💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship Aug Batch
Talk to Mentor

Archives: Questions

Discuss the factors responsible for the poor performance of the Public Sector Banks in comparison to the private banks. What can be done at the tactical and strategic levels to boost business metrics? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/psbs-must-focus-on-good-banking/2218898/ In the intro, mention the difference in the NPA figures of the PSBs and the private banks. In the body, mention various factors that lead to below-par performance such as political interference, social obligations, lack of productivity, government’s interference etc. In the suggestions mention tightening credit discipline, fast-tracking technology infrastructure to improve… Continue reading Discuss the factors responsible for the poor performance of the Public Sector Banks in comparison to the private banks. What can be done at the tactical and strategic levels to boost business metrics? 10 marks

Discuss the changes made by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Do you with the view that the amended act takes into account women’s bodily autonomy? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- The intro mention the recent passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. In the body, mention the changes made by the amendment act such as increasing the duration for termination of pregnancy and changing the term from married woman or her husband to any woman or her partner etc.… Continue reading Discuss the changes made by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2021. Do you with the view that the amended act takes into account women’s bodily autonomy? 10 marks

What is a bad bank? Discuss the proposed structure and advantages of the bad bank in the Budget FY22. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/npa-bad-loan-covid-pandemic-indian-banks-7240423/ In the intro, briefly define bad bank. In the body, discuss the structure of the proposed bad bank which involves the creation of Asset Reconstruction Company and Asset management Company, setting up of National Asset Reconstruction Company and National Asset Management Company, attracting institutional funding through strategic investors, AIFs etc. Conclude by… Continue reading What is a bad bank? Discuss the proposed structure and advantages of the bad bank in the Budget FY22. 10 marks

The steady improvement in bilateral relations with Bangladesh over the last decade can offer valuable lessons to be applied to India-Pakistan relations. In light of this, examine the factors that India and Pakistan need to focus on to achieve improvement in bilateral relations. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-pakistan-bangladesh-relations-kashmir-issue-foreign-policy-7240325/ In the intro, mention the contrast between India’s relations with two neighbours with socio-cultural similarities. In the body, mention factors that helped India and Bangladesh in deepening bilateral ties and which could be applied to India-Pakistan relations these are political stability, concerns for mutual security, depoliticising the issues of economic interests. Conclude… Continue reading The steady improvement in bilateral relations with Bangladesh over the last decade can offer valuable lessons to be applied to India-Pakistan relations. In light of this, examine the factors that India and Pakistan need to focus on to achieve improvement in bilateral relations. 10 marks

Buddhist teachings can be a good lesson in developing ethics related to use and application of Artificial Intelligence. Comment. 10 marks

Begin by elaborating the era of Artificial Intelligence and need for developing ethics related to its use. In the body mention how Buddhist teachings can show us the way in the developing ethics for the use and application of AI based solutions.The implication of this teaching for artificial intelligence is that any ethical use of… Continue reading Buddhist teachings can be a good lesson in developing ethics related to use and application of Artificial Intelligence. Comment. 10 marks

Even as India experienced one of the world’s sharpest economic contractions, it also saw the fastest growth in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows among all the major economies last year. In light of this, examine the factors that are making India an essential part of their growth story? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/doubling-down-on-a-resilient-india/article34125767.ece In the intro, mention the figures about FDI inflows in India this year. In the body, mention four factors-demographics, geopolitics, digital connectivity, resilience. Conclude by mentioning the need for India to deal with the issue of policy changes and entry barriers to foreign investors.

The Quad’s ideology of a “diamond of democracies” can only succeed if it does not insist on exclusivity in India’s strategic calculations given that India shares a special place among the Quad members when it comes to its relationship with China. Comment. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-message-in-alaska-from-washington-to-beijing/article34112177.ece In the intro mention the recently concluded first Quad Summit. In the body, mention the joint statement by the leaders at Summit that called for a region that is free, open, inclusive, healthy, anchored by democratic values. Next mention outcomes of the Summit in progress in terms of covid vaccine, climate change, critical technology.… Continue reading The Quad’s ideology of a “diamond of democracies” can only succeed if it does not insist on exclusivity in India’s strategic calculations given that India shares a special place among the Quad members when it comes to its relationship with China. Comment. 10 marks

