Archives: Questions

You retired as a finance manager from a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). After retirement you are offered a job in a private company as its finance head and you have accepted it. The company has a procurement contract with the PSU which you worked for. Now that contract is up for renewal through competitive bidding. You have been asked to lead the team responsible for bidding of this contract. While working in the PSU, you had an opportunity to work on areas relating to financial accounting, procurement, contracts and bids. You are concerned that you might breach the confidentiality if you accept the assignment in the present company. You also suspect that your knowledge and experience of working in the PSU were seen as good reasons for appointing you to the position in the present company. The loss of such a major contract would have a significant effect on the financial performance of Company. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of the options given below and finally suggest what course of action you would like to take, providing adequate reasons. i. Do not accept the assignment as it will lead to breach of confidentiality. ii. Do not lead the team but guide them from outside. iii. Accept to lead the team and use your expertise in bidding for the contract. iv. Resign from the job. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction, briefly explain the case study. In the body, bring out the key facts of the… Continue reading You retired as a finance manager from a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). After retirement you are offered a job in a private company as its finance head and you have accepted it. The company has a procurement contract with the PSU which you worked for. Now that contract is up for renewal through competitive bidding. You have been asked to lead the team responsible for bidding of this contract. While working in the PSU, you had an opportunity to work on areas relating to financial accounting, procurement, contracts and bids. You are concerned that you might breach the confidentiality if you accept the assignment in the present company. You also suspect that your knowledge and experience of working in the PSU were seen as good reasons for appointing you to the position in the present company. The loss of such a major contract would have a significant effect on the financial performance of Company. Evaluate the merits and demerits of each of the options given below and finally suggest what course of action you would like to take, providing adequate reasons. i. Do not accept the assignment as it will lead to breach of confidentiality. ii. Do not lead the team but guide them from outside. iii. Accept to lead the team and use your expertise in bidding for the contract. iv. Resign from the job. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it. 10 marks

What are the Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARC)? What are the challenges ARCs face under the IBC and suggest the measures to increase the role of ARCs in turning around a distressed business. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/insolvency-law-ibc-corporate-debt-resolution-bankruptcy-code-nirmala-sitharaman-6704399/ In the intro, briefly define the ARC. In the body mention the role played by the ARC… Continue reading What are the Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARC)? What are the challenges ARCs face under the IBC and suggest the measures to increase the role of ARCs in turning around a distressed business. 10 marks

Why passing of the Farm Acts by the Union government has been challenged by the States on the ground of its constitutional validity? Also, examine its implications for federalism. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/farm-acts-unwanted-constitutional-adventurism/article32776232.ece https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/an-unconstitutional-harvest/article32776048.ece In the intro, mention that agriculture is a state subject and so the passage of the… Continue reading Why passing of the Farm Acts by the Union government has been challenged by the States on the ground of its constitutional validity? Also, examine its implications for federalism. 10 marks

In the recent past employment growth in India suffers from employment security. Discuss the factors responsible for this and suggest the ways to increasing employment security. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/economic-crisis-migrant-labour-bills-covid-19-change-6671565/ In the into, mention some figures indicating the rising proportion of jobs without employment security in India. … Continue reading In the recent past employment growth in India suffers from employment security. Discuss the factors responsible for this and suggest the ways to increasing employment security. 10 marks

Developing countries are often very vulnerable to exploitation by multi-national corporations. They support industrialization but lack of infrastructure is a major limiting factor. Further, without suitable laws and regulations, developing nations are ill prepared for such endeavours. In their efforts to attract business, these nations often overlook the health and safety violations by the corporations doing business within their borders. Drawn by low-cost labour, new markets, and lower operation costs, corporations have little incentive to address environmental and human risks once they are entrenched. In this situation there is imminent threat of disaster. Discuss some feasible strategies to balance economic development and safety and security of people at large in developing countries with special emphasis on India. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly discuss the case study. In the body,  discuss the character of MNCs first with… Continue reading Developing countries are often very vulnerable to exploitation by multi-national corporations. They support industrialization but lack of infrastructure is a major limiting factor. Further, without suitable laws and regulations, developing nations are ill prepared for such endeavours. In their efforts to attract business, these nations often overlook the health and safety violations by the corporations doing business within their borders. Drawn by low-cost labour, new markets, and lower operation costs, corporations have little incentive to address environmental and human risks once they are entrenched. In this situation there is imminent threat of disaster. Discuss some feasible strategies to balance economic development and safety and security of people at large in developing countries with special emphasis on India. 10 marks

“Public service is the basic objective of the welfare state”, in the backdrop of the statement discuss the basic public service values that a civil servant must aim to, to ensure effective and efficient public service delivery. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain the concepts of Public Service and Welfare State. In the body discuss the… Continue reading “Public service is the basic objective of the welfare state”, in the backdrop of the statement discuss the basic public service values that a civil servant must aim to, to ensure effective and efficient public service delivery. 10 marks

What were the issues involved in the Vodafone tax case? What are the implications of Investor-State Dispute Settlement ruling for India? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-perils-of-state-overreach/article32726276.ece In the intro, mention the issue of retrospective taxation in Vodafone case. In the body, discuss the… Continue reading What were the issues involved in the Vodafone tax case? What are the implications of Investor-State Dispute Settlement ruling for India? 10 marks

How law and order is different from public order. Also, elaborate on the issues with assigning the dual role of maintaining law and order and public order to one official. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-demarcation-in-the-interest-of-public-order/article32726505.ece In the intro, mention the difference in the roles of Police Commissioner and District Magistrate. In the… Continue reading How law and order is different from public order. Also, elaborate on the issues with assigning the dual role of maintaining law and order and public order to one official. 10 marks

