đź’ĄUPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship Aug Batch
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Q.3 Where does India stands in terms of spending on R&D? Why spending on R&D is important? Suggest the measures to increase it. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/unesco-stats-on-global-expenditure-on-r-d-7775626/ In the intro, mention India’s low spending on GDP. In the body mention importance of spending on R&D.  In the next part, mention provisions in Budget and role of private sector etc. Conclude by mentioning the need to increase spending on R&D.

Q.2 What makes Myanmar significant for India? What should be India’s approach towards the situation in Myanmar? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/myanmar-military-tookover-government-a-year-ago-7775644/ In the intro, mention coup by the military in Myanmar. In the body, mention India’s balance towards the situation in Myanmar. Next, mention declining popular support to military regime, insurgency at India-Myanmar border, China’s influence etc. In India’s approach mention need to recognise declining support for Army, focusing on relations with PDFs.… Continue reading Q.2 What makes Myanmar significant for India? What should be India’s approach towards the situation in Myanmar? (10 Marks)

Q.3 Corporate governance in India suffers from several structural issues. In the context of this, examine the issues with the selections process of the board members and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-red-pen-moment-for-corporate-governance/article65071168.ece In the intro, mention the recent NSE affair. In the body, mention issues with the selection process as it is done by the top management, next mention the issue of lack of penalties if the directors do not live up to their mandate. In the suggestions mention that top management must be… Continue reading Q.3 Corporate governance in India suffers from several structural issues. In the context of this, examine the issues with the selections process of the board members and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2 “As diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine continue, the time has come for Delhi to devote greater attention to Central Europe. It must come to terms with its growing strategic significance.” Discuss. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-russia-ukraine-vladimir-putin-joe-biden-emmanuel-macron-7784498/ In the intro, mention the Ukraine-Russia crisis. In the body, mention India’s diplomatic balancing act on the crisis and the need for the review of Delhi’s stakes in European security and elevate the importance of Central Europe in India’s geopolitical calculus as it deals with aggressive China and counter seeks to play… Continue reading Q.2 “As diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine continue, the time has come for Delhi to devote greater attention to Central Europe. It must come to terms with its growing strategic significance.” Discuss. (10 Marks)

Q.3 Electricity prices vary not just among end-users, but also between states due to the complex patchwork of different taxes and subsidy regimes. What are the implications of this for unequal development among the states? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/on-an-equal-footing/article65068161.ece In the intro, mention the disparity of income among the states. In the body mention that the price and quality of power plays an important role in investment and industrialisation and high-income states get the edge on that count. In the suggestions mention eliminating the price discrimination by synchronizing all the grids. Next… Continue reading Q.3 Electricity prices vary not just among end-users, but also between states due to the complex patchwork of different taxes and subsidy regimes. What are the implications of this for unequal development among the states? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2 France, which had sought strategic autonomy within the framework of its alliance with the US, and India, which has valued independent foreign policy, are natural partners in building the new coalitions for an uncertain era. Comment. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-significance-of-eu-india-partnership-in-the-indo-pacific-france-7782871/ In the intro, mention strategic partnership between the two countries from 1998 which is emblematic of the convergence of the views on a range of issues. In the body mention how France and India both maintained an independent foreign policy and seek to be important players in the changing global order. Mention… Continue reading Q.2 France, which had sought strategic autonomy within the framework of its alliance with the US, and India, which has valued independent foreign policy, are natural partners in building the new coalitions for an uncertain era. Comment. (10 Marks)

Q.4 In India, there exists a huge gap between demand for organ transplants and available donors, both living and cadaver. Besides a lack of awareness on organ donation, the rise of non- communicable and lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes have led to increased instances of organ failure, in turn putting even more pressure on the demand for vital organs. According to reports, an estimated four lakh people die in India every year waiting for an organ transplant. Other than the legal and administrative issues, there are various ethical issues related to organ donation and transplantation in India. Provide an account of these ethical issues in detail. Also, discuss how the gap between demand and supply of organs in India can be closed. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Give a brief overview of organ donation and transplantation in India. Discuss the various ethical issues and concerns related to organ donation in India. Mention the measures that can be taken to address the gap between demand and supply of organs in India. Conclude on the basis of the above points.

Q.3 What are the reasons for India terminating bilateral investment treaties? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/is-india-recalibrating-its-approach-towards-fta-negotiations/articleshow/87599925.cms?from=mdr In the intro, mention the recent signing of FTA with UAE. In the body, mention reasons such as India’s loss in disputes due to liberal interpretations, conditions unfavourable to India etc. In the suggestions, mention need to focus on bilateral treaties, specific terms in treaties etc. Conclude by mentioning the need to… Continue reading Q.3 What are the reasons for India terminating bilateral investment treaties? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2 India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy strong bonds of friendship which are founded on millennia-old cultural, religious and economic intercourse between the two regions. In the context of this, elaborate on the significance of the relationship for India. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/etching-a-trade-line-to-bond-beyond-oil/article65059117.ece In the intro, mention the emergence of the UAE as an important economic hub. In the body, mention bilateral relations from 1972. Both countries have signed many bilateral agreements such as cultural cooperation agreement, double taxation avoidance treaty, mutual legal assistance treaty etc. trade and defence relations etc. Conclude by mentioning the… Continue reading Q.2 India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) enjoy strong bonds of friendship which are founded on millennia-old cultural, religious and economic intercourse between the two regions. In the context of this, elaborate on the significance of the relationship for India. (10 Marks)

Q.3 What is DeFi (Decentralised Finance)? What are the implications of levying high tax on gains made from the transfer of cryptocurrencies and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/after-the-budgets-crypto-signal-india-awaits-reforms/article65055762.ece In the intro, mention 30% flat tax rate on gains from crypto and NFTs. In the body, explain DeFi and implications of high tax on gains from crypto which can provide a fillip to DeFi and reluctance to convert crypto into rupee, increase in technology-based innovation etc. Conclude by mentioning the need… Continue reading Q.3 What is DeFi (Decentralised Finance)? What are the implications of levying high tax on gains made from the transfer of cryptocurrencies and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)? (10 Marks)

Q.2 Politicians and economists have a love-hate relationship; they can’t do without each other. In the context of this examine the issues with policymaking in India and why the role of the domain expert is important in policymaking today. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/political-input-in-policy-making-for-india-7777204/ In the intro, mention the emphasis on policy continuity in the budget this year. In the body, mention the challenges in policymaking as an interplay between the experts and the politicians, this is more prominent in the case of economic policies. In the next part mention the important role of experts in… Continue reading Q.2 Politicians and economists have a love-hate relationship; they can’t do without each other. In the context of this examine the issues with policymaking in India and why the role of the domain expert is important in policymaking today. (10 Marks)

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