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How far do you agree with the view that Rajya Sabha has done nothing exceptional in last 70 years except stalling work and therefore it should be abolished? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should Explain about Rajya Sabha in general. Next mention why there is argument to abolish RS (more of criticism). For Example: members are not directly elected, No public interaction, no say in financial matters, most of the members are from political families, and are those who got defeated in election (they have… Continue reading How far do you agree with the view that Rajya Sabha has done nothing exceptional in last 70 years except stalling work and therefore it should be abolished? (10 Marks)

Critics point out that India’s population control policy is soft towards the male participant, which has led to many negative implications for women. Highlight those implications and also point out what changes are required in India’s population policy. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Note: In the intro, mention the reason for the over population in India and how India was among the first nations to start the family planning programme. In the main body, discuss the issues pertaining with sterilization campaigns targeted for women and how they are an issue for her (health, reproductive, rights, choice, lack… Continue reading Critics point out that India’s population control policy is soft towards the male participant, which has led to many negative implications for women. Highlight those implications and also point out what changes are required in India’s population policy. (150 W/ 10 M)

What is your conception of Good Life? How can it be attained? (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Comment: Explain about good life. Mention the general conception of good life which everyone pursues or desires to pursues. Further, give your views of good life. One can talk about taking the best from everything.  Protection of basic rights, liberties, freedom etc. can also be the prospects of good life. Model Answer: A good… Continue reading What is your conception of Good Life? How can it be attained? (150 W/ 10 M)

What are the uses and advantages of Lithium ion batteries? Examine India’s technological and manufacturing capabilities in this crucial product. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentors Comment: With India’s push for electric vehicles (EVs), the need for Li-ion batteries has increased manifold. Hence it is an important and likely topic for Mains GS 3 paper. We see these batteries in our laptops, phones, other gadgets. They have to replace lead acid battery if EV design and cost has to be… Continue reading What are the uses and advantages of Lithium ion batteries? Examine India’s technological and manufacturing capabilities in this crucial product. (150 W/ 10 M)

A dedicated privacy law is being demanded vociferously in the country. In this context it is said that the data protection framework will need to treat privacy as a social and not just an individual need. Discuss.(150 W/ 10 M)

Mentors Comment: Three key words are important in the question: Privacy Law, Individual need and Social. So the structure of the answer will follow the same direction. In the intro tell the examiner why data protection is such a big word these days and cite recent examples of various incident like Cambridge Analytica fiasco, Aadhaar… Continue reading A dedicated privacy law is being demanded vociferously in the country. In this context it is said that the data protection framework will need to treat privacy as a social and not just an individual need. Discuss.(150 W/ 10 M)

The economic theory by linking Indian poverty to colonialism was trying to corrode the moral authority of colonial rule, and also perhaps by implication challenging the whole paternalistic imperialism or British benevolence. Comment. (150 W/10 M)

Mentor’s Note: In this question, you have to discuss the work of Moderate leaders in providing an economic critique of colonialism and shaping the Indian National Movement. In the intro, discuss how British justified their rule over India through theories like White Man’s Burden, Oriental Despotism and that they were benevolent rulers, trying to develop… Continue reading The economic theory by linking Indian poverty to colonialism was trying to corrode the moral authority of colonial rule, and also perhaps by implication challenging the whole paternalistic imperialism or British benevolence. Comment. (150 W/10 M)

How would you classify the conscience? Suppose an old man has a pension claim before a civil servant and according to law it is a doubtful claim, what he should do and why? (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Comment: Define Conscience or bring the essence of it, and mention the source of conscience for civil servants i.e. our constitution. Further, mention different interpretations of conscience in order to classify conscience: i.e. Conscience as a faculty of moral cognition, mode of developed sensibility, internal judge, motives, faculty of practical reason and conscience as… Continue reading How would you classify the conscience? Suppose an old man has a pension claim before a civil servant and according to law it is a doubtful claim, what he should do and why? (150 W/ 10 M)

What is contract farming? Critically analyze the features of the draft “Model Contract Farming Act – 2018”. (150 W)

