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Q.2 India has failed to fully appreciate the usage of international law as a means to advance its national security interests. In the context of this, list the examples that demonstrate India’s failure to use an international law-friendly vocabulary to articulate its security interests and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/its-time-to-engage-in-lawfare/article37387458.ece In the intro, mention that international law covers a wide array of security issues ranging from terrorism to maritime security. In the body, mention instances such as airstrike after Pulwama attack, suspension of Most Favoured Nation status of Pakistan, deportation of Rohingya refugees, dealing with Taliban regime etc. In the suggestions, mention… Continue reading Q.2 India has failed to fully appreciate the usage of international law as a means to advance its national security interests. In the context of this, list the examples that demonstrate India’s failure to use an international law-friendly vocabulary to articulate its security interests and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.3 How Gati Shakti National Master Plan aims to upgrade India’s national infrastructure and multimodal connectivity? What are its various components? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-indias-gati-shakti-plan-can-have-an-impact-beyond-its-borders-7613836/ In the intro, mention the launch of Gati Shakti plan by the government. In the body, describe how the plan aims to upgrade national infrastructure and multimodal connectivity with the multiplier effect with Rs.100 lakh crore plan. In the components mention increase information sharing with a new technology platform between various ministries,… Continue reading Q.3 How Gati Shakti National Master Plan aims to upgrade India’s national infrastructure and multimodal connectivity? What are its various components? (10 Marks)

Q.2 Eurasia involves the recalibration of India’s continental strategy. India has certainly dealt with Eurasia’s constituent spaces separately over the decades. What Delhi now needs is an integrated approach to Eurasia. In the context of this, examine the challenges in India’s engagement with Eurasia and suggest the elements that should form part of India’s strategy towards Eurasia. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-needs-a-new-integrated-approach-to-eurasia-7613805/ In the intro, mention the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape with the assertive nature of China. In the body, mention the salience of the region for India. In the challenges mention connectivity challenge and challenges posed by China etc. In the elements of India’s strategy mention the presence of Europe in India’s continental… Continue reading Q.2 Eurasia involves the recalibration of India’s continental strategy. India has certainly dealt with Eurasia’s constituent spaces separately over the decades. What Delhi now needs is an integrated approach to Eurasia. In the context of this, examine the challenges in India’s engagement with Eurasia and suggest the elements that should form part of India’s strategy towards Eurasia. (10 Marks)

Q.1 Examine how press started by prominent Indians both in English and vernacular languages influenced the freedom struggle. Also, discuss the British reaction to this new form of Indian expression. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly mention about the start of the press and thereafter give details about the newspapers published by the Indians. Give details about the impact of press on the Freedom Struggle. Write about the acts enacted by the British Government to curb the growth and expansion of free press. Conclude appropriately.

Q.4 Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously by the family and the social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes and values are often undesirable in the citizens of a modern democratic and egalitarian society. (a) Discuss such undesirable values prevalent in today’s educated Indians. (b) How can such undesirable attitudes be changed and socio-ethical values considered necessary in public services be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- In first part, mention some undesirable values present in today’s Indians and how do they get shaped. In second part, mention role of external factors in changing such undesirable attitudes. Also mention some recommendations of 2nd ARC related to ethics in governance.

Q.3 Assess the suitability of the current laws in India to deal with the challenge of climate change? Do you agree with the view that India needs a climate law? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-right-time-for-india-to-have-its-own-climate-law/article37347796.ece In the intro, mention India’s commitment under COP26 for net-zero emissions. In the body, mention the current laws dealing with the various aspects of climate change. In the next part, mention the issues such as unique conditions in India and inadequacies in the current laws to deal with the challenges. In the… Continue reading Q.3 Assess the suitability of the current laws in India to deal with the challenge of climate change? Do you agree with the view that India needs a climate law? (10 Marks)

