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With regards to citizen-centric administration, it is said that ‘It is impossible to run a 21st century economy with a 20th century bureaucracy using 19th century rules.’ Examine. (250 W/15 M)

Mentors Comment: Don’t get confused with the language of the question! To simplify it, here is the rephrased version: What ails the citizen centric administration of modern India? How to improve it? Now the problem is given straightforward in the statement of the question: WE HAVE A MODERN ECONOMY BUT THE LAWS ARE QUITE OLD… Continue reading With regards to citizen-centric administration, it is said that ‘It is impossible to run a 21st century economy with a 20th century bureaucracy using 19th century rules.’ Examine. (250 W/15 M)

As extreme weather events turn into a challenge for the disaster management authorities, analyse India’s preparedness in dealing with this new threat. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s comment The first half of the question sets the background which needs to be kept in mind while framing the answer. The phrase ‘extreme weather events’ (EWEs) is of critical importance. Your introduction can state (with examples and facts) how EWEs have become more frequent and ‘disastrous’. The body will deal with the main… Continue reading As extreme weather events turn into a challenge for the disaster management authorities, analyse India’s preparedness in dealing with this new threat. (150 W/ 10 M)

Ethics Case Study: Recently a social activist fighting against superstition was killed by a mob while addressing a public gathering in the area where you are posted as Chief Medical Officer in a government hospital. He had certain political affiliation to the ruling party. His body was sent to your hospital for post mortem. Meanwhile, you started getting telephone calls from some influential people and politicians pressurizing you to manipulate the post mortem report in a manner that the case of murder is not substantiated. You are also threatened for life if you do not comply or in case if you comply, offer is given to you for promotion as well as suitable monetary compensation. (a) What are the ethical conflicts the doctor faces in this case? (b) What would be consequence if the doctor does not stick to his professional ethics? (c) What would be practically right thing to do for the doctor and why? (250 words) (20 marks)

Model answer: The Civil Servant (here Chief Medical Officer) has a dilemma between his professional ethics, his personal security and career progression and the consequences of his decisions would be at both the levels- public as well as personal. As far as post mortem of the dead body is concerned it should be purely guided… Continue reading Ethics Case Study: Recently a social activist fighting against superstition was killed by a mob while addressing a public gathering in the area where you are posted as Chief Medical Officer in a government hospital. He had certain political affiliation to the ruling party. His body was sent to your hospital for post mortem. Meanwhile, you started getting telephone calls from some influential people and politicians pressurizing you to manipulate the post mortem report in a manner that the case of murder is not substantiated. You are also threatened for life if you do not comply or in case if you comply, offer is given to you for promotion as well as suitable monetary compensation. (a) What are the ethical conflicts the doctor faces in this case? (b) What would be consequence if the doctor does not stick to his professional ethics? (c) What would be practically right thing to do for the doctor and why? (250 words) (20 marks)

Critically analyze the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 which recently got passed in the Lok Sabha. (150 W/ 10 M)

Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-surrogacy-bill-then-now/ Model Answer: Introduction: The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill – 2016 bans commercial surrogacy and requires the surrogate woman to be ‘close relative’ of the couple, thereby allowing altruistic surrogacy. In order to curb unethical practices, exploitation of surrogate mothers, abandonment of children born out of surrogacy and trafficking of women for surrogacy, the draft… Continue reading Critically analyze the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016 which recently got passed in the Lok Sabha. (150 W/ 10 M)

Examine the conditions favoring the imperialist conquest of Asia and Africa in the 18th and the 19th Century? (250 W/ 15 M)

Mentors Comment: The discussion is given in Old NCERT world history and its quite a common theme for discussion. To score better, discuss the points as to why Asia and Africa were chosen as the places by imperialist forces. Access to raw materials and easy markets, cheap labour, investment opportunities, increased nationalism with military chauvirinity,… Continue reading Examine the conditions favoring the imperialist conquest of Asia and Africa in the 18th and the 19th Century? (250 W/ 15 M)

