In February 2023, we had published 301 posts.
GS-I: Indian Culture
1. Discuss the features of the classical tradition in Painting giving suitable examples in support of your answer.
2. Elucidate the factors that contributed towards the growth of regional literature in India during the Sultanate period?
3. Trace the influence of colonialism and subsequent freedom struggle upon the evolution of Indian art forms.
4. Discuss why the buildings constructed by the Public Works Department of the Government of India in the second half of the nineteenth century have no architecture.
5. Sanchi stupa represents a testimony to the Maurya, Sunga as well as Saatavahana art in India. Examine.
6. Describe the chief features of the architecture and sculptures of the Agra fort. Also give examples of some buildings in the fort in support of your answer.
7. The Diwan-i-khas and the Rang Mahal in the Red Fort at Delhi are described 'as the most ornamented of all Shahjahan's buildings and 'The crowning jewel of Shah jahan's seraglio' respectively by modern critics. Bring out the brilliance of these two buildings by giving a brief but critical account of these two buildings.
8. Mention some buildings which were architecturally good when most of the government buildings during 1950 to 1960 were built under the influence of the Modern Movement. Also state what were the drawbacks of the Modern Movement in architecture?
9. Describe those features of the buildings of the Secretariat, the Rashtrapati Bhavan which show that in the construction of these buildings, there is a happy synthesis of traditional Indian and modern Western architectural styles.
10. Discuss the leaders who were responsible for Art Renaissance in modern times especially in the areas of painting and music.
11. With reference to the Mauryan era art, what do you understand by the Court art and the Popular Art? Discuss with examples.
12. The Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain.
13. Explain how the buildings constructed by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri show that he achieved a fusion of native traditions with those of Iran in the sphere of art.
14. Critically examine the efforts of Raja Ravi Varma to re-establish Indian art.
15. What is the significance of the architecture of the buildings of Jantar-Mantar and Safdar's Tomb in the history of modern Indian architecture? Discuss.
16. ''The tomb of Aurangzeb's queen Rabia-ud-Durani by Aurangabad illustrates in apathetic manner the rapid deterioration of the Mughal architecture." Bring out the correctness of the above statement by discussing the architecture of the buildings.
17. Describe critically those features of the city of Jaipur and of the architecture of the palace of Suraj Mal at Deeg on account of which E.B. Havell thinks that the modern Rajput architecture began in the second quarter of the eighteenth century.
18. Show how the buildings constructed by Sher Shah clearly exemplify his ideals of the attitude towards building art. Discuss their chief features and their importance in the history of development of Indo-Muslim architecture.
19. Discuss the various factors which led to the formation of Akbar's Indo-Islamic architectural style.
20. Discuss the chief features of Mughal architecture in the time of Shah jahan and give examples in support of your answer.
21. Discuss the architecture of the buildings in metropolitan cities of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta constructed by the English East India Company before 1857.
GS-I: Indian Society
1. Discuss how the taboos and myths surrounding menstruation in India have been detrimental for women in many aspects of socio-cultural life. Suggest measures to combat them.
2. Highlight the factors behind fast-paced rural to urban migration and discuss the challenges arising out of it, mainly for the economically weaker sections. Also suggest measures to address this issue.
3. Keeping in view the poor performance of India in the World Press Freedom Index (WPFI), elucidate the importance of media for a democracy. Also, identify the issues affecting media in contemporary times and suggest measures to address them.
4. How significant a contributor is the housing sector to the GHG emissions? What are various government’s initiatives to boost the green housing sector?
5. The idea of population control legislation in India has become irrelevant in the light of demographic changes highlighted by the NFHS-5. Critically examine.
6. It has been seen that apart from the gender roles, do you think religion is driving conservatism among the youth?
7. The reasons behind violation of sexual and reproductive rights of women are often deeply engrained in societal values and traditions. Comment.
8. Climate change is affecting everyone on the planet, but the most severe crisis will be faced by the coastal areas. In this context, discuss the challenges faced by coastal cities due to climate change.
9. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes has played an important role in tackling the issues faced by scheduled castes in India, but there is a need to strengthen it for the betterment of Scheduled Castes. Elaborate.
10. Despite increasing urbanisation in India, the caste-based discrimination has not been annihilated rather it has manifested in different ways. Discuss with examples.
