Mains Questions and Answers | SPM IAS Academy

Q3. “Delimitation, as outlined under Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act (1950), aims to adjust constituency boundaries based on population shifts to ensure fair representation.” In the light of this, discuss how the delimitation process affects the political representation of indigenous communities in Assam. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 10, 2026

Delimitation is the process of redrawing the boundaries of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies to ensure fair political representation according to population changes. In 2023, the

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Q4. Critically analyze how Atal Amrit Abhiyan has made healthcare affordable for poorer sections of the society. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 11, 2026

Atal Amrit Abhiyan is a flagship health assurance scheme launched by the Government of Assam on 25 December 2016 to provide affordable and cashless healthcare

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Q5. What are the main objectives of Gunotsav scheme? How has it contributed to strengthening primary education in Assam? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 11, 2026

Gunotsav is a quality assessment initiative of the Government of Assam implemented through Samagra Shiksha Assam to improve the standard of school education. It aims

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Q6. Discuss the importance of BRICS as an economic bloc. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 11, 2026

BRICS is an important economic bloc of major emerging economies. It currently brings together eleven countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran,

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Q7. What is ‘String of Pearls’ strategy of China? How does this strategy challenge India’s maritime security? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 11, 2026

The “String of Pearls” strategy refers to China’s attempt to expand its strategic presence across the Indian Ocean Region through a network of ports, infrastructure

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Q8. How has the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme led to the well-being and empowerment of the girl child in India? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched on 22 January 2015 at Panipat, Haryana, to address the declining child sex ratio and promote

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Q9. What are the focus areas of ‘Digital India’? Discuss the important provisions of the Common Services Centres (CSC) 2.0. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

Digital India is a flagship programme of the Government of India that aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Its

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Q10. “The Civil Servants are dictated by the rules and procedures.” Examine the statement in the light of the rights of civil servants in India. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

Civil servants form the backbone of Indian administration. They implement laws, deliver public services and maintain continuity in governance. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel called them the

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Q11. “The doctrine of basic structure safeguards the spirit of the Constitution against majoritarian impulses in India.” Examine the role of the judiciary in evolving the doctrine of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

The doctrine of basic structure means that Parliament can amend the Constitution under Article 368, but it cannot destroy its essential features. It protects the

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Q.12. Critically analyze the effectiveness of the Finance Commission in promoting fiscal equity and strengthening financial relations among the Centre, States and Local Bodies. (APAC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

The Finance Commission is a constitutional body provided under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. It is constituted by the President every five years to

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Q.13. Evaluate to what extent the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has succeeded in ensuring environmental justice in India. How does its functioning reflect the tensions among ecological sustainability, economic development and democratic accountability? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for speedy and specialised adjudication of environmental disputes. It gives effect

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Q14. What is the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution? Reflect on the role of the Governor in the areas under the Sixth Schedule. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution provides a special system of administration for tribal areas in the North-Eastern states. It is mentioned under Article

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Q.15. What are the main objectives of the Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC)? What are the key sectors that face climate vulnerabilities in Assam? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

The Assam State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) is the state-level climate policy framework prepared in line with India’s National Action Plan on Climate

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Q16. “Despite tea being a major plantation industry in India, tea estates are in a deplorable condition.” Evaluate the effectiveness of Government policies and interventions for the improvement of the Assam tea estate workers. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

Tea is one of India’s most important plantation industries, and Assam is its largest tea-producing state. Assam produces nearly half of India’s tea and provides

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Q17. Describe the salient features of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment (FCRA) Act, 2020 and its implications on the development of industries in India. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Act, 2020 amended the FCRA Act, 2010 to regulate the acceptance and use of foreign contribution by NGOs, associations and

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Q.18. Discuss the implications of political turmoil in Bangladesh on India’s foreign policy. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

Bangladesh is central to India’s Neighbourhood First Policy, Act East Policy and Northeast security. India shares a 4,096 km border with Bangladesh, touching Assam, Meghalaya,

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Q19. How does BIMSTEC contribute towards accelerating regional cooperation in South-East Asia? Explain the significance of BIMSTEC in promoting economic development in North-East India. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organisation connecting South Asia with South-East Asia. It has

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Q20. Analyze the main factors shaping relations between India and the European Union. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-2)

July 17, 2026

India and the European Union share a strategic partnership based on democracy, rule of law, multilateralism, trade, technology, climate action and security cooperation. In recent

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Q1. Define inclusive growth. Discuss the major challenges and government initiatives aimed at achieving inclusive growth in India. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 22, 2026