The time has come to insist that the work women perform for the family should be valued equally with men’s work during the continuance of marriage. Do you think that women should be paid ‘salary’ for the domestic household work they perform? Debate. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Begin by mention the various nature of household services provided by women on a daily basis and how it is unpaid and not included in national income. In the body write a few stats related to unpaid nature of household work and the number of women who engage in it without any recognition… Continue reading The time has come to insist that the work women perform for the family should be valued equally with men’s work during the continuance of marriage. Do you think that women should be paid ‘salary’ for the domestic household work they perform? Debate. 10 marks

Examine the role e-commerce can play in improving the access to greater markets and opportunities to become a part of the national and global supply chains.Also, identify the challenges the e-commerce sector faces in India. 10 marks

  Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/msme-sector-manufacturing-e-commerce-digital-empowerment-7233355/ In the intro, mention the rise of e-commerce as an alternative to the traditional way of business. In the body, mention the potential of sector to integrate the country in national as well as global supply chains with minimal costs, how it allows the producer in the hinterland to do business… Continue reading Examine the role e-commerce can play in improving the access to greater markets and opportunities to become a part of the national and global supply chains.Also, identify the challenges the e-commerce sector faces in India. 10 marks

What are sources of ethics and their ideals in Indian tradition? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Start by mention that the India tradition is repository of numerous ethical and moral discourses. In the body mention the various sources – Vedas, Upanishads, Dhramashastras, Smritis, Buddhist canon, Jaina ethics, Bhagwad Gita, folk talks, teachings of sufi and bhakti saints, teachings of modern philosophers like Swami Vivekanada and Mahtma Gandhi etc. Describe… Continue reading What are sources of ethics and their ideals in Indian tradition? 10 marks

One of the key areas of administrative reforms has been lateral entry, but the success of lateral entry hinges on how it is designed. In light of this, describe the advantages and challenges in the success of this reform. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-ias-administrative-reforms-7234834/ In the intro, briefly describe the idea of lateral entry. In the body, mention the advantages such as domain expertise and specialisation, dealing with the shortage of personnel, change in organisation culture etc. In the challenges mention internal resistance, difference in organisational values, conflict of interest issues, lack of interest from the… Continue reading One of the key areas of administrative reforms has been lateral entry, but the success of lateral entry hinges on how it is designed. In light of this, describe the advantages and challenges in the success of this reform. 10 marks

Are white lies ethically justified? Using examples debate on the concept of white lies. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Define as to what constitutes a white lie with an example. In the body, examine the nature of white lies and analyze the concept using various ethical theories and thinkers. Give examples to substantiate your arguments. In the next part, give situations where it would be okay to use white lies and situations… Continue reading Are white lies ethically justified? Using examples debate on the concept of white lies. 10 marks

The hopes of public-spending-led recovery in the aftermath of covid pandemic could be dashed by fiscal constraints faced by the States. What are the constraints faced by the states. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/state-budgets-2021-coronavirus-impact-economy-gdp-7233353/ In the intro, mention that spending by the State governments constitutes a significant part of the public spending. In the body mention various constraints faced by the states-collapse in the revenue of states and transfers from the Centre result in less spending by the states offsetting higher spending of the Centre. Revenue… Continue reading The hopes of public-spending-led recovery in the aftermath of covid pandemic could be dashed by fiscal constraints faced by the States. What are the constraints faced by the states. 10 marks

Misuse of power and political interference has been the most important issues plaguing the police in India. In light of this, examine the state of the police reforms and reasons for the delay in carrying out the police reforms. 10 Marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/sachin-waze-mumbai-police-ambani-bomb-scare-7233191/ https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/sachin-waze-mumbai-police-ambani-bomb-scare-7233191/ In the intro, mention the recent controversy in Maharashtra involving police handling the matter of the explosive-laden car. In the body, mention the challenges in carrying out the reforms despite guidelines from the Supreme Court in the Prakash Singh case. Reluctance on the part of political to cede control over the department,… Continue reading Misuse of power and political interference has been the most important issues plaguing the police in India. In light of this, examine the state of the police reforms and reasons for the delay in carrying out the police reforms. 10 Marks

Virtue is a state that lies between two vices, one of excess and the other of deficiency. State your opinion. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Begin by mentioning there are three kinds of disposition, two of them vices, involving excess and deficiency respectively, and one a virtue, viz. the mean, and all are in a sense opposed to all. In the body explain the theory – very virtue or excellence has the effect of producing a good condition… Continue reading Virtue is a state that lies between two vices, one of excess and the other of deficiency. State your opinion. 10 marks

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.