Q. Cyber security has emerged as a critical pillar of national security in the digital age. Discuss the major cyber security challenges faced by India and evaluate the institutional, technological, and legal measures taken to address them. (250 words).

Q. The effectiveness of regional groupings depends not only on institutional design but also on political will among member states.Critically analyse this statement with suitable examples. (250 words)

Q. How has competitive federalism complemented or conflicted with co-operative federalism in India? Illustrate your answer with recent policy initiatives and inter-state dynamics.(250 words)

Q. The Treaty of Versailles and subsequent post–World War I settlements sowed the seeds of long-term instability. Analyze how boundary reconfigurations contributed to political and social tensions in Europe.(250 words)

Q. Population growth in India is no longer a uniform challenge but a region-specific phenomenon. Discuss the demographic diversity across states and its implications for governance and federal policy planning. (250 words)

Essay Topics

Q1.Technology empowers, but institutions humanise governance.
Q2.Progress without purpose is movement without meaning.

Case Study

Suresh is a District Magistrate in a socio-economically backward region where brick kilns, stone quarries, and small manufacturing units provide employment to a large number of unskilled and migrant workers. Many of these workers belong to marginalized communities and are heavily indebted to contractors due to advances taken for medical expenses, marriages, or survival needs.

Recently, a group of social activists submitted a complaint to Suresh’s office alleging the prevalence of bonded labour practices in several work sites. Workers are reportedly forced to work long hours at extremely low wages, are not allowed to leave until their debts are repaid, and face threats and physical intimidation if they attempt to escape. Identity documents are often confiscated by contractors, and children are also made to assist their parents at work sites.

The contractors deny the allegations, claiming that workers are employed voluntarily and that advance payments are a common practice. Some local political leaders and influential business owners, who have economic stakes in these units, have informally advised Suresh to “handle the matter sensitively” to avoid social unrest and disruption of local economic activity.

Media attention is increasing after the rescue of a bonded labourer revealed inhuman living conditions and custodial violence at one of the sites.

Questions

Q1. Identify the ethical issues involved in the case from the perspectives of bonded labourers, employers, and public authorities.

Q2. What options are available to Suresh in dealing with this situation? Critically evaluate each option.

Q3. As the District Magistrate, what course of action should Suresh adopt to uphold constitutional values, human rights, and ethical governance? Justify your answer.

Q. Ethics operates at multiple levels, individual, organizational, and societal. Examine these dimensions of ethics and analyze how ethical failures at one level can undermine ethical governance as a whole.(150 words)

Q. In a society marked by growing materialism and individualism, human values often come under stress. Discuss the relevance of human values in ensuring ethical governance and inclusive development. Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the institutional and procedural mechanisms adopted for gender budgeting in India. Evaluate the challenges in translating gender budget allocations into measurable social outcomes. (250 words)

Q. COP-30 has been projected as a critical milestone for accelerating global climate action after the first Global Stocktake. Examine the significance of COP-30 in the context of strengthening Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and bridging the ambition gap. (250 words)

Q.“India’s governance challenge lies not in the absence of reforms but in persistent gaps in implementation.” Critically examine. (250 words)

Q.“Constitutional provisions by themselves are insufficient to sustain democratic governance unless they are animated by constitutional morality.” Discuss. (250 words)

Q. Bhakti and Sufi traditions played a transformative role in shaping India’s socio-cultural landscape.Discuss their contributions to religious harmony, vernacular literature, and popular culture. (250 words)

Q. Urbanisation in India has increasingly ignored geomorphological and hydrological constraints. Discuss how this has contributed to urban floods and environmental degradation. (250 words)

Essay Topics

1. “Technology can amplify human potential, but it cannot replace human judgment.”

2. “Cultural roots give societies resilience in times of rapid change.”

Case Study

Rakesh Mehta is the Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department (PWD) of a rapidly developing district. His department is responsible for awarding contracts for road construction, public buildings, and infrastructure maintenance. Recently, the government sanctioned a major road development project aimed at improving connectivity in rural areas.

During the tendering process, Rakesh notices that the bidding conditions have been subtly modified to favour a particular private contractor. The technical eligibility criteria appear unnecessarily restrictive, effectively eliminating genuine competitors. Informally, Rakesh learns that senior officials and local political leaders are pressuring the department to ensure the contract goes to this preferred bidder in exchange for financial kickbacks and political funding.

