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Q6. (a) “In Indian culture and value system, an equal opportunity has been provided irrespective of gender identity. The number of women in public service has been steadily increasing over the vears. Examine the gender-specific challenges faced by female public servants and suggest suitable measures to increase their efficiency in discharging their duties and maintaining high standards of probity. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks Introduction:

According to the Gender Gap Report, 2024, India ranks 129 out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity. In 1970, women made up 9% of those entering the IAS, that proportion **currently 21% of servin...

Q6. (b) Mission Karmayogi is aiming for maintaining a very high standard of conduct and behaviour to ensure efficiency fox serving citizens and in turn developing oneself How will this scheme empower the civil servants in enhancing productive efficiency and delivering the services at the grassroots level? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks

**Introduction:** **Mission Karmayogi’ – the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)** aims to transform capacity-building in the bureaucracy through institutional and process...

Q9. With a multipronged strategy of the Central and State Governments, especially in the last few years, the Naxalite problem has been resolved to a large extent in the affected states of the country. However, there are a few pockets in certain states where the naxalite problem still persists, mainly due to the involvement of foreign countries. Rohit is posted as SP (Special Operations) for the last one year, in one of the districts which is still affected by the naxalite problem. The district administration has taken a lot of developmental works in the recent past in the naxalite-affected areas to win the hearts and minds of the people. Over a period of time, Rohit has established an excellent intelligence network to get real-time information regarding the movement of naxalite cadre. To instill confidence in the public and have moral ascendancy over the naxalites, a number of cordon and search operations are being conducted by the police. Rohit, who himself was leading one of the contingents, got a message through his intelligence source that about ten hardcore naxalites were hiding in a particular village with sophisticated weapons. Without wasting any time, Rohit reached the target village with his team and laid out a foolproof cordon and started carrying out a systematic search. During the search, his team managed to overpower all the naxalites along with their automatic weapons. However, in the meantime, more than a hundred tribal women surrounded the village and started marching towards the target house. They were shouting and demanding the immediate release of insurgents since they are their protectors and saviors. The situation on the ground was becoming very critical as the tribal women were extremely agitated and aggressive. Rohit tried to contact his superior officer (IG Special Operations) of the state on the radio set and on mobile phone, but failed to do so due to poor connectivity. Rohit was in great dilemma since out of the naxalites apprehended, two were not only hardcore top insurgents with prize money of ₹10 lakhs on their heads, but were also involved in a recent ambush on the security forces. However, if he did not release the naxalites, the situation could get out of control since the tribal women were aggressively charging towards them. In that case, to control the situation, Rohit might have to resort to firing, which may lead to valuable loss of lives of civilians and would further complicate the situation.

• **What are the options available with Rohit to cope with the situation?** • **What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Rohit?** • **Which of the options, do you think, would be more appropriate ...

Q10. Sneha is a Senior Manager working for a big reputed hospital chain in a mid-sized city. She has been made in charge of the new super specialty centre that the hospital is building with state-of-the-art equipment and world-class medical facilities. The building has been reconstructed, and she is starting the process of procurement for various equipment and machines. As the head of the committee responsible for procurement, she has invited bids from all the interested reputed vendors dealing in medical equipment. She notices that her brother, who is a well-known supplier in this domain, has also sent his expression of interest. Since the hospital is privately owned, it is not mandatory for her to select only the lower bidder. Also, she is aware that her brother’s company has been facing some financial difficulties and a big supply order will help him recover. At the same time, allocating the contract to her brother might bring charges of favoritism against her and tarnish her image. The hospital management trusts her fully and would support any decision of hers.

• **What should be Sneha’s course of action?** • **How would she justify what she chooses to do?** • **In this case, how is medical ethics compromised with vested personal interest? (Answer in 250 wor...

Evaluate the challenges posed by the withdrawal of general consent by states on the CBI’s ability to investigate corruption cases. What reforms are needed to ensure accountability while maintaining federal balance?

> **Topic: **Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability. **Topic: **Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability. **Q4. Evaluate the challenges posed by the w...

UPSC Current Affairs Quiz : 27 September 2024

The Current Affairs Quiz 2024 is a daily quiz based on the DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS AND PIB SUMMARY from the previous day, as posted on our website. It covers all relevant news sources and is designed to...

What do you understand by ‘Multimodal Transport Systems’? Discuss its role in addressing urban transportation challenges. How can the creation of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) further help in addressing those challenges?

> **Syllabus: Economic Geography: Urban Mass Transport** **Syllabus: Economic Geography: Urban Mass Transport** **Q1. What do you understand by ‘Multimodal Transport Systems’? Discuss its role in addr...

What is the purpose of an integrity pact? How does it contribute to promoting transparency and accountability in government contracts and procurement processes?

> **Syllabus: Probity in Governance** **Syllabus: Probity in Governance** **Q6. What is the purpose of an integrity pact? How does it contribute to promoting transparency and accountability in governm...

UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practice – Insights SECURE : 28 March 2024

**Click** on EACH question to post/upload you answers. #### How to Follow Secure Initiative? #### How to Self-evaluate your answer? #### MISSION – 2023: YEARLONG TIMETABLE #### Join IPM 4.0 to get an ...

Editorial Analysis: Embracing NEP 2020: Flexibility and Reforms in Indian Higher Education

**Source: ****The Hindu** ***General Studies-2; Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.*** **Introduction** • Ind...

Lokayukta:

Q5. Analyze the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons of merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies. (Answer in 150 words)

**Introduction:** The Panchayati Raj system was first established in India in the 1950s, but it was only with the **73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992** that it was given constitutional recogni...

Q8. The Doctrine of Democratic Governance makes it necessary that the public perception of the integrity and commitment of civil servants becomes absolutely positive. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

**Introduction:** The Doctrine of Democratic Governance emphasize**s transparency, accountability, and integrity **in public administration. For effective governance in a democracy, civil servants, as...

Q11. What are the aims and objectives of recently passed and enforced, The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024? Whether University/State Education Board examinations, too, are covered under the Act ? (Answer in 250 words).

**Introduction: ** The **Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024**, aims to combat widespread malpractices and organized cheating in public examinations in India. **Effective from J...

Q16. The Citizens’ charter has been a landmark initiative in ensuring citizen-centric administration. But it is yet to reach its full potential. Identify the factors hindering the realisation of its promise and suggest measures to overcome them. (Answer in 250 words)

**Introduction: ** The Citizen’s Charter is a **written, voluntary declaration by service providers** about service standards, choice, accessibility, non-discrimination, transparency and accountabilit...

Q18. e-governance is not just about the routine application of digital technology in service delivery process. It is as much about multifarious interactions for ensuring transparency and accountability. In this context evaluate the role of the ‘Interactive Service Model’ of e-governance. (Answer in 250 words)

**Introduction: ** The **interactive service model **refers to a business or communication framework that emphasizes real-time, dynamic interaction between service providers and customers or users. In...

What are some of the major issues faced in the Indian democratic political process? Discuss strategies that could improve India’s democratic political process through reform.

> **Topic: **Parliament and State legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these. **Topic: **Parliament and State legislatures—structure,...

Evaluate the experiences and challenges encountered in the implementation of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act over the past decade in India.

Discuss the role of transparency in procurement processes in promoting ethical governance. How can transparency help mitigate corruption and ensure accountability in public procurement?

Resolution on artificial intelligence