Inclusive growth means economic growth that creates equal opportunities for all sections of society and ensures fair access to income, employment, education, healthcare, finance and

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Q2. Briefly discuss the objectives and components of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Examine the concept of ‘Per Drop More Crop’ as a means of effective utilization of water resources at the farm level. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 22, 2026

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana was launched in 2015 with the vision of “Har Khet Ko Pani” and “Per Drop More Crop.” The scheme aims

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Q3. Why did Myanmar become a sanctuary for insurgent groups of North-East India? How does China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) affect Indian security? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 22, 2026

Myanmar and China are two major external factors shaping India’s internal and external security in the North-East. Myanmar has historically provided geographical depth to insurgent

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Q4. Give an outline of the pros and cons of financial liberalization in India. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 22, 2026

Financial liberalization means reducing government control over the financial sector and allowing greater role for market forces, private players, foreign investors and competition. In India,

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Q5. What does the term ‘dark oxygen’ mean? How is it produced? Where is it found? Why is dark oxygen important? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 22, 2026

Dark oxygen refers to oxygen produced in complete darkness, without photosynthesis. Traditionally, scientists believed that most oxygen on Earth was produced by photosynthetic organisms such

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Q6. What is ‘Global Carbon Tax’? How will this tax be utilized? What are the problems that may arise while assessing this tax? Name the first industrial sector to come under the purview of this tax. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 22, 2026

A Global Carbon Tax is a proposed international levy on greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide, imposed across countries or sectors to make polluters pay

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Q7. Discuss the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in effective disaster management. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 23, 2026

Panchayati Raj Institutions are the closest democratic institutions to rural people. Therefore, they play a crucial role in disaster management, especially in a disaster-prone state

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Q8. What are the objectives and components of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India? Give an account of implementation of PDS in the country. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 23, 2026

The Public Distribution System (PDS) is India’s food security mechanism through which the government distributes essential foodgrains to vulnerable households at subsidised or free rates.

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Q9. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 is still operational in some parts of the North-Eastern Region of India. The Act is termed as ‘Draconian Act’ by critics including human rights Activists. Share your views on the same. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 23, 2026

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) gives special powers to the armed forces in areas declared “disturbed” under Section 3 of the Act.

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Q10. Cyber security threat has added a new dimension to India’s security. How is India enhancing her cyber security capabilities? (APSC CCE 2024, GS-3)

July 23, 2026

Cyber security has added a new dimension to India’s internal and external security because critical services now depend on digital networks. Banking, defence, power grids,

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Q11. Explain the main components of the Union Budget of India. Discuss the significance of fiscal deficit in the Indian budgetary process. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 23, 2026

The Union Budget of India is the annual financial statement of the Government of India, presented under Article 112 of the Constitution. It shows the

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Q12. Briefly discuss the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Analyze how far the development plans of India meet the requirements of SDGs. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 23, 2026

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030

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Q13. What are the key objectives and salient features of the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS)? State the benefits offered under the Kisan Suvidha App to the farmers of India. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 23, 2026

The National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) and Kisan Suvidha App are important digital governance initiatives. NGDRS modernises land and property document registration, while Kisan

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Q14. Point out the significance of Industrial Corridors in India. What needs to be done to address the challenges of Industrial Corridors effectively? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 29, 2026

Industrial Corridors are planned economic zones developed along major transport networks such as freight corridors, expressways, highways, ports and airports. They combine industrial clusters, logistics

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Q15. What are microRNAs (miRNAs)? Discuss their main mechanisms. What are their therapeutic potentials? Who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and for what achievement? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 29, 2026

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules, usually about 20–24 nucleotides long, that regulate gene expression after transcription. They do not make proteins themselves. Instead,

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Q16. Explain geo-synchronous and sun-synchronous orbits in space technology. Artificial satellites placed in these two orbits have different applications. Explain. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 29, 2026

Artificial satellites are placed in different orbits according to their mission objectives. Two important orbits used in space technology are geosynchronous orbit and sun-synchronous orbit.

