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Q.2 What are the issues with death penalty sentencing in India? What are the steps taken by the Supreme Court to deal with the issue? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/supreme-court-death-penalty-criminal-justice-7974153/ In the intro, mention the Supreme Court, in Manoj & others v. State of MP, embarked on a significant attempt to reform the administration of the death penalty. In the body, mention the issues such as the crime-centric approach, breaching the framework laid down in the Bachan Singh case, unprincipled sentencing, arbitrariness and… Continue reading Q.2 What are the issues with death penalty sentencing in India? What are the steps taken by the Supreme Court to deal with the issue? (10 Marks)

Q.1 Gender discrimination against women also exists at entrepreneurial level which defeats the purpose of empowerment. Examine. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- In the introduction, talk about gender discrimination faced by women. Use data to validate. First, examine the various types of gender discrimination which exists at entrepreneurial level-  societal biases on capabilities, biases on cerebral capacities of women, familial constraints, restrained access to funds, lack of networks and mentors etc. Next, suggest some ways… Continue reading Q.1 Gender discrimination against women also exists at entrepreneurial level which defeats the purpose of empowerment. Examine. (15 Marks)

Q.4 Integrity isn’t fidelity to your beliefs. It’s fidelity to seeking the truth. Comment. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Begin by giving a definition of Integrity. In the body, write about the various dimensions of Integrity and mention how it is important to uphold the value for the purpose of the value in itself  as promoting truth and not as an aspect of one’s belief with few examples. Summarize by highlighting the… Continue reading Q.4 Integrity isn’t fidelity to your beliefs. It’s fidelity to seeking the truth. Comment. (10 Marks)

Q.3 In India, governments have drawn on budgetary resources for providing support to low-income households for augmenting their consumption of selected goods and services, and also offering incentives to support selected categories of investors and producers. What should be services and goods covered under such schemes and what should be their modes of delivery? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- –https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/punjab-govt-free-electricity-low-income-households-support-policy-7972197/lite/ -In the intro, mention the debate over various schemes in India for their nature and purpose. In the body mention need to limit subsidies and schemes to essential goods and services and also to merit goods and services. Next mention the issue of delivery of such services and goods. In case of… Continue reading Q.3 In India, governments have drawn on budgetary resources for providing support to low-income households for augmenting their consumption of selected goods and services, and also offering incentives to support selected categories of investors and producers. What should be services and goods covered under such schemes and what should be their modes of delivery? (10 Marks)

Q.2 Examine the factors responsible for the prevalence of child marriages in India. Is increasing the age at marriage a solution to the problem? (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- –https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-way-to-end-child-marriage/article65526756.ece/amp/ -In the intro, mention that the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021, fixes 21 years as the marriageable age for women. -In the body mention various factors such as social and economic responsible for the prevalence. In the next part mention the limits of success that can be achieved by increasing the… Continue reading Q.2 Examine the factors responsible for the prevalence of child marriages in India. Is increasing the age at marriage a solution to the problem? (15 Marks)

Q.1 Discuss the various implications of using digital currencies on Indian society. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Start by explaining the emerging concept of central bank digital currency (CBDC). In the body, first, in brief, write about the technology behind CBDC digital instruments – Blockchain giving rise to secure digital instruments. Next, write about potential benefits that society can accrue from CBDC- financial inclusion, the cashless society, decrease the cost… Continue reading Q.1 Discuss the various implications of using digital currencies on Indian society. (10 Marks)

Q.3 What are the factors responsible for the recent food prices spike at the global level? What are its implications for India and what should be India’s approach to deal with the food prices crisis? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/tackling-the-crisis-of-rising-global-food-prices/article65524071.ece In the body, mention the rising inflation on the global level and the contribution of food in it. In the body mention the factors such as supply disruption due to Covid-19, the Ukraine war, diversion of food for biofuel needs etc. In implications mention transmission of prices in India. In the approach… Continue reading Q.3 What are the factors responsible for the recent food prices spike at the global level? What are its implications for India and what should be India’s approach to deal with the food prices crisis? (10 Marks)

