (250 W)

Puppetry is one of the most prominent divisions of theatre in India since Ancient times. Though puppeteers and puppet-scholars have been engaged in the revival of regional puppets, however, this art form is mostly unknown to the rest of the country. Discuss the changes which could be noticed in the revived puppetry art and it’s rational in contemporary India. (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should discuss about the puppetry and the reason behind its declining trend. The points like cinema, television, video, internet etc. takes the part of puppetry and at present are more entertaining. Further in the main body, mention about the changes noticed in the revived puppetry art. Like changes in presentation, choosing the… Continue reading Puppetry is one of the most prominent divisions of theatre in India since Ancient times. Though puppeteers and puppet-scholars have been engaged in the revival of regional puppets, however, this art form is mostly unknown to the rest of the country. Discuss the changes which could be noticed in the revived puppetry art and it’s rational in contemporary India. (200 W)

The disaster in Meghalaya mines shows governance failure on many fronts including poor implementation of the order and delay in rescue operation. Critically analyze. (200 W)

Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-a-tragedy-that-was-long-in-the-making/   Model Answer: Mining is illegal when there is absence of land rights, mining license, exploration or mineral transportation permit or of any document that could legitimate the on-going operations. The illegal mining issue has been in highlight due to recent incidents of Meghalaya Coal Mine where at least 13 workers had been… Continue reading The disaster in Meghalaya mines shows governance failure on many fronts including poor implementation of the order and delay in rescue operation. Critically analyze. (200 W)

Do you think linguistic reorganisation of Indian states post-independence was a sound policy? What arguments were put forth to support or oppose this policy? (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: The language problem was the most divisive issue in the first twenty years of independent India, and it created the apprehension among many that the political and cultural unity of the country was in danger. Introduction should in general explain about the need for linguistic reorganization of states. And how, they fulfilled the… Continue reading Do you think linguistic reorganisation of Indian states post-independence was a sound policy? What arguments were put forth to support or oppose this policy? (200 W)

Media is a parliament of citizens. Comment on the Pros and Cons of Media freedom in India. (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should explain about the role media play as a guarantor and protector of an informed citizenry, which is important in a democracy like India. However, the 2017 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters without Borders ranks India at 136 out of 180 countries. Next, in the main body mention about the pros… Continue reading Media is a parliament of citizens. Comment on the Pros and Cons of Media freedom in India. (200 W)

Critically examine the ethical basis of justifying abortion and euthanasia. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Both the issues are critically controversial in the field of medical science. Terminating life is considered unethical and are morally wrong act, but there are certain circumstances for utilitarian cause such action can be made justifiable. Separately justify your argument on both the issues. Refer the below source for hints: Euthanasia: http://www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/euthanasia/overview/introduction.shtml Abortion:… Continue reading Critically examine the ethical basis of justifying abortion and euthanasia. (150 W)

What are genes and genes editing? Briefly explain the promises and challenges associated with it. (200 W)

Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-a-reckless-experiment-on-gene-edited-babies/   Model Answer: Gene is a unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring. It contains the bio-information that defines any individual. Physical attributes like height, skin or hair colour, more subtle features and even behavioural traits can be attributed… Continue reading What are genes and genes editing? Briefly explain the promises and challenges associated with it. (200 W)

Policies should work not only towards reducing the number of people below the poverty line but also ensuring that people do not suffer from multiple deprivations. Critically examine the above statement in the light of methodology adopted to measure poverty in independent India. (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Similar question has been asked in 2016-mains, (“An essential condition to eradicate poverty is to liberate the poor from deprivation.” Substantiate this statement with suitable examples.) Introduction should explain poverty as a social phenomenon. We can also mention about the UN Human Rights Council definition of poverty. Next, we need to mention about… Continue reading Policies should work not only towards reducing the number of people below the poverty line but also ensuring that people do not suffer from multiple deprivations. Critically examine the above statement in the light of methodology adopted to measure poverty in independent India. (250 W)

Explain the concept of ‘polycyclic reliefs’ with examples. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: This is a basic question and explains the feature of earth’s landforms. Introduction should in general explain about the relief and landforms which are the geomorphological process and polycyclic is one of the features of such landforms. Next, in the main body explain the formation of polycyclic relief and its features. Bring examples… Continue reading Explain the concept of ‘polycyclic reliefs’ with examples. (150 W)

How do virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with example. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Talk about the Public Service which is the wider mandate and managing which require certain values like trustworthiness and fortitude. Further, explain how these two virtues lead to efficient delivery of administration. Bring example if possible. Next, mention that the two values are the foundational stone for public service and hence should be… Continue reading How do virtues of trustworthiness and fortitude get manifested in public service? Explain with example. (150 W)

In India, the aggregate ratio of goods transported by road as compared to rail is now at 70:30. Is it a good sign for the economy? If not, discuss what needs to be done and why. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Talk about transportation and its importance for Indian economy. India has huge road network in comparison to railway but road transportation cost more than rail transport. So in order to make more profit rail transport seems more important. Next mention is it good sign for economy. Bring comparison with worldwide transportation which is… Continue reading In India, the aggregate ratio of goods transported by road as compared to rail is now at 70:30. Is it a good sign for the economy? If not, discuss what needs to be done and why. (150 W)

After 1757 there grew up a State of Bengal which was a “sponsored state” as well as a “plundered state”. Comment. (250 W)

Mentor’s Comment: The battle of plassey led to the consolidation of British in Bengal and later expanding to other territories on India. Introduction should explain in short about the British’s agenda of slowly becoming servant and later master with special focus to Bengal province. Further, mention how Bengal became a plundered state after the Battle… Continue reading After 1757 there grew up a State of Bengal which was a “sponsored state” as well as a “plundered state”. Comment. (250 W)

Why ‘integrity’ in civil services is essential? How a team is benefitted when leader is of unimpeachable integrity? Justify your argument with example. (150 W)

Model Answer: Public services are backbone of government. It is necessary for civil servants to be honest as well as efficient. For an administrative leadership, unimpeachable integrity is an essential qualification. In its wider connotation, integrity would include intellectual honesty, a free and frank expression of one’s view, a scientific attitude of mind, a high… Continue reading Why ‘integrity’ in civil services is essential? How a team is benefitted when leader is of unimpeachable integrity? Justify your argument with example. (150 W)

The term ‘Green Finance’ has gained a lot of attention in the past few years with the increased focus on greed development. Why the green finance is an ambiguous term and what are the issues in mobilization and effective use of green finance? Is it a sufficient step towards the sustainable development? (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should explain about the Green Finance and the phenomenon related to it. Though the term is ambiguous because of absence of its proper definition and hence it is sometimes taken as a synonym to green investment. Further, mention about various issues related to the mobilization and effective use of green finance. Long… Continue reading The term ‘Green Finance’ has gained a lot of attention in the past few years with the increased focus on greed development. Why the green finance is an ambiguous term and what are the issues in mobilization and effective use of green finance? Is it a sufficient step towards the sustainable development? (200 W)

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