11. Discuss how the structure of caste system in India has undergone a paradoxical change over last few decades.
12. Enumerate the reasons of poverty among the third world countries, also mention the key ideas suggested in the Brandt report of 1980 to help them.
13. Though the situation of women has improved considerably in present India, still various forms of violence against India is still persisting. Discuss the ways to handle this issue effectively.
14. India as a democracy needs democratically functioning political parties to deepen the democratic setup at grassroot level. Comment.
15. How do you think the reforms in public transport in India effect women?
16. The caste system in India has went through many changes and is still persisting by adapting itself to changing socio-economic and political conditions. Comment.
17. Explaining the concept of secularism, discuss how Indian secularism differs from the West.
18. Examine the New Education Policy language debate: how can India equitably balance nationalism, federalism and linguistic pluralism?
19. In this moment when democracy is threatened by majoritarianism, readers can play a more pluralistic role. Comment.
20. Why do you think is there any opposition to Hindi teaching which had been crystallized into a policy into an official document in 1968?
GS-I: Modern Indian History
1. Tagore was uncomfortable with some aspects of the movement set in motion by Mahatma Gandhi, particularly his instrumentalists view of Satyagraha. Explain.
2. Critically examine the Labour Legislations and Land Reforms executed after independence till death of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, emphasizing upon their challenges and outcomes.
3. How did the Third Carnatic War affect the political fortunes of the French in India? What were the causes of the French failure in their struggle against the English Company?
4. The revolt of 1857 was more spontaneous than planned. Do you agree with this statement? Justify.
5. How the abrupt withdrawal of Non-cooperation movement shaped further the socioeconomic and political processes in India? Explain while limiting yourself to events before launch of Civil Disobedience Movement.
6. Provide the sequence of events that led to formation of INA. What was impact of INA on India's freedom struggle? Discuss.
7. In what way did the Charter Act of 1793, 1813, 1833 and 1853 affect the structure of the Company Government in India? Discuss limiting yourself to Governor General and his council only.
8. The Revolt of 1857 had far-reaching political, military, social and economic results. Amplify.
9. What were the key changes that took place in Gandhi's mass mobilization strategy from the 1919 Rowlatt Satyagraha onward as compared to his earlier movements in Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad? How these changes affected the further course of freedom struggle? Critically analyze.
10. Discuss the various views presented by historians around the revolt of 1857.
11. The recruitment policy of Indian Army to a great extent was shaped by the so called Martial Race Theory that originated in the aftermath of 1857 rebellion. Was it some kind of sinister designs of British or a natural grouping of soldiers? Analyze critically its cause and effects.
12. Discuss the origin and development of the Aligarh Movement with special emphasis on the part played by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan in promoting it.
13. The factors that led to reorganization of Bombay and Madras were at stark contrast with the factors that led to reorganization of Punjab and Assam. Do you agree? Explain.
14. "The inclusion of Princely States in the Federation Scheme of 1935 Act was the last resort of the British to balance the reactionary elements with the progressive forces."Critically discuss while elucidating the initial reactions of the princely states.
15. Was the national struggle for independence merely an expression of self-serving agenda of the Indian capitalist class? Discuss giving examples of suitable personalities and events related to Indian capitalist class.
16. Why some leaders of India such as Ram Manohar Lohia, Abul Kalam Azad found Congress solely responsible for communalism and eventual partition of India? Critically discuss.
17. Elucidate the positive and negative outcomes of Revolt of 1857.
18. Dr. B R Ambedkar and New Life Movement
19. What is significance of RIN mutiny? To what extent, RIN mutiny hastened the end of British rule in India?
20. Discuss the reasons, key events and outcome of the Revolt of 1857.
GS-I: Modern World History
1. To what extent did the lives of ordinary people in the USSR improve or worsen as a result of Stalin’s policies during the period 1928 to 1941?
2. Explain how Korea came to be divided into two separate states during the period 1945-53?
3. Explain why there was a revolution in China in 1911 and assess the consequences of that revolution.
4. 'A total and unmitigated disaster.' How far would you agree with this comment on the policies of Mao Xedong and the Chinese Communist Party during the period 1949-60?
5. ‘Stalin’s power during the 1930s was based almost entirely on terror.’ How far would you agree with this view?
