December 5 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2025 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (Economy)
Analyze the role of fiscal federalism in addressing regional economic disparities in India, with special reference to the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission. (250 words)
Ans:

Introduction
Fiscal federalism in India governs the allocation of financial resources between the Union and states, aiming to reduce regional economic disparities. The 16th Finance Commission (2025) plays a pivotal role in refining this framework to ensure equitable development across diverse regions.

Body

Strengthening Resource Allocation:

• Devolution of Funds: The 16th Finance Commission emphasizes higher devolution to economically backward states, such as Bihar and Odisha, to bridge infrastructure and social gaps.
• Performance-Based Grants: It recommends incentivizing states for fiscal discipline and development outcomes, ensuring efficient use of funds in lagging regions.

Addressing Regional Imbalances:

• Special Category Status: States like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh benefit from tailored grants to address structural challenges like low industrialization and tribal underdevelopment.
• Vertical and Horizontal Equity: The Commission balances tax-sharing formulas to favor states with lower per capita income, reducing disparities with richer states like Maharashtra.

Infrastructure and Capacity Building:

• Targeted Investments: Funds are directed toward aspirational districts for roads, healthcare, and digital connectivity, fostering inclusive growth.
• State-Specific Plans: The Commission encourages states to design localized development strategies, aligning with national goals like Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Challenges and Recommendations:

• Implementation Gaps: Delays in fund utilization and corruption hinder outcomes. Strengthening state-level institutions is crucial.
• Data-Driven Approach: The Commission advocates real-time monitoring of fund usage through digital platforms to enhance transparency.

Conclusion
The 16th Finance Commission’s focus on equitable fund allocation and performance-based incentives strengthens fiscal federalism. By prioritizing backward regions and fostering state capacity, India can reduce economic disparities, ensuring balanced development.

Q2. (Ethics – Case Study)
Riya is a young IFS officer posted as a diplomat in a neighboring country with strained bilateral relations. Her role involves promoting economic ties and cultural exchanges, but she uncovers evidence that a prominent Indian business tycoon, with close ties to the ruling political party back home, is involved in money laundering through shell companies in her host country. This could potentially escalate into a diplomatic scandal if exposed.
The tycoon approaches Riya informally, offering her incentives like career advancement opportunities and implying that exposing the issue would harm India's investment image abroad. Meanwhile, her superiors in the Ministry of External Affairs subtly hint that maintaining "strategic silence" is in the national interest, as the tycoon funds key development projects in border areas.
Local media in the host country begins investigating, and Riya receives anonymous threats warning her against cooperating with them. If she reports the matter through official channels, it might lead to her recall or damage Indo-host relations. If she ignores it, she compromises her oath to uphold integrity and risks enabling corruption that could undermine India's global reputation.
Questions;
(a) Identify the ethical conflicts Riya faces in this scenario.
(b) As a mentor to aspiring diplomats, what values from the Civil Services Code of Conduct would you highlight to navigate such international dilemmas?
(c) Outline a pragmatic yet principled approach for Riya to resolve the issue without jeopardizing national interests.
Ans:

Introduction
As an IFS officer, Riya faces a complex ethical dilemma involving corruption, diplomatic pressures, and personal integrity. Balancing national interests with ethical responsibility defines her challenge.

Body

(a) Ethical Conflicts Faced by Riya:

• Integrity vs. National Interest: Exposing the tycoon’s money laundering upholds Riya’s duty to integrity but risks straining Indo-host relations, potentially harming India’s economic image.
• Personal Safety vs. Duty: Anonymous threats endanger Riya’s safety, creating a conflict between self-preservation and her obligation to combat corruption.
• Loyalty to Superiors vs. Public Interest: Pressure from the Ministry to maintain silence conflicts with her responsibilities, which prioritize public welfare over political expediency.
• Career Prospects vs. Ethical Stand: Acting against the tycoon may lead to recall or stalled career growth, pitting professional pragmatism against moral responsibility.

(b) Values and Leadership Qualities to Emphasize:

• Integrity: Upholding truth and honesty as per the Civil Services Code of Conduct, even under pressure.
• Courage: Facing threats and political influence with resilience to prioritize public interest.
• Public Service Orientation: Placing citizens’ trust above personal or political gains.
• Emotional Intelligence: Navigating diplomatic sensitivities with empathy and strategic communication.

