Archives: Questions

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.… 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

What are the challenges India faces in its energy transition from the fossil fuel-based economy to the one based on renewable energy? Suggest the policy measures to make the transition smoother. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://vk.com/doc562341376_580128777?hash=7be250800100080451&dl=81f999027893d2691e In the intro, mention the fast transition toward renewable and clean to tackle global warming and climate… Continue reading What are the challenges India faces in its energy transition from the fossil fuel-based economy to the one based on renewable energy? Suggest the policy measures to make the transition smoother. 10 marks

With the largest youth population in the world, India faces the challenge of providing employment to them. To deal with this challenge, India needs to focus on skill education. Discuss. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/investing-in-indias-youth/article33272711.ece In the intro, mention the population dividend and the limited window to reap its benefits. In the body,… Continue reading With the largest youth population in the world, India faces the challenge of providing employment to them. To deal with this challenge, India needs to focus on skill education. Discuss. 10 marks

The relationship between the level of education and early marriage of women is well established in breaking the cycle of poverty, ill health, as well as the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition. Critically examine. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Write a few introductory lines about India’s MMR, intrauterine growth restriction and poor birth outcome for gestational age… Continue reading The relationship between the level of education and early marriage of women is well established in breaking the cycle of poverty, ill health, as well as the inter-generational cycle of malnutrition. Critically examine. 10 marks

Mobota is a small and very poor country in Africa. A major epidemic of a new disease breaks out in Mobota. The only medicine in the market for this disease is a drug made in India by a new pharmaceutical company called Biomed. Since the drug has been developed at heavy cost and Biomed is partly owned by a major international company, the medicine is priced very high. Mobota cannot not afford to pay the price for the large quantities it needs to control the outbreak. What are the different options for Mobota’s health minister to deal with this situation? What according to you would be the best option & why ? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction identify the ethical issues involved in the case study and the stakeholders associated. In the… Continue reading Mobota is a small and very poor country in Africa. A major epidemic of a new disease breaks out in Mobota. The only medicine in the market for this disease is a drug made in India by a new pharmaceutical company called Biomed. Since the drug has been developed at heavy cost and Biomed is partly owned by a major international company, the medicine is priced very high. Mobota cannot not afford to pay the price for the large quantities it needs to control the outbreak. What are the different options for Mobota’s health minister to deal with this situation? What according to you would be the best option & why ? 10 marks

Declining benefits accrued from the Green Revolution to Punjab and the surrounding area have created problems of their own which have led to the agitation by the farmers of this region on various issues. In light of this, discuss the challenges faced by the farmers in the region of the Green Revolution and suggest the ways to deal with it. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/punjab-farmers-protests-farm-laws-7094357/ In the intro, mention the context of farmers’ protest against the Farm Laws.  In the body, mention… Continue reading Declining benefits accrued from the Green Revolution to Punjab and the surrounding area have created problems of their own which have led to the agitation by the farmers of this region on various issues. In light of this, discuss the challenges faced by the farmers in the region of the Green Revolution and suggest the ways to deal with it. 10 marks

Results of the elections in India have always been accepted by political parties without questioning the legitimacy of the results. In light of this, discuss the role of Election Commission of India in conducting elections in India and what are the factors that enable it to perform that role. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the intro, mention the context of disputed election results in the US. In the body, mention the… Continue reading Results of the elections in India have always been accepted by political parties without questioning the legitimacy of the results. In light of this, discuss the role of Election Commission of India in conducting elections in India and what are the factors that enable it to perform that role. 10 marks

Language is the lifeline of a civilization, it denotes the identity, culture and traditions of the people. It plays an important role in preserving music, dance, customs, festivals, traditional knowledge and heritage. In the backdrop of the statement analyse the linguistic diversity and richness in the country. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- Begin with brief write up on what you understand by linguistic diversity in Indian context. In the body… Continue reading Language is the lifeline of a civilization, it denotes the identity, culture and traditions of the people. It plays an important role in preserving music, dance, customs, festivals, traditional knowledge and heritage. In the backdrop of the statement analyse the linguistic diversity and richness in the country. 10 marks