6. Explain the causes and consequences of the rapid growth in the world's population during the twentieth century.
7. How effective were the Five Year Plans in creating a successful economy in the USSR up to 1941?
8. How far would you agree that Stalinism was just a continuation of Leninism?
9. ‘Neither in his economic nor in his political outlook could Deng Xiaoping be considered to be a liberal. ‘How far would you agree with this view?
10. 'It was Gorbachev's reluctance to commit himself to sufficiently radical changes that led to the break-up of the Soviet Union.' Assess the validity of this view.
11. The Cultural revolution of 1966-9 was an attempt by Mao Zedong to protect his own power and position rather than a genuine battle of ideas."To what extent do you think this is a fair verdict on Mao's Cultural Revolution?
12. The communist victory in 1949 was due as much to the shortcomings of the Kuomintang as it was to the leadership of Mao Zedong. How far would you agree with this assessment?
13. ‘Agriculture was always the basic weakness of the Soviet economy.’ Assess the validity to this view of the Soviet economy during the Stalin years
14. How accurate is it to talk about the 'Stalin Revolution' in economic and political affairs in the USSR during the period 1928 to 1941?
15. Assess the reasons why the policies of Deng Xiaoping led to a period of crisis in 1987-89. How successfully did Deng deal with the crisis?
16. Explain why the collapse of the USSR was followed by serious economic and political problems.
17. Explain why it took the Nationalists (Kuomintang) so long to establish their authority over China after the revolution of 1911.
18. 'Half a century of disaster for the people of North Korea'. How far would you agree with this verdict on Kim ll-sung's period of rule in North Korea?
19. What methods were used to try to control population growth in the second half of the twentieth century, and why did some of them arouse criticism?
20. How important were the divisions among his opponents in explaining Stalin's rise to supreme power during the 1920s?
GS-I: World Geography
1. Elucidate the difference between tropical and temperate forest while keeping in focus their natural resources.
2. Highlighting the geographical and economic importance of the Hindukush-Himalayan region, outline the changes in the critical geographical features and the consequence it will have.
3. It’s not just the geographical conditions that have led to recurring floods in Eastern India. Discuss and also suggest measures to tackle this menace.
4. Discuss the location and characteristics of commercial mixed farming and Mixed Cropping as an economic activity around the world.
5. Give an account of Livestock Ranching as economic activity around the world. Why livestock ranching is not very popular in countries like India and China?
6. Discuss the spatial distribution of major fishing grounds around the world.
7. What are Walker circulations and how does it influence the Indian monsoons?
8. Discuss the spatial pattern of commercial fishing as economic activity around the world.
9. Production of Commercial Timber / Lumbering around the world is concentrated in the mid-latitude regions. Why? Explain while giving an account of spatial distribution of Commercial Timber Belts Forests around the world.
10. In recent decades, the share of the developed countries in the fishing activity has declined while share of the developing countries has increased. Explain.
11. Examine the distribution and factors responsible for the location of Chemical Fertilizer industry around the world.
12. Give an account of spatial pattern of Pearl fishing and pearl culture industry around the world.
13. Discuss the locational aspects of cement industry around the world.
14. Account for the spatial distribution of Livestock Ranching around the world.
15. Provide an account of spatial pattern and distribution of Cork Industry around the world. Why Cork Industry is called a sustainable industry?
16. Discuss the Location and Characteristics of Commercial Grain Farming industry around the world.
17. Discuss the locational aspects of woolen textile industry around the world.
18. Explain the concept of Carbon Compensation Depth. Discuss the implications of rise in this depth due to anthropogenic activities.
19. The cotton textile industry in India has been localized to certain regions. Giving a brief account of its distribution, identify the factors behind it.
20. Examine the distribution and factors responsible for the pulp & paper textile industry around the World.
GS-II: Constitution of India & Polity
1. Much controversy has been generated in modern times regarding Article 74 related to 'aid and advice' of the Council of Ministers (CoM) to President. Is the aid and advice of CoM binding on President? Discuss why and when this advice is binding or non-binding?
2. Examine the composition and importance of Law Commission of India.
3. Why the various investigating agencies and regulators need to work more closely in India?
4. Discuss the rationale behind government's decision to include the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) under the Intelligence Organisations (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1985.
5. It is often argued that the disturbing trends in judicial activism have become a challenge for executive to run ministries, government departments, investigation agencies and the police. Analyze the problem while suggesting measures that can be adopted to reduce tussle between government and judiciary in the country.
