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What is the mandate and structure of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) of the UN? How has the nature of UN peacekeeping operations changed over the years? How can the operations be made more effective? (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Recently, the Indian Army contingent was awarded United Nations Medal for “selfless service”. The contingent is part of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in South Sudan. At the same time, in 2018, UN secretary general submitted an ambitious blueprint for the consideration of the UN general assembly to restructure the… Continue reading What is the mandate and structure of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) of the UN? How has the nature of UN peacekeeping operations changed over the years? How can the operations be made more effective? (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

What do you mean by stateless society? What are the political and social principles of stateless society? What is the role of state in stateless society and how it is different from modern society? (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Main idea of the question: The societies which have no formal agency of social control such as no rigid boundary, no bureaucracy, no fixed ideology, have oral tradition, simple economy and single person holds several powers like religious, economical, political etc. are main characteristics of stateless society. Roles played by state in stateless… Continue reading What do you mean by stateless society? What are the political and social principles of stateless society? What is the role of state in stateless society and how it is different from modern society? (250 Words/ 15 Marks)

Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter-productive for the organisation. Discuss. (150 words/10 marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Explain about discipline and show some benefits of it on individuals’ life. However, discipline in general is suppression of basic desire, wish and want and hence excessive suppression of personal desires may become counter-productive. Mention what excessive ban on personal desires can lead to with examples. Conclude with the balanced points showing the… Continue reading Discipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter-productive for the organisation. Discuss. (150 words/10 marks)

What do you understand by ‘convective storms’? Why are they climatically atypical?(250 words/15 marks)

Mentors Comment: In the first part of the question, the requirement is simple: Describe what is convective storms and what are its basic characteristics. In the second part, you have to describe how convective storms are unlike other climatic phenomenons (Because of unpredictability and nature) and how it affects things on Earth. Discuss the effects… Continue reading What do you understand by ‘convective storms’? Why are they climatically atypical?(250 words/15 marks)

What do you mean by anti-defection law? Do you think it protects defector more instead preventing defections? Give argument in favour of suitably amending the said law. (150 words/10 marks)

Mentor’s Comment: Define and explain about Anti-Defection Law. What was the aim behind incorporating it. It was enacted in 52nd Amendment Act 1985 to maintain the political stability in Parliament. However, it has been observed that in some instances it protects the defectors because of impartial decision making, lack of legal knowledge in presiding officer… Continue reading What do you mean by anti-defection law? Do you think it protects defector more instead preventing defections? Give argument in favour of suitably amending the said law. (150 words/10 marks)

Discuss the Key features of the Mughal Paintings? How did it reflected the contemporary socio-cultural and political realities? (150 words/10 marks)

Mentors Comment: Quite straightforward question and these types of questions are common in the Art and Culture section. The requirements of the questions are clearly depicted and the key words are not hidden. There will be two parts of the answer. First dealing with key features of the Mughal paintings and second discussing the reflection… Continue reading Discuss the Key features of the Mughal Paintings? How did it reflected the contemporary socio-cultural and political realities? (150 words/10 marks)

Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example. (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: Define Conflict of Interest (CoI) or bring essence of it in own/easy words. Show the reason(s) for its arising and how it takes advantages/priorities over public interest and official duties. Show the ways to resolve Conflict of Interest especially in administration. Add Conclusion by mentioning some legal way which India follows in order… Continue reading Conflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) official duties, (b) public interest, and (c) personal interest are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example. (150W/10M)

Stubble burning seriously affects the environment very badly causing serious health hazards in people. What do you mean by stubble burning and what are its effects on environment? What measures should be taken by the Government to persuade farmers not to follow this practice? Discuss. (250W/15M)

Sources: Stubble Burning – A threat to the environment? https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/up-in-the-air/article25099646.ece Model Answer: Stubble Burning: Stubble burning is the deliberate setting fire to the crop residue that remains after wheat, paddy and other grains have been harvested. The carbon (C) component in stubbles is lost by burning and that the process of burning stubbles even occasionally, seriously affects the… Continue reading Stubble burning seriously affects the environment very badly causing serious health hazards in people. What do you mean by stubble burning and what are its effects on environment? What measures should be taken by the Government to persuade farmers not to follow this practice? Discuss. (250W/15M)

Do you think Article 35A should be abolished? Critically comment. (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: The question is very much in trending now a day and is much in debate. The approach of this question is simple, however, the question demands criticism hence, the one need to criticize whatever the points is being mentioned. First and foremost is the introduction. It should mention about the article 35A, the… Continue reading Do you think Article 35A should be abolished? Critically comment. (150W/10M)

Discuss the similarities & differences between Dravida type of architecture and Vesara type of architecture? (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: This is a straightforward question, where all you have to do is explain the similarities and differences between the Dravida and Vesara type of architecture. In the introduction, explain the two forms of architecture one by one. Then in the main body, under the subheading “similarities between the two types of architecture” explain… Continue reading Discuss the similarities & differences between Dravida type of architecture and Vesara type of architecture? (150W/10M)

Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify. (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: Mention about India’s economical development linked with social enhancements. Bring evidence of the distribution of benefits have not been equitable and the possible reasons for the same. The reason is equally important here. Mention the problems in governance system and ethical crisis in serving people. Conclude with some positive measures taken by the… Continue reading Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify. (150W/10M)