Q.2 The real choice for the world is not just navigating between China and the United States. It is fundamentally between an orientation that is committed to global problem-solving rather than just preserving national supremacy. Comment. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/pb-mehta-we-need-greater-global-cooperation-7611882/ In the intro, mention the new era of great power competition between the US and China. In the body, mention two dynamics that shaped the great power competition viz. global economic interdependence and common challenges fostering greater global competition. In the next part, mention the lack of cooperation among countries on Covid-19… Continue reading Q.2 The real choice for the world is not just navigating between China and the United States. It is fundamentally between an orientation that is committed to global problem-solving rather than just preserving national supremacy. Comment. (10 Marks)

Q.1 Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian Phase. Elaborate. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- In introduction, briefly state what do you understand by the Gandhian phase of national movement. In the body, discuss the role of various leaders and their movements during the Gandhian phase. You can talk about the Khilafat movement, role of Swarajists and No-changers, role of socialist leaders, role of revolutionaries, role of women… Continue reading Q.1 Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian Phase. Elaborate. (15 Marks)

Q.3 What are the challenges in arriving at definition of farmer in India? What are the implications of this? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/farmers-protest-india-farm-laws-7607697/lite/ In the intro mention the issue of various definitions of farmers in India. In the body mention various number of farmers in India arrived at by different methodologies in India. In the challenges mention selecting specific criteria and issues with it. In the next part mention policy implications such as inefficiency, difficulty… Continue reading Q.3 What are the challenges in arriving at definition of farmer in India? What are the implications of this? (10 Marks)

Q. 2 What are the challenges facing criminal justice system in India? Suggest the measures to deal with these challenges. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/what-we-need-to-fix-our-judicial-system-7607679/lite/ In the intro, mention recent issue of delay in releasing the accused after grant of bail. In the body, mention the lac of use of technology, delay in release of accused after grant of bail, application of repealed laws, lack of transparency etc. In the measures mention e-courts project and FASTER. Conclude… Continue reading Q. 2 What are the challenges facing criminal justice system in India? Suggest the measures to deal with these challenges. (10 Marks)

Q.4 You are posted as Superintendent of Police in a district. A case has come up in which more than 30 girls were allegedly raped and sexually exploited at the city shelter home run by an NGO. The scandal came to light when media flagged complaints of sexual abuse of inmates of the city shelter home. A nexus of police, politicians, administration and criminals have been allegedly responsible for the racket going on for the last few years. In light of this, a lot of protests have erupted across the city. While, on one hand, media glare has meant that people are demanding swift action, you have been asked to go slow in investigating the case by top officers in your department. Elections in the state are due in a few months, so it has become a politically sensitive issue. You are also under immense political pressure from the ruling party to not take strict action and make compromises to cover up the case. Given the situation, answer the following: (a) Identify the issues involved in the case. (b) What are the options available to you? Which of these options will you choose? Justify your stand with logical arguments. (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Bring out the ethical and legal-administrative issues involved in the case study from the stakeholder’s perspective. Discuss the various options along with their merits and demerits. Suggest your courses of action to deal with the situation along with their justifications and conclude accordingly.

Q.3 Policy differences between parties and coalitions arouse heated debates. But relatively scant attention is paid to whether the stated policy or enacted law — of any persuasion — delivered the intended outcomes/results. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the annual budget modalities followed by the Union and state governments. In light of this, examine the issues with the budget modalities. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/ensuring-that-policy-outcome-matches-the-intent-7604958/ In the intro, mention that final accounts (FA) are presented to the legislative body at the end of 18-24 months. In the body, mention the issues with modalities such as delays in presentation of FA and use of cash accounting instead of an accrual accounting and consequently amounts are held in off-balance… Continue reading Q.3 Policy differences between parties and coalitions arouse heated debates. But relatively scant attention is paid to whether the stated policy or enacted law — of any persuasion — delivered the intended outcomes/results. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the annual budget modalities followed by the Union and state governments. In light of this, examine the issues with the budget modalities. (10 Marks)

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