6. To what extent, the idea of Cooperative Federalism undermines the constitutional mandate that India is after all a federal state with strong unitary features? Critically Examine.
7. The rural-urban divide in India is stark when it comes to standards of living such as education, healthcare, sanitation and drinking water. To what extent, the anomaly in distribution of powers between centre and states is responsible for this? Analyze.
8. Highlight the key observations of Supreme Court in recent judgment over River Cauvery water-sharing dispute and their potential implications over federalism.
9. Discuss the achievements and failures of National Human Rights Commission.
10. Why the mechanism of ad-hoc tribunals to adjudicate the dispute between the riparian states has failed to realize its objectives? Can this mechanism be replaced with mediations? Give reasoned opinion.
11. Can Indian courts take notice of conviction of Indian national for offence abroad?
12. Describe the key changes introduced in process of Rajya Sabha elections via the Representation of People (Amendment) Act of 2003. Why these changes were challenged in court?
13. What are the major hindrances to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform as envisaged by constitution in fundamental duties? Discuss with suitable examples.
14. "Indian judicial system is reeling under a back-breaking load of 3 Crore pending cases in various levels of the courts across the country."Suggest steps to tackle the situation.
15. What is the government rationale behind merging the National Crimes Records Bureau (NCRB) with Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)? Do their functions overlap or are different? Discuss.
16. What are the features of the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Division of High Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2018?
17. The very concept of cooperative federalism implies a strong centre, and state governments are largely administrative agencies for central policies. Critically discuss.
18. What are aims and objectives of Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of NITI Aayog?
19. What are the main functions of the Chief Secretary? What are recent arguments against the post of Chief Secretary? Is this office now obsolete?
20. Explain the function and mandate and key issues in effective functioning of National Investigation Agency (NIA).
GS-II: Governance
1. Managing conflicts of interest in both the public and private sectors has become a major governance issue world-wide. Discuss in context of India, how such conflict can be resolved.
2. "Social audit of public works programs is the first and foremost vital feature for measuring the level of good governance."Critically discuss while enumerating steps taken in recent years by central and state governments to strengthen social audit.
3. Technology can fill in to address various gaps in prosecution of witnesses. Discuss with an example
4. Relevance of Cognitive Intelligence in civil services
5. The decline of parliamentary culture over the last decade poses serious threats to political accountability and probity. Critically examine the reasons for the same while suggesting measures that can be adopted to counter the menace.
6. Justice denied is Justice delayed. Discuss the pendency problem of the Indian criminal investigation system in the light of the NCRB report.
7. What are key recommendations of the insolvency law committee to deal with cross border insolvency?
8. What do you understand by the term "Research Governance"? Discuss the steps taken by the government in recent years to boost the same in the country.
9. Who is a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) and what is the process of declaring a person as a FEO?
10. India needs ease of policing’, better training and infrastructure to tackle the cases of torture. Discuss
11. Examine the functional contribution of civil society to good governance.
12. Comment on (1) Role of quasi-judicial bodies in governance (2) Key domestic issues related to Internet Governance in India.
13. Discuss the role of civic engagement and social accountability at local government level to boost good governance.
14. Does Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) endorse cooperative federalism?
15. Most of India's problems originate not from the lack of elaborate plans, but for the lack of seriousness in implementation. Critically discuss with suitable examples.
16. What are the factors that determine the success and failure of e-governance model? Discuss taking examples of three e-governance initiatives taken India
17. Explain the terms "Bureaucratisation of Politics"and "Politicisation of Bureaucracy"with suitable examples.
18. Discuss the steps taken by current NDA Government to reorient the work culture of bureaucrats and ministers. To what extent, the steps taken so far have been able to change the complexion of relationship between bureaucracy, political executive and citizens of the country? Critically analyse.
19. Compare the social and political impacts of fifth and sixth schedule of Constitution under which tribal areas of India are governed. Why there have been demands to move some fifth schedule areas to sixth schedule? Discuss Critically.
20. In recent years, the problem of call drops in the country has deteriorated. Consumers complain that even after paying for a service, why they should be denied of reasonable call quality? Discuss the reasons and suggest policy solution in this direction.