Q.2 As it seeks to expand, what are the challenges BRICS may encounter in its expansion? What should be India’s approach? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/brics-summit-expansion-china-russia-g20-international-order-7969914/ In the intro, give a brief introduction to BRICS. In the body, mention the changing geopolitical changes such as the tension between the US and China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine fueling the need for expansion. In the challenges mention the setting of criteria for expansion and countering the Chinese agenda for… Continue reading Q.2 As it seeks to expand, what are the challenges BRICS may encounter in its expansion? What should be India’s approach? (10 Marks)

Q.1 Start-ups can act as an agent of change by solving issues faced by the Indian society. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments: Start by giving context regarding the emergence of start up culture in India.  Write about how start-ups can start solving problems faced by the Indian society- poverty, higher productivity regions, urbanisation, financial inclusion, supply chains, distribution logistics, employability, retail, transport, media, healthcare and agriculture etc. Give examples to substantiate your points. Conclude by… Continue reading Q.1 Start-ups can act as an agent of change by solving issues faced by the Indian society. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Q.4 What is public morality? Is public morality at time antithetical to individual rights? Critically examine. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- In the introduction, give a simple elaboration on the concept of public morality.  In the body, write about aspects such as what is accepted within the realms of public morality, whether it is static and indestructible by quoting few examples. Influence of public morality on legislations and the changes with time such as… Continue reading Q.4 What is public morality? Is public morality at time antithetical to individual rights? Critically examine. (10 Marks)

Q.3 Why a competitive telecom market is a prerequisite for achieving India’s digital dream and why a duopoly in the sector stands to threaten that dream? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/rajat-kathuria-and-mansi-kedia-write-way-forward-5g-vodafone-idea-bsnl-jio-7968029/ In the intro, mention that India’s telecom sector has been a story of monopoly to hyper-competition to a duopoly. In the body mention the importance of competition in the telecom sector such as innovation, investment, quality of service etc. In the next part mention, the role the telecom sector has played in… Continue reading Q.3 Why a competitive telecom market is a prerequisite for achieving India’s digital dream and why a duopoly in the sector stands to threaten that dream? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2. Examine the key features of the CoWIN platform that enabled India to carry out the world’s largest vaccination drive. How the experience gained from it can be used for other immunisation programs.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-cowin-story-started-with-the-pandemic-but-it-wont-end-with-it-7956262/ In the intro, mention that CoWIN has proved itself as one of the most secure and robust platforms with minimal data input and zero risk of personal data hacks. In the body, describe the various features of the platforms such as scalability, modularity and evolvability that helped in carrying out the Covid-19 vaccination.… Continue reading Q.2. Examine the key features of the CoWIN platform that enabled India to carry out the world’s largest vaccination drive. How the experience gained from it can be used for other immunisation programs.(10 Marks)

Q.1 Hate speech is the root of many forms of violence that are being perpetrated and has become one of the biggest challenges to the rule of law and societal harmony. Examine. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Begin by defining hate speech. In the body, first, write about the impact of hate speech on society. Next, write in detail about various legal and constitutional measures that have been provided for curbing hate speech. Write about how far they have been successful or unsuccessful in achieving the desired results. Finally, write… Continue reading Q.1 Hate speech is the root of many forms of violence that are being perpetrated and has become one of the biggest challenges to the rule of law and societal harmony. Examine. (15 Marks)

Q.4 Attitude is a major determinant of an individual’s behaviour. Analyse how attitude can make or break an individual citing examples.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments: In the introduction, define attitude and behaviour. Mention the difference between attitude and behaviour.  In the body, explain how behaviour and attitude affect us and the need to adopt behaviours which are of empathy, compassion, fortitude and integrity.Cite suitable examples to substantiate your points on how attitude can be changed and that impact… Continue reading Q.4 Attitude is a major determinant of an individual’s behaviour. Analyse how attitude can make or break an individual citing examples.(10 Marks)

