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Regulatory institutions in India are still a “work in progress”, and they have not attained the kind of maturity that is needed for the emerging economy. Comment?(150 W/10 M)

Mentors Comment: It’s a straightforward question. In the discussion, you have to discuss the regulatory framework in India. Regulatory bodies are important because substantial power to make laws has shifted from elected representatives to technocrats sitting in regulatory bodies. In the intro give the present scenario of regulatory bodies in India. Highlight their functioning. In… Continue reading Regulatory institutions in India are still a “work in progress”, and they have not attained the kind of maturity that is needed for the emerging economy. Comment?(150 W/10 M)

Without magma man’s survival and progress would have been difficult. Comment. (150 W/ 10 M)

Mentor’s Note: In the intro part, you have to mention briefly what Magma is and its composition. In the main body, you have to relate magma with the rock formation, specially igneous rocks, and then discuss various roles of magma in our life in points. The most important aspect of the answer will be economic… Continue reading Without magma man’s survival and progress would have been difficult. Comment. (150 W/ 10 M)

Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. (150 Words/ 10 marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Explain the meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility. Mention various ways, how CSR is profitable and sustainable for companies like tax relaxation, strengthening public trust, responsibility, accountability, selflessness, cooperation and environmental ethics etc. Bring example if possible. Add conclusion based on the points mentioned. Model Answer: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandates the companies to… Continue reading Corporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse. (150 Words/ 10 marks)

Is it true that the Indian Economy has headed for a serious crisis or it’s just a myth? Analyse with respect to the Performance of Indian Economy Since 2008. Bring examples to support your points. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/getting-the-economy-back-on-track/article25521145.ece?utm_source=pushnotifications&utm_campaign=pushnotifications&utm_medium=ALL_USER Model Answer: Introduction: Economic Crisis is a situation in which the economy of a country experiences a sudden downturn. We also call it a real economic crisis. In most cases, country’s GDP typically declines, liquidity dries up, prices of commodity raises due to inflation or deflation, and property and stock market prices plummets.… Continue reading Is it true that the Indian Economy has headed for a serious crisis or it’s just a myth? Analyse with respect to the Performance of Indian Economy Since 2008. Bring examples to support your points. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

While Regionalism is a major problem in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and almost all of India’s neighbours, India has been able to maintain relative peace regarding regional violence, except Kashmir. Discuss. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Mentor’s Note: In the intro, define regionalism. The importance should be given to the regionalism at national level. Then mention some of the incidents of regionalism happening in India and the reason behind it. (Regionalism in India is more of a political regionalism rather than a secessionist movement) Briefly discuss the challenges of regionalism in… Continue reading While Regionalism is a major problem in Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and almost all of India’s neighbours, India has been able to maintain relative peace regarding regional violence, except Kashmir. Discuss. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

1857 revolt was something more than a sepoy mutiny, but something less than a national revolt. (150 Words/ 10 Marks)

Mentor’s Note: This question is based on the most important debate of freedom movement: What Was the Nature of 1857 Revolt. You will get the idea of this debate in almost all history books and first chapter of Bipan Chandra’s Struggle for Independence is based on this very debate. The main body of the answer… Continue reading 1857 revolt was something more than a sepoy mutiny, but something less than a national revolt. (150 Words/ 10 Marks)

What do you mean by virtue? How virtue leads to happiness and excellency? Discuss the role of five constituents of Confucius concept of perfect virtue. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Such questions are the core of ethics paper and are very much straight forward. The question requires you to mention the essence of virtue in own words. Further how it shapes human character which leads to happiness and excellency. Mention that virtuous life gives inner satisfaction of the achievement. Virtues are dispositional feature… Continue reading What do you mean by virtue? How virtue leads to happiness and excellency? Discuss the role of five constituents of Confucius concept of perfect virtue. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

