March 13 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1 History)
“The revenue administration and military innovations of Alauddin Khilji strengthened the Delhi Sultanate's control over the subcontinent.” Discuss. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction

Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316 CE), a prominent Delhi Sultanate ruler, consolidated power through innovative revenue administration and military reforms. His policies strengthened central authority, ensuring economic stability and territorial control across the subcontinent.

Revenue Administration

• Land Revenue System: Alauddin introduced a scientific measurement-based revenue system, assessing land productivity to fix taxes, enhancing state revenue.
• Market Regulations: His price control measures in Delhi, including fixed rates for grains and essentials, stabilized the economy and supported the military.
• Revenue Officials: Appointing trusted amils and enforcing strict audits curbed corruption, ensuring efficient tax collection.

Military Innovations

• Standing Army: Alauddin maintained a large, salaried standing army, reducing reliance on feudal levies and ensuring loyalty.
• Dagh and Chehra: The branding of horses (dagh) and descriptive rolls of soldiers (chehra) prevented fraud, enhancing military discipline.
• Fortifications and Campaigns: Strategic forts like Siri and aggressive campaigns against Rajputs and Mongols expanded and secured the Sultanate’s frontiers.

Impact

• Centralized Control: Revenue surplus funded military campaigns, consolidating control over Deccan and South India.
• Economic Stability: Market reforms ensured affordability, fostering public support.

Conclusion
Alauddin Khilji’s revenue and military reforms centralized authority, stabilized the economy, and expanded the Delhi Sultanate’s influence, leaving a lasting administrative legacy.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart depicting Alauddin’s revenue system (land measurement → tax collection → market regulation) and military structure (standing army → dagh/chehra → campaigns).

Q2. (GS2 Polity) 
In the wake of the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections and the implementation of new criminal laws, assess the evolving dynamics of federalism and civil liberties in India. Suggest measures to safeguard constitutional principles. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The 2025 Delhi Assembly elections and the rollout of new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) have reshaped India’s federal structure and civil liberties. These developments highlight tensions between central authority and state autonomy, alongside concerns over individual rights.

Evolving Dynamics of Federalism

• Delhi’s Limited Autonomy: The 2025 elections underscored ongoing centre-state friction, with the GNCTD Act, 2021, limiting Delhi’s legislative powers, centralizing control over key governance areas.
• New Criminal Laws: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and related laws, implemented in 2024, standardize criminal justice but raise concerns about state-specific adaptations, straining cooperative federalism.
• Fiscal Federalism: Centre’s control over funds allocation post-2025 elections has sparked debates on equitable resource sharing, impacting states’ developmental autonomy.

Civil Liberties Concerns

• Surveillance and Privacy: New laws expand police powers (e.g., preventive detention), raising fears of misuse against dissenters, as seen in activist arrests in 2025.
• Freedom of Expression: Restrictions on protests and media under the pretext of public order threaten democratic rights, evident in post-election clampdowns in Delhi.

Measures to Safeguard Constitutional Principles

• Strengthening Federal Dialogue: Revive the Inter-State Council to address centre-state disputes and ensure cooperative federalism.
• Judicial Oversight: Courts should proactively review laws like BNS for constitutional compliance, protecting civil liberties.
• Decentralized Governance: Empower states with fiscal autonomy and legislative flexibility to adapt central laws to local needs.
• Public Awareness: Promote civic education on constitutional rights to strengthen democratic accountability.

Conclusion
The 2025 Delhi elections and new criminal laws highlight challenges to federalism and civil liberties. Strengthening institutional dialogue, judicial review, and public participation can safeguard India’s constitutional ethos, balancing central authority with state autonomy and individual rights.

 Q3. (GS3/ Economy) 
India's economic growth of 6.5% in FY24/25 amidst global uncertainties demonstrates resilience, yet structural challenges persist. Discuss with reference to manufacturing and export sectors. (150 words)
Ans: Introduction
India’s 6.5% GDP growth in FY24/25 amidst global uncertainties reflects robust economic policies. However, structural challenges in manufacturing and exports hinder sustained progress.