Sources: https://www.livemint.com/Politics/rsixdfstyX6oHWHsxdmznM/Centre-drafts-model-contract-farming-act-to-counter-price-ri.html https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/contract-farming-act-an-inadequate-model/593742.html Model Answer: Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture released a draft Model Contract Farming Act, 2018. The draft Model Act seeks to create a regulatory and policy framework for contract farming.  Based on this draft Model Act, legislatures of states can enact a law on contract farming as contracts fall under the Concurrent… Continue reading What is contract farming? Critically analyze the features of the draft “Model Contract Farming Act – 2018”. (150 W)

Mental illness is a critical health concern in India which also faces social stigma. In context of this analyze the importance of New Mental Health Care Act which came into force in July 2018. Also discuss challenges of mental health care system in the country. (200 W)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/a-plan-for-change/article24782364.ece   Model Answer: Introduction: The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 defines “mental illness” as a substantial disorder of thinking, mood, perception, orientation or memory that grossly impairs judgment, behaviour, capacity to recognise reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life, mental conditions associated with the abuse of alcohol and drugs. As per the Lancet study recently… Continue reading Mental illness is a critical health concern in India which also faces social stigma. In context of this analyze the importance of New Mental Health Care Act which came into force in July 2018. Also discuss challenges of mental health care system in the country. (200 W)

Buddhism as a religion has impacted so deep and affected philosophy and art of adaptive country that it penetrated the entire fabric of Chinese Culture. Explain. (200 W)

Mentor’s Comment: Introduction should mention how the Buddhism got spread in China over their own religion, most probably post Han period popularly called ‘period of disunity’. Further, the great Tang Dynasty popularized Buddhism in great portion of China. Further talk about Influence of Buddhism on the people over other religion. Meditation, everything truth, monastic life,… Continue reading Buddhism as a religion has impacted so deep and affected philosophy and art of adaptive country that it penetrated the entire fabric of Chinese Culture. Explain. (200 W)

India is notorious for high levels of corruption. Assess the nature of the problem of corruption in India. Suggest reforms. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Comment: Bring the essence of corruption in own words. Analyze the nature of corruption in India and its effects. One can also mention about the Corruption Perception Index and India’s rank. Further mention how it has become a notion of public perception. For example, bribing traffic police, bribing for faster delivery of work etc.… Continue reading India is notorious for high levels of corruption. Assess the nature of the problem of corruption in India. Suggest reforms. (150 W/ 10 M)

What do you understand by virtual reality? Assess its potential in transforming education sector along with other potential applications in line with Indian Technology Vision of 2035. (200 W/ 12 ½ M)

Sources: https://www.thehindu.com/education/immersive-education/article24298675.ece https://www.franchiseindia.com/education/Virtual-Reality-brings-reality-of-education-alive.9834 Model Answer: VR (VIRTUAL REALITY) is a term that describes computer-simulated environments which mimic real physical presences in real world or outside. This artificial environment is created with software and presented to the user in a way that the user accepts it as a real environment. Virtual realities artificially create sensory experiences,… Continue reading What do you understand by virtual reality? Assess its potential in transforming education sector along with other potential applications in line with Indian Technology Vision of 2035. (200 W/ 12 ½ M)

Considering the legacy of Independent Democracy, India should refrain from interfering in sovereign matters of Bhutan. Analyze the statement in the context of recent General Election in Bhutan. (200 W/ 12 ½ M)

Source: [Burning Issue] India – Bhutan Relations after recent elections in Bhutan Model Answer: India has been an all-weather friend of Bhutan since the latter’s independence. It was India who supported Bhutan’s admission in the United Nations and has been with the tiny Himalayan nation since decades assisting it for having a distinct place in… Continue reading Considering the legacy of Independent Democracy, India should refrain from interfering in sovereign matters of Bhutan. Analyze the statement in the context of recent General Election in Bhutan. (200 W/ 12 ½ M)

Kabir was one of the chief exponents of the Bhakti movement in the medieval period. Discuss the Relevance of teachings of Kabir in Contemporary India? (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentors Comment: The question comes close to the heels of commemoration of 500th death anniversary of Sant Kabir and examines the kind of impact he has on contemporary Indian society through his teachings. Hence it is important for mains. The question asks us to discuss the relevance of Kabir’s teachings  in today’s world. Therefore, you… Continue reading Kabir was one of the chief exponents of the Bhakti movement in the medieval period. Discuss the Relevance of teachings of Kabir in Contemporary India? (150 W/ 10 M)

