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General Studies – 1
Topic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: NIE
Why the question:
To explore how India’s civilisational identity is shaped through the integration of oral, visual, and ethical modes of cultural transmission, using traditions like Jataka tales and symbolic art as anchor points.Key Demand of the question:
The question demands an analysis of how oral traditions, visual symbolism, and ethical storytelling individually and collectively contributed to the construction of India’s cultural memory.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly introduce India’s civilisational continuity being shaped not through static texts but dynamic traditions of oral and symbolic expression.Body:
- Oral traditions and cultural continuity: Mention transmission of values, memory and identity across generations through oral narratives, regional languages, and performative forms.
- Visual symbolism and cultural transmission: Point to architecture, religious symbols, iconography and their role in encoding shared moral values and pan-Indian aesthetics.
- Ethical storytelling and memory formation: Highlight how stories formed moral consciousness, were integrated into rituals and pedagogy, and shaped societal values.
Conclusion:
Conclude with how this cultural triad remains vital for reimagining national identity and value education in contemporary India.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
Geological events such as the Land subsidence and frequent Himalayan earthquakes have reignited focus on tectonic processes shaping India’s terrain and vulnerability.Key Demand of the question
The question requires explanation of how plate tectonics influenced India’s landform evolution and how these features contribute to natural hazards and determine resource distribution across regions.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly state how India’s physiography is a product of ancient and ongoing tectonic activity, making it geologically diverse and active.Body
- Role of plate tectonics in shaping landforms: Mention Himalayan uplift, Peninsular faults, volcanic regions, and sedimentary basins.
- Implications for natural hazards: Include seismicity, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanism.
- Implications for resource distribution: Cover minerals in shields, hydrocarbons in basins, fertile soils, and aquifers.
Conclusion
Highlight the dual nature of tectonics as both a threat and a resource-enabler, stressing on sustainable geo-management.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: IE
Why the question
Recent controversies like NCERT textbook renaming, opposition to the three-language formula under NEP 2020, and increasing debates over Hindi imposition have made language federalism a core governance concern.Key Demand of the question
The question demands a critical evaluation of how language-related disputes between the Centre and states affect India’s unity and an outline of constitutional or institutional mechanisms available to mitigate such conflicts.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Introduce with how linguistic diversity is constitutionally embedded but occasionally challenged by top-down language policies.Body
- Impact on national integration: Mention federal disruption, identity politics, exclusion from governance, education-based friction, and symbolic resistance.
- Institutional safeguards: Mention constitutional provisions, Eighth Schedule, Official Languages Act, NEP 2020 flexibility, and judicial pronouncements.
Conclusion
Conclude with a forward-looking statement on upholding linguistic pluralism as the foundation of cooperative federalism.
Topic: Role of civil services in a democracy
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan bats for lateral entry, says even corrupt IAS officers get high ranking in online appraisal system.Key Demand of the question
The question demands an examination of procedural and transparency issues in empanelment and promotions, and asks for specific reforms to ensure meritocracy and accountability in the system.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly highlight how systemic opacity in promotions can dilute institutional efficiency and demotivate officers.Body
- Examine procedural bottlenecks like lack of central deputation, arbitrary criteria, and inflated APARs.
- Discuss transparency concerns such as no feedback, absence of public criteria, and bias in review systems.
- Suggest comprehensive reforms including independent boards, multi-source evaluation, written communication of rejections, and performance-linked assessments.
Conclusion
End with a forward-looking statement on aligning civil services with the constitutional vision of efficiency, integrity, and responsiveness.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question
Rising concerns over AI-driven labour disruptions have prompted global institutions like WEF to highlight how generative AI may exacerbate gender inequalities if corrective policies are not introduced.Key demand of the question
The question requires examining the specific negative impacts of generative AI on women’s employment, and then suggesting inclusive transition strategies that promote gender-equitable adaptation to AI in the workforce.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Mention how generative AI is shaping the future of work but risks reinforcing gendered exclusions in skilling and employment.Body
- Impact of generative AI on women’s employment – Focus on job loss in feminised roles, lack of representation in AI domains, and algorithmic bias.
- Inclusive transition strategies – Discuss targeted skilling, policy audits, institutional reforms, and best practices for gender equity in AI.
Conclusion
Highlight the need to embed gender sensitivity into AI governance for a fair and inclusive tech future.
Topic: Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question
Study on GM crops and pesticide rebound, the question is relevant to India’s ongoing GM policy debate and sustainable agriculture concerns.Key Demand of the question
The question demands an explanation of how GM crops have paradoxically led to increased pesticide use, an analysis of ecological causes like pest resistance and monoculture, and structural solutions to improve pest management.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Mention the paradox of GM crops meant to reduce pesticide use, but resulting in greater chemical dependence.Body
- Explain the rebound in pesticide use due to GM crop practices in India.
- Analyse how pest resistance and monoculture cropping intensify this dependence.
- Suggest structural shifts such as ecological farming, stronger regulation, and IPM-based strategies.
Conclusion
Highlight the need to align agricultural biotechnology with long-term ecological sustainability and farmer welfare.
General Studies – 4
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question
To assess the ethical foundations of leadership by revisiting classical philosophical ideas and linking them to contemporary administrative ethics.Key Demand of the question
The question requires an explanation of Plato’s theory of justice as inner harmony and its practical application in shaping ethical conduct and integrity in modern leadership.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly introduce Plato’s ethical philosophy linking soul and state; highlight its moral foundation.Body
- Explain Plato’s concept of justice as internal balance between reason, spirit, and appetite.
- Examine how this idea translates into moral integrity, self-regulation, and ethical resilience in public leadership today.
Conclusion
Summarise its relevance in today’s ethically fragile governance environment and stress the need for internal ethical cultivation.
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