In terms of connections to the rest of the world, it is less clear what the right policy mix should be. Do you agree with the view that focus on simultaneously managing the exchange rate and domestic inflation while maintaining an open capital account would help in the revival of India’s economic growth? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/trade-offs-for-growth-revival-why-indias-policymakers-need-a-new-roadmap/2142900/ In the intro, mention the importance of international trade and the openness of the economy for economic… Continue reading In terms of connections to the rest of the world, it is less clear what the right policy mix should be. Do you agree with the view that focus on simultaneously managing the exchange rate and domestic inflation while maintaining an open capital account would help in the revival of India’s economic growth? 10 marks

The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 seeks to prevent illegal religious conversions. However, several provisions of the ordinance have raised concerns. What are the concerns with the ordinance? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/up-love-jihad-law-religious-conversion-anti-conversion-law-7078370/ https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/personal-choices-the-constitutions-endurance/article33243159.ece In the intro, briefly mention the stated objective of the ordinance. In the body discuss the… Continue reading The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 seeks to prevent illegal religious conversions. However, several provisions of the ordinance have raised concerns. What are the concerns with the ordinance? 10 marks

The share of the elderly in the population is expected to increase to 20 per cent of the population by 2050. Thus to ensure a life of dignity, social security and safety, enabling them to actively participate in economic development and the process of nation building is an absolute necessity. Discuss. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly start with key facts/data showing the increase in the elderly population. In the body,… Continue reading The share of the elderly in the population is expected to increase to 20 per cent of the population by 2050. Thus to ensure a life of dignity, social security and safety, enabling them to actively participate in economic development and the process of nation building is an absolute necessity. Discuss. 10 marks

Being the largest consumer of antibiotics in the world, India faces a grave threat from growing anti-microbial resistance. What are the factors responsible for it? Suggest the ways to deal with it. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/a-looming-health-crisis/article33235263.ece In the intro, define anti-microbial resistance. In the body, discuss why growing resistance could turn into a health… Continue reading Being the largest consumer of antibiotics in the world, India faces a grave threat from growing anti-microbial resistance. What are the factors responsible for it? Suggest the ways to deal with it. 10 marks

What are the legal provisions and policy initiatives in India for the welfare of persons with disabilities? What are the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in India? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/international-day-of-persons-with-disabilities-united-nations-india-7078236/ In the intro, mention that as per the World Bank estimate over 40 million persons with disability… Continue reading What are the legal provisions and policy initiatives in India for the welfare of persons with disabilities? What are the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in India? 10 marks

What are the advantages and challenges in the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/farmers-protest-farmer-bill-msp-demand-agriculture-sector-7076046/ In the intro, mention circumstances which necessitated the contract farming. In the body mention advantages like the… Continue reading What are the advantages and challenges in the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act? 10 marks

Changing geopolitical realities in the Middle East has major consequences for Indian subcontinent countries. What are the challenges India along with other countries in the subcontinent faces as a fallout of the changing circumstances in the Middle East? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/mohsen-fakhrizadeh-iranian-nuclear-scientist-assassination-india-middle-east-relations-7074505/ In the intro, mention the rising isolation of Iran and rivalry with other Arab countries. In the… Continue reading Changing geopolitical realities in the Middle East has major consequences for Indian subcontinent countries. What are the challenges India along with other countries in the subcontinent faces as a fallout of the changing circumstances in the Middle East? 10 marks

The protests erupting across India since the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are a testament to the centrality of secularism as the foundational principle that binds the country together and holds the key to India’s survival as a nation. Analyse . 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introdution, briefly define the concept of Indian Secularism. Explain in brief how the CAA, NRC have… Continue reading The protests erupting across India since the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are a testament to the centrality of secularism as the foundational principle that binds the country together and holds the key to India’s survival as a nation. Analyse . 10 marks

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