💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship Aug Batch
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Archives: Questions

Q.2 The evolving situation has thrown up renewed challenges for India’s regional and bilateral ties with Central Asia and the Caucasus, prompting India to recalibrate its rules of engagement with the region. In this context, elaborate on India’s regional engagements. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/indias-central-asian-outreach/article37154609.ece In the intro, mention how changes in Afghanistan has thrown various challenges for India. In the body, mention visit by India External Affairs Minister to the region and visits to countries such as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Armenia. Also, mention India’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy, the significance of Chabahar port for connectivity to the… Continue reading Q.2 The evolving situation has thrown up renewed challenges for India’s regional and bilateral ties with Central Asia and the Caucasus, prompting India to recalibrate its rules of engagement with the region. In this context, elaborate on India’s regional engagements. (10 Marks)

Q.1 Enumerate the factors which are responsible for the location of the cement industry in India. Also, explain why the cement industry is mainly concentrated along the Vindhyas range. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- In the introduction, mention about the current cement production scenarios in the country and about its uneven distribution in the country. In the body, mention the various factors responsible for selection of cement industry and also mention the reason for well-developed cement sector along Vindhya Mountain range. In conclusion, provide future avenues for… Continue reading Q.1 Enumerate the factors which are responsible for the location of the cement industry in India. Also, explain why the cement industry is mainly concentrated along the Vindhyas range. (10 Marks)

Q.4 Probity is an integral part of good governance, justify. How do you find it relevant in the present circumstances? (10 marks)

Mentor’s comment- 1. In the intro, mention the current controversy involving the NCB case involving Aryan Khan. 2. In the body, mention India’s rank at 86th place. The next part mention the public service and the role of probity in governance and the philosophical basis of probity. In the present context, mention the various challenges… Continue reading Q.4 Probity is an integral part of good governance, justify. How do you find it relevant in the present circumstances? (10 marks)

Q.3 The data of the latest Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of agricultural households when normalised by their holding sizes, shows that Punjab’s ranked 11th and Haryana 15th place. In the context of this, suggest the way for the farmers in Punjab and Haryana to augment their incomes with more sustainable agriculture. (15 marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-must-greater-attention-difficult-neighbour-7590593/ 1. In the intro, mention the trends in the latest SAS of agriculture households and declining income of Punjab and Haryana on a per hectare basis. 2. In the body, mention the impact of rice cultivation and its implications for these states such as the impact on the water table, damage to… Continue reading Q.3 The data of the latest Situation Assessment Survey (SAS) of agricultural households when normalised by their holding sizes, shows that Punjab’s ranked 11th and Haryana 15th place. In the context of this, suggest the way for the farmers in Punjab and Haryana to augment their incomes with more sustainable agriculture. (15 marks)

Q.2 For Delhi, it is always about narrow political arguments with Rawalpindi and Islamabad; it is as if the people of Pakistan do not exist. The depth of the current crises in Pakistan, however, should nudge India into overcoming this entrenched indifference. Comment. (15 marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-must-greater-attention-difficult-neighbour-7590593/ 1. In the intro, mention the recent breakdown of civil-military relations in Pakistan. 2. In the body, mention that India has rarely been a decisive player in Pakistan’s internal politics. Next, mention the crises through which Pakistan is going such as strained relations between government and the military, economic crisis, militant religious… Continue reading Q.2 For Delhi, it is always about narrow political arguments with Rawalpindi and Islamabad; it is as if the people of Pakistan do not exist. The depth of the current crises in Pakistan, however, should nudge India into overcoming this entrenched indifference. Comment. (15 marks)

Q1. Coal as a fuel is often termed as a necessary evil in a country’s economic development. Comment while giving the distribution of coal reserves around the world. (10 marks)

Mentor’s comment- 1. In the intro, mention the current coal crisis and the reasons for it in brief. 2. In the body, mention the importance of coal in the country’s economic development as our power needs are heavily dependent on thermal power and its implications for climate change. In the next part, give the distribution… Continue reading Q1. Coal as a fuel is often termed as a necessary evil in a country’s economic development. Comment while giving the distribution of coal reserves around the world. (10 marks)

Q.3 India’s power landscape is dominated by thermal power plants. However, the rapid growth of variable renewable energy sources has necessitated the transition plan. In context of this, suggest the broad contours of the transition from thermal to variable renewable energy sources. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-clean-energy-transition-plan-for-india/article37131191.ece In the intro, mention share of variable renewable in total installed generation capacity. In the body, mention need for transition to renewable and suggest phasing out thermal power plants based on various factors such as age, efficiency, coal consumption etc. Conclude by mention the benefits of the transition such  reduced PM pollution,… Continue reading Q.3 India’s power landscape is dominated by thermal power plants. However, the rapid growth of variable renewable energy sources has necessitated the transition plan. In context of this, suggest the broad contours of the transition from thermal to variable renewable energy sources. (10 Marks)

Q.2 How internal democracy in political parties can influence political outcomes in a representative democracy? What are the challenges in achieving it through internal elections for leadership within the party in India. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.google.com/amp/s/indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/anti-defection-law-political-party-internal-democracy-7585654/lite/ In the intro, mention role of political parties in the representative democracy. In the body, mention how internal democracy in parties can ensure equality of representation, check on nepotism, effective leadership etc. In the challenges, mention subversion of internal institutional process, vertical consolidation of factional power, independence and quality of electorate etc.… Continue reading Q.2 How internal democracy in political parties can influence political outcomes in a representative democracy? What are the challenges in achieving it through internal elections for leadership within the party in India. (15 Marks)

Q.4 The nature of a business’s operations has a major influence on the ethical issues with which it must contend. Giving examples, discuss how business ethics is crucial in today’s world. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly explain the term business ethics. With the help of appropriate examples, explain how the nature of a business’ operations influence the ethical issues of an organization. Highlight how business ethics is crucial in the present-day world. Conclude on the basis of the above points.

