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

Archives: Questions

Discuss the concept of Contempt of Court. Explain in detail its different forms and also the rationale behind the provision. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Start with the case – Contempt proceedings have been initiated by the Supreme Court of India, on its own motion, against advocate-activist Prashant Bhushan. In the body explain the concept. Discuss the origin of the concept, its constitutionality/ statutory basis, its different kinds. Conclude by asserting the rationale behind the provision. Contempt of… Continue reading Discuss the concept of Contempt of Court. Explain in detail its different forms and also the rationale behind the provision. 10 marks

Give an account of the distribution of different types of soils found in India. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain the significance of soil. In the body discuss each of the soil variety and their distribution in India with the help of a map. Ensure maps are more informative and conveying and not mere outline of the Indian land borders. Highlight the importance of each of them. Conclude… Continue reading Give an account of the distribution of different types of soils found in India. 10 marks

Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil services: (a) Integrity (b) Principle of Legality. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Start by explaining the meaning of each term. Explain each term in detail. Then move onto discuss the advantages of the two concepts in the context of civil services, give examples wherever possible to explain and justify better. Conclude with importance of such virtues in the context of the civil services. Integrity: Integrity… Continue reading Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil services: (a) Integrity (b) Principle of Legality. 10 marks

Discuss the significance of Primary Agriculture Credit Society. Why do you think it is important for us to recognise it? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction define briefly what Primary Agriculture Credit Societies are. In the body discuss briefly the work of PACS. Explain what are the objectives of Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), their current status in India and why should they be recognized as nodal points for the development of hinterlands in the country.… Continue reading Discuss the significance of Primary Agriculture Credit Society. Why do you think it is important for us to recognise it? 10 marks

Examine the issues in the effective functioning of the anti-defection law. Does the law, while discouraging defections, also lead to defeat of healthy intra-party debates and dissent? Analyse. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain the anti-defection law. In the body, explain its  importance but how it has been misused. Mention about the working of Anti-Defection law, the issues concerning the same. Also, mention the importance of intra-party debates and dissent and the effect of anti-defection law on healthy democracy. Present relevant court… Continue reading Examine the issues in the effective functioning of the anti-defection law. Does the law, while discouraging defections, also lead to defeat of healthy intra-party debates and dissent? Analyse. 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

You and your friend are living together in a metropolitan city and preparing for civil service examinations. While you manage to meet your daily targets, you sense that your friend is unable to cope up with the pressure of the exam. Fear of not passing the exam and meeting the expectations of his family is stressing him further. You realise that with time your friend is losing interest in everything and often talks about committing suicide if he is unable to meet his goal. He is also missing out on meals and prefers to stay indoors when asked to venture out. When you sought professional help, the doctor diagnosed your friend with clinical depression. Being aware that your friend needs professional counselling and psychiatric care, you reach out to his parents who reside in a rural area. They rebuff you for suggesting counselling and instead reiterate that nothing is wrong with him. They sternly mention that your bringing up the matter will only make people engage in loose talk. They also ignore you when you politely inform them that it is not wise to ignore one’s mental health. Your friend’s parents see his state as a sign of failure and decide to call him home where he can continue with his preparation. You are aware of the gravity of the situation if your friend goes back to his house. You also know that there is very little awareness about mental health and that the solution is not to ignore it but to take necessary measures to tackle it. (a) As a concerned friend and an aspiring civil servant who can frame policies for the public in the future and has a moral duty towards them, what are the options available to you in such a situation? (b) Evaluate each of these options and choose the option you would adopt, giving reasons. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain the case study. In the body state the available options and their impacts in this situation. List the pros and cons of each of the possible options and state the eventual course of action. Conclude with a balanced and fair solution.