Critically examine the failures and achievements of Demonetization in its second year. How far do you think it has been successful in its aims and aspirations? (250W/15M)

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/what-has-pm-modi-done-to-fight-black-money-an-explainer/story/280890.html?utm_source=recengine&utm_medium=WEB&referral_sourceid=259476&referral_cat=Economy-Politics Model Answer: Introduction: Demonetization in simple term is withdrawal of a particular form of currency (Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes in Indian context) from circulation. It is the act of stripping a currency unit of its status as legal tender. In this, the current form or forms of money is pulled… Continue reading Critically examine the failures and achievements of Demonetization in its second year. How far do you think it has been successful in its aims and aspirations? (250W/15M)

It is commented that Pressure groups tend to empower the already powerful. Thus, they increase rather than reduce political inequality. Do you agree with this view. Critically discuss? (150W10M)

Mentors Comment: The language of the question is one sided but you have to critically discuss the issue. Present both sides of the arguments. Start with intro of PGs and their methodology. Give examples of some PGs in India like trade, agriculture, students and education related PGs. Next in the answer, discuss how PGs strive… Continue reading It is commented that Pressure groups tend to empower the already powerful. Thus, they increase rather than reduce political inequality. Do you agree with this view. Critically discuss? (150W10M)

Account for the failure of the Indian Powers in resisting British Imperialism. (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: The question is very basic, simple and straight forward and a fair knowledge of British accession of India will help in developing good points in this topic. However, the answer must contain the following context. Mention how major Indian power got subjugated by the British added by Indian kings expansionist policy, lack of… Continue reading Account for the failure of the Indian Powers in resisting British Imperialism. (150W/10M)

One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example. (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: Explain the value of integrity and what it leads into a person with example. Mention what integrity helps a person to be. Mention example of a person with highest integrity like Ashok Khemka, Mahatma Gandhi etc. Mention what compromising with integrity will lead to by supplying example. And conclude with showing its utmost… Continue reading One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example. (150W/10M)

Resource distribution is a key factor influencing its price. Justify this statement in the context of contemporary crude oil prices. (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: The intro will talk about the uneven nature of resource distribution on earth. Establish the relation between input prices and economic development. Generally link the price of a resource with its abundance. Give examples. Then talk about oil. Highlight its importance in economic development and talk about the current price spike. Stress on… Continue reading Resource distribution is a key factor influencing its price. Justify this statement in the context of contemporary crude oil prices. (150W/10M)

Why the Government of India Act of 1858 is also known as the Act of Good Governance? Mention some of its provisions to support your statement(s). (150W/10M)

Mentor’s Comment: The question is basic and deserves the knowledge of history of constitutional development in India. Britishers policies were very exploitative before 1858 as India was ruled by EIC directly. So EIC’s exploitative policies made the law and order situation worse in historical times. Plundering of resources was at its peak by the officers… Continue reading Why the Government of India Act of 1858 is also known as the Act of Good Governance? Mention some of its provisions to support your statement(s). (150W/10M)

Multiculturalism is before anything else a theory about culture and its value. Suggest approaches to further reinforce India’s multiculturalism? (150W/10M)

Mentor’s comment: This question technically has two parts. One it is asking how multiculturalism is a theory in itself for preserving its culture and values. Second it wants steps to further reinforce multiculturalism so the first part will be crucial in building second part and conclusion as well. Define Multiculturalism and explain how it preserves… Continue reading Multiculturalism is before anything else a theory about culture and its value. Suggest approaches to further reinforce India’s multiculturalism? (150W/10M)

Ethics Case Study: You are the DM of a district. The education and health inspector of the region has submitted a report which stated that the local goons and people of the so called higher caste are not allowing ASHAs and school teachers to provide facilities to the downtrodden people. They sell the education and health kits in open market and even sarpanch is not able to take action due to social boundations. 1. What will be your course of action? Evaluate each with respective merits and demerits. (250W/15M)

Mentor’s Comment: In Ethics, Case Study is an important part and practicing more and more case studies will sharpen the ideas and knowledge about Ethics more. This section approaches the practical aspects of aspirants and determines their level of creative thinking ability and behaviour based on the existing practical norms. Further use of various ethical… Continue reading Ethics Case Study: You are the DM of a district. The education and health inspector of the region has submitted a report which stated that the local goons and people of the so called higher caste are not allowing ASHAs and school teachers to provide facilities to the downtrodden people. They sell the education and health kits in open market and even sarpanch is not able to take action due to social boundations. 1. What will be your course of action? Evaluate each with respective merits and demerits. (250W/15M)

Highlighting the water-stressed regions of India, discuss how reforming agriculture will go a long way in ensuring water security in India. (250W/15M)

Mentors Comment: Understand the requirement of the question question: what is water scarcity that India is facing for introduction and some data point like niti aayog’s report  or NABARD survey highlights etc; while highlighting the regions that face this challenge, discuss what are the reason for water scarcity through agriculture and their implications; in the… Continue reading Highlighting the water-stressed regions of India, discuss how reforming agriculture will go a long way in ensuring water security in India. (250W/15M)

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