Comprehensive Practice Set — Polity & Governance: Welfare & Social Justice

Can the constitutional mandate of rights-based welfare be effectively realised in the context of non-integrated governance and minimal public investment? Examine.

Should education be treated primarily as a welfare obligation of the state or as a strategic investment for building a globally competitive, knowledge-driven nation? Critically evaluate.

Malnutrition in India is not merely a public health concern; it is also a challenge of social equity, human development and effective welfare governance. Discuss.

Does India's tribal development policy reflect the aspirations for a socially grounded and equity-based governance? Justify your answer.

Answer this with Odisha evidence — FRA, PESA, PVTG habitat rights, DMF districts.

Examine the significance of Cash Transfer Schemes in India. Bring out its positive and negative effects.

Reforming the government delivery system through the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme is a progressive step, but it has its limitations too. Comment.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 remains inadequate in promoting incentive-based system for children's education without generating awareness about the importance of schooling. Analyse.

The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment.

Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle?

What is the meaning and scope of sustainable development? What are India's sustainable development goals? Explain.

What is the importance of MSME in the economic development of India? What are the major challenges faced by the MSME sector?

Note: a development-economics question set inside GS-II — the examiner does cross over. Keep a one-page MSME note ready.

(a) What is Freebie? Draw the difference between Freebies and Welfare. (b) "Freebies culture by political parties is a double-edged sword." Examine this statement.

Write a note about the status of School Education in Odisha State.

Briefly discuss the role of the UGC in maintaining an ideal standard in the realm of Higher Education.

Discuss the necessity of Private and deemed Universities for the spread of Quality Education in Odisha.

Right to Universal Education has not been successful in India because of the prevalence of Child Labour.

The project of adult literacy still remains a distinct dream.

Do you believe that the standard of IITs has deteriorated? Give reasons for your answer.

The Central University of Orissa, Koraput has not been as fruitful as was expected to be. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.

What are the efforts put by Government of Odisha to protect vulnerable children?

Examine Government of India's efforts for rehabilitation of the persons with disability and elderly.

Steps to protect Human Rights.

How far the present higher education system of the country is capable to cope with the 'Make in India' and 'Skill India' drives?

Discuss some unique features of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005.

Why is Human Rights Movement not strong in India?

Enumerate the welfare measures for the disabled people in India.

Write a brief note on: Rashtriya Sadbhavana Yojana.

Write a brief note on: AYUSH.

Write a brief note on: Sarva Siksha Abhiyan.

The Sixteenth Finance Commission has cautioned against unchecked unconditional cash transfers even as States expand direct benefit schemes for women. Examine this tension between fiscal discipline and welfare politics in a federal democracy.

"Cash empowers; services transform." Critically examine the shift from in-kind provision to direct cash transfers in India's welfare architecture.

Discuss inclusion and exclusion errors in digitally targeted welfare delivery. What safeguards are needed so that technology does not become a barrier to entitlement?

Examine the case for and against a Universal Basic Income in India, with reference to the fiscal capacity of States like Odisha.

Discuss the distinction between welfare schemes and freebies. How can governments balance social welfare programmes with long-term fiscal sustainability?

Analyse the recent fiscal challenges faced by Indian states due to the proliferation of freebies. What measures can be taken to ensure responsible fiscal management?

Do free schemes announced by governments hinder long-term economic development? Critically analyse the impact of populist measures on economic growth and fiscal health.

Many Indian states are facing financial crises due to mounting debt and populist schemes. Discuss the major causes and suggest policy measures for fiscal prudence.

Discuss the causes and consequences of the feminisation of poverty in India.

Elaborate on how emphasising gender-sensitive growth can address India’s persisting hunger challenge, and discuss the challenges and solutions involved.

Highlight the trends and patterns of multidimensional poverty reduction in India in recent years and the main factors behind the changes.

Discuss the causes of hunger despite the overproduction of food in India, and put forth measures to mitigate this issue.

