February 6 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (International Relations)
In the context of the evolving geopolitical landscape in 2025, analyze the implications of the expanded BRICS membership on global multilateralism. How can India leverage this platform to advance its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region? (250 words)
Ans:

Introduction
In 2025, the expanded BRICS membership, incorporating countries like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, has reshaped global multilateralism. This expansion amplifies BRICS’ role as a counterweight to Western-dominated institutions, offering India opportunities to advance its strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific.
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Implications for Global Multilateralism:

• Enhanced Representation: The inclusion of diverse economies strengthens BRICS’ claim as a voice for the Global South, challenging the G7’s dominance in global governance.
• Economic Leverage: Expanded BRICS controls significant global GDP and resources, fostering initiatives like the New Development Bank (NDB) to finance sustainable development, reducing reliance on Western institutions.
• Geopolitical Balancing: The grouping counters unipolarity, promoting a multipolar world order, but internal divergences (e.g., India-China tensions) complicate unified action.

India’s Strategic Opportunities in the Indo-Pacific:

• Regional Leadership: India can leverage BRICS to amplify its Indo-Pacific strategy, emphasizing a free and open maritime order against China’s assertiveness.
• Economic Diplomacy: Through BRICS’ trade frameworks, India can secure markets for its IT, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy sectors in new member states.
• Security Cooperation: Collaborating with BRICS partners like Brazil and South Africa on maritime security enhances India’s role in Quad and IORA.
• Challenges: India must navigate China’s dominance within BRICS and maintain strategic autonomy, avoiding alignment with any single power bloc.

Conclusion
The expanded BRICS strengthens global multilateralism by amplifying the Global South’s voice. India can use this platform to bolster its Indo-Pacific influence through economic and security partnerships, provided it balances engagement with safeguarding its core interests against internal rivalries.

Q2. (Environment)
Evaluate the outcomes of COP30 held in Brazil in 2025 and their significance for India's climate action plan. Discuss the challenges India faces in balancing economic growth with commitments to biodiversity conservation and emission reductions. (150 words)
Ans:

Introduction
The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) in Brazil (2025) marked significant strides in global climate commitments. For India, balancing economic growth with biodiversity conservation and emission reductions remains a critical challenge.
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Outcomes of COP30:

• Enhanced NDCs: COP30 pushed for ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), with India committing to 50% renewable energy by 2030.
• Biodiversity Focus: Agreements emphasized protecting 30% of global ecosystems by 2030, aligning with India’s Project Tiger and Elephant initiatives.
• Climate Finance: Developed nations pledged $200 billion annually for climate adaptation, aiding India’s vulnerable coastal and Himalayan regions.

India’s Challenges:

• Economic Growth vs. Emissions: India’s coal dependency for industrial growth conflicts with its net-zero 2070 target, requiring rapid renewable energy scaling.
• Biodiversity Pressures: Urbanization and infrastructure projects threaten 20% of India’s forest cover, necessitating stronger enforcement of conservation laws.
• Resource Constraints: Limited access to green technology and insufficient domestic funding hinder India’s climate goals.

Conclusion
COP30’s outcomes provide India a framework to advance its climate goals, but balancing growth with environmental commitments requires innovative financing, technology transfers, and robust policy enforcement.

Q3. (Ethics)
“Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” Examine this statement in the context of ethical challenges faced by public administrators in India. (150 words)
Ans:

Introduction
The statement “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful” underscores the symbiotic relationship between ethical conduct and informed decision-making in public administration. In India, public servants face complex challenges requiring both.
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Role of Integrity:

• Moral Compass: Integrity ensures public servants prioritize public welfare over personal or political gains, fostering trust.
• Resisting Corruption: It empowers officers to uphold transparency, as seen in cases of whistleblowers exposing mismanagement in public schemes.

Role of Knowledge:

• Informed Decisions: Knowledge of laws, policies, and socio-economic contexts enables effective implementation, like in Aspirational Districts programs.
• Strategic Problem-Solving: Technical expertise aids in addressing issues like rural healthcare or urban planning efficiently.

Challenges in Balancing Both:

• Pressure vs. Principle: Public servants often face political pressures that test integrity, risking unethical compromises without strong knowledge to justify actions.
• Misuse of Expertise: Knowledge without integrity can lead to manipulation, such as diverting public funds for elite projects.