Although the selected firm quotes a higher price and has a questionable track record, the tender evaluation committee is being influenced to overlook these issues. When Rakesh raises procedural concerns, he is advised by colleagues to “go with the system” and reminded that officers who previously opposed such practices were sidelined or transferred.

Meanwhile, local citizens and media have started raising concerns about poor quality of public works and rising costs in government projects. Rakesh now faces a moral dilemma—whether to remain silent and protect his career or uphold transparency and fairness at the risk of professional retaliation.

Questions

Q1.Identify the ethical issues involved in the above case.

Q2.What ethical dilemmas does Rakesh Mehta face as a public servant while dealing with political pressure and irregularities in the tendering process?

Q3.What should be the most appropriate course of action for Rakesh to ensure transparency, accountability, and public interest in the tendering process?

Q. How does lack of probity in public administration affect public trust and institutional credibility? Illustrate your answer with suitable examples. (150 words).

Q. Explain the role of empathy and compassion in strengthening ethical decision-making and improving interpersonal relationships in public service. (150 words).

Q. Fiscal consolidation and growth stimulation often pose a policy dilemma for developing economies like India.Discuss how India can balance fiscal discipline with the need for public investment in infrastructure and social sectors.(250 words)

Q. Disasters are not merely natural events but outcomes of governance failures.Critically examine this statement with reference to recent disasters in India.(250 words)

Q. While civil society organisations act as watchdogs of democracy, concerns regarding their transparency and accountability have also emerged. Critically analyse this paradox in the Indian context. (250 words)

Q. The ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and West Asia have exposed the limitations of existing international security architectures.Critically analyse how these developments affect global stability and India’s strategic interests.(250 words)

Q. Discuss how social media has transformed patterns of communication, mobilisation, and identity formation in contemporary Indian society. (150 words)

Q. Discuss the role of the Swadeshi Movement in promoting economic nationalism and indigenous industries in colonial India.(150 words)

Essay Topics

1. A rising tide lifts all boats.

2. Education is not the learning of facts. It's rather the training of the mind to think.

Case Study

Ananya Sharma is the Deputy Manager in a large public sector organization responsible for infrastructure development. The organisation has a strong technical reputation but suffers from a toxic work culture. Senior officers often shout at subordinates during meetings, take credit for juniors’ work, and discourage dissenting opinions. Long working hours without recognition have become the norm, leading to low morale and high staff turnover.

Ananya observes that talented young officers hesitate to share innovative ideas due to fear of humiliation. Women employees, in particular, feel uncomfortable raising concerns, as informal networks dominated by senior male officers control decision-making. Although there is no explicit harassment, the environment is psychologically unsafe and demotivating.

Recently, a capable junior officer, Ravi, made a small procedural error in a project file. Instead of constructive feedback, he was publicly reprimanded by a senior officer during a meeting. Deeply demoralized, Ravi applied for transfer, citing “personal reasons.” Similar incidents have become common, affecting productivity and team cohesion.

As a mid-level officer, Ananya is respected by her team but has limited authority over senior officials. She believes that such a toxic work culture not only harms employee well-being but also compromises efficiency, innovation, and public service delivery.

Ananya now faces a dilemma: whether to remain silent to protect her own career progression or take steps—formal or informal—to improve workplace culture, promote dignity, and uphold ethical values within the organization.

Q1. Identify the ethical issues involved in the above case related to workplace culture. How do such issues affect employee morale, productivity, and organizational effectiveness?

Q2.What ethical dilemmas does Ananya face as a mid-level officer in addressing toxic workplace practices? Discuss the possible courses of action available to her, highlighting their merits and limitations.

Q3. How can ethical leadership and positive organizational culture contribute to improved governance and employee well-being? Suggest measures to promote a healthy and inclusive work environment in public institutions.

Q. How does sound corporate governance contribute to ethical business practices and long-term sustainability of organizations? Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words)

Q. “Emotional intelligence is as important as intellectual ability for effective leadership.” Discuss this statement in the context of public service delivery. (150 words)

Q. Quantum technologies are expected to transform computing, communication, and cybersecurity.Discuss India’s preparedness in this domain and the challenges that need to be addressed. (250 words)