Q.3 What are the measures taken by the government to deal with the power crisis precipitated by the coal shortage? What are the issues with the invoking of Section 11 of the Electricity Act 2003?(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-scarcity-trap-7961344/ In the intro, mention the recent power crisis. In the body mention the factors leading to the power crisis such as the increased cost of imported coal, shortage of coal rakes, increase in peak demand in summer etc. In the body mention the measures such as increasing the limit of imported coal… Continue reading Q.3 What are the measures taken by the government to deal with the power crisis precipitated by the coal shortage? What are the issues with the invoking of Section 11 of the Electricity Act 2003?(10 Marks)

Q.2 Do you agree with the view that Rajya Sabha in India has played its intended purposes?What are the reasons for the demands to abolish it?(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment: –https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/upper-house-a-question-manish-tewari-writes-7965706/lite/ -In the intro mention the bicameral legislature in India. -In the body mention the significance of the upper House in the form of expertise it could provide and also the role it could play in avoiding hasty legislation. In the issues mention that the interests of states have not been served by… Continue reading Q.2 Do you agree with the view that Rajya Sabha in India has played its intended purposes?What are the reasons for the demands to abolish it?(10 Marks)

Q.1 What are the causes of inequality in the Indian society? Enumerate various steps that are needed ensure an equitable society. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments Begin by defining inequality and cite statistics to show  inequalities in the Indian society.  In the body, first, write about  the various reasons  for inequality  in India- historical reasons, poverty, informal employment,  lack of social security, regional  imbalances etc. Then, write  about the impact of inequality  in India. Next, write about the  steps… Continue reading Q.1 What are the causes of inequality in the Indian society? Enumerate various steps that are needed ensure an equitable society. (15 Marks)

Q.4 You are the head of a PSU, which has recently been entrusted with construction of a new airport in a metropolitan city. However, the area in the immediate neighbourhood of the proposed airport runways have large tracts of land occupied by dense slum settlements. If the airport is to be constructed, approximately 75,000 slum families will have to be humanly rehabilitated. The sheer scale of this rehabilitation, almost similar to an urban renewal, has thrown up many challenges. Foremost among these is identifying an appropriate location for rehabilitation of slum dwellers. You are faced with the following options in this regard, each of which have their own merits and demerits: (a) There is no reasonably priced land in close vicinity of the present slums. A vacant parcel of land that you have identified close-by will have to be developed afresh along with all civic amenities, and this will entail huge cost for the PSU. (b) There is another location, which is very far-off where a factory once stood. All the required civic amenities are in place here and the factory can be converted into appropriate houses at little cost to the PSU. However, there will be loss of livelihood on relocation to this area because of its distance from the current slum location. (c) There is yet another site, which can be used for rehabilitation at reasonable cost. Neither is it too far nor will it entail huge monetary cost, but exercising this option involves cutting a large number of trees, which may adversely affect the ecology of the area. This is likely to face resistance from environmental groups. Given the above options and the associated challenges, which of these sites will you choose for rehabilitation of slum dwellers? Provide adequate justification for your choice. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Give a brief background of the case and mention its stakeholders. Discuss the merits and demerits of the given options. State the site you will choose and give reasons for the same. Conclude appropriately.

Q.3 What are the challenges facing chartered accountancy in India? What are the changes introduced through the Bill for amendments to the Chartered Accountants Act,1949? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-parliamentary-bill-the-icai-needs-to-take-note-of/article65275514.ece In the intro, mention the Bill introduced in the Parliament for amendment in the Chartered Accountants Act,1949. In the body, mention the challenges such as lack of skills to succeed in the corporate world, laxity in disciplining the members, failure to keep pace with the changes in the economy, challenges from AI/ML… Continue reading Q.3 What are the challenges facing chartered accountancy in India? What are the changes introduced through the Bill for amendments to the Chartered Accountants Act,1949? (10 Marks)

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