Conclusion
For Indian public administrators, integrity provides ethical grounding, while knowledge equips them to navigate complexities. Together, they ensure accountable governance, balancing public interest with practical execution in a challenging socio-political landscape.

Q4. (Ethics – Case Study)
Priya is an IPS officer serving as Superintendent of Police in a metropolitan city. In 2025, amid rising cybercrimes, her department receives a tip about a sophisticated online fraud syndicate operating from within the city, allegedly involving influential businessmen and politicians. During the investigation, Priya uncovers evidence linking the syndicate to a prominent local politician who has been a key supporter of police welfare programs.
The politician approaches Priya informally, offering to "resolve the matter" by providing additional funds for police modernization if the investigation is toned down. He argues that exposing the syndicate could destabilize the local economy and lead to job losses, as the involved businesses employ thousands. Meanwhile, victims of the fraud, including vulnerable elderly citizens and small investors, have filed complaints demanding justice, highlighting how the scams have ruined lives.
Priya's superiors hint that pursuing the case aggressively might invite political pressure, potential transfer, or even threats to her safety. However, ignoring it would erode public trust in law enforcement and allow the crimes to continue.
Questions:
(a) Identify the ethical dilemmas confronting Priya in this scenario.
(b) As a mentor to aspiring civil servants, what core ethical values and decision-making frameworks would you recommend for navigating such conflicts?
(c) Outline a balanced course of action for Priya that upholds the rule of law while considering practical administrative constraints.
Ans:

Introduction
Priya, an IPS officer, faces a complex ethical dilemma involving a cybercrime syndicate linked to a powerful politician. Balancing justice, public trust, and administrative constraints tests her ethical resolve.
Body
Ethical Dilemmas:

• Justice vs. Political Pressure: Pursuing the syndicate risks retaliation, while yielding undermines the rule of law.
• Public Interest vs. Economic Stability: Exposing the syndicate may disrupt local businesses, but inaction harms victims.
• Personal Safety vs. Duty: Aggressive action could endanger Priya’s safety or career, conflicting with her duty to uphold justice.

Guidance for Civil Servants

• Core Values: Emphasize integrity, impartiality, and accountability to prioritize public welfare over personal gains.
• Decision-Making Frameworks: Use ethical models like the “Four-Way Test” (Is it fair, lawful, beneficial, and sustainable?) to evaluate actions.
• Leadership Qualities: Courage to resist pressure, empathy for victims, and strategic communication to build public support.

Course of Action:

• Transparent Investigation: Priya should document evidence meticulously and escalate the case to higher authorities like the CBI.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with civil society to amplify victim voices, building public pressure.
• Pragmatic Safeguards: Seek legal protection against retaliation while maintaining professional neutrality.

Conclusion
Priya must uphold justice through a transparent, victim-focused investigation, balancing administrative pragmatism with ethical responsibility to restore public trust.

Q5. (Essay)
“In an era of technological disruption, the pursuit of equity must precede the race for efficiency.” Discuss. (1000-1200 words)
Ans:

Introduction
The rapid pace of technological disruption—driven by artificial intelligence, automation, and digital platforms—has transformed economies, societies, and governance structures globally. In 2025, as India harnesses technologies like 5G, AI-driven healthcare, and smart cities, the tension between efficiency (optimizing resources and productivity) and equity (ensuring fair access and opportunities) becomes stark. The statement “In an era of technological disruption, the pursuit of equity must precede the race for efficiency” underscores the need to prioritize inclusive growth to prevent deepening inequalities. This essay argues that while efficiency drives progress, prioritizing equity ensures sustainable and just development in a technologically dynamic world.
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The Nature of Technological Disruption
Technological advancements promise unprecedented efficiency:

• Economic Productivity: Automation in manufacturing boosts output, with India’s industrial sector projected to grow 8% annually by 2027 due to robotics.
• Service Delivery: AI-powered platforms like India’s UPI have streamlined financial transactions, handling 150 billion transactions in 2025.
• Innovation Hubs: Smart cities and tech startups foster rapid urbanization and entrepreneurship, positioning India as a global tech leader.

