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Q.3 As the prospects of the government’s borrowing programme getting disrupted due to high crude oil prices due to the Ukraine crisis are weighing heavily on market players. This calls for the use of unconventional tools by the RBI to minimise pressures on interest rates. In the context of this suggest the ways in which RBI can manage the borrowing programme to minimise the disruption. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/navigating-economic-uncertainties-caused-by-ukraine-war-7807512/ In the intro, mention the rising cruise oil prices due to the Ukraine crisis. In the body mention the ways in which RBI could manage the borrowing programme to reduce the disruption such as spreading the borrowing program over four quarters, reconfiguring the borrowing schedule to entice the market players, giving push… Continue reading Q.3 As the prospects of the government’s borrowing programme getting disrupted due to high crude oil prices due to the Ukraine crisis are weighing heavily on market players. This calls for the use of unconventional tools by the RBI to minimise pressures on interest rates. In the context of this suggest the ways in which RBI can manage the borrowing programme to minimise the disruption. (10 Marks)

Q.2 The increasing representation and the political participation of women in politics can strengthen the democracy in India. In the context of this, examine the trends of women’s participation and representation in politics in India and its implications for democracy. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/more-women-politics-strengthen-democracy-7805628/ In the intro, mention that in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, women’s participation exceeded that of men for the first time. In the body mention the growing women’s participation and representation in India. Mention that women currently make up 14.6 per cent of MPs in the Lok Sabha, which is a historic… Continue reading Q.2 The increasing representation and the political participation of women in politics can strengthen the democracy in India. In the context of this, examine the trends of women’s participation and representation in politics in India and its implications for democracy. (10 Marks)

Q.3 What are the challenges in achieving self-reliance in defence equipment? Also discuss the policy measures by the government in this direction.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/pain-points-in-defence-self-reliance-policy-landscape-better-than-before-but-systemic-issues-need-quick-redressal/2453513/ In the intro, mention that sanctions on Russia and India’s dependence on it for defence procurement can pose serious challenges for India. In the challenges mention technology challenges, structural issues, low fund allocation, procurement challenges etc. In the policy, measures mention the Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP) 2020 and the draft Defence Production… Continue reading Q.3 What are the challenges in achieving self-reliance in defence equipment? Also discuss the policy measures by the government in this direction.(10 Marks)

Q.2 Russia’s war in Ukraine is bound to transform the Asian nuclear landscape. Comment.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/invasion-ukraine-transform-nuclear-landscape-asia-7805611/ In the intro, mention that Ukraine agreed in 1994 to give up the nuclear weapons that it inherited from the Soviet Union in return for guarantees on Kyiv’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Clearly, those legal guarantees were no substitute for nuclear weapons. In the body, mention that there is a growing concern in… Continue reading Q.2 Russia’s war in Ukraine is bound to transform the Asian nuclear landscape. Comment.(10 Marks)

Q.1 The Marshall Plan was important in the recovery of the European states from the aftermath of the Second World War. However, it also became a crucial factor in the creation of two Europes i.e. East and West. Discuss.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Explain Marshal Plan and it objectives. Discuss its importance in the recovery of the European states from the aftermath of the Second World War. Discuss in brief how it became a crucial factor in the creation of two Europes i.e. East and West. Conclude on the basis of the above points.

Q.3 What are the aims of the “Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy 2022”. Also, examine the concerns associated with the provisions in the policy. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/draft-data-accessibility-policy-privacy-suveillance-7801714/ In the intro mention that open data improves the public oversight of the government and reduces corruption. In the body, mention that the policy seeks to harness the public sector data by governing  “all data and information created/generated/collected/archived by the Government of India” as much as, “State Governments [who] will also be free… Continue reading Q.3 What are the aims of the “Draft India Data Accessibility & Use Policy 2022”. Also, examine the concerns associated with the provisions in the policy. (10 Marks)

Q.2 India is seen as a global trendsetter in the DPI movement, having set up multiple large-scale Digital Public Infrastructures(DPI). List the various DPIs in various sectors in India. Suggest the changes needed in the non-tech layers of these DPIs. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/filling-physical-gaps-india-digital-push-7804112/ In the intro, mention how  Aadhaar and UPI have helped improve the public service delivery landscape. In the body, mention various DPIs in various sectors such as Aadhaar, DIGIT and DIKSHA. In changes needed mention design changes needed in the “non-tech” layers of community engagement and governance such as data protection, addressing digital… Continue reading Q.2 India is seen as a global trendsetter in the DPI movement, having set up multiple large-scale Digital Public Infrastructures(DPI). List the various DPIs in various sectors in India. Suggest the changes needed in the non-tech layers of these DPIs. (10 Marks)

