19 questions from the UPSC 2024 examination.
19 questions
In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level.
Explain and distinguish between Lok Adalats and Arbitration Tribunals. Whether they entertain civil as well as criminal cases?
Discuss India as a secular state and compare it with the secular principles of the US constitution.
Analyse 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.
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?
Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle?
The Doctrine of Democratic Governance makes it necessary that the public perception of the integrity and commitment of civil servants becomes absolutely positive. Discuss.
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.
The West is fostering India as an alternative to reduce dependence on China's supply chain and as a strategic ally to counter China's political and economic dominance. Explain this statement with examples.
e-governance is not just about the routine application of digital technology in the 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.
Public charitable trusts have the potential to make India's development more inclusive as they relate to certain vital public issues. Comment.
Right to privacy is intrinsic to life and personal liberty and is inherently protected under Article 21 of the constitution. Explain. In this reference, discuss the law relating to D.N.A. testing of a child in the womb to establish its paternity.
Examine the need for electoral reforms as suggested by various committees with particular reference to "one nation-one election principle.
"The growth of the cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of parliamentary supremacy" Elucidate.
Critically analyse India's evolving diplomatic, economic and strategic relations with Central Asian Republics highlighting their increasing significance in regional global geopolitics. How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 1–2 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 1 line ) Practice all GS2 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide India's Evolving Relations with the Central Asian Republics The five Central Asian Republics (CARs) — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — form part of India's "extended neighbourhood", linked by centuries of civilisational, cultural and trade ties. Their growing significance in regional and global geopolitics makes the relationship strategically important. Diplomatic relations India launched the "Connect Central Asia" policy (2012) and institutionalised engagement through the India–Central Asia Dialogue (foreign ministers) and the first India–Central Asia Summit (2022) . India also engages the region multilaterally through the SCO . easemyprep.in Economic relations Energy and resources: Central Asia is rich in oil, gas, uranium and critical minerals ; Kazakhstan is a key uranium supplier for India's nuclear programme. Trade and investment: Trade remains modest relative to potential , constrained by connectivity. Connectivity initiatives: India pursues access via Chabahar Port, the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), and the Ashgabat Agreement to overcome the lack of direct land access (blocked by Pakistan). easemyprep.in Strategic relations Security cooperation: Counter-terrorism, intelligence-sharing, defence training, and India's military presence and contacts in Tajikistan . Stability and the Afghanistan factor: A stable Central Asia is vital for India given its concerns over terrorism, extremism and the situation in Afghanistan. Balancing other powers: India offers an alternative to the dominance of China (via BRI) and Russia . easemyprep.in Increasing geopolitical significance Central Asia is a theatre of great-power competition — China, Russia, the US, Turkey and Iran all vie for influence. Its energy resources and location at the Eurasian crossroads make it pivotal for connectivity and security. Challenges Lack of direct connectivity (Pakistan's denial of transit), instability in Afghanistan, US sanctions on Iran affecting Chabahar, and competition from better-funded Chinese projects. easemyprep.in Conclusion India's relations with the Central Asian Republics have evolved from civilisational goodwill into a structured strategic partnership spanning energy, security and connectivity. Realising their full potential — and Central Asia's rising geopolitical weight — depends on India overcoming the connectivity barrier through Chabahar and the INSTC, and sustaining high-level, delivery-focused engagement. Value addition (2024–26 update) Delivery focus: Chabahar 10-year pact (May 2024) and the 4th India–Central Asia Dialogue (June 2025) advanced INSTC, Chabahar and critical minerals. Scale gap frames the critique: India–CAR trade ~US$2 bn vs China–CAR ~US$90 bn+; Kazakhstan is the world's largest uranium producer (~40% of global supply), with a ~US$4 bn Kazatomprom arrangement. easemyprep.in Strategic setback: India vacated the Ayni airbase (Tajikistan, Oct 2025); Farkhor contacts retained. New tools: DPI/India Stack offer, proposed Digital Partnership Forum, and DAKSHIN outreach differentiate India from China's BRI. Source: easemyprep.in Structured Mains Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View इस प्रश्न को हिंदी में पढ़ें हिंदी में पढ़ें → Structured Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View Practice All Mains GS2 — Polity, Governance & IR Questions Download App More GS2 Questions Ease My Prep Focused UPSC preparation. Daily current affairs, PYQ practice, trend analysis, and mentorship for serious CSE aspirants across India. 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"The duty of the Comptroller and Auditor General is not merely to ensure the legality of expenditure but also its propriety." Comment.