The crisis of ethics in public life is more because of attitudinal problem of public servants rather than organisational ineffectiveness. Critically analyse. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: This question deals with the attitudes of civil servant. Instead of serving the public, they seems to assume themselves as boss and hence attitude gets shaped accordingly.  Intro should mention how effective functioning of institutions form the backbone of governance process.  Non-implementation of executive decisions by government functionaries lead to chaos and contributes… Continue reading The crisis of ethics in public life is more because of attitudinal problem of public servants rather than organisational ineffectiveness. Critically analyse. (150 W)

What is cloud computing and what are the security risks associated with it? Do you think it is helpful in improving the quality of governance? Discuss with examples. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: This question has two parts. First one is factual asking about the cloud computing. Explain the meaning and prospects of Cloud Computing. Next, mention about the security risks associated with it and how they can be vulnerable in data breach, how they can undermine the security of a nation etc…etc…especially with respect to… Continue reading What is cloud computing and what are the security risks associated with it? Do you think it is helpful in improving the quality of governance? Discuss with examples. (150 W)

“Far from enabling some sort of constitutional rule, governors have consistently been party to all sorts of unconstitutional and unethical moves to undermine democracy and federalism in India.” Examine the statement in the context of recent constitutional crisis in different Indian states. (200 W 12½ M)

Source: https://scroll.in/article/903113/why-governor-satya-pal-maliks-decision-to-dissolve-jammu-and-kashmir-assembly-is-unconstitutional Mentor’s Comment: The question is based on the current debate which is going regarding the powers of Governors and his/her biased decision in favour of centre. Introduction should mention that the rule based governance is more important than the politically motivated one. Also cite that how the governors failed in delivering unbiased decisions.… Continue reading “Far from enabling some sort of constitutional rule, governors have consistently been party to all sorts of unconstitutional and unethical moves to undermine democracy and federalism in India.” Examine the statement in the context of recent constitutional crisis in different Indian states. (200 W 12½ M)

“The Enlightenment thinkers differed widely amongst themselves, but all of them shared some major ideas that together make up the philosophy of Enlightenment.” Elucidate. (150 W)

Mentor’s Comment: The question is straight forward and demands analytical approach to enlightenment period. Here the introduction should mention the meaning of enlightenment and how the views are universally shared among all thinkers. How despite having differences in their ideas they strongly believed in its common ideas, they had something unique in themselves which made… Continue reading “The Enlightenment thinkers differed widely amongst themselves, but all of them shared some major ideas that together make up the philosophy of Enlightenment.” Elucidate. (150 W)

Ethics: Political Manifestoes are considered to be the aspirations of people which the political bosses promise to fulfill after winning election. However, there is no accountability in case of false promise or failure to fulfill them. Analyze the moral issues involved in this case and suggest suitable measures to make our leaders accountable. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Comment: True politics is not bad, but when politics becomes dirty it will seriously effect the very institutions of democracy or any other type of political institutions. The introduction should talk about the manifestoes and whether it is good practice of corrupt practice. Further, the subsequent point should mention the situation of Model Code… Continue reading Ethics: Political Manifestoes are considered to be the aspirations of people which the political bosses promise to fulfill after winning election. However, there is no accountability in case of false promise or failure to fulfill them. Analyze the moral issues involved in this case and suggest suitable measures to make our leaders accountable. (150 W/ 10 M)

Give an account of the growth and development of renewable energy in India. Is India doing enough on the Renewable energy front? (250 W/ 15 M)

Mentor’s comment: This is a pretty straightforward question. But it will require decent amount of data to score well. Also, the second part is slightly tricky as some candidates might understand it to mean the ‘overall’ environment policy. It is only asking whether India should be doing more on the renewable energy (RE) front to… Continue reading Give an account of the growth and development of renewable energy in India. Is India doing enough on the Renewable energy front? (250 W/ 15 M)

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