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General Studies – 1
Topic: Ancient & Medieval India
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the Question?
The historical, cultural, and spiritual foundations of Indian classical dance, emphasizing its temple origins and philosophical aspects. It tests the candidate’s ability to analyze tradition within a socio-religious framework.
Key Demand of the Question
The answer must explain how temple rituals shaped classical dance, discuss its spiritual underpinnings, and highlight its philosophical influences. A structured approach covering historical context, religious significance, and artistic continuity is essential.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction:
Write about Indian classical dance as a sacred artistic tradition rooted in temple rituals and spiritual philosophy, referencing Natya Shastra.
Body:
- Temple origins of classical dances: Explain how dances emerged as devotional offerings, integral to rituals and mythological storytelling.
- Spiritual philosophy influence: Discuss Bhakti movement, Mudras (gestures), Rasa theory, and sacred musical integration as expressions of divine connection.
Conclusion:
Emphasize the continuity of classical dance in both spiritual and secular spaces, stressing the need for cultural preservation while adapting to modern artistic landscapes.
Topic: Ancient & Medieval India
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question?
The question examines India’s cultural influence beyond Buddhism and the role of trade routes in facilitating artistic and knowledge exchanges with Central Asia and China. It tests an understanding of historical cross-cultural interactions.Key demand of the question
The answer must highlight how India’s cultural transmission extended beyond Buddhism and analyze the role of trade routes in shaping artistic and cultural interactions with its neighbors. A structured approach covering both aspects is necessary.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly introduce India’s extensive cultural exchanges with Central Asia and China, emphasizing that trade routes played a key role beyond just spreading Buddhism.Body
- Indian cultural transmission beyond Buddhism – Mention aspects like language, scripts, Hindu influences, Ayurveda, mathematics, and textiles that shaped the cultural landscape of these regions.
- Role of trade routes in shaping artistic and cultural interactions – Discuss how land and maritime trade routes facilitated knowledge exchange, art diffusion, temple architecture spread, and manuscript circulation.
Conclusion
Emphasize the lasting impact of these exchanges and link it to the importance of modern trade routes in fostering cultural and economic ties.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
The Chhattisgarh High Court in a key ruling said the marital rape immunity in law also extended to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that criminalised “unnatural sex”.
Why the Question?
The ruling has raised concerns about legal inconsistencies, constitutional rights violations, and its impact on gender justice, making it an important issue in criminal law reform.Key Demand of the Question
The answer must analyze the legal and constitutional implications of the ruling separately and explain its effect on women’s legal recourse against non-consensual sexual acts within marriage.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Introduce the High Court ruling and briefly state its relevance in the context of marital rape exemption and legal remedies for women.Body
- Legal implications – Explain how the ruling removes an alternative legal remedy, creates legal ambiguity in prosecution, and forces victims to rely on weaker civil laws.
- Constitutional implications – Discuss how it violates Articles 14 and 21, contradicts judicial precedents, and weakens India’s commitment to international legal obligations.
- Impact on women’s legal recourse – Analyze how the ruling limits legal options, reduces deterrence against spousal sexual violence, and discourages reporting due to weak protections.
- Way forward- What measures can be taken in this regard.
Conclusion
Suggest necessary legal reforms, including the need to criminalize marital rape, ensure gender-neutral sexual violence laws, and align criminal law with constitutional rights and
Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests,
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the Question
Mr. Jaishankar addressed the inaugural session of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference in Muscat on “Voyage to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.’
Key Demand of the Question
The question requires an analysis of how unsustainable borrowing affects regional stability and an evaluation of India’s role in providing economic alternatives. It needs a balanced approach covering both challenges and India’s response.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Mention the rising debt crisis in the Indian Ocean Region and its implications on economic sustainability, sovereignty, and security. Briefly introduce India’s alternative development approach that promotes economic resilience.Body
- Challenges posed by debt vulnerabilities and unsustainable borrowing – Explain how heavy debt burdens lead to economic instability, loss of strategic assets, and geopolitical dependencies, affecting regional peace and development.
- India’s role in providing economic alternatives – Discuss India’s grant-based financing, sustainable infrastructure projects, regional financial collaboration, and advocacy for fair debt restructuring, ensuring economic autonomy in the region.
Conclusion
Highlight how India’s transparent, sovereignty-respecting economic model strengthens regional stability and propose greater regional cooperation for debt sustainability and economic resilience in the Indian Ocean.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TOI
Why the question?
The Income-tax Bill, 2025, which was introduced in Lok Sabha recently, intends to simplify India’s six-decade-old structure of direct taxation by streamlining provisions, removing obsolete references, and creating a crisper and simpler legal framework.
Key demand of the question
The question requires an analysis of the major reforms introduced in the new Bill and whether they fundamentally change the tax system or just streamline existing provisions. A balanced view weighing both substantive and procedural aspects is necessary.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction:
Briefly highlight the significance of the Income Tax Bill, 2025, as the first major overhaul of direct tax laws in six decades, emphasizing its objective of simplification and clarity.Body:
- Major reforms introduced in the Bill – Discuss key simplifications such as removal of redundant provisions, the introduction of ‘tax year,’ clarity in dispute resolution, and expanded digital oversight.
- Substantive aspects of the reform – Explain how these changes improve transparency, compliance, and ease of doing business, potentially making taxation more effective.
- Procedural nature of the reform – Highlight that despite structural modifications, core taxation principles remain unchanged, and no major shifts like direct tax code implementation or wealth tax introduction are included.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating that while the Bill significantly enhances clarity and efficiency, it does not fundamentally alter the tax system. Future reforms should focus on progressive taxation, digital governance, and equitable tax policies to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Topic: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the Question
India’s south is richer and better developed than its north. But incomes are unevenly spread in either half.
Key Demand of the Question
The question requires an analysis of why the North-South divide is not solely about income but also about industrialization, governance, and human development disparities.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Highlight the economic and developmental divide between North and South India, emphasizing that it extends beyond income disparities to structural gaps in industrialization, governance, and social development.Body
- Structural development disparities between North and South India – Discuss differences in industrialization, infrastructure, governance, human development, and fiscal capacity that contribute to the regional imbalance.
- Way forward to bridge the divide – Suggest measures such as targeted economic decentralization, equitable fiscal devolution, infrastructure-led growth, and investment in human capital to promote balanced national development.
Conclusion
Emphasize that regional equity is critical for India’s long-term economic stability, and targeted policy reforms, governance efficiency, and infrastructure expansion can help bridge the North-South development gap.
General Studies – 4
Q7. What does the following quotation convey to you in the present context? (10 M)
“Righteousness is the foundation stone of peace and good governance”. – Confucius
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
The quote by Confucius emphasizes righteousness as a guiding principle for both peace and governance. In the present context, where ethical failures lead to corruption, social unrest, and governance crises, the relevance of righteousness must be examined.
Key Demand of the Question
The answer must explain how righteousness ensures peace by fostering justice, trust, and social harmony while also being the foundation of good governance through integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction:
Briefly explain righteousness as a moral and ethical principle that ensures stability in society and effective governance. Mention its alignment with constitutional morality or ethical leadership.Body:
- Righteousness as the foundation of peace – Explain how ethical conduct in society reduces injustice, fosters trust, and prevents conflict.
- Righteousness as the foundation of good governance – Discuss how ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability lead to effective governance and public trust.
Conclusion:
Conclude with the significance of righteousness in governance and society, emphasizing the need to institutionalize ethical values for long-term stability and progress.
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