What is blockchain technology and what are its advantages? Assess India’s global positioning in blockchain technology and identify hurdles which lag India behind and suggest suitable measures. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Source: https://www.livemint.com/Opinion/wNYS0WfLeUIDPcFddJL84K/The-importance-of-blockchain-for-India.html   Introduction: Blockchain, mostly known as the backbone technology behind Bitcoin, is one of the emerging technologies currently in the market attracting lot of attentions from enterprises, start-ups and media. “A Blockchain is a digital, immutable, distributed ledger that chronologically records transactions in near real time. The prerequisite for each subsequent transaction to… Continue reading What is blockchain technology and what are its advantages? Assess India’s global positioning in blockchain technology and identify hurdles which lag India behind and suggest suitable measures. (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Amongst the prime duties of the Supreme Court is to protect the constitution. How well has the SC discharged this function. Critically analyse.(250 Words/15 Marks)

Mentors Comment: Protection of Constitution. This is the key word of the question. So stick to this discussion only. Start with giving a brief history of SC and why it is known as guardian of the constitution. Then discuss the various key judgements of SC which upheld the values of constitution and gave the document… Continue reading Amongst the prime duties of the Supreme Court is to protect the constitution. How well has the SC discharged this function. Critically analyse.(250 Words/15 Marks)

Discuss the changes in the nature & character of later Revolutionary Movements (1920-1940’s) in India compared to the early revolutionary Movements. (150 Words/ 10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Again, this is a straightforward question where all you have to do is compare the nature and character of Revolutionary Movements of pre 1920 and post 1920 era. Start with explaining what was revolutionary movement or who were revolutionaries. Then in the main body of answer, compare the strategies and nature of revolutionary… Continue reading Discuss the changes in the nature & character of later Revolutionary Movements (1920-1940’s) in India compared to the early revolutionary Movements. (150 Words/ 10 Marks)

“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country. (150 Words/ 15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Talk about the goals, aspiration, hopes and dreams etc. as ambition which drive people and their character. Bring example of leaders both (1) who has harmed the society and (2) who worked for the society by mentioning their value principles. How their value principles direct their action. Conclude by mentioning the benefits of… Continue reading “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country. (150 Words/ 15 Marks)

The 2017 Nobel Physics Prize was awarded “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves”. What is Gravitational Wave and how are they detected? How does India’s association in LIGO-India project matters? Examine in the context of gain which India aspires. (250Words/15Marks)

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/ripples-of-discord/article25469933.ece   Model Answer: Introduction: The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory is a large-scale physics experiment aiming to directly detect gravitational waves. It comprises two enormous laser interferometers located thousands of kilometers apart. ‎ The Interferometers used in LIGO work by merging two or more sources of light to create interference pattern, which can be… Continue reading The 2017 Nobel Physics Prize was awarded “for decisive contributions to the LIGO detector and the observation of gravitational waves”. What is Gravitational Wave and how are they detected? How does India’s association in LIGO-India project matters? Examine in the context of gain which India aspires. (250Words/15Marks)

What do you understand by Quad arrangement? Discuss its motive. What are the major issues Quad arrangements is facing? (150Words/10Marks)

Mentor’s comment: Explain about Quad Arrangement as a security dialogue between four nations. Explain about its prime motives and general perception about its initiations. Talk about the major problems associated with member countries which will halt the progress of Quad. Finally add conclusion. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/four-corners/article25487953.ece Model Answer: The quad arrangement also known as Quadrilateral Security Dialogue… Continue reading What do you understand by Quad arrangement? Discuss its motive. What are the major issues Quad arrangements is facing? (150Words/10Marks)

“Paramountcy is a thing of gradual growth…… shaped partly by conquest, partly by treaty and partly by usage”. Elucidate in the context of distinct stages of British Evolution. (250 Words/15Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: The answer is simply asking about the establishment of British domination in India through different methods adopted by them. Introduction should mention about the general ideas of British Paramountcy. Further, the evolution of British Paramountcy, through different methods such as policy of ring fence, sub-ordinance isolation and union and their various modified versions… Continue reading “Paramountcy is a thing of gradual growth…… shaped partly by conquest, partly by treaty and partly by usage”. Elucidate in the context of distinct stages of British Evolution. (250 Words/15Marks)

