Conroot

1. Rajesh Kumar is a senior public servant, with a reputation of honesty and forthrightness, currently posted in the Finance Ministry as the Head of the Budget Division. His department is presently busy in organizing the budgetary support to the states, four of which are due to go to the polls within the financial year. This year’s annual budget had allotted Rs 8300 crores for the National Housing Scheme (NHS), a centrally sponsored social housing scheme for the weaker sections of society. Rs 775 crores have been drawn for NHS till June. The Ministry of Commerce had long been pursuing a case for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a southern state to boost exports. After two years of detailed discussion between the center and state, the Union Cabinet approved the project in August. Process was initiated to acquire the necessary land. Eighteen months ago a leading Public Sector Unit (PSU) had projected the need for setting up a large natural gas processing plant in a northern st...

  1. (a) Discuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social harmony. (150 words) 10 (b) “Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all round development of an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement. (150 words)10 2. (a) 'Hatred is destructive of a person's wisdom and conscience that can poison a nation's spirit. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer. (150 words) (b) What are the main components of emotional intelligence (EI) ? Can they be learned? Discuss.(150 words) 3. (a )What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss. (150 words) (b) 'The will to power exits, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.' Examine this statement in the context of inter...

  1. Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentness pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from river belt and transporting through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribals under fear and intimidation. Sunil being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are in hand and glove with them and have developed close unholy nexus. Sunil initiated st...

  1. (a) Identify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix. (b) Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the /ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in the public servants. 2. (a) Impact of digital technology as reliable source of input for rational decision making is debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example. (b) Besides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with suitable example. 3. What does each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) “Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later. —Swami Vivekananda (b) “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama (c) Life doesn’t make any...

  1. What is a wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. 2. Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of an Organic State? 3. What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? 4. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? Know Biodiversity types, importance, hotspots, and conservation in the country. 5. Comprehend details about Ramsar Sites in India, which are wetlands of international significance to conserve and ensure sustainable use of its resources.

  1. Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. 2. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indians coasts, citing specific examples.

  1. Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under the depleting scenario. 2. Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose? 3. What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and security? 4. What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? 5. How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020, differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006?

1. Describe the key points of the revived Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards? 2. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasglow in November 2021. When was the idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? 3. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?

  1. Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasising its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. 2. Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? 3. Discuss global warming  and mention its effects on global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997 .

  1.  The Citizens’ Charter is an ideal instrument of organizational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizens’ Charter. 2. E-governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. 3. “Policy Contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation’ to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. 4.  “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate protection and prevention of degradation to the environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. 5. How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in Indi...

  1. The central administrative tribunal which was established for redressal of grievances and complaints by or against central government employees nowadays is exercising its power as an independent judicial authority. Explain. 2. What are the methods used by the farmers’ organisation to influence the policy-makers in India and how effective are these methods? 3. Despite the consistent experience of high growth, India still goes with the lowest indicators of human development. Examine the issues that make balanced and inclusive development elusive. 4. There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-food essential items squeezing their food budget. Elucidate. 5. Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based projects/programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors and suggest measures for t...

  1. “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context, suggest reforms in Civil Service to strengthen democracy. 2. “The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated E-Governance  as an integral part of the government”. Discuss. 3.  In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. 4.  “The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report. 5.  “Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine, is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of the Self Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India. 6.  National Education Policy 2020 is in c...

  1. To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India? 2. “Pressure groups play a vital role in influencing public policy in making in India.” Explain how the business associations contribute to public policies. 3. The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting a probe within a particular state is being questioned by various States. However, the power of the States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India. 4. Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples. 5. Can civil society and Non-Government Organisations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative method. 6....

  1. To what extent, in your opinion, as the decentralization of power in India changed the governance Landscape at the grassroots? 2. The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. 3. The rights of persons with disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of Government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. 4. Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has limitations too. Comment. .5. Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of society. Discuss. 6. Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process? Justify your answer. 7. The Right of Child...

  2020 1. Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management  by the Government of India, departing from the earlier reactive approach. 2019 1. Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides. 2. Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters. 2018 1. Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-30)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’?

  2022 1. Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent example. 2021 1. Discuss the vulnerability of India to earthquake- related hazards. Give examples, including the salient features of major disasters caused by Earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. 2.  Describe the various causes and effects of landslides . Mention the important components of the National Landslides  Risk Management Strategy.

  2019 1. Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. 2018 1. Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. 2. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. 3. The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss.

  1. The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss. 2. The Pala period  is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India . Enumerate. 3. Indian Philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. 4. Persian literary sources of medieval India  reflect the spirit of the age. Comment.

  2022 1. How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? 2. Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art, and architecture. 2021 1. Evaluate the nature of the Bhakti Movement  and its contribution to Indian culture.

  2021 1. There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement. 2019 1. Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions 2017 1. What problems were germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula? 2016 1. The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western educated Africans. Examine.

  1. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy? 2. Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics. 3. Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?

  1. How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers? 2. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?

  1. What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in health sector? 2. How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by science-based technologies? 3. COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crises. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the Pandemic. 4. Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our government for this purpose?

  1. How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world ? 2. What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society ? 3. The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invents impacted the everyday life of human beings?

  1. Private players can bring in the innovation needed for developing space-based applications and services”. In the light of this statement, highlight the role of private sector in India’s space science and technology. 2. Starlink will change the internet connectivity “. Discuss the utility of the project in bringing remote connectivity. 3. Indian Biological Data Bank will reduce the dependency of Indian researchers on American and European data banks.” In the light of the statement, discuss key features of indigenous data bank centre. 4. What are the unique features of James Webb telescope which makes it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? 5. India’s data storage center industry had leap-frogged at least a decade in the past couple of years. Discuss.

  1. Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B.N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space? 2. India’s proximity to the two of the world’s biggest illicit opium growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter measures should be taken to prevent the same? 3. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. 4. Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend, but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the G...

  1. Cross-Border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also, discuss the steps to counter the challenges. 2. The banning of ‘Jammat-e-Islami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs. 3. What is the Cyber Dome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India.

  1. Discuss different types of Cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace.  2. What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? 3. Analyze internal security threats and transborder crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also, discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.

  1. Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. 2. Keeping in view India's internal security, analyses the impact of cross-border cyber-attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.  3. Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats. 4. Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism.

1. Discuss the types of organised crime. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels. 2. What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. 3. Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting violent internal security threats. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism. 4. What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security.

  1. Discuss the role of the Vice President of India as the chairman of Rajya Sabha. 2. “While the national political parties in India favor centralization, the regional parties are in favor of state autonomy.” Comment. 3. Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or a State Legislature under the Representation of People Act 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision? 4. Discuss the essential conditions for the exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of re- promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature. 5. To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralization of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? 6. Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in light of the evolution of the Model Co...

1. How have the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission of India enabled the States to improve their fiscal position? 2. "Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development." Comment. 3. "'Earn while you learn' scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful." 4. Though the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty and powerful. Analyzing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures. 5. Has digital literacy, particularly in rural areas, coupled with a lack of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility, hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification.

  1. “There is a need for simplification of procedure for disqualification of persons found guilty of corrupt practices under the Representation of peoples Act”. Comment. 2.  “Recent amendments to the Right to information Act will have profound impact on the autonomy and independence of the Information Commission”. Discuss. 3.  How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer. 4.  “Once a speaker, Always a speaker’! Do you think the practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India. 5.  Rajya Sabha has been transformed from a ‘useless stepney tyre’ to the most useful supporting organ in past few decades. Highlight the factors as well as the areas in which this transformation could be visible.