GS-II: International Relations
1. Throw light on opportunities and challenges involved in India's trade with Latin American and Caribbean countries.
2. In order to strengthen its regional ties in South Asia, India is getting more inclined towards BIMSTEC and BBIN distancing itself away from SAARC. Discuss the underlying reasons and possible implications.
3. How will India be benefited from its accession to MTCR, Australia Group and Wassennar Arrangement? Explain.
4. Discuss the strategic and economic importance of Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) for India.
5. How recent changes in immigration policies in Middle East affect India? What India should do to mitigate those effects?
6. How the Judges are elected to International Court of Justice (ICJ)? Discuss the importance of ICJ seat to India's diplomacy.
7. While throwing light on the geostrategic importance of Central Asian region, discuss some of the steps taken by India over the past few years to promote its concept of "extended neighbourhood"in the region.
8. What is India's planned military base at Seychelles?
9. While focussing on India's huge investment made in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, discuss how Afghanistan can prove to be of great strategic and economic importance to India in coming years.
10. Throw light on the ways through which Indian Diaspora abroad can contribute in India's development. Also discuss the transformation in India's policy towards its Diaspora over the past few years.
11. Throw light on the geostrategic importance of Maldives for India. How China's growing influence in Maldives is a strategic concern to India? Discuss.
12. What are key outcomes of visit of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to India?
13. Should India join the comprehensive and progressive agreement for Transpacific partnership? Give arguments to support your point of view.
14. Discuss the factors that have pushed India to adopt a multi-directional approach for its West Asia policy.
15. What are the current contours of India-Jordan Relations?
16. Throw light on the importance of Israel-Palestine peace process for India. Should India play a mediator role in the same? Give arguments to support your view point.
17. How can India-ASEAN tie up help to counter China's growing influence in Southeast Asia? Discuss highlighting challenges towards that.
18. Many argue that the proposed concept of "Asian NATO"to counter China's assertiveness in the region may not be as effective as it was in case of NATO to counter Russia. What are possible logics behind such argument? How do you counter such argument? Discuss.
19. What are the objectives of European bank of reconstruction and Development? What are the advantages for India for its membership?
20. How India has utilized its soft power to achieve its foreign policy goals over the last few years? Discuss with suitable examples.
GS-II: Social Justice
1. What kind of comprehensive plan is needed to tackle the developing water crisis in India?
2. What is the scheme about pension to informal workers?
3. What are your views about the recent figures released by the UNICEF on the prevalence of the malice of child marriage?
4. What do you understand by the sub-replacement fertility in terms of demography?
5. The stress on rote learning instead of critical thinking continues, unlike in European systems.
6. Examine the issue of reservations for the Maratha community in the light of observations made by the Bombay High Court.
7. What are your suggestions for better implementation of the Right to Education Act?
8. The policy must deal not only with caste-based discrimination but identity itself. Comment.
9. NRC has violated the Constitutional morality and may other principles of international law. The exercise can only bring shame to India. Comment.
10. What in your opinion will be the effect of landholding limit which has been lifted by the government and extension of PM-KISAN scheme to all the farmers?
11. What steps can be taken by the Indian Government for the elimination of Child Labour?
12. Why do you think better bans are needed on smoking in India?
13. How do you think the government can plug in the loopholes in the education system?
14. Why India refused to sign Osaka declaration on free flow of data across borders?
15. What are the issues surrounding the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme?
16. Examine the trends in unemployment rates across various religious groups in the light of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data by Ministry of Minority Affairs.
17. Are you of the view that the workforce of India is masculinizing gradually?
18. What are the steps taken by the government to integrate Ayurveda, Yoga, Homeopathy systems with Modern Medicine?
19. What in your opinion are the reasons for the downward revision of MGNREGA budget for 2019-20?
20. Examine the rising trends in Diphtheria cases in India as a concern for India’s public health.
GS-III: Economy & Economic Development
1. The future of energy sector rests on four pillars viz. Energy Access, Energy Efficiency, Energy Sustainability and Energy Security. Critically discuss in the light of current government policies towards the sector.
2. How the alarming level of Non-performing Assets in the banks can derail India's renewable energy ambitions? Discuss while also explaining the high social costs in promotion of green energy.
3. Despite being one of the largest coal producers, India depends on imports to meet its demands. Critically examine the issues which domestic coal industry is facing.
