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Q.3 What are the special situation funds (SSFs)? How will SSF’s full participation across the entire spectrum of the secondary market for corporate debt help deal with the issue of bad debt? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-special-situation-funds-are-necessary-7821566/ In the intro, mention the issue of NPA in India. In the body, describe the SSFs. In the benefits mention liquidity, less haircut to the debtor, less provisional capital etc. Conclude by mentioning that  the introduction of SSFs promises to usher in a modern era of distressed debt investing in India.

Q.2 The incident of the accidental firing of a missile by India highlights the issues with the strategic stability regime in South Asia. Discuss the issues and suggest the measures needed? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-misfiring-and-its-trail-of-poor-strategic-stability/article65228306.ece In the intro, mention the accidental firing incident and how Pakistan reacted to it. In the body, mention the issues with strategic stability mechanism such as the absence of cruise missiles from Pre-notification agreements, no meetings on structured meetings on nuclear confidence-building measures (CBMs), refusal of China to engage in strategic stability discussions… Continue reading Q.2 The incident of the accidental firing of a missile by India highlights the issues with the strategic stability regime in South Asia. Discuss the issues and suggest the measures needed? (10 Marks)

Q.3 Examine the challenges India faces as it makes a major push to increase its presence in the semiconductor manufacturing sector. Also mention the various initiatives sponsored by the government to facilitate semiconductor manufacturing in India. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.orfonline.org/research/indias-semiconductor-pursuit/ In the intro, mention challenges created by semiconductor chip shortage in the wake of the covid pandemic. In the body, mention the challenges such as lack of technology, capital intensive nature of the industry, lack of policies for facilitating manufacturing, supply chain challenges etc. In the initiatives mention India Semiconductor Mission, allocation… Continue reading Q.3 Examine the challenges India faces as it makes a major push to increase its presence in the semiconductor manufacturing sector. Also mention the various initiatives sponsored by the government to facilitate semiconductor manufacturing in India. (10 Marks)

Q.2 How far has the United Nations succeeded in saving the world from the scourge of war? What are the challenges the UN faces in fulfilling it principles and purposes? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/fragmenting-world-order-untied-nations/article65225246.ece In the intro, mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the body mention the multiple instances of the failure of the UN to avoid or stop the conflict. In the next part, mention the challenges created by the veto of the P5 members, failure to act against the violations of UN mandate… Continue reading Q.2 How far has the United Nations succeeded in saving the world from the scourge of war? What are the challenges the UN faces in fulfilling it principles and purposes? (10 Marks)

Q.4 The core of high Emotional Intelligence is self-awareness. If you don’t understand your own motivations and behaviours, it is nearly impossible to develop an understanding of others. Discuss with the help of appropriate examples. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly define Emotional Intelligence and mention its constituents Explain the importance of self-awareness as core of high emotional intelligence. Provide appropriate examples to show that lack of self-awareness in terms of behavior and motivations is making it impossible to develop and understanding of others Conclude accordingly.

Q.3 What are the risks involved in the use of nuclear power in India? Should India consider renewable-energy technologies options against the backdrop of their reducing cost? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/shutdown-this-misguided-energy-policy/article65215060.ece In the intro, mention India’s plan for more nuclear reactors as announced in the Parliament in 2021. In the body, mention the issues such risk of accidents, high cost, high capital investment etc. In the next part, mention decreasing cost of the renewable as compared to nuclear and need to adopt them.… Continue reading Q.3 What are the risks involved in the use of nuclear power in India? Should India consider renewable-energy technologies options against the backdrop of their reducing cost? (10 Marks)

Q.2 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has placed considerable moral responsibility on India, both as one of the world’s largest countries and its most populous democracy. In the context of this, critically examine India’s abstention in the UN Security Council vote on Ukraine. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/no-ovation-for-indias-stand-on-the-war-on-ukraine/article65222135.ece In the intro, mention Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the body, examine the factors such as commitment to principles, India’s relations with Russia, India’s dependence on Russia for defence procurement, concerns with countering China, relations with the US and West etc. Conclude by mentioning that  India cannot look away from the violation… Continue reading Q.2 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has placed considerable moral responsibility on India, both as one of the world’s largest countries and its most populous democracy. In the context of this, critically examine India’s abstention in the UN Security Council vote on Ukraine. (10 Marks)

