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A building permitted for three floors, while being extended illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a consequence, a number of innocent labourers including women and children died. These laborers are migrants of different places. The government immediately announced cash relief to the aggrieved families and arrested the builder. Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their occurrence. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction comment on the incident, identify the victims and hint on the core issue that caused it. In the body start listing the reasons for such incidents. Suggest measures to prevent such incidences from happening. Conclude with way forward.  

Examine the factors determining the realisation of revenue from the auction of radio spectrum. Suggest the measures to ensure the success of the spectrum auction. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the intro, briefly explain the importance of radio spectrum for communication. In the body, mention various factors- right reserve price, role of OTT platform, allocation of spectrum for WiFi and visibility of spectrum up for the licence. In the suggestions, mention various factors such as right reserve prices, regulation of OTT platform… Continue reading Examine the factors determining the realisation of revenue from the auction of radio spectrum. Suggest the measures to ensure the success of the spectrum auction. 10 marks

The combination of the private sector in health and the social insurance model has its own limits in catering to the public health in India. What we need is a robust public healthcare system in India. In light of this, discuss the challenges with the insurance model and suggest the ways to deal with it. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/stopping-the-slide-of-health-care-in-india/article33379641.ece In the body, briefly mention the working of insurance model. In the body, discuss the challenges with the insurance model-expansion of the bill, unnecessary procedures and interventions, neglect of the poor, increased health expenditure and resultant increased premium etc. In the suggestions, mention the need for focus on primary health… Continue reading The combination of the private sector in health and the social insurance model has its own limits in catering to the public health in India. What we need is a robust public healthcare system in India. In light of this, discuss the challenges with the insurance model and suggest the ways to deal with it. 10 marks

Discuss in what way Climate change is disrupting the water cycle on Earth and thus has made water- a public resource more crucial. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Start by explaining the fact that water is not just conditional to life, but is also a conduit to the biggest contemporary threat to life — climate change. In the body you can explain the impact of climate change with specific case of its effect on water cycle. Present key statistics . Discuss… Continue reading Discuss in what way Climate change is disrupting the water cycle on Earth and thus has made water- a public resource more crucial. 10 marks

You are a civil servant posted in a state where elections were recently held. The newly elected Chief Minister had promised to ban alcohol in several of his election campaigns as well as his election manifesto, which was widely praised and supported by women of the state. Fulfilling his electoral promise, the Chief Minister has ordered a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in the state. Following the ban, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the ban and whether the government should interfere in what is considered by many to be a matter of personal choice. (a) Who are the stakeholders in this case and how are they affected by the ban? (b) Is blanket ban on alcohol a feasible action? (c) Identify the issues that may arise while enforcing the ban and the steps you will take to handle them, as a civil servant. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain the case study. In the body identify the stakeholders in the case and the effect of alcohol ban on them. Comment on whether blanket ban is a feasible action or a coercive action taken by the government. State the issues that will arise after the enforcement and suggest… Continue reading You are a civil servant posted in a state where elections were recently held. The newly elected Chief Minister had promised to ban alcohol in several of his election campaigns as well as his election manifesto, which was widely praised and supported by women of the state. Fulfilling his electoral promise, the Chief Minister has ordered a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol in the state. Following the ban, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of the ban and whether the government should interfere in what is considered by many to be a matter of personal choice. (a) Who are the stakeholders in this case and how are they affected by the ban? (b) Is blanket ban on alcohol a feasible action? (c) Identify the issues that may arise while enforcing the ban and the steps you will take to handle them, as a civil servant. 10 marks

Growth must not only be consumption-driven but also investment driven. It is the latter which in a developing economy can sustain growth over a long period. In light of this, suggest the policy imperatives that India should follow to make good of the decline in 2020-2021. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/laying-the-foundation-for-faster-growth/article33379632.ece In the intro, mention figures of economic loss due to the pandemic. In the body, mention how India needs to grow at 8% in 2021-2022 to compensate for the economic loss owing to the pandemic. In the next part, discuss the various policies as mentioned in the article like increased government spending… Continue reading Growth must not only be consumption-driven but also investment driven. It is the latter which in a developing economy can sustain growth over a long period. In light of this, suggest the policy imperatives that India should follow to make good of the decline in 2020-2021. 10 marks

“Efforts to address child marriage in India should be in consonance with the socioeconomic realities that demand investment in education, welfare, and opportunities for women.” Elaborate. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction discuss the context of the decision of raising the legal age of marriage for women to 21 years by the government. In the body start by explaining what the socio-economic realities of women in the country are. Discuss what should be the efforts that need to be made first to… Continue reading “Efforts to address child marriage in India should be in consonance with the socioeconomic realities that demand investment in education, welfare, and opportunities for women.” Elaborate. 10 marks

India should take a broader view of the changing scenario and growing competition in South Asia, and reach out to Dhaka with an open mind. In light of this, examine the issues adversely affecting the partnership between the two countries and suggest the pathway that India should follow to deal with these issues. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/friend-and-neighbour-on-india-bangladesh-virtual-summit/article33367913.ece In the intro, mention that India has termed Bangladesh as the major pillar in its neighbourhood first policy. In the body, discuss the changing scenarios in geopolitics and the progress made by Bangladesh in the past few years. In the next part, discuss the various issues like Teesta water dispute, sensitive border,… Continue reading India should take a broader view of the changing scenario and growing competition in South Asia, and reach out to Dhaka with an open mind. In light of this, examine the issues adversely affecting the partnership between the two countries and suggest the pathway that India should follow to deal with these issues. 10 marks