4. What is hybrid annuity PPP model? How can hybrid annuity PPP bring efficiency and sustainability in sewage treatment?
5. What are the major issues towards labour reforms in India? Discuss while elucidating the proposed "four labour codes" as a part of the labour law reforms?
6. Elucidate the functioning of National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). Do you agree that NIIF has been an innovative move for channelizing the big-ticket private funding? Discuss analyzing its potential towards with its reviving private capital inflows into infrastructure in the country.
7. The RBI's household finance committee recently showed that only 5% of the average Indian household's wealth is in financial assets. Critically analyze the reasons and its implications for mobilization of resources in economy.
8. Despite of increased output and productivity, there is a demand –supply gap in the oilseeds in India, particularly in Edible oils. While analyzing the reasons, discuss the steps that should be taken to address the issue.
9. India's new civil aviation policy offers an open-sky policy covering the SAARC countries while it seeks a restrictive policy for countries that are within 5,000 kms from India. Examine the rationale while elucidating India's open sky pacts.
10. What are the key recommendations of P J Nayak Committee report on governance problems in functioning of the Public Sector Banks? Critically assess these recommendations and possible implications of accepting them on Indian economy.
11. What do you understand by Aadhar seeding? Discuss its various methods and benefits, particularly in improvement of India's Public Distribution System.
12. In India, the capital market reforms have been much easier in comparison to banking or insurance. Justify the statement giving appropriate reasons.
13. What are the major aspects of the so called Quality Infrastructure Investment (QII) promoted by Japan? While analyzing the QII collaboration between India and Japan, discuss how it can help the infrastructure policy making in the country.
14. In India, most part of saving is generated by the households but bulk of those savings is locked into unproductive physical assets. What are the major implications of this on resource mobilization? While elucidating the government action, put forward your policy suggestions.
15. What are the various products and their applications in silicon wafer manufacturing industry in India? Discuss the status of this industry, challenges and government policy incentives towards silicon wafers manufacturers.
16. Examine the structure, strengths and weakness of India's steel industry. Given that the Indian steel sector is poised to be the world's second largest, what opportunities and threats you perceive for this industry. Discuss.
17. Differentiate between Offshore Derivative Instruments (ODI) and Participatory Notes (PN). Why SEBI has a cautious approach towards these instruments? Discuss highlighting recent SEBI order towards these instruments.
18. There is a strong regional bias in corporate investment in India that leads to regional inequalities. Critically discuss while suggesting policy measures towards this.
19. While elucidating the objectives and achievements of the policy of disinvestment in India, critically examine why year after year, the government fails to achieve the disinvestment targets.
20. What is market cap-to-GDP ratio? What does it indicate? Discuss with focus on India's market cap-to-GDP ratio.
21. Critically examine the key problems of India's manufacturing sector while keeping in focus the recently released ease of doing business report.
22. What are the main shortcomings of using GDP as a measure of economic growth? Discuss while suggesting alternative measures for the same.
23. Compare the share of direct and indirect taxes in total tax collection and tax-GDP ratio in India? Do you see an imbalance in these shares as compared to other countries? What can be implications of such imbalance and what should be done?
24. Critically comment on the government's plans to create a subsidy package to encourage consumers to switch from cash payments to digital.
25. What role can be played by "Information Infrastructure"towards solving the issues of bad loans, insolvency and bankruptcy in India? Discuss in the light of the so called "information utilities"concept as enshrined in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.
26. What do you understand by Digital Intelligence? Why it is considered to be an important economic resource? Discuss its relevance in policy making.
27. "Though India's founders favoured creating Indians in spirit and political consciousness, yet they failed to create one economic India". How far do you agree with this view? Give opinion.
28. While the PAHAL scheme appears to be successful, Direct Benefit Transfer in food is much more complex and appears to be in doldrums. Discuss critically.
29. As per "The Accidents India 2016" report road accidents are one of the leading cause of deaths in India. While explaining the provisions of Motor vehicle amendment act, explain how these provisions can help in reducing deaths due to road accidents?|
30. The Global Risks Report 2017 has identified income inequality as a result of the neo-liberal policies to be the top most threat to the world order. What are the ill-effects of inequality on societies? Discuss while highlighting the extent of inequality in India.
31. What are the main functions of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)? Do you agree with the view that it has been successful in altering the notion that organized retail is a killer of smaller traders? Discuss.