Discuss the achievements, challenges and potential reforms of the National Food Security Act, 2013 in ensuring food security and reducing hunger.

India has achieved food security, but nutritional security is still lacking. Discuss the reasons for the lack of nutritional security and the steps taken by the government.

Discuss the intergenerational consequences of maternal malnutrition in India, and the specific measures needed to improve the nutritional status of women.

In what ways do the persistence of government food programmes and high malnutrition rates contradict the reported low poverty rates in India?

Critically analyse the achievements of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana in fostering skill development and enhancing employment opportunities.

Elucidate the potential of the PM-JANMAN scheme in addressing the issues faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

With only a small share of the elderly having access to social security, examine the systemic inefficiencies and social neglect in India’s social security framework for the elderly.

Discuss the key measures India should prioritise to ensure the comprehensive safeguarding of children’s welfare, considering both legal frameworks and societal interventions.

How can public policy address the deep-rooted issues perpetuating gender-based violence to improve the safety and welfare of women?

Evaluate the effectiveness of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 and the challenges in its implementation.

Examine the difficulties confronted by Scheduled Tribes in India and evaluate the efficacy of constitutional and policy safeguards in mitigating these challenges.

Analyse the multifaceted challenges hindering women’s ascent to leadership roles in India, and suggest measures to close the gender gap in leadership positions.

Discuss the adverse social implications of child marriage, how it affects gender dynamics, and the existing measures to address this issue.

Discuss the achievements of the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan and what more can be done under the scheme to ensure universal accessibility for divyangjans.

Examine the impact of Self-Help Groups on the overall development and standard of living of women in rural areas.

Evaluate critically the role of SHGs in the transition from state-led development to people-led self-development.

Public-Private Partnership models have been advocated to bolster the reach and efficiency of welfare schemes. Discuss the merits and demerits of the PPP model in welfare delivery.

Assess the interplay between urbanisation and public health challenges in India, with a focus on urban slum populations and the emergence of lifestyle diseases.

“Skilling initiatives in India are often disconnected from market demands.” Suggest strategies to align skill development programmes with the requirements of Industry 4.0.

How does the ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0’ scheme align with India’s broader policy framework on child welfare? Discuss its integration with other related initiatives.

Enumerate the reasons for the low child adoption rate in India, the government initiatives taken, and a way forward to improve adoption outcomes.

Discuss the measures taken to promote education in the regional languages of the Eighth Schedule and the challenges in ensuring their effective implementation.

Discuss the legal and policy framework for Early Childhood Care and Education in India, highlighting the significance of the Aadharshila and Navchetana frameworks.

Discuss the role of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions in standardising education and training, and its expected impact on the healthcare sector.

The National Education Policy 2020 has tried to address employability but is criticised for its implementation. Comment.

Assess the viability of establishing a universal right to health as a solution for addressing the shortcomings in India’s healthcare system.

Examine the potential of private investment as a sustainable funding source for India’s higher education sector.

Foundational literacy and numeracy are still out of reach for millions of Indians. Discuss how the National Education Policy 2020 and NIPUN Bharat can aid in achieving them.

Elucidate how investment in social sector areas such as food security, healthcare and education can promote long-term economic growth and reduce social inequalities.

To accomplish ‘Health for All’, appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is necessary. Elaborate, and enumerate the steps taken for the betterment of the local healthcare system.

Analyse the key findings of the WHO Global Report on Hypertension and how lifestyle and dietary interventions can be integrated into India’s healthcare system.

Compromised health infrastructure has left the marginalised ‘one illness away’ from falling into poverty. Highlight the issues with India’s health infrastructure and suggest a framework for reforms.

Discuss recent initiatives for human resource development aimed at addressing the skill gap within the Indian workforce.

What do you understand by Universal Health Coverage? What role can insurance-based health schemes play in its promotion?

Analyse the role of digital inclusivity in enhancing the efficiency of Anganwadi Centres through initiatives like the Poshan Tracker application.