Growing focus and shift towards renewable energy underline the relevance and importance of the green energy markets more than ever before. Assess the status of renewable power generation in India and the factors responsible for its rapid growth. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/renewable-energy-generation-betting-on-the-green-power-market/2147657/ In the intro, mention the present installed capacity for renewable in India. In the body, mention the adoption and increasing capacity building of renewable in India riding of the various government initiative like  Waiver of inter-state transmission charges for the sale of solar and wind power, the renewable purchase obligation (RPO) trajectories for… Continue reading Growing focus and shift towards renewable energy underline the relevance and importance of the green energy markets more than ever before. Assess the status of renewable power generation in India and the factors responsible for its rapid growth. 10 marks

Custodial torture and deaths are the worst forms of human rights violations. Their prevention requires comprehensive reforms. In light of this, examine the challenges in the prevention of such crimes and suggest the measures and reforms required to deal with the issue. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/police-custodial-torture-cases-cctvs-7100133/ In the intro, cite figures about custodial deaths in India. In the body, mention the reasons for the custodial tortures and deaths and challenges in their prevention and punishing the culprits- police protecting their colleagues, lack of evidence in trials, lack of definition, tortures carried outside the police station and police vehicles,… Continue reading Custodial torture and deaths are the worst forms of human rights violations. Their prevention requires comprehensive reforms. In light of this, examine the challenges in the prevention of such crimes and suggest the measures and reforms required to deal with the issue. 10 marks

India requires an integrated housing development strategy for the rural context Elucidate. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction state some facts highlighting the scenario of Indian rural areas and the level of development therein. In the body briefly discuss the underlying concept of PURA. Explain how it proves to be the framework to mitigate the country’s socioeconomic problems and create a common development platform for rural and urban… Continue reading India requires an integrated housing development strategy for the rural context Elucidate. 10 marks

During your election duty you caught hold of a vehicle full of cash. On inquiry, it was revealed to you that the vehicle belongs to a very popular politician of the region and even the exit polls are predicting his victory. The politician calls you up to release the vehicle. You try to approach your senior to seek advice but can’t reach him. (a) What are the options available to you? (b) What course of action will you take? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain the case study. This is an administrative challenge wherein you (student) are judged on choosing ‘sense of duty’ over ‘political pressure’. The answer must clearly reflect your logic and reason for choosing certain course of action after weighing it over its pros and cons. Conclude with a fair… Continue reading During your election duty you caught hold of a vehicle full of cash. On inquiry, it was revealed to you that the vehicle belongs to a very popular politician of the region and even the exit polls are predicting his victory. The politician calls you up to release the vehicle. You try to approach your senior to seek advice but can’t reach him. (a) What are the options available to you? (b) What course of action will you take? 10 marks

One of the gravest threat that blocks the promise of this young nation at the foundational level, it has to be arguably malnutrition. In light of this, explain how malnutrition affects the future of the country and suggests the strategy to deal with this threat effecitively. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/thousand-days-of-nutrition-and-a-billion-dreams/article33292645.ece In the body, mention figures that highlight the intensity of the problem in India. In the body, explain the connection between nutrition and the development of a person and how a lack of it could affect the person’s growth for the rest of his life. In the strategy suggest commitments around sustained leadership,… Continue reading One of the gravest threat that blocks the promise of this young nation at the foundational level, it has to be arguably malnutrition. In light of this, explain how malnutrition affects the future of the country and suggests the strategy to deal with this threat effecitively. 10 marks

Flexibility is a guiding principle of federalism in India that is the reason the imperatives of security, state-building, and economic development are always allowed to trump federal pieties. In light of this, examine the factors which are responsible for sustaining federalism in India. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/who-wants-federalism-7098577/ In the intro, mention how Indian federalism is different from the federalism in a strict sense such as in the U.S. In the body, mention the factors which helped in sustaining the federalism in India like linguistic and cultural diversity, fragmentation of power through coalition governments, institutional cultures such as the Supreme Court… Continue reading Flexibility is a guiding principle of federalism in India that is the reason the imperatives of security, state-building, and economic development are always allowed to trump federal pieties. In light of this, examine the factors which are responsible for sustaining federalism in India. 10 marks