32. To what extent, the merger of public sector banks into one large entity can solve all or some of problems of the banking sector in India? Discuss critically.|
33. Critically examine the concerns expressed by some in India's auto Industry that Electric Vehicles (EVs) will have huge socio-economic costs and will contribute to loss of millions of jobs in India.
34. What do you understand by loan evergreening? To what extent, it affects the bad loans (NPAs) in the banking industry? Discuss while highlighting SEBI's efforts on loan evergreening.
35. Discuss the comparative trends in horticulture production vis-i-vis food grains production in India in recent years. Do these trends indicate rise (of fall) in income of cultivators? Discuss.
36. Explain what was meant by 'Reaganomics', the term used to describe President Reagan's economic policies. How successful were these policies.
37. What do you understand by employment elasticity? Discuss the trends in contribution of manufacturing and services sector in aggregate employment elasticity of India.
38. To what extent the benefits of economic liberalization were trickled down to the lower strata of the society? Discuss critically.
39. While highlighting the salient features of National Electricity Policy, critically discuss if the policy has been able to maintain a balance between renewable energy and thermal energy. Give policy suggestions.
40. Rooftop solar provides provides a good alternative source of electricity to that provided by the grid, however, it is not being adopted widely in India. Highlight the reasons underlying.
GS-III: Environment & Disaster Management
1. What are your views about the National Clean Air Programme?
2. What are coral reefs? What is their significance? Explain in detail the threats faced by them.
3. Chennai is facing an unprecedented drought not seen in decades. What kind of solutions do you suggest for checking the water crisis in Chennai?
4. A proposal has been made to establish a permanent research center for Olive Ridley Turtle on the Odisha coast. Discuss the threats to the species in India and ways to conserve.
5. How the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure builds on the collaborative framework to build Disaster Resilient Infrastructure?
6. UN Climate Change meet could provide industry a roadmap for low carbon growth. Comment.
7. The disaster management practices must give due attention towards Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. Discuss why the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure is the need of hour.
8. How the Graded Response Action Plan responds to tackle the pollution emergencies?
9. Why people of Wayanad are protesting closure of Kerala-Karnataka highway through Bandipur Tiger Reserve?
10. What is Agroecology? Is Agroecology facing threats from the powerful elite lobby?
11. The water crisis in Tamil Nadu shows that there is a lot to learn about rainwater harvesting from our ancestors. Comment.
12. What is a heat wave? Enumerate the ill effects of a heat wave on living things.
13. How the Paani Bachao, Paise Kamao of Punjab checks depletion of underground water?
14. Waste to Wealth strategy is what will help in dealing with plastic waste efficiently. Discuss some of innovations for recycling plastics.
15. India is all set to lay out another template for other countries on securing water security by integrating fragmented institutions. Comment.
16. What are Green Crackers? How they can contribute in reducing pollution levels?
17. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyse the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples.
18. Why there is a need of awareness campaigns to bring tangible changes in fight against climate change and building sustainable agriculture?
19. What is the significance of Sunderban Wetlands of India?
20. What are the findings of the report United in Science?
GS-III: Internal & External Security
1. What are the controversial provisions of UAPA?
2. Internet as Basic Human Right
3. The Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill, 2019 draws significant similarities with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) but also has some notable divergences. Discuss.
4. Personal Data Protection Bill : Challenges
5. The Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill 2019 is aimed at promoting the safety and security of India’s maritime trade. Comment.
6. What are the factors that lead to easy radicalisation of youth in India? Discuss some of efforts made by government to counter the same.
7. How money laundering can be a threat to India's internal security? Discuss some of the international agreements and steps taken by Indian government to address the issue of money laundering.
8. Trace the history of the so called "Terai rights"movements in Nepal. To what extent the recently promulgated constitution has addressed the issue of Terai Rights and rights of other groups? Examine.
9. Are states in India competent to make laws on National Security along with Public law and Order? Discuss in the light of recently passed GCTOC and provisions of seventh schedule in the constitution of India.
10. How civil society, media and religious communities can play an active role in the ongoing war against terrorism? Discuss.
11. What are the arguments in favor and opposition to the data localization norms?
12. What are the challenges faced by the Indian government to ensure coastal and maritime security? Discuss the possible impacts of the "Quad"or "Strategic Quadrilateral"initiative on India's maritime security.