You, an anthropologist, have developed cordial relations with a tribal community which was hitherto isolated from rest of the humanity. Notwithstanding increased interest of researchers and media for the newly discovered tribe, you are the only person from outside whom they trust. They are ardent believers in their goddess and, trusting you, take you to her abode on a holy mountain. To your surprise, you find that the mountain is a reservoir of Uranium that can be used in your power-starved country’s nuclear power plants. Besides, you are aware that Uranium being radioactive, it is highly risky to go near the mountain. You try to convince the people about harmful effects it can have and the utilitarian value that it possess for the country. However, they are in no mood to argue and politely ask you to leave. You fear that very soon the outside world will find about this and the vulnerable tribe would be displaced from their land. (a) Evaluate the following courses of action which you can take for their ethical merits and demerits: i. You would continue to convince the people yourself about the possible consequences and urge them to relocate. ii. You would call in local and national NGOs for protecting the rights of the people against the State and file a PIL in Supreme Court if the State proceeds with dispossession. iii. You would yourself tell the government and the scientific community about the reserves and let them proceed in their own way. (b) Without restricting yourself to the above options, state the course of action that you would take and why? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction mention the facts of the case and ethical dilemma which the anthropologist faces. In the… Continue reading You, an anthropologist, have developed cordial relations with a tribal community which was hitherto isolated from rest of the humanity. Notwithstanding increased interest of researchers and media for the newly discovered tribe, you are the only person from outside whom they trust. They are ardent believers in their goddess and, trusting you, take you to her abode on a holy mountain. To your surprise, you find that the mountain is a reservoir of Uranium that can be used in your power-starved country’s nuclear power plants. Besides, you are aware that Uranium being radioactive, it is highly risky to go near the mountain. You try to convince the people about harmful effects it can have and the utilitarian value that it possess for the country. However, they are in no mood to argue and politely ask you to leave. You fear that very soon the outside world will find about this and the vulnerable tribe would be displaced from their land. (a) Evaluate the following courses of action which you can take for their ethical merits and demerits: i. You would continue to convince the people yourself about the possible consequences and urge them to relocate. ii. You would call in local and national NGOs for protecting the rights of the people against the State and file a PIL in Supreme Court if the State proceeds with dispossession. iii. You would yourself tell the government and the scientific community about the reserves and let them proceed in their own way. (b) Without restricting yourself to the above options, state the course of action that you would take and why? 10 marks

What are the concerns with the new FCRA Bill? How it will help in bringing about transparency in the working of non-profit organisations? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/the-g-in-ngo-6608158/ In the intro, mention the difficulty of regulating the money coming from abroad in the country. In… Continue reading What are the concerns with the new FCRA Bill? How it will help in bringing about transparency in the working of non-profit organisations? 10 marks

What is Social Stock Exchange and how it will benefit the social sector in the country? Why is the civil society concerned with it? 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/importing-a-failed-experiment-6608192/ In the intro, mention what social stock exchange is. In the body, discuss the various aspects of the… Continue reading What is Social Stock Exchange and how it will benefit the social sector in the country? Why is the civil society concerned with it? 10 marks

India’s fiasco to convert its victory of the 1971 war into a long-lasting peace in the region via the Shimla Agreement of 1972 is a case of missed opportunity. Examine. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction discuss about the Shimla agreement. In the body explain that the Agreement was the result of… Continue reading India’s fiasco to convert its victory of the 1971 war into a long-lasting peace in the region via the Shimla Agreement of 1972 is a case of missed opportunity. Examine. 10 marks

You are the head of a government office. One day you find out that your subordinate is infected with HIV. Before you could stop the news from spreading, it had already become a topic of discussion among other members of the office. Now, they are pressuring you to suspend, sack or transfer him as they fear that his presence in the office might lead to other members getting contaminated with the virus. You try to make them understand that HIV does not spread from touching, but they are so skeptic and scared that they refuse to even listen to your reasoning. They all decide to not work until a decision is met. Your office is already under a lot of work pressure and in the next week you are to finish an urgent work within a deadline. How will you tackle this problem? Elaborate the steps that you will take to handle it. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain what your role should be as the head of the government office. In… Continue reading You are the head of a government office. One day you find out that your subordinate is infected with HIV. Before you could stop the news from spreading, it had already become a topic of discussion among other members of the office. Now, they are pressuring you to suspend, sack or transfer him as they fear that his presence in the office might lead to other members getting contaminated with the virus. You try to make them understand that HIV does not spread from touching, but they are so skeptic and scared that they refuse to even listen to your reasoning. They all decide to not work until a decision is met. Your office is already under a lot of work pressure and in the next week you are to finish an urgent work within a deadline. How will you tackle this problem? Elaborate the steps that you will take to handle it. 10 marks

What are the changes introduced by the two recent bills passed by the government related to agri markets and contract farming how will these changes be helpful to the farmers?

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/farm-bills-parliament-monsoon-session-agriculture-sector-msp-hardeep-s-puri-6606714/ In the body, mention the need for reforms in agri marketing and contract farming. In the body,… Continue reading What are the changes introduced by the two recent bills passed by the government related to agri markets and contract farming how will these changes be helpful to the farmers?

The functioning of Parliament in India in recent past shows a declining trend from the standards. In light of this, examine the issue and its implications for the functioning of democracy. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the body, mention the importance of proper functioning of the Parliament for the functioning of democracy.  In… Continue reading The functioning of Parliament in India in recent past shows a declining trend from the standards. In light of this, examine the issue and its implications for the functioning of democracy. 10 marks

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