💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship Aug Batch
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Q.3 A shift is taking place in the business of global dominance and hegemony, from the model of expressing force through troop presence to financial sanctions. In the context of this, discuss the ways in which financial sanctions work and the dominance of the US in it.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/us-eu-sanctions-russia-7796572/ In the intro, mention the economic sanctions declared against Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. In the body, mention the ways in which sanctions play out and harm the economy of the country against which these sanctions are announced. In the next part mention the dominance of the US… Continue reading Q.3 A shift is taking place in the business of global dominance and hegemony, from the model of expressing force through troop presence to financial sanctions. In the context of this, discuss the ways in which financial sanctions work and the dominance of the US in it.(10 Marks)

Q.2 Examine the various international laws and treaties involved in the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Is the invasion justified under international laws and treaties? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/debunking-russias-international-law-justifications/article65094642.ece In the intro, mention Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the body mention the various steps taken by Russia such as recognition of the independent territories of Donetsk and Luhansk for which Russia seems to rely on the controversial theory of remedial secession, it requires a very high threshold such as severe violations of… Continue reading Q.2 Examine the various international laws and treaties involved in the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Is the invasion justified under international laws and treaties? (10 Marks)

Q.1 Though some of his early measures restored faith among the Indians in the liberal tradition of England, Lord Ripon’s tenure did not bring about significant changes in the conservative mindset of the colonial bureaucracy. Comment. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly explain the arrival of Lord Ripon in India. Mention the early measures taken by him which were liberal in nature. Establish the fact that the conservative mindset of colonial bureaucracy remained unchanged. Conclude accordingly.

Q.3 Reporting cyber security breaches is important. Yet, firms are reluctant to report the breaches. Examine the reasons for reluctance on part of the firms and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-anatomy-of-indias-ukraine-dilemma/article65090424.ece In the intro, mention the damage caused by cybercrimes to the global economy. In the body, mention the reasons for reluctance such as the impact on the reputation of the company and poor performance in the share markets. In the possible solutions mention the regular audits of the firms, certification and evaluation of… Continue reading Q.3 Reporting cyber security breaches is important. Yet, firms are reluctant to report the breaches. Examine the reasons for reluctance on part of the firms and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2 How far has the anti-defection law succeeded in dealing with the problem of defection? What are the exemption under Paragraph (4) of the Tenth Schedule. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/a-judgement-that-could-open-floodgates-to-defection-goa-assembly-7795224/ In the intro, mention the provisions under 10the schedule and loopholes exploited by the parties. Next, mention exemption in case of merger. Conclude by mentioning the need for reforms in the 10th Schedule.

Q.3 How does plastic waste harm the environment? Suggest the approaches to deal with the problem.

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/tackling-the-plastic-problem/article65090764.ece In the intro, mention the figures about the generation of plastic waste in the country. In the body mention the environmental impact of plastic pollution and suggest approaches as given in the article. Conclude by mentioning the need to take into account the social cost of the plastic pollution while taxing it.

Q.2 What are the implications of the Ukraine crisis for the West-led global order? Also elaborate on the implications for the Indo-Pacific region.(15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/inflection-point-for-the-west-led-global-order/article65084589.ece In the intro, mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the body, mention the implications of the invasion for the security architecture of Europe and the US-led NATO, also mention the disarray in the NATO  countries and the emergence of the Russia-China axis etc. Conclude by mentioning that the balance of power is… Continue reading Q.2 What are the implications of the Ukraine crisis for the West-led global order? Also elaborate on the implications for the Indo-Pacific region.(15 Marks)

Q.4 You have been recently appointed as the head of tourism department of a state in India that has many places of great historical importance. In the past few years, the state has witnessed a decrease in tourist inflow. Upon enquiry, you come to know that this decrease is largely attributed to the influence of touts and harassment of tourists, including unwanted advances and grossly overcharging them for various services. You also did a quick search about your state on leading travel advisory websites and found that it has earned a dubious reputation for being particularly unsafe for women tourists. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Do you think that such a state of affairs can be attributed to insensitivity prevailing in the society? How can the community be made more sensitive towards tourists? (b) Suggest some measures to make a quick turnaround in terms of reputation, employment generation and rebuild the reputation of the state as a safe haven for tourists. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce with a brief note on problems facing tourists in India, especially foreign tourists. Identify the key stakeholders involved. Highlight the reasons behind insensitivity towards tourists and the harassment faced by them. Chalk out a roadmap to make sure that the state sees a turnaround in terms of its reputation w.r.t. tourists.

Q.3 India faces the dual challenge of achieving nutrition security, as well as addressing declining land productivity, land degradation and loss of ecological services with change in land use. In the context of this, suggest the approach India needs to adopt toward agriculture and food system.(10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/ploughing-a-new-channel-for-indias-food-systems/article65081135.ece In the intro, mention that although India is now self-sufficient in food grains production in the macro sense, it has about a quarter of the world’s food-insecure people. In the body mention the need to move away from siloed approach of agriculture serving food security and adopting ‘food systems’ for ‘sustainability’ and… Continue reading Q.3 India faces the dual challenge of achieving nutrition security, as well as addressing declining land productivity, land degradation and loss of ecological services with change in land use. In the context of this, suggest the approach India needs to adopt toward agriculture and food system.(10 Marks)

Q.2 What are the factors responsible for the Ukraine-Russia crisis? What are the immediate geopolitical challenges for India flowing from the Russian actions in Ukraine? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/shaking-up-europes-security-architecture/article65081569.ece In the intro mention Russian aggressive actions in Ukraine. In the body, mention factors such as NATO’s expansion, Europe’s energy security, US relations with Russia etc. Also mention the challenges for India such as pressure from the strategic partners to condemn the actions of Russia, diluting focus of the US in Indo-Pacific, calibration… Continue reading Q.2 What are the factors responsible for the Ukraine-Russia crisis? What are the immediate geopolitical challenges for India flowing from the Russian actions in Ukraine? (10 Marks)

Q.3 Discuss the importance of integration of electrification requirements in development sector policy documents. What are the reasons for the lack of such integration? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-union-budget-lacks-the-power-to-transform-services/article65078007.ece In the intro, mention that the availability of reliable electricity supply can improve the delivery of health and education services. In the body, mention the reasons for the lack of integrations and the link between the delivery of service and availability of power. Conclude by mentioning the need to link the availability… Continue reading Q.3 Discuss the importance of integration of electrification requirements in development sector policy documents. What are the reasons for the lack of such integration? (10 Marks)

Q.2 India’s burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is escalating. In the context of this, suggest the issues with India’s approach in dealing with NCDs and suggest the way forward. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-reductionist-approach-to-tackling-population-health/article65077544.ece In the intro, mention the increasing prevalence of NCDs in India. In the body, mention issues in policies such as lack of population-level intervention, individualistic policy measures etc. In the suggestions mention need for a total galvanisation of different departments and sectors to the importance of population health, the push for digitisation etc.… Continue reading Q.2 India’s burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is escalating. In the context of this, suggest the issues with India’s approach in dealing with NCDs and suggest the way forward. (15 Marks)

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