(c) Course of Action for Riya:

• Confidential Reporting: Riya should report the issue through secure diplomatic channels to the Vigilance Department, ensuring anonymity to minimize personal risk.
• Engage Allies: Collaborate discreetly with trusted colleagues to build a case, avoiding direct confrontation with the tycoon.
• Protect National Interest: Frame the issue as a proactive step to safeguard India’s global reputation, mitigating diplomatic fallout.
• Document Evidence: Maintain meticulous records to ensure accountability without immediate public exposure.

Conclusion
Riya’s dilemma tests her commitment to integrity and public service. By discreetly reporting the issue and leveraging diplomatic channels, she can uphold ethical standards while safeguarding national interests.

Q3. (Ethics)
“Emotional intelligence is the cornerstone of ethical governance in a diverse society like India.” Elucidate with examples from public administration. (150 words)
Ans:

Introduction
Emotional intelligence (EI) involves understanding and managing emotions to foster ethical governance. In India’s diverse society, EI enables public servants to navigate complex social dynamics, ensuring inclusive and empathetic administration.

Body
Empathy in Decision-Making:

• Understanding Stakeholders: EI helps officers like District Magistrates address community grievances, such as caste-based discrimination, by empathizing with marginalized groups’ concerns.
• Example: During the 2025 Aspirational Districts review, officers used EI to mediate between tribal communities and industrial projects, ensuring fair rehabilitation.

Self-Regulation for Integrity:

• Resisting Pressures: EI enables officers to remain composed under political pressure, prioritizing ethical principles over expediency.
• Example: An IAS officer in 2025 resisted pressure to divert health funds, focusing on public welfare through calm negotiation.

Social Skills for Collaboration:

• Building Consensus: EI fosters dialogue among diverse stakeholders, like coordinating with NGOs for rural education programs.
• Conflict Resolution: Officers resolve inter-community disputes, ensuring harmony in diverse regions like Assam.

Motivation for Public Good:

• Service-Driven Leadership: EI drives officers to prioritize long-term societal benefits, like sustainable urban planning, over short-term gains.

Conclusion
Emotional intelligence is vital for ethical governance in India. By fostering empathy, self-regulation, and collaboration, EI ensures public servants uphold integrity and inclusivity, strengthening trust in administration.

Q4. (Essay)
“The fusion of artificial intelligence and human ingenuity: A double-edged sword for global equity in the post-2025 era.”
Ans:

Introduction
The synergy of artificial intelligence (AI) and human ingenuity is transforming economies, societies, and governance. While this fusion promises innovation, it poses challenges to global equity, particularly in the post-2025 era, as disparities in access and capabilities widen.

Body

Opportunities for Progress:

• Economic Growth: AI-driven automation boosts productivity in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, enhancing India’s GDP growth in 2025.
• Social Inclusion: AI tools like multilingual education platforms empower marginalized communities, reducing literacy gaps in rural India.
• Governance Efficiency: AI streamlines public service delivery, such as real-time monitoring of welfare schemes, improving transparency.

Challenges to Global Equity:

• Digital Divide: Unequal access to AI technologies risks excluding low-income nations, deepening global economic disparities.
• Job Displacement: Automation threatens low-skill jobs in developing economies, exacerbating unemployment in countries like India.
• Ethical Risks: Bias in AI algorithms can perpetuate social inequalities, as seen in flawed facial recognition systems affecting minorities.

Balancing Innovation and Equity:

• Inclusive Policies: Governments must invest in AI education and infrastructure for rural areas, as India’s 2025 Digital Literacy Mission aims to do.
• Global Cooperation: Initiatives like BRICS AI partnerships can share technology, reducing disparities between Global South and North.
• Ethical Frameworks: Regulating AI to ensure fairness, such as India’s 2025 AI Ethics Guidelines, prevents discriminatory outcomes.

Conclusion
The fusion of AI and human ingenuity offers immense potential for progress but risks widening global inequities. Through inclusive policies, international collaboration, and ethical frameworks, the post-2025 era can harness this synergy for equitable development.