Ethics Case Study: A wordily incentive proves very worth in raising morale of the workers which ultimately results in increased output of works. Two girls Komal and Ritika are working in a multi-national company and assigned to complete a project together. Ritika had invested everything in terms of time, knowledge and expertise. Komal also did a bit of work in the project. At the completion of the project, the boss gave complete credit to Komal, when it was in fact her colleague who did most of the work. 1. Should Komal accept the praise nullifying Ritika? What moral principles are involved in this case? 2. What should Komal do and why? Suggest suitable course of action. (200 W/ 15 M)

Model Answer: Being praised often makes people feel good. Pride, pleasure and increased feelings of self-esteem are all common reactions to receiving a compliment or positive feedback. In the above case, giving credit only to one person may make the other one who invested more in terms of everything feel disappointed and discouraged. When the… Continue reading Ethics Case Study: A wordily incentive proves very worth in raising morale of the workers which ultimately results in increased output of works. Two girls Komal and Ritika are working in a multi-national company and assigned to complete a project together. Ritika had invested everything in terms of time, knowledge and expertise. Komal also did a bit of work in the project. At the completion of the project, the boss gave complete credit to Komal, when it was in fact her colleague who did most of the work. 1. Should Komal accept the praise nullifying Ritika? What moral principles are involved in this case? 2. What should Komal do and why? Suggest suitable course of action. (200 W/ 15 M)

Assess the intensity and spread of terrorism in the world. Highlighting the challenges India faces, discuss India’s counter-terror strategy. (250 W/ 15 M)

Mentors Comment: Question demands three different sets of aspects of terrorism. The first part will deal with global scene of terrorism in terms of its reach and how intense it has become. Focus on the recent trends and regions affected by it like advent of ISIS on the global scene and its impact on middle… Continue reading Assess the intensity and spread of terrorism in the world. Highlighting the challenges India faces, discuss India’s counter-terror strategy. (250 W/ 15 M)

In view of the fact that India doesn’t provide option of proxy voting to its domestic people who migrate to other states, is it fair to give such an option to NRIs who live far off. Give arguments in support of your answer. (150 W/10 M)

Mentors Comment: The issue pertains to the amendments to RPA through which, government is going to extend the practice of proxy voting to overseas electors. Lok Sabha passed the amendments recently. In the intro, simply describe the amendments and discuss what is proxy voting and postal ballot. Then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of extending… Continue reading In view of the fact that India doesn’t provide option of proxy voting to its domestic people who migrate to other states, is it fair to give such an option to NRIs who live far off. Give arguments in support of your answer. (150 W/10 M)

Caste in its old form is irrelevant and cannot exist in the modern or contemporary Indian society. Comment (250 W/ 15 M)

Mentors Comment: Understanding this question is quite important. It’s not a general question therefore you might find it little tricky. Its not asking you to answer what is caste, why is it good or why is it bad. Instead, the question requires discussion on the Changing Nature of Caste in Modern India. Basic premise of… Continue reading Caste in its old form is irrelevant and cannot exist in the modern or contemporary Indian society. Comment (250 W/ 15 M)

Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance. (200 W/ 12½ M)

Model Answer: Greediness is defined as having or showing a strong or excessive desire to acquire money or possess things, especially wishing to possess more than what one needs or deserves. Greediness makes the person highly selfish which has its own consequences and causes. Selfishness makes the person over emphasized for personal gain by any… Continue reading Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance. (200 W/ 12½ M)

The government’s flagship Smart Cities Mission has been too “project-focused and lacks integrated vision”. Comment. (200 W/ 12½ M)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should talk in general about the Smart City Mission, with explaining why it has been started. Poor living infrastructure, low performance in HDI rank, lack of house in cities for people etc. can be the suitable reasons apart from others as well. Further, mention how Smart Cities Mission been Project-Based and lack… Continue reading The government’s flagship Smart Cities Mission has been too “project-focused and lacks integrated vision”. Comment. (200 W/ 12½ M)

The art and architecture of the Mauryan Empire constitutes the culminating point of the progress of Indian art. Comment (250 W/ 15 M).