What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.
Explain the reasons for the growth of public interest litigation in India. As a result of it, has the Indian Supreme Court emerged as the world's most powerful judiciary?
Discuss the geopolitical and geostrategic importance of Maldives for India with a focus on global trade and energy flows. Further also discuss how this relationship affects India's maritime security and regional stability amidst international competition ? How to approach this question Write a brief introduction setting context ( 2–3 lines ) Cover both sides if question says "critically discuss / examine / analyse" Use data, schemes, examples specific to INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Conclude with a forward-looking statement ( 2–3 lines ) Practice all GS2 Mains questions Model answers + key points for every question Open App Model Answer Framework (English) Show Hide Geopolitical and Geostrategic Importance of the Maldives for India The Maldives — an archipelago of around 1,200 islands straddling vital sea lanes in the central Indian Ocean — holds outsized geopolitical and geostrategic importance for India, despite its small size. Geopolitical and geostrategic importance Strategic location: The Maldives sits astride major sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) in the Indian Ocean, close to key shipping routes between the Gulf, the Strait of Malacca and beyond. Global trade and energy flows: A very large share of global seaborne trade and a majority of India's energy imports transit the waters near the Maldives; its location overlooks these arteries. easemyprep.in "Toll gate" of the Indian Ocean: It lies near the Eight Degree and One-and-a-Half Degree channels , critical chokepoints for east–west maritime traffic. Proximity to India: It is part of India's immediate maritime neighbourhood and falls within India's security perimeter. Impact on India's maritime security and regional stability Maritime-domain awareness: Cooperation with the Maldives is essential for surveillance, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, and curbing drug and human trafficking . easemyprep.in First responder: India has repeatedly assisted the Maldives — Operation Cactus (1988), the 2014 Malé water crisis, and COVID-19 and tsunami relief. SAGAR and Neighbourhood First: The Maldives is central to India's "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) vision and "Neighbourhood First" policy. International competition China's footprint: China has expanded its presence through infrastructure projects, loans and a free-trade agreement , raising concerns of debt dependence and a strategic foothold. easemyprep.in The "India Out" vs "India First" oscillation: Maldivian domestic politics swings between governments closer to India and those closer to China, making the relationship sensitive. Way forward India should sustain development assistance, capacity-building, connectivity (the Greater Malé Connectivity Project) and people-centred cooperation , deepen maritime-security ties, and engage across the Maldivian political spectrum — offering a non-coercive, dependable partnership. Conclusion The Maldives is a strategic linchpin of the Indian Ocean — its location commands the sea lanes that carry global trade and India's energy lifeline. Securing a stable, friendly Maldives, amid intensifying competition with China, is vital to India's maritime security and to regional stability. easemyprep.in Value addition (current to 2024-26) From India Out to reset (2024-25): Despite the India Out campaign, President Muizzu visited India (Oct 2024) and PM Modi visited Male (July 2025) as chief guest at the Maldives 60th Independence Day — the first Indian head to attend it. Economic lifeline: A USD 750 mn currency swap (to 2027), a USD 50 mn T-bill (May 2025), a Rs 4,850 cr line of credit, and a 40% cut in annual debt repayment. New frontiers: India-Maldives FTA talks were launched (July 2025); a new Ministry of Defence building was inaugurated and 72 vehicles donated; Muizzu pledged the Maldives will not do anything to harm India security interests. easemyprep.in Anchoring doctrine: SAGAR has been upgraded to MAHASAGAR (2025), reaffirming India as the Indian Ocean first responder. Source: easemyprep.in Structured Mains Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View इस प्रश्न को हिंदी में पढ़ें हिंदी में पढ़ें → Structured Preparation Mains Mastery Programme Master Every GS Theme — GS1 to GS4 Theme-first. PYQ-anchored. You write every answer. All themes + all PYQs covered 2-Month or 4-Month track Starting ₹4,999 View GS4 Ethics Mastery · Now Live Ethics Mastery — 2 Questions Daily All GS4 PYQs · Part A + Part B Ethical lens built through daily practice Concept clarity + case study method Starting ₹1,999 View Practice All Mains GS2 — Polity, Governance & IR Questions Download App More GS2 Questions Ease My Prep Focused UPSC preparation. Daily current affairs, PYQ practice, trend analysis, and mentorship for serious CSE aspirants across India. 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