Q.3 How fluctuation in crude oil prices affects the Indian economy? Suggest the way forward to mitigate such impacts in the future.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- In the intro, mention the commodity price shock to the economy from the Ukraine crisis. In the body mention supply shock to the economy from an increase in crude oil price that simultaneously impacts growth, inflation and the current account deficit (CAD). In the suggestions mention shift to EVs, increasing the strategic petroleum reserves,… Continue reading Q.3 How fluctuation in crude oil prices affects the Indian economy? Suggest the way forward to mitigate such impacts in the future.(10 Marks)

Q.2 What are the criteria set by the Government of India (GoI) for the definition of Economically Weaker Section (EWS)? What changes were made in the Constitution for the EWS? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/economically-weaker-sections-reservations-caste-income-7799905/ In the intro, mention the circular which guaranteed 10 per cent reservations in civil posts and services of the GoI to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the society, who were not covered under the reservation scheme for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBC). In the body… Continue reading Q.2 What are the criteria set by the Government of India (GoI) for the definition of Economically Weaker Section (EWS)? What changes were made in the Constitution for the EWS? (10 Marks)

Q.4 You are posted as Superintendent of Police (SP) in a district, which has a bustling market in the district headquarters with a high footfall. The area has traditionally been occupied by street vendors and hawkers. They form an intrinsic part of the market system in the area and derive their livelihood from it. Recently, you got reports that the policemen posted in the area harass the hawkers and also extort ‘hafta’ – a weekly bribe – from them despite complying with the laws. It has been brought to your notice that while those who comply with this arrangement are allowed to carry on with their daily operations, those who do not are being evicted from the market area. In the process of eviction, they are even physically assaulted and their saleable items are often confiscated and destroyed. As a result, some street vendors have been staging protests against the local administration in the market and have blocked the normal market passage. They have also threatened to intensify their protest over a period of time. The local police, however, has been in denial of any such wrong doings and argue that they are merely removing illegal encroachments, which were causing traffic jam in the area. In this situation, answer the following: (a) Mention the stakeholders and ethical issues involved in the case. (b) As the Superintendent of Police, what course of action would you adopt for diffusing the tensions in the area? Also, suggest some policy recommendations, which will help resolve the issues in the long-term. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly discuss the issues given in the case. Mention the stakeholders and ethical issues of the case. Highlight the course of action to be taken to diffuse the tension in the area. Suggest policy measures that can be taken to resolve the issues in the long term.

Q.3 What is SWIFT for electronic fund transfer? What would the impact on India be after Russia’s removal from the system? (10Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/de-swifting-russia-india-may-be-less-impacted-as-it-isnt-a-major-trading-partner/2449189/ In the intro, mention the sanctions against Russia. In the body, explain the functioning of the SWIFT system for electronic transfer. In the next part, mention the impact of the removal of Russia from the system. Conclude by mentioning the concerns will persist in India if more stringent Western sanctions are imposed on… Continue reading Q.3 What is SWIFT for electronic fund transfer? What would the impact on India be after Russia’s removal from the system? (10Marks)

Q.2 Discuss the global impact of anti-microbial resistance. Suggest the way forward to deal with the challenge in India. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/growing-scourge-anti-microbial-resistance-urgent-attention-7798079/ In the intro, mention the GRAM report. In the body, mention global impact as mentioned in the report. In the suggestions mention multi-pronged and multi-sectoral approach, National Action Plan for AMR,   interventions like infection control, improved diagnosis and antimicrobial stewardship etc. Conclude by mentioning the need for action on an urgent basis as postponing… Continue reading Q.2 Discuss the global impact of anti-microbial resistance. Suggest the way forward to deal with the challenge in India. (10 Marks)

Q.1 The policy of ‘Subsidiary Alliance’ helped in establishing British control over internal affairs of Indian states without incurring any direct imperial liability. Discuss. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- In the introduction, mention why Subsidiary Alliance was introduced by Lord Wellesley. Explain in detail what subsidiary alliance was and how it helped Britishers to expand their control over the Indian states. Highlight the consequences of the Subsidiary Alliance. Conclude accordingly.

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