Q.3 Recently, the Union home ministry’s order to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Forces (BSF) has caused the protest. Examine the factors that led to extending of jurisdiction and its implications. Also, suggest alternatives. (15 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/extending-bsfs-powers-wont-resolve-policing-problems-security-threats-7582358/ In the intro, mention the protest by the states against the order. In the body, explain the act under which the order extended the jurisdiction of the BSF and its implications such as the risk of civilian resentment, overstretching BSF, undermining the State police’s morale, issue of federalism etc. In suggestions, mention… Continue reading Q.3 Recently, the Union home ministry’s order to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Forces (BSF) has caused the protest. Examine the factors that led to extending of jurisdiction and its implications. Also, suggest alternatives. (15 Marks)

Q.2 In the last couple of years, India’s assistance to other developing countries has multiplied several times. but quality project delivery is yet to become the country’s USP. Enhancing the efficacy of India’s development cooperation endeavours has been a challenging issue for the past several decades. In light of this, examine the nature of India’s developmental cooperation and suggest the measure for proficient delivery of outcomes. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/why-india-needs-an-international-development-cooperation-agency-7582421/ In the intro, mention on average, India provides development assistance of $6.48 billion. In the body, elaborate on the form in which India’s development cooperation works such as five modalities — capacity building, concessional finance, technology sharing, grant and trade wherein duty-free and quota-free access to the Indian market is provided. In the… Continue reading Q.2 In the last couple of years, India’s assistance to other developing countries has multiplied several times. but quality project delivery is yet to become the country’s USP. Enhancing the efficacy of India’s development cooperation endeavours has been a challenging issue for the past several decades. In light of this, examine the nature of India’s developmental cooperation and suggest the measure for proficient delivery of outcomes. (10 Marks)

Q.4 You come across a report in the newspaper wherein during the drive undertaken by a Municipality to demolish dilapidated buildings one of the government servants has been assaulted publicly by the local MLA. The MLA belongs to the ruling party in the state. The MLA has blamed the official for taking bribes to illegally demolish houses, which are in good condition in the pretext of the drive to demolish dilapidated buildings. The MLA has claimed that few families were living in the houses and that the demolition drive was at the behest of some vested interests to grab the land. (a) What are the issues involved in the case in your opinion? (b) What are the options available in your view with the relevant actors to redress their concerns? (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly write the facts of the case. Write about the issues involved in the case. Identify various actors in the case and write about the options available to them to redress their concerns. Conclude appropriately.

Q.3 Explain the types of technologies and their advantages used in the manufacturing of solar cells. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-global-player-in-solar-power/article37079443.ece  In the intro, mention rapid advances made in solar power and reduction in the cost. In the body, mention various technologies used such as first-generation mono-crystalline and multi-crystalline silicon wafers, bifacial solar cells, nanocrystal and dye-sensitised solar cells, Graphene-quantum dots etc. Conclude by mentioning the need for policy support to increase the adoption and… Continue reading Q.3 Explain the types of technologies and their advantages used in the manufacturing of solar cells. (10 Marks)

Q.2 In terms of partnerships, India does not figure very prominently in the recently released “EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific”. In the context of this, examine the strategy and its implications for India. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/eu-india-and-the-indo-pacific-7580525/ In the intro, mention the release of the EU’s Indo-Pacific strategy.  In the body, mention the influence of China’s expansionism, security interest, diversification of value chains, emphasis on ASEAN, and general emphasis on economic interest. In the next part, mention India’s mention in certain parts and influence of Germany rather than France… Continue reading Q.2 In terms of partnerships, India does not figure very prominently in the recently released “EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific”. In the context of this, examine the strategy and its implications for India. (10 Marks)

Q.4 While the Right to Information Act is considered path breaking in promoting transparency and accountability, discuss why some argue that it has not been able to fully achieve its objectives. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Briefly highlight the significance of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005 and explain why it is considered a path breaking legislation. Discuss the various issues and constraints in the proper implementation of the RTI Act, 2005. Suggest measures to be taken for effective implementation and enforcement of the RTI Act in the… Continue reading Q.4 While the Right to Information Act is considered path breaking in promoting transparency and accountability, discuss why some argue that it has not been able to fully achieve its objectives. (10 Marks)

Q.3 What is the significance of livestock farming in India? Examine the impact the revised version of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Livestock Mission (NLM) will have on entrepreneurship development and breed improvement. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/improving-livestock-breeding/article37060492.ece In the intro, mention the livestock population in India. In the body, mention the important role played by livestock farming in augmenting the income of farmers and its potential for entrepreneurship development and job creation. In the next part, mention the various components of the changed schemes. Conclude by mentioning that the… Continue reading Q.3 What is the significance of livestock farming in India? Examine the impact the revised version of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Livestock Mission (NLM) will have on entrepreneurship development and breed improvement. (10 Marks)

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