Mentors Comment: The art and culture question in GS are mostly straightforward and their requirements are simple. You dont have to, generally, provide a balanced or nuanced position nor provide way forwards. All you need are factual points. The approach of the answer will be conventional. All you have to discuss is the salient features… Continue reading The art and architecture of the Mauryan Empire constitutes the culminating point of the progress of Indian art. Comment (250 W/ 15 M).

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Bring out what it means to you in the present context. (150 W/ 10 M)

Model Answer: The Quote means that as a child a person do not know many things so it’s easy for them to turn a blind eye almost and forgive a child for not knowing certain things, whereas when ‘adults’ choose not to see the things it’s a tragedy. This means that when adults do not… Continue reading “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Bring out what it means to you in the present context. (150 W/ 10 M)

Good compiled data enables the policymakers to make evidence-based policies and aids effective implementation of various schemes. In the light of the above statement discuss the significance of recently launched National health resource repository? (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Comment: Mention how compiled data helps in Health Care. Data generated in hospitals, clinics, pharma companies, insurance companies, drug stores etc. should be scientifically analyzed to create technology solutions that improve clinical outcomes. Mention its various features and benefits. Further, talk about the National Health Resource Repository launched by Union ministry of health and… Continue reading Good compiled data enables the policymakers to make evidence-based policies and aids effective implementation of various schemes. In the light of the above statement discuss the significance of recently launched National health resource repository? (150 W/ 10 M)

The changing role of diplomacy is being influenced by various factors in which one of the factor is technology. Discuss the contribution and current changing pace of technology use in foreign policy. How India influences foreign policy through technology? Do you think India needs more efforts in this regard? (250 W/ 15 M)

Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-raja-mandala-time-for-techplomacy/   Model Answer: Recent advances in technology have opened up vast new areas of communication, cooperation and even friction among nations in their pursuit of security, development and progress. Science and technology today transcend almost all areas of international affairs. The role of science and technology in international affairs is so intrinsic that… Continue reading The changing role of diplomacy is being influenced by various factors in which one of the factor is technology. Discuss the contribution and current changing pace of technology use in foreign policy. How India influences foreign policy through technology? Do you think India needs more efforts in this regard? (250 W/ 15 M)

Any single idea of the country is neither necessary nor sufficient for maintaining the unity of India. Comment. (250 W/15 M)

Mentors Comment: This question has historical as well 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 majoritarianism… Continue reading Any single idea of the country is neither necessary nor sufficient for maintaining the unity of India. Comment. (250 W/15 M)

Is it right for political parties to pursue their ideology by respecting only the letter of the constitution and not its spirit? (200 W/ 12½ M)

Mentor’s Comment: Diversity plays a crucial role in India which also led to the formation of various states such as linguistic, ethnicity etc. and accordingly the formation of regional political parties with their respective ideologies. Political ideology is the basis of political party for which it stands. It is like internal constitution of political parties.… Continue reading Is it right for political parties to pursue their ideology by respecting only the letter of the constitution and not its spirit? (200 W/ 12½ M)

Rapidly growing urbanization faces myriad of challenges regarding waste management. Access India’s vulnerability and plan of waste management. What do you think can be the best suitable measures of waste management in India’s urban cities? (200 W/ 12½ M)

Source: https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-no-time-left-to-waste-on-waste/   Model Answer: With rapid urbanization, industrialization and an explosion in population in India, solid waste management will be a key challenge for state governments and local municipal bodies in the 21st century. This was highlighted after a mishap at the landfill in Delhi killed couple of people and injured many as well… Continue reading Rapidly growing urbanization faces myriad of challenges regarding waste management. Access India’s vulnerability and plan of waste management. What do you think can be the best suitable measures of waste management in India’s urban cities? (200 W/ 12½ M)

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