Q.1 Based on their geological age, present a brief account of the classification and distribution of coal reserves in India. Also, discuss the ongoing stress in the coal sector in India. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Present a brief introduction about the coal reserves in India, also highlight its significance. Present the twofold classification of coal reserves in India based on their geological age. Explain the distribution of coal reserves in India. Highlight the reasons for present stress in the coal sector. Conclude accordingly.

Q.4 Bring out the differences between the ethical issues faced by government and private institutions and the reasons therein. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly explain in introduction why ethical issues arise in an organisation. Explain the difference between the ethical issues faced by both institutions – public and private, along with the reasons. Conclude accordingly.

Q.2 To safeguard and uphold the freedom of speech and expression in India, it is imperative to adequately reform colonial laws that curtail free speech. Discuss. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly discuss the infringement of freedom of speech and expression in India. Write the issues related to colonial laws in this context. Mention some reforms needed to safeguard and uphold freedom of speech and expression in India. Conclude on a balanced note.

Q.1 Give an account of the deposits of different types of minerals found in the ocean relief across the world. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly highlight the different locations in oceans where minerals can be found. Give an account of the deposits of different minerals found in different types of ocean relief across the world. Conclude on the basis of above points.

Q.3 Cyber attacks may be a relatively new phenomenon, but in a short time frame have come to be assessed as dangerous as terrorism. In context of this, examine the reasons that make cyber attack a persistent threat and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/taking-a-byte-out-of-cyber-threats/article38414892.ece/amp/ In the introduction,mention recent incidents of cyber attacks. In the body, mention reasons such as lack of clarity about threat, lack of of proactive nature in threat perception etc. In the suggestions, mention derailed study of attacks, using latest softwares updates, use of Zero Trust Model etc. Conclude by mentioning the need… Continue reading

Q.2 “There is great synergy between the US desire to empower allies and partners as they take on regional leadership roles themselves and India’s ambition to play a larger role in the Indo-Pacific”. Comment. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-significance-of-the-indo-pacific-for-india-7774066/lite/ In the intro, mention India’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific. In the body mention India’s salience in thr US’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Also mention increasing trade and defence trade relations with the regional countries. Conclude by mentioning the need for stronger national capability and regional engagement.

Q.4 “Never do anything against the conscience even if the state demands it.” In this context, discuss the role of conscience in taking ethical decisions in administration. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by giving definition of conscience. Highlight the role of conscience in making ethical decisions. Give examples of a few scenarios where a state’s action may be unethical and how conscience can help in ethical decision making. Conclude appropriately

Q.1 What are the major lithospheric plates? How and why do these plates move? (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Explain what lithosphere and lithospheric plates are, with examples. Explain the reason for movement of these plates and its mechanism. Conclude by briefly mentioning the effect of plate movement on the Earth’s crust.

Q.4 Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri’s life exemplifies value-driven public service of the highest order. What are the values one can learn from his life to be a good citizen and a good administrator? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Give a brief introduction on Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. Discuss events from his life which exemplify value-driven public service. Conclude accordingly.

Q.3 Examine how agriculture in India impacts the environment? Suggest the way forward for reducing the impact. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/for-climate-smart-agriculture-cop26-budget-7771379/ In the intro, mention 2070 carbon neutrality target set by India. In the body, mention that agriculture contributes 73% of India’s methane emissions, also mention that agriculture emits 408 MMT of carbon-dioxide equivalent. In the next part, mention the role of paddy cultivation in GHG emissions. Also elaborate on the policies such… Continue reading

Q.2 What are the issues with the state laws making reservations for the domicile of state in the private jobs? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/local-job-laws-that-raise-constitutional-questions/article38409582.ece In the intro, mention the acts or bills for the reservation local in Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand. In the body, mention the issues with such laws such as violation of articles 19, and 16 and violation of 50% limit set by the Supreme Court. Next, mention the economic implications, increase in… Continue reading

Q.1 There exists a wide gap between the constitutionally professed secularism and its practice in India. Do you agree? Substantiate with relevant arguments. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Explain the meaning of the term “secularism” in the Indian context. Mention the constitutional provisions related to secularism in India. Highlight the misuse/abuse of the principle. Conclude appropriately.

Q.4 You are working as the Head of Ethics and Compliance in a big mobile manufacturing company that is known for its innovation and quality products. Both the customers and the shareholders are pleased with the performance of the company as they get value for their money and high returns on their investments respectively. Tin is a major component in the products manufactured by your company. It was recently brought to your attention that workers – many of them children – are working in unsafe conditions, digging tin out by hand in mines prone to landslides that could bury them alive. About 70% of the tin used in smartphones manufactured by the company comes from these more dangerous, small-scale mines. The company defends its practices by saying it only has so much control over monitoring and regulating its component sources. The justification advanced of its sourcing practices is that it is a complex process, with tens of thousands of miners selling tin, many of them through middle-men or third-party contractors. Based on the above case, answer the following questions: (a) What are the ethical issues in the above case? (b) Can customers of the company be expected to take into account such practices before buying any product of the company? (c) If the management were to seek your opinion on the matter, what course of action will you suggest? (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Present an introduction by encapsulating the broad theme of the case study. Highlight the ethical issues that are involved in the case. Explore the options available to you as the Head of Ethics and Compliance of the company. With your reasoning, present the course of action that you would choose. Conclude appropriately.

Q.3 The decision to grow a particular crop by a farmer is affected by various factors other than the yield of a crop. Discuss this statement and assess the need for bringing a change in the cropping pattern in India. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly write about the concept of cropping pattern. Write about various factors which affect the decision of a farmer to grow a particular crop. Explain why the present cropping pattern in India needs to be changed. Conclude accordingly.

Q.2 Reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) has not translated into corresponding increase in women’s representation in India’s state legislatures. Bringing out the reasons for the same, discuss how under-representation of women in the state legislatures can be corrected. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Mention some statistics related to women’s representation in state legislatures in India. Mention the reasons for low representation. Highlight the steps that can be taken in this regard. Conclude accordingly.

Q.1 Regional movements are often conservative in orientation, supported by traditional social classes and religious groups and oppose social change imposed by modernity. Critically discuss in the context of India. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly explain the concept of regionalism. With the help of various examples, show how the regional movements are conservative in their orientation. Discuss the positive aspects of regionalism in brief. Conclude accordingly.

Q.4 “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” – Desmond Tutu. What does this quote mean to you? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly describe the statement in your own words. Give reasoning along with adequate examples to support the statement. Conclude accordingly.

Q.3 Indian Railways has suffered from chronic under-investment, which has adversely impacted key areas of its operations. In this context, discuss the challenges faced by the railways in speedy creation of infrastructure. Also, mention the steps taken by the government in this regard. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Introduce by highlighting the issue of under investment in the Indian railways. Enlist the challenges faced in speedy creation of railway infrastructure. Mention the steps taken by the government in this regard. Conclude by giving a way forward.

Q.2 What are the issues with opinion polls in India? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction, mention the repeated demand for ban on opinion polls. In the body, mention issues such as biased nature of polls, manipulation, lack of information about polls, which results in lack of free and fair elections, and also undue influence. In the way forward mention setting up an independent regulator, self-regulation… Continue reading

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.

Your better version awaits you!