In the 21st century, should traditional modes of education (eg. Madrasas, gurukuls) be allowed to function? Identify the ethical issues and suggest a way forward. (150 Words/10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: The question seems to be straight forward but have some complications in proper deciphering the exact context. Here we need to talk about traditional modes of education which are still running in India like Dar-al-ulum at Deoband, Gurukuls, Akali Sikh Schools, etc. and their role and importance… Further in main body, what ethical… Continue reading In the 21st century, should traditional modes of education (eg. Madrasas, gurukuls) be allowed to function? Identify the ethical issues and suggest a way forward. (150 Words/10 Marks)

Poverty is not just lack of money; it is not having capabilities to realize one’s full potential as human being. Comment with respect to contemporary poverty alleviation and measurement strategy of the Indian government. (250 Words/15 Marks)

This is going to be a lengthy answer. So try to use diagrams to explain in better way. Start with little intro on the status of poverty in India. Then jump to the first part of the answer which is the statement: Poverty is not just lack of money, it is not having capabilities to… Continue reading Poverty is not just lack of money; it is not having capabilities to realize one’s full potential as human being. Comment with respect to contemporary poverty alleviation and measurement strategy of the Indian government. (250 Words/15 Marks)

India needs a reinvented secularism 2.0 rooted in complete separation of religion and state. Critically comment (250 Words/15 Marks)

Mentors Comment: You must have come across the commentaries on Indian secularism for last couple of years in various newspapers, blogs and magazines. It’s the hot topic right now and it’s in crisis. This question is based on that theme, albeit with a little bit of change. It’s not asking about crisis in secularism in… Continue reading India needs a reinvented secularism 2.0 rooted in complete separation of religion and state. Critically comment (250 Words/15 Marks)

Discuss the changes in the nature and character of Peasant Movements of 1920’s compared to early uprisings/movements? (150 Words/15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: 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? (150 Words/15 Marks)

Ethics Case Study: You are posted in a government office. Recently a peon was appointed in your office. Ever since his appointment he has been more of a burden than any help in the office. He doesn’t do any work and is always found to be talking with anyone he encounters. You have been receiving complaints about him from other staff members too that he is not obeying their orders in the office. The peon was appointed on sympathy grounds after his father’s death since his mother is ill. His income is the only source for his family after his father’s death. He was appointed by your predecessor on humanitarian grounds. You are very strict and disciplined in your office and you expect others to be the same. You have also observed that his behaviour is unfit to continue in his job. He appears to suffer from some psychological problem too. Identify your moral and professional responsibilities in this case study and explain how will you deal with the situation? (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Case study is an essential part of Section B of Ethics paper and is scoring in nature. Case studies offer descriptions and data of situations, from which we have to: Firstly: Identify key points or issues Weigh up the situation Consider the information you do and don’t have Further: Define the problem/issue to… Continue reading Ethics Case Study: You are posted in a government office. Recently a peon was appointed in your office. Ever since his appointment he has been more of a burden than any help in the office. He doesn’t do any work and is always found to be talking with anyone he encounters. You have been receiving complaints about him from other staff members too that he is not obeying their orders in the office. The peon was appointed on sympathy grounds after his father’s death since his mother is ill. His income is the only source for his family after his father’s death. He was appointed by your predecessor on humanitarian grounds. You are very strict and disciplined in your office and you expect others to be the same. You have also observed that his behaviour is unfit to continue in his job. He appears to suffer from some psychological problem too. Identify your moral and professional responsibilities in this case study and explain how will you deal with the situation? (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

“The autonomy for the central bank, within the framework of the RBI Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement”. Examine where does RBI stand in terms of autonomy? (150 Words/ 10 Marks)

Sources: //economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/66453781.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst   https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/autonomy-of-rbi-essential-nurtured-by-govt-finance-ministry/article25378028.ece   Introduction: Recently, the debate over independence functioning of RBI has been one of the hot topics. The contention is mainly about RBI seeking more power to control bad loans, regulating banking actions including powers to remove chairmen, directors or CEOs of state owned banks. Both the Government and the RBI… Continue reading “The autonomy for the central bank, within the framework of the RBI Act, is an essential and accepted governance requirement”. Examine where does RBI stand in terms of autonomy? (150 Words/ 10 Marks)

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