However, these gains often exacerbate inequalities:

• Digital Divide: Over 50% of India’s rural population lacks reliable internet access, excluding them from digital benefits.
• Job Displacement: Automation threatens 30% of low-skill jobs, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities.
• Access Gaps: Advanced healthcare technologies remain inaccessible to 60% of India’s population due to cost and infrastructure barriers.

Why Equity Must Precede Efficiency

Prioritizing equity ensures technology serves all, not just the privileged:

• Inclusive Growth: Equitable access to education and digital literacy can empower 400 million rural Indians, reducing poverty by 15% by 2030.
• Social Stability: Addressing inequality prevents unrest, as seen in protests against job losses in India’s textile sector in 2024.
• Sustainable Development: Equity-focused policies align with SDG goals, ensuring no one is left behind in India’s growth trajectory.
• Moral Imperative: Fair distribution of technological benefits upholds constitutional values of justice and equality.

Efficiency, while critical, risks entrenching disparities if unchecked. For instance, AI-driven hiring platforms may optimize recruitment but often perpetuate biases against marginalized groups, as seen in global studies.

Challenges in Prioritizing Equity
Balancing equity and efficiency faces significant hurdles:

• Resource Constraints: Diverting funds to equitable access (e.g., rural broadband) may slow high-tech infrastructure projects.
• Resistance from Elites: Corporate and political stakeholders often prioritize profit-driven efficiency over inclusive policies.
• Skill Gaps: India’s workforce requires reskilling to adapt to tech-driven jobs, with only 10% currently trained in AI-related skills.
• Policy Implementation: Bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption can derail equity-focused initiatives like Digital India.

Strategies to Prioritize Equity
India can adopt a multi-pronged approach to ensure equity leads efficiency:

• Digital Inclusion: Expand initiatives like BharatNet to provide affordable internet to 90% of rural areas by 2028.
• Skill Development: Scale up programs like Skill India, targeting 100 million workers for AI and automation training.
• Policy Reforms: Enforce regulations to ensure tech companies address algorithmic biases and prioritize marginalized communities.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate with tech giants to subsidize access to advanced healthcare and education tools in underserved regions.
• Community Engagement: Involve local stakeholders in tech policy design to ensure solutions meet grassroots needs.

Case Studies: Equity in Action

• India’s UPI Model: By prioritizing affordability and accessibility, UPI bridged the financial inclusion gap, enabling 80% of Indians to access digital payments by 2025.
• Rwanda’s Drone Healthcare: Rwanda’s use of drones for medical deliveries prioritized rural access, improving health outcomes without sacrificing efficiency.
• Finland’s Education Tech: Finland’s equitable distribution of digital learning tools ensured 95% of students had access, balancing efficiency with inclusion.

These examples demonstrate that equity-driven tech policies amplify long-term efficiency by fostering trust and participation.

The Risks of Prioritizing Efficiency Alone
Focusing solely on efficiency can deepen systemic inequalities:

• Economic Polarization: Tech hubs like Bengaluru thrive, while rural areas lag, widening India’s urban-rural divide.
• Social Exclusion: Marginalized groups, including women and SC/ST communities, face exclusion from tech-driven opportunities.
• Erosion of Trust: Unequal benefits fuel public discontent, as seen in global backlash against Big Tech’s monopolistic practices.

India’s 2025 budget, allocating ₹2 lakh crore for tech innovation, must prioritize equitable distribution to avoid such pitfalls.

The Way Forward
To ensure equity precedes efficiency, India must:

• Legislative Safeguards: Enact laws mandating equitable tech access, similar to the EU’s Digital Services Act.
• Monitoring Mechanisms: Establish independent bodies to assess tech policies’ impact on marginalized groups.
• Global Cooperation: Leverage platforms like BRICS to advocate for equitable tech frameworks globally.

By embedding equity in technological disruption, India can achieve inclusive growth, aligning with its vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Conclusion
Technological disruption offers immense potential for efficiency, but without equity, it risks deepening India’s socio-economic divides. Prioritizing equity ensures fair access to opportunities, fosters social cohesion, and sustains long-term progress. By investing in digital inclusion, skill development, and equitable policies, India can harness technology as a tool for justice and empowerment, proving that equity is not just a moral necessity but a strategic imperative for a balanced and prosperous future.