đź’ĄUPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship Aug Batch
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Q.2 Has the first-past-the-post system polarised Indian politics? What are the advantages of this system and suggest ways to deal with the issues with the system. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/has-the-first-past-the-post-system-polarised-indian-politics/article36127365.ece In the intro, briefly explain the system. In the body, mention how the working of the system in which the candidate getting the highest votes is declared a winner and the other votes turn out to be ineffective. How this could encourage polarisation. In the advantages of the system, mention its simplicity. In the suggestions… Continue reading Q.2 Has the first-past-the-post system polarised Indian politics? What are the advantages of this system and suggest ways to deal with the issues with the system. (10 Marks)

Q.1 Giving a brief account of distribution of cotton textile industry in India, identify the factors responsible for localization of this industry in Ahmedabad–Mumbai–Pune region. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Give a brief introduction about the cotton textile industry in India. Give an account of distribution of the cotton textile industry in India. Discuss the different geographical/non-geographical factors responsible for the localization of this industry in Ahmedabad–Mumbai–Pune region. Conclude suitably.

Q.3. How Automated Facial Recognition Systems work? What are the issues with the National Automated Facial Recognition System in India? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-ugly-face-of-a-crime-fighting-move/article36088138.ece In the intro, mention that India has approved the NAFRS in India/ In the body, explain the working of the system based on facial matching and the use of AI. In the next part, mention the issues such as intrusiveness, the threat of racial profiling and biases, privacy concerns, data protection concerns, lack… Continue reading Q.3. How Automated Facial Recognition Systems work? What are the issues with the National Automated Facial Recognition System in India? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2 What are the doctrines followed in international law for the recognition of the government of the State? What should be India’s approach towards recognising Taliban government in Afghanistan? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-legal-challenges-in-recognising-the-taliban/article36087236.ece In the intro, mention the takeover of the Afghanistan government by the Taliban and legal challenges in recognising it. In the body mention the two doctrines: effectiveness and legitimacy used for international recognition of the government. In India’s approach mention the need for developing policy that makes it possible to deal with… Continue reading Q.2 What are the doctrines followed in international law for the recognition of the government of the State? What should be India’s approach towards recognising Taliban government in Afghanistan? (10 Marks)

Q.3 The frequency of devastating cyclones is increasing, with increasing consequences for India. In light of this, examine the impact of cyclones and suggest the long term measures to deal with them. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/tauktae-yaas-and-planning-for-the-next/article36067714.ece In the intro, mention the rising frequency of cyclones on both the coasts with the latest being Tauktae and Yass. In the body, mention India’s vulnerability and economic costs inflicted by the cyclones and suggest measures such as warning systems, resilient structures, coordination between the states and the centre etc. Conclude by… Continue reading Q.3 The frequency of devastating cyclones is increasing, with increasing consequences for India. In light of this, examine the impact of cyclones and suggest the long term measures to deal with them. (10 Marks)

Q.2 Indian lawmaking is in the need of more scrutiny and less speed. Comment. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/parliament-session-lawmaking-indian-government-7467454/ In the intro, mention the disruptions in the Parliament’s latest session and its impact on functioning. In the body, mention the issues facing lawmaking process in India. First is lack of scrutiny of the laws being passed at various levels including by Parliamentary committees, next mention the misuse of the ordinance route.… Continue reading Q.2 Indian lawmaking is in the need of more scrutiny and less speed. Comment. (10 Marks)

Q.3 Borrowers in the country have been underserved because of the preference for collateralized loans. How the account aggregator framework announced by the RBI seeks to deal with the problems faced by borrowers and lenders? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/account-aggregators-could-help-the-country-democratize-credit-11629650315764.html In the intro, mention the preference for collateralized loans in India. In the body, mention the challenges faced by lenders in determining the creditworthiness of the customers and issues with the cash-flow based methods. Next, mention the important role account aggregators could play in this regard by offering to deal with the… Continue reading Q.3 Borrowers in the country have been underserved because of the preference for collateralized loans. How the account aggregator framework announced by the RBI seeks to deal with the problems faced by borrowers and lenders? (10 Marks)