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Q17. Discuss the changes in cropping pattern in Indian agriculture since the adoption of new agricultural strategies in 1960s. Critically examine the impact of implementation of these strategies on the environment. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 29, 2026

The new agricultural strategy of the 1960s, popularly called the Green Revolution, introduced High Yielding Variety seeds, assured irrigation, chemical fertilisers, pesticides, farm mechanisation, MSP

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Q18. What is meant by food security? What are its dimensions? Examine the role of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in ensuring food security in India. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 29, 2026

Food security means ensuring that all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for an active

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Q19. Why have certain States of North-East India successfully transitioned from extremism to stability through development interventions while others have not? Illustrate with suitable examples. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 29, 2026

North-East India has witnessed several insurgent movements rooted in ethnicity, identity, autonomy, migration, underdevelopment and control over local resources. However, all states have not followed

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Q20. (a) Examine the evolution of Assam Rifles’ dual role in border management and counter-insurgency operations. What strategic and operational advantages and challenges emerge from this hybrid mandate? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

July 29, 2026

Assam Rifles is India’s oldest paramilitary force, raised as Cachar Levy in 1835. Over time, it evolved from a frontier policing force into a specialised

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Q20. (b) Analyze how the Unified Command Structure has evolved in response to changing dynamics in Assam. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-3)

August 1, 2026

The Unified Command Structure (UCS) in Assam is a coordinated security mechanism created to bring the Army, paramilitary forces, Assam Police and civil administration under

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Q1. “Looking at various means of developing compassion, I think empathy is an important factor, the ability to appreciate others’ suffering.” (Dalai Lama). Discuss in the context of building attitude for public service. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 12, 2026

The Dalai Lama’s statement highlights that compassion begins with empathy, or the ability to understand and appreciate another person’s suffering. In public service, this value

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Q2. While a school of thought believes that certain values are universal and eternal, many others believe that values keep on changing with time and situation. Which school of thought do you support? Explain. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 12, 2026

Values are the guiding principles that shape human conduct, public behaviour and ethical decision-making. Different schools of thought view values differently. The absolutist school believes

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Q3. Do self-confidence, character and spirituality play a vital role in moulding good leadership qualities? If so, how? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 12, 2026

Good leadership is not only about authority, position or command. It is mainly about the ability to influence people through vision, conduct and inner strength.

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Q4. “Quiet diplomacy is far more effective than public posturing.” (Atal Bihari Vajpayee). Examine in the context of problem-solving by public officials. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 12, 2026

Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement, “Quiet diplomacy is far more effective than public posturing,” highlights the importance of patience, dialogue, restraint and maturity in resolving problems.

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Q5. Albert Einstein said, “Everybody is genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Explain the above saying in terms of mental and physical aptitude. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 12, 2026

The saying, often attributed to Albert Einstein, highlights that every individual possesses a unique form of ability. In ethics and public administration, it warns us

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Q6. You are posted as a Medical Officer in a rural dispensary. The area is basically inhabited by poor people who are either marginal farmers or tea garden workers. You have found that the infant mortality rate is high in the area in comparison to average in the State. You have also identified that non vaccination and incomplete vaccination are the reasons of high infant mortality. The inhabitants are not cooperating in vaccination programme.

August 17, 2026

How will you use your emotional intelligence to convince the villagers to go for vaccination of their children? What will be your comprehensive approach to

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Q7. Can it be comprehensively held that coaching institutes contribute to the holistic making of a civil servant? Are these initiatives an indirect reflection of lack of creativity and self-confidence in the aspirants? Elaborate. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 17, 2026

Coaching institutes can support the preparation of a civil service aspirant, but they cannot comprehensively make a civil servant. A true civil servant requires knowledge,

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Q8. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now-a-days considered a permanent feature of corporate governance. What is CSR? Define by way of an illustration or example. Is CSR sufficient as a rule-bound exercise for the private sector’s contribution to society’s welfare? Briefly explain. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 17, 2026

Corporate Social Responsibility means the ethical responsibility of business towards society beyond profit-making. It reflects the idea that companies use social resources, labour, environment and

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Q9. The terms ‘fake news’ and ‘influencer’ have become a part of present-day vocabulary.

August 17, 2026

Fake news and influencers reflect the changing moral landscape of the digital age. Information now spreads faster than verification, and public opinion often forms through

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Q10. What is the meaning of social audit? Can social audit ensure complete transparency in the utilization of public funds? To what extent is social audit distinct and different from audit carried out by designated government departments? Elaborate. (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4)

August 17, 2026

Social audit means a participatory review of public schemes by the people for whom they are meant. It allows citizens, beneficiaries and community institutions to

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Q11. “Accountability breeds response-ability.” – (Stephen R. Covey)

August 19, 2026

How can accountability mechanism strengthen ethical administration? What are the challenges to ethical governance? (APSC CCE Mains 2024, GS-4) Stephen R. Covey’s statement means that

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