Formal recognition of land rights allows for cleaner cities and better living conditions for slum dwellers. Examine. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Write a few introductory lines about the growth of urbanization in India and the problems this has led to. In the body discuss the importance of slums from the point of workforce. Discuss about the various challenges faced by the slum dwellers due to lack of recognition of land title and reasons why… Continue reading Formal recognition of land rights allows for cleaner cities and better living conditions for slum dwellers. Examine. 10 marks

You are a Public Information Officer (PIO) in a government department. You are aware that the RTI Act 2005 envisages transparency and accountability in administration. The act has functioned as a check on the supposedly arbitrarily administrative behaviour and actions. However, as a PIO you have observed that there are citizens who filed RTI applications not for themselves but on behalf of such stakeholders who purportedly want to have access to information to further their own interests. At the same time there are these RTI activists who routinely file RTI applications and attempt to extort money from the decision makers. This type of RTI activism has affected the functioning of the administration adversely and also possibly jeopardises the genuineness of the applications which are essentially aimed at getting justice. What measures would you suggest to separate genuine and non-genuine applications? Give merits and demerits of your suggestions. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly talk about importance of RTI act in ensuring transparency and accountability in Indian democracy. Highlight the challenges of RTI act being used as a weapon or tool for vigilantism or vengeance leading to disruption in achieving the true benefits of the act. In the body discuss the various measures… Continue reading You are a Public Information Officer (PIO) in a government department. You are aware that the RTI Act 2005 envisages transparency and accountability in administration. The act has functioned as a check on the supposedly arbitrarily administrative behaviour and actions. However, as a PIO you have observed that there are citizens who filed RTI applications not for themselves but on behalf of such stakeholders who purportedly want to have access to information to further their own interests. At the same time there are these RTI activists who routinely file RTI applications and attempt to extort money from the decision makers. This type of RTI activism has affected the functioning of the administration adversely and also possibly jeopardises the genuineness of the applications which are essentially aimed at getting justice. What measures would you suggest to separate genuine and non-genuine applications? Give merits and demerits of your suggestions. 10 marks

‘India’s population pyramid is expected to bulge across the 15-59 age groups over the next decade. This demographic advantage is predicted to last only Until 2040. India therefore has a very narrow time frame to harness its demographic dividend and to overcome its skill shortages’. Discuss and Suggest measures for harnessing the demographic dividend in the short span of time. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction explain the demographic advantage of India. In the body discuss what the existing issues with skill shortages and developments are, underlying factors responsible for it. Suggest measures to address the situation. Conclude with way forward.  

There is a potential of the rise of an AI economy in India, to tap that potential India need to focus on AI capacity building. In light of this, discuss the role AI could play in India’s development and steps taken by the government in this direction. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-rise-of-the-ai-economy/article33282408.ece In the body, briefly introduce AI. In the body, explain in detail the potential of AI in transforming the Indian economy by bringing changes in various sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, smart cities, smart mobilities etc. In the initiatives by government mention the NITI Aayog’s national strategy for Ai. Conclude by mentioning… Continue reading There is a potential of the rise of an AI economy in India, to tap that potential India need to focus on AI capacity building. In light of this, discuss the role AI could play in India’s development and steps taken by the government in this direction. 10 marks

The Covid pandemic is an opportunity for India to start health system reforms. Discuss the policy measures that should form the basis of such reforms, making India prepared to handle the next pandemic effectively. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/needed-more-wealth-in-health-sector-coronavirus/ In the intro, mention how the pandemic has highlighted the shortcomings of the Indian health sector. In the body, discuss the various health-care related dimensions-provision for increased investment in healthcare, recognising the important role community health workers can play and encouraging it, increasing the community participation, increasing the spending on the research… Continue reading The Covid pandemic is an opportunity for India to start health system reforms. Discuss the policy measures that should form the basis of such reforms, making India prepared to handle the next pandemic effectively. 10 marks

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

Join us across Social Media platforms.