13. Examine the various phases of Nepal's transformation from a Hindu monarchy to secular republic giving reference to the various Constitutions in the country.
14. Elucidate the salient features of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS). Discuss challenges in its implementation.
15. Right to Protest in India: Constitutional & Legal Provisions
16. Throw light on the role of external state and non-state actors in creating security challenges to India. Discuss some of the measures adopted by the government to handle the same.
17. Guidelines against destruction during protests
18. Trace the origin of Sedition law in India. Who were the targets of this law among India's freedom fighters? Discuss.
19. Examine the key challenges that the Indian Navy faces in becoming a blue-water force.
20. In context of the Godhra riots, 2002, discuss the findings of the Nanavati Commission, which has been recently tabled in the Gujarat Assembly.
GS-III: Science & Technology
1. Artificial Intelligence is an emerging technology in need of direction through a policy. Conflicting and confusing strategies by various government agencies have led to confusions. Discuss
2. Do you think that the government needs to assist the telecom sector for facilitation of 5G roll-out? Comment.
3. Enumerate the key features of RISAT- 2B and discuss its significance towards India�s space programme.
4. Enumerate the features of an Economic census. How the recent Economic census will utilize digital methods for its recordings?
5. How technological intervention will aid in enhancing the livelihood of fishermen? Explain with suitable examples.
6. Although drones have been used by military but recently government has become open to the idea of their use in commercial or civil life. Comment.
7. How was India benefitted from the contributions of Sir M.Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively?
8. What is sexed semen technology ? How can it help solve the stray cattle problem in various parts of the country?
9. Discuss the significance of NASA�s InSight Mission. Why knowing about the surface of Mars has become so much important in recent years?
10. In light of the prominent instances of drone attacks by both state and non-state actors, assess the challenges and capabilities of India in dealing with such security threats.
11. Critically analyse the role of Deep Technology in providing comprehensive social development as well as social security.
12. Coping with Digital Markets
13. Enumerate the concerns behind the use of e-cigarettes. What will be the impacts of recent ban on use of e-cigarettes in India?
14. Enumerate the features of Chandrayaan 2 in detail along with the challenges it will have to face.
15. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?
16. Partnerships with leading global institutions can ensure our ideas and implementation strategies are globally relevant. Comment.
17. Hydrogen Cell Technology & Its Significance
18. What do you understand by Defence Offset Policy? What are issues in its effective implementation?
19. LESA or Lunar Evacuation System Assembly is a system to rescue astronauts in case of injury on lunar surface. Comment.
20. ISRO should also involve private sector to join in building the proposed space station. Comment.
GS-IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
1. Examine the concerns about privacy issues with Digital India programme.
2. What are the ethical concerns regarding Capital Punishment? Should India do away with the capital punishment? Argue.
3. Ethics are more important than laws.Elucidate
4. The implementation of National Food Security Act must base on principle of self-exclusion and culture of honesty. Discuss.
5. 2017 Mock Test -12: Case Study-2
6. 2018-Mock-8: Case Study-4
7. There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occupy positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions have wide-ranging impact on society and environment. What steps have you taken to improve your ethical competence to handle such responsibility?
8. 2018-Mock-8: Case Study-3
9. Critically discuss the various arguments on the basis of which the Aadhaar project has been challenged for violating the right to privacy. To what extent do you agree with these views? Discuss.
10. What are different aspects of conscience? Differentiate between the intuitive and empirical conceptions of conscience.
11. 2018-Mock-8: Case Study-2
12. 2018-Mock-8: Case Study-5
13. Importance of Intellectual Integrity in Civil Services
14. Throw light on the causes of corruption in public sector institutions. Discuss some of the measures adopted by the current NDA government to combat corruption.
15. 2018-Mock-8: Case Study-6
16. "The earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers but on loan from our children. So we have to hand over to them at least as it was handed over to us."Explain the implicit environment ethics in above Gandhian quote.
17. Differentiate between Moral Absolutism, Moral Relativism and Moral Nihilism.
18. What do you understand by being "inherently good"and "inherently bad"? Do you believe that all human beings are either inherently good or bad? Give arguments to support your view.
19. What do you understand by Social Skills? Discuss the importance of Social Skills in Civil Services.
20. 2018-Mock-8: Case Study-1