Q.4 You have recently been posted as a probationary officer in the District Magistrate’s office in a tribal district. During one of the fieldtrips, while interacting with the tribals, you come to know about a private company, established a few years back, which has transformed their lives. The company, using the traditional knowledge of tribals, had launched a series of products and provided numerous livelihood opportunities to the tribals. Upon further enquiry, you come to know that while the lives of tribals had indeed improved, the distribution of profits however, has been quite disproportionate. The company has seen a huge growth in its operations and its owners have amassed huge wealth. It is also planning to file for IPR, which may further hinder the interests of the tribals. You feel that tribals have been left short changed and there has not been an equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of their resources. When you tried to approach the Gram Sabha and voice your concerns, the tribals requested you not to intervene as they do not have any alternatives. They also argue that governments in the past have failed to protect their interests. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the different stakeholders and their interests involved in this case. (b) Present a case to convince the District Magistrate for the need of government intervention in the situation. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by giving the gist of the case study. Enumerate the stakeholders involved in the case study and their interests. In brief present a case to convince the DM for the need of government intervention in the above situation. Conclude on the basis of the above points.

Q.3 How the Phased Manufacturing Programs (PMPs) and Production Linked Incentives (PLIs) can help encourage investment in Make in India? What are the challenges in their success? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/make-trade-deals-for-make-in-india/2457320/ In the intro, mention the government’s plans to encourage manufacturing in India through Make in India program. In the body mention the provision of PMPs and PLIs and how these aims to attract investment in India. In the challenges mention the lack of BITs, challenges in providing other factors required for manufacturing,… Continue reading Q.3 How the Phased Manufacturing Programs (PMPs) and Production Linked Incentives (PLIs) can help encourage investment in Make in India? What are the challenges in their success? (10 Marks)

Q.2 The narrative of a widening strategic gap between New Delhi and Moscow has been prevalent for some time now. In the context of this, examine the areas of convergence and divergence between the two countries. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/india-russia-and-the-new-era-of-global-politics/ https://www.economist.com/asia/why-wont-indias-government-condemn-vladimir-putin/21808074?utm_medium=social-media.content.np&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=editorial-social&utm_content=discovery.content&fbclid=IwAR0vfJebt1v1G5bGYpuMHxQD_yHz0yrp7ZCAJUo6Sjm_sY7jI6_zyDDDWRc In the intro, mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine and India’s difficulty in avoiding the perception of being on the side of the aggressor. In the body, mention that strategic legacy acts as a glue between the two nations. In contemporary political issues mention India’s interests in maintaining multipolar order in… Continue reading Q.2 The narrative of a widening strategic gap between New Delhi and Moscow has been prevalent for some time now. In the context of this, examine the areas of convergence and divergence between the two countries. (10 Marks)

Q.3 India is fast becoming one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world. In the contest of this, examine the factors driving this growth and its implications for the Indian economy. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.livemint.com/economy/economic-survey-india-becomes-third-largest-startup-ecosystem-in-the-world-11643626506129.html https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/start-us-failing-society-economy-7812227/  In the intro, mention that as per the Economic Survey 2021-22, India has become the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China. In the body mention the factors such as policy measures by the government, liquidity flow in India after covid, tax incentives by the government etc.… Continue reading Q.3 India is fast becoming one of the largest startup ecosystems in the world. In the contest of this, examine the factors driving this growth and its implications for the Indian economy. (10 Marks)

Q.2 The intra- and inter-basin transfer (IBT) of water is a major hydrological intervention to rectify the imbalance in water availability. However, IBTs raises larger questions about hydrological assumptions and the use and the management of freshwater resources in India. What are such assumptions and issues with the management of freshwater resources in India? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/water-management-needs-a-hydro-social-approach/article65208277.ece In the intro, mention the National River Linking project and provision made in Budget 2022 for the Ken Betwa river link project. In the body mention the hydrological assumptions and issues such as contestation on surplus and deficit basin, capacity utilization in agriculture and industry and concerns with it, lack of use of… Continue reading Q.2 The intra- and inter-basin transfer (IBT) of water is a major hydrological intervention to rectify the imbalance in water availability. However, IBTs raises larger questions about hydrological assumptions and the use and the management of freshwater resources in India. What are such assumptions and issues with the management of freshwater resources in India? (10 Marks)

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