Q.2 The Constitution no doubt contemplates a hierarchy of jurisdictions, but no judge, acting within her jurisdiction, is “inferior” or “subordinate”. In light of this, examine the implications of the use of the term for the judiciary and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- In the intro, mention the use of the expression “subordinate courts” used by Part VI, Chapter 6, of the Constitution of India. In the body, mention the use of the word subordinate and its implications for the independence of the judiciary as a basic structure of the Constitution. Mention the power of superintendence of… Continue reading Q.2 The Constitution no doubt contemplates a hierarchy of jurisdictions, but no judge, acting within her jurisdiction, is “inferior” or “subordinate”. In light of this, examine the implications of the use of the term for the judiciary and suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q. 4 A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in a prestigious chemical industry. She likes the work. The salary is also good. However, after a few months she accidentally discovers that a highly toxic waste is being secretly discharged into a river nearby. This is causing health problems to the villagers downstream who depend on the river for their water needs. She is perturbed and mentions her concern to her colleagues who have been with the company for longer periods. They advise her to keep quite as anyone who mentions the topic is summarily dismissed. She cannot risk losing her job as she is the sole bread-winner for her family and has to support her ailing parents and siblings. At first, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping quiet, why should she stick out her neck. But her conscience pricks her to do something to save the river and the people who depend upon it. At heart she feels that the advice of silence given by her friends is not correct though she cannot give reasons for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeks your advice. (a) What arguments can you advance to show her that keeping quiet is not morally right? (b) What course of action would you advice her to adopt and why? (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Provide a brief introduction of the case-study. Analyze why keeping quiet is not morally right Mention the steps you can advice to be taken by her in the scenario, with reasons. Conclude appropriately.

Q.3 Why the bond market in India is nowhere near equities in breadth, depth or innovation. What are the factors responsible for this? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/indian-bond-trading-is-in-need-of-better-market-making-11629389415171.html In the intro, mention the lack of depth in the bond market as compared to the equity market. In the body, mention the issues with the bond that separates them from the shares of companies such as different coupon rates different maturity periods and different prices in changing interest rate environments. In the… Continue reading Q.3 Why the bond market in India is nowhere near equities in breadth, depth or innovation. What are the factors responsible for this? Suggest the way forward. (10 Marks)

Q.2 What are the provisions for punishing the Rajya Sabha member for misconduct inside and outside the House? Is there a need for improvement in the provisions? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/how-are-rajya-sabha-members-punished-for-misconduct-in-the-house-7463546/ In the intro, mention the recent incident in Rajya Sabha in which security personnel had been allegedly assaulted by some MPs. In the body, mention the provisions and powers with the chairman of the House to conduct the business of the House in order and provisions for punishing the member of a… Continue reading Q.2 What are the provisions for punishing the Rajya Sabha member for misconduct inside and outside the House? Is there a need for improvement in the provisions? (10 Marks)

Q.4 You have recently been posted as a District Development Officer in a traditionally rural area that has seen rapid economic development in the past few years. You notice that there is a huge disparity between the number of male and female children in the area. When you go to the hospital and check the birth registry, you realise that registered new-born babies are mostly males. On further investigation, you notice a similar pattern in the village primary school, which has more male students than females. When you raise the issue with your colleagues, they ignore it and carry on with their work. You suspect that the practice of female foeticide may be entrenched in the area as you had read about the issue in the context of this state while studying for the Civil Services Examination. It seems to you that respected members of the community like doctors, politicians and government officials have chosen to ignore the issue, given the prevalence of patriarchy and mind-set of voters in the area. Thus, despite rapid economic development, preference for male child continues to persist. Based on the information above, answer the following: (a) Do you have any ethical duty in this scenario? Justify your views. (b) What would be your next steps and why? (20 Marks)

Mentor’s Comments- Provide a brief introduction of the case-study. Discuss whether you have any ethical duty in the scenario with justification. Mention the steps to be taken by you in the scenario, with reasons. Conclude appropriately.

Q.3 What are the issues with the arbitration in India? What are the steps taken to make India arbitration-friendly jurisdiction? (10 Marks)

Mentor’s comment- https://www.economist.com/business/2020/12/12/why-more-indian-business-disputes-are-settled-elsewhere https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/amazon-future-retail-reliance-7461671/ In the intro, mention the figures about Indian business disputes being settled in the jurisdiction outside India. In the body, mention the importance of an arbitration-friendly environment in the country and mention the steps taken in this direction including the role played by the judiciary and amendments made in the Indian… Continue reading Q.3 What are the issues with the arbitration in India? What are the steps taken to make India arbitration-friendly jurisdiction? (10 Marks)

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