💥UPSC 2026, 2027 UAP Mentorship September Batch
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“With rising intolerance and polarization in today’s world, forgiveness and compassion are much needed values.” Examine. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly narrate what are values and their importance in general. In the body explain that to forgive, we must be ready to let go of our anger and resentment toward someone or something. Use suitable case studies to justify how these values play crucial role in today’s rising intolerance and… Continue reading “With rising intolerance and polarization in today’s world, forgiveness and compassion are much needed values.” Examine. 10 marks

Vulnerability is the predominant feature of employment in India. In light of this discuss the reasons for the persistence of the problem in rural employment and suggest the ways to deal with the issue. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/urban-employment-as-the-focal-point/article32604143.ece In the intro, mention some figures stating the dominance of informal and vulnerable employment in India. In the body, discuss the various reason for the persistence of problem- peculiar nature of Indian economy in which labour, as well as capital in not moving up the ladder, role of the services sector dominated… Continue reading Vulnerability is the predominant feature of employment in India. In light of this discuss the reasons for the persistence of the problem in rural employment and suggest the ways to deal with the issue. 10 marks

The basic structure and essential feature govern now the political and juristic destiny of Indian constitutional development. Comment. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/supreme-court-kesavananda-bharati-vs-state-of-kerala-judgment-indian-constitution-6597505/ In the intro, mention the important role of basic structure doctrine in the evolution of the Indian Constitution. In the body, discuss how the Kesavananda Bharati case transformed the way India Constitution is interpreted. Next, mention its implications for Indian democracy and India as a whole. Conclude by mentioning the prominent role… Continue reading The basic structure and essential feature govern now the political and juristic destiny of Indian constitutional development. Comment. 10 marks

Discuss in detail the key landforms formed due to groundwater. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly explain the significance of landforms formed by the action of water. In the body explain in detail what actions the groundwater performs. Define groundwater. Explain the features like; Sinkholes and caves are erosional landforms formed due to the action of ground water. Then move onto explain depositional landforms of… Continue reading Discuss in detail the key landforms formed due to groundwater. 10 marks

”Gandhi’s ecological intelligence warned us of making a cult of materialism that will recoil on itself and have what we consume, consume us.” Elaborate. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly set the context of the question. In the body explain how in times of a health crisis, Mahatma Gandhi showed exceptional care and extreme sternness. Quote the examples of South African plague that he handled. Explain that Gandhi’s ecological intelligence warned us of making a cult of materialism that… Continue reading ”Gandhi’s ecological intelligence warned us of making a cult of materialism that will recoil on itself and have what we consume, consume us.” Elaborate. 10 marks

India’s IT industry, despite playing a prominent role in the countries economic development fails to dominate the international IT domain with its products. What are the factors responsible for the lack of innovative products from the Indian IT industry? Also, examine the opportunity provided to the Indian IT industry after the exit of Chinese companies after the ban imposed on them. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/exploiting-the-chinese-exit/article32594674.ece In the intro, mention some figures to highlight the significance of IT industry in Indian economy. In the body, mention the factors responsible-like focus on exporting the services, lack of innovation, lack on incentive from the government, problems in the education ecosystem which provides skilled manpower to these companies etc. In the… Continue reading India’s IT industry, despite playing a prominent role in the countries economic development fails to dominate the international IT domain with its products. What are the factors responsible for the lack of innovative products from the Indian IT industry? Also, examine the opportunity provided to the Indian IT industry after the exit of Chinese companies after the ban imposed on them. 10 marks

The new realignments taking place in the Middle East has several implications for India. Analyse the geopolitical alignments taking place in the region and how it could have implications for India. 10 Marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/two-theatres-of-peacemaking-6596232/ In the intro, mention how the Middle East remains to be the flashpoints. In the body, mention several developments like deal with Israel and its significance, rivalry between Arab and non-Arab states, negotiations in Afghanistan and its connection with the Middle-East, next comment on the implications of all these developments on India’s… Continue reading The new realignments taking place in the Middle East has several implications for India. Analyse the geopolitical alignments taking place in the region and how it could have implications for India. 10 Marks