Generating power from waste generated in the cities could provide a solution to multiple problems. Discuss the advantages of generating power from the waste and what are the problems in realising this. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/converting-waste-to-energy/article33357967.ece In the intro, mention how waste-to-energy in cities could in mitigating multiple problems. In the body, explain the process of generating power from waste generating in cities and advantages associated with it. In the challenges mention how variation in the waste poses challenges, technology challenges etc. Conclude by mentioning the importance of… Continue reading Generating power from waste generated in the cities could provide a solution to multiple problems. Discuss the advantages of generating power from the waste and what are the problems in realising this. 10 marks

What are the challenges facing healthcare in India? How digital solutions can help in plugging the gaps in the healthcare infrastructure? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/leveraging-digi-health-ppp-and-focus-on-digital-can-make-healthcare-accessible-to-all/2152205/ In the intro, mention how pandemic exposed the inadequacies in the Indian healthcare system. In the body, mention the various challenges like the urban-rural divide in the access to healthcare, lack of infrastructure, increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases, shortage of skilled workforce etc. In the next part, mention how digital solution can help… Continue reading What are the challenges facing healthcare in India? How digital solutions can help in plugging the gaps in the healthcare infrastructure? 10 marks

Ongoing negotiations at WTO and the impasse has underscored the challenges and the need for reforms at the WTO. Discuss the various challenges WTO has been facing? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-many-challenges-for-wto/article33349954.ece In the intro, briefly mention about the WTO. In the body, mention the various challenge, like- impasse over the Doha Development Agenda, push for change in the definition of developing countries, fisheries subsidies negotiations, restoring the dispute settlement mechanism, challenges thrown by Covid pandemic etc. Conclude by mentioning the need for preserving… Continue reading Ongoing negotiations at WTO and the impasse has underscored the challenges and the need for reforms at the WTO. Discuss the various challenges WTO has been facing? 10 marks

Independence of judiciary is secured in the Constitution through various safeguards. However, that independence faces several challenges. In light of this, mention provisions in the Constitution for securing the judicial independence and emerging challenges to that independence. 10 marks

  Mentor’s comment- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShwsIyNpVUU https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/law-and-disorder/article33338906.ece In the intro, mention the importance of independent judiciary for the proper functioning of democracy. In the body, discuss the provisions in the Constitution like restriction on removal, the security of tenure, security of remuneration, restriction on criticism of actions of courts etc. In the challenges, mention the role of… Continue reading Independence of judiciary is secured in the Constitution through various safeguards. However, that independence faces several challenges. In light of this, mention provisions in the Constitution for securing the judicial independence and emerging challenges to that independence. 10 marks

What do you mean by “faults” in the context of Plate Tectonics? Discuss its types, significance and implications for India. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction define the term faults. In the body discuss in points the various types of faults. Now explain the significance of faults and the process in Plate Tectonics. Finally, explain the positive and negative implications of the same. In the conclusion, give a way forward with how we can be earthquake… Continue reading What do you mean by “faults” in the context of Plate Tectonics? Discuss its types, significance and implications for India. 10 marks

Has our nation lost its moral compass? In the context of suicide prevention day today, analyse critically the role of Indian society as a key factor driving the suicides in the country. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Yne can start with key facts related to suicides and their rates in the country. In the body explain that instead of compassion and empathy for the grieving family and friends, and respect for the deceased person’s dignity and privacy, vast sections of our citizenry have been blinded into a frenzied attack on… Continue reading Has our nation lost its moral compass? In the context of suicide prevention day today, analyse critically the role of Indian society as a key factor driving the suicides in the country. 10 marks

The COVID pandemic is an instance of a financial crisis turning into an economic shock. Instead, it is an economic shock brought on by a weak public health system that can turn into a financial crisis. The damage has to be mitigated by public spending in the appropriate sector. Comment. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/government-cites-lack-of-fiscal-space-for-reluctance-to-provide-adequate-support-to-economy-this-is-odd-7105005/ In the intro, mention how the shock is different from the past economic shocks which originate in the financial sectors. In the body, discuss the reasons for the public spending such as a decline in the employment evident from the increased profits of listed companies while GDP has declined, enough foreign exchange… Continue reading The COVID pandemic is an instance of a financial crisis turning into an economic shock. Instead, it is an economic shock brought on by a weak public health system that can turn into a financial crisis. The damage has to be mitigated by public spending in the appropriate sector. Comment. 10 marks

The justice delivery system of India suffers from some inadequacies which hamper its functioning. Discuss these inadequacies and suggest the steps need to be taken to deal with these inadequacies. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/law-and-disorder/article33338906.ece In the intro, mention the role of the judiciary in the functioning of democracy and a country. In the body, mention the challenges like perception about the spending on the judiciary, flaws in the legal aid system, poor judge-population ratio, lack of access to justice etc. In the steps suggest the improved… Continue reading The justice delivery system of India suffers from some inadequacies which hamper its functioning. Discuss these inadequacies and suggest the steps need to be taken to deal with these inadequacies. 10 marks

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