Answer:   Perform an objective and subjective analysis of the case.   Objective Analysis: The constitution of India caters to treat everybody as equal before the law irrespective of his religion. Thus, the religious community in the question should not be dealt with any special treatment. As a civil servant, an officer should follow the… Continue reading You are posted as a District Collector in one of the districts in India. It has been brought to your notice that a structure has been built by few members of a religious community on the public land without getting due permissions. In keeping with the guidelines of the Supreme Court of India, disallowing the construction of any permanent religious structures on public land, you are contemplating its removal. However, the leaders of the community in question have requested you to permit the structure saying that it is for the period of month long religious festival only. Moreover, they say that there is no other religious place nearby where community members can celebrate their festival. Your seniors and the political leader of the area also support their views. However you are skeptical that after the festival is over, it may not be easy to remove the religious structure from the public land due to the involvement of community members at large. (1) Perform an objective and subjective analysis of the case. (2) What will you do in such a situation?

Mentors Comments: The question seeks to address the growing issue of the rape incidences and the treatment meted out to the victims by the society in an insensitive manner with lacunae in compassion and empathy. One has to discuss the deteriorating conditions of our society with respect to treating the rape incidents and the victims… Continue reading The rape of small girls on the scale at which it is currently taking place, especially in the north, signifies a breakdown of the ethical order of common living. Do you agree? Suggest solutions. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Explain the term and how WHO responded to it recently 2. Examine various reasons behind the phenomenon 3. What’s the impact?  4. Suggest solutions for the same. Answer: WHO defines Vaccine hesitancy as a delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services. Vaccine hesitancy has been reported… Continue reading What do you understand by Vaccine Hesitancy? What are the reasons for it? What negative outcomes does it carry? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. What is QUAD? 2. Why was it formed? Examine its goals. 3. What are the limitations in taking it to the next level? 4. What should be done to make the grouping relevant to this century? Answer: Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) is the strategic dialogue between the four countries viz. India, United… Continue reading Discuss the significance of the QUAD grouping, especially for India. Is it’s relevance mere tokenism? (15 Marks)

According to Aristotle Happiness exits in the rational exercise of the soul’s faculties in conformity with virtues such as courage, justice, temperance, benevolence, and prudence. Aristotle argues that virtue is achieved by maintaining the Mean, which is the balance between the two excesses. Aristotle’s doctrine of the Mean is reminiscent of Buddha’s Middle Path. Aristotle’s… Continue reading “Aristotelian and Buddhist ethics are alike formally: each advocates moderation”. Discuss. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comment: You must have come across the commentaries on Indian secularism for the last couple of years in various newspapers, blogs and magazines. It’s the hot topic right now and it’s in crisis. This question is based on that theme, albeit with a little bit of change. It’s not asking about crisis in secularism… Continue reading India needs a reinvented secularism 2.0 rooted in complete separation of religion and state. Comment. (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Introduce with the events happening in Punjab and Haryana at present 2. Give reasons on why farmers burn stubble without adopting any technologies  3. Provide alternatives to such practices 4. Conclude by emphasizing the need for sustainable agriculture practices  Answer: Stubble burning is a post-harvest practice used to clear fields of paddy… Continue reading Why do farmers burn stubble, despite severe pollution? What steps can be taken to reduce stubble burning and the pollution that follows? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Brief what RCEP is 2. Highlight the potential benefits offered by RCEP 3. Why did India choose to stay away? What did we miss? 4. Suggest way ahead Answer: The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a trade deal that was being negotiated between 16 countries. The RCEP is billed to be… Continue reading Did India miss out by opting out of RCEP? Discuss. (15 Marks)

(a) What is the difference between reacting and responding?   A reaction is typically quick, without much thought, tense and aggressive. A response is thought out, calm and non-threatening. A reaction typically provokes more reactions – perpetuating a long line of hatefulness with nothing accomplished. A response typically provokes discussion – perpetuating healthy discussion (debate… Continue reading “For a public servant there is no black-and-white situation, but his reactions or responses are good or bad-whether s/he reacts negative or responds positive to the situation is, therefore, the more important.” Explain and answer the following questions: (a) What is the difference between reacting and responding? (7.5 Marks) (b) Are Confusion and Dilemma the natural routes to understand a situation and find solutions or obstacles? (7.5 Marks)

Mentors Comment: The question is quite straightforward and you may not have a problem in attempting it. Start with introducing Feb Revolution and what changes it bought.  Then in the first part of the answer, discuss why the provisional government, established after Feb Revolution, failed. WW1, Land, Bread, and Peace were the major factors. After… Continue reading Why did the February Revolution in 1917 ultimately fail? What were the consequences for Russia of the failure of Kerensky’s Provisional Government? (15 Marks)

Mentors Comments: 1. Explain the current news on Nagaland peace. 2. What are the reasons for delayed peace in the state? 3. Suggest steps to address the issue and also give a futuristic perspective on the same. Answer: Despite the signing of historic Naga framework agreement 4 years back between the central government and the… Continue reading Peace for Nagaland seems elusive in the aftermath of the government’s decision on JnK. Discuss. (15 Marks)