Despite various efforts, a solution to India’s malnutrition problem in children remains elusive. In light of this, elaborate on the issue of malnutrition in India among children and suggest ways to find the solution to the problem. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/poshan-maah-india-malnutrition-index-global-hunger-index-6594794/ In the intro, mention the malnutrition problem in India. In the body, mention the various figures from various report to cite the seriousness of the problem. Next, mention its impact on the country. In the next part, suggest the ways like-promoting women’s education, access to sanitation and drinking water, leveraging agriculture policies… Continue reading Despite various efforts, a solution to India’s malnutrition problem in children remains elusive. In light of this, elaborate on the issue of malnutrition in India among children and suggest ways to find the solution to the problem. 10 marks

Elaborate the importance of the Constitutional mandate of the oversight over the executive by the Parliament. Also explain the utility of question hour and implications of its suspension due to pandemic. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/question-hour-cancelled-parliament-monsoon-session-coronavirus-6594795/ In the intro, mention the oversight function of the Parliament. In the body, mention the importance of holding the executive responsible for its actions and such role assigned to the parliament. Next, why it is one of the most important functions of the parliament to hold the executive accountable. In the next… Continue reading Elaborate the importance of the Constitutional mandate of the oversight over the executive by the Parliament. Also explain the utility of question hour and implications of its suspension due to pandemic. 10 marks

Pluralism and secularism are essential for Indian democracy. Do you agree. Comment. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction explain the concepts of Pluralism and Secularism in Indian context. In the body discuss the significance of Pluralism and Secularism to Indian democracy. Further go on to define how these lead to tolerance and acceptance. Discuss the challenges in today’s India to promote plurality and secularism. Conclude with balanced way… Continue reading Pluralism and secularism are essential for Indian democracy. Do you agree. Comment. 10 marks

You are a jurist deciding an ethical case involving allegations that, Mrs. Sandy Tyson had helped her husband obtain a University fellowship to which he was not entitled. She is a former employee of the University. Mrs. Tyson is an African-American black lady married to Mike Tyson and both have denied the allegations and termed them as racist and baseless. What are the ethical issues involved here. What will be your decision. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction, briefly explain the case study. In the body write the legal as well as ethical issues involved in the case study. Write the possible course of actions with their merits and demerits.Be considerate to all the the key facts of the case and form an opinion accordingly. Conclude with a… Continue reading You are a jurist deciding an ethical case involving allegations that, Mrs. Sandy Tyson had helped her husband obtain a University fellowship to which he was not entitled. She is a former employee of the University. Mrs. Tyson is an African-American black lady married to Mike Tyson and both have denied the allegations and termed them as racist and baseless. What are the ethical issues involved here. What will be your decision. 10 marks

There are multiple definitions for a ‘farmer’ in official data published by the Government of India and most of them makes land ownership a mandatory criterion for being a farmer. In light of this discuss the need to formulate official definitions that go beyond the land ownership criterion. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/redefining-a-farmer/article32566123.ece#:~:text=It%20can%20be%20further%20refined,economies%20needs%20no%20further%20emphasis. In the intro, mention the lack of a universal definition of a farmer in India. In the body, mention various definition in various reports of the government. In the next part, mention the implications of such multiplicity of the definitions for policy implementation and tenants. Next, discuss the need to come up… Continue reading There are multiple definitions for a ‘farmer’ in official data published by the Government of India and most of them makes land ownership a mandatory criterion for being a farmer. In light of this discuss the need to formulate official definitions that go beyond the land ownership criterion. 10 marks

The Election Commission of India has been exploring the possibility of remote voting through blockchain technology. Analyse the opportunities and challenges in the adoption of such technology for voting in India. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/in-blockchain-voting-leave-out-the-general-election/article32565188.ece In the body, mention the recent move of the Election Commission to digitising electoral infrastructure. In the body, mention various applications adoption of such technology-benefit to internal migrants and seasonal workers, remotely stationed members of the Armed Forces, reducing the logistical hassle of the Election Commission, increasing the voting percentage through more… Continue reading The Election Commission of India has been exploring the possibility of remote voting through blockchain technology. Analyse the opportunities and challenges in the adoption of such technology for voting in India. 10 marks

Throw light on the impact of Jainism and its teachings on the composite culture of Indian society. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction briefly origin the origin of Jainism. In the body discuss Jain teachings and ideologies as reflected in different aspects of our society in detail. Bring out the articles in our Indian constitution that reflect these tenets and confirm the significance of the teachings of the school. Conclude by reasserting the… Continue reading Throw light on the impact of Jainism and its teachings on the composite culture of Indian society. 10 marks

You are the leader of a 5 member team that has been assigned to carry out social impact assessment of a project proposed in a Naxal area. Members have been allotted a remote village each to conduct surveys and ascertain views of local people. You are under strict instructions not to disclose the identity of respondents outside the project. While compiling data, you are puzzled by the responses from one of the villages. You accompany the point-person for that village next day for verification. You randomly pick a person from the list of respondents and ask her for clarification of the response she had given earlier. She seems confused and denies any knowledge of the survey being conducted, let alone she being questioned. You try to verify this from other respondents and get similar replies. This raises serious doubts about the integrity and credibility of the survey process. What are the ethical issues involved in the situation? As a team leader accountable for credibility of the survey and working on a hard timeline, what are the possible options before you? List their merits and demerits. Giving reasons, state the course of action you would follow. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction, briefly explain the case study. In the body, first write the ethical issues involved in the case. Then evaluate the merits and demerits based on ethical dimensions of public service such as honesty, commitment to work in adversity, etc. Clearly state your course of action with logical connections of merits… Continue reading You are the leader of a 5 member team that has been assigned to carry out social impact assessment of a project proposed in a Naxal area. Members have been allotted a remote village each to conduct surveys and ascertain views of local people. You are under strict instructions not to disclose the identity of respondents outside the project. While compiling data, you are puzzled by the responses from one of the villages. You accompany the point-person for that village next day for verification. You randomly pick a person from the list of respondents and ask her for clarification of the response she had given earlier. She seems confused and denies any knowledge of the survey being conducted, let alone she being questioned. You try to verify this from other respondents and get similar replies. This raises serious doubts about the integrity and credibility of the survey process. What are the ethical issues involved in the situation? As a team leader accountable for credibility of the survey and working on a hard timeline, what are the possible options before you? List their merits and demerits. Giving reasons, state the course of action you would follow. 10 marks

Bt cotton has been credited for the increased cotton yield in India. In light of this examine the impact of Bt cotton on the cotton production in India. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-twisted-trajectory-of-bt-cotton/article32566091.ece In the intro, mention the concept of GM crops. In the body, mention data from the various reports related to the cotton production from Bt as mentioned in the article. Conclude by mentioning the need to scrutinise the impact of adoption of Bt on cotton production.

India has not been able to find an alternative to NAM which has been described as the basic tenet of India’s foreign policy. Discuss. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/what-is-in-a-nam-and-indias-alignment/article32555378.ece In the intro, briefly introduce the NAM. In the body, mention how India spearheaded the NAM. Also, mention how the end of the Cold War transformed the idea of non-alignment for the bipolar world. Next, mention India’s struggle to find a viable alternative to the non-alignment through “strategies autonomy”. Conclude by stating… Continue reading India has not been able to find an alternative to NAM which has been described as the basic tenet of India’s foreign policy. Discuss. 10 marks

“Urbanization spurs a unique set of issues to both humans and animals. “Elucidate. 10 marks

Mentor’s comment- In the introduction define what you understand by urbanization. In the body explain that Half of the global population already lives in cities, and by 2050 two-thirds of the world’s people are expected to live in urban areas. But in cities two of the most pressing problems facing the world today also come… Continue reading “Urbanization spurs a unique set of issues to both humans and animals. “Elucidate. 10 marks

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