Achievements

• Manufacturing Growth: The ‘Make in India’ initiative and PLI schemes boosted sectors like electronics, with mobile phone production rising 20% in 2025.
• Export Performance: India’s exports grew 8% in FY24/25, driven by pharmaceuticals and IT services, leveraging global demand for generics and digital solutions.
• Policy Support: Atmanirbhar Bharat and infrastructure investments (e.g., PM GatiShakti) enhanced industrial output and logistics efficiency.

Structural Challenges

• Skill Gaps: Manufacturing suffers from a shortage of skilled labor, limiting high-tech production scalability.
• Global Competition: Exports face challenges from ASEAN nations offering cheaper labor and better trade agreements.
• Supply Chain Issues: Dependency on imported raw materials, especially for semiconductors, hampers cost competitiveness.

Way Forward

• Skill Development: Expand programs like Skill India to train youth for advanced manufacturing roles.
• Trade Diversification: Strengthen FTAs with EU and African nations to boost export markets.
• Self-Reliance: Invest in domestic semiconductor production to reduce import dependency.

Conclusion
India’s 6.5% growth in FY24/25 showcases resilience, but addressing skill gaps, global competition, and supply chain issues in manufacturing and exports is critical for sustained economic progress.

Suggested Diagram: A bar graph comparing India’s manufacturing and export growth (FY23/24 vs. FY24/25) with key sectors highlighted.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study 
Priya is an IAS officer heading the Digital Governance Division in a state government. In 2025, following the MeitY's AI Governance Report, her department is tasked with deploying AI-driven surveillance systems for public safety in urban areas, funded by central schemes.

During pilot testing, Priya discovers that the AI system, sourced from a private vendor, has biases leading to disproportionate targeting of minority communities and low-income groups, violating privacy norms. The vendor claims the biases are minor and can be fixed later, while senior officials push for quick rollout to meet deadlines and showcase 'smart city' progress, arguing it will reduce crime rates overall.

Local activists file complaints, highlighting potential human rights abuses and data misuse. Reporting the issue could delay the project, invite political scrutiny, and affect Priya's promotion, as the initiative has high-level backing. Ignoring it risks perpetuating inequality and eroding public trust in governance.

Questions 
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Priya in this case? 
(b) If you were mentoring aspiring administrators on this scenario, what ethical principles and leadership traits would you stress for addressing technology-driven governance challenges? 
(c) Propose the most suitable course of action for Priya, harmonizing technological advancement with ethical accountability.
Ans: 

(a) Key Ethical Dilemmas

• Public Safety vs. Privacy: Deploying the AI system ensures urban safety but risks violating privacy rights of marginalized groups due to biases.
• Duty vs. Career Risks: Reporting biases upholds integrity but may invite political backlash and derail Priya’s career.
• Innovation vs. Equity: Fast-tracking the ‘smart city’ project drives technological progress but perpetuates inequality if biases remain unaddressed.

(b) Ethical Principles and Leadership Traits for Mentors

• Integrity: Prioritizing public welfare over personal gains, as seen in T.N. Seshan’s electoral reforms.
• Accountability: Ensuring transparency in technology use, emphasizing due diligence in governance.
• Empathy: Understanding community concerns, as demonstrated by E. Sreedharan’s inclusive project management.
• Courageous Leadership: Taking principled stands against systemic pressures, inspired by Kiran Bedi’s prison reforms.

(c) Recommended Course of Action

• Pause and Audit: Priya should halt the rollout and commission an independent audit of the AI system to identify and correct biases, ensuring fairness.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Consult activists and communities to incorporate feedback, rebuilding trust.
• Transparent Reporting: Escalate findings to MeitY with evidence, advocating for revised vendor guidelines without public confrontation.
• Capacity Building: Propose training for officials on ethical AI use to prevent future issues.

This approach balances technological advancement with ethical accountability, safeguarding human rights while advancing governance objectives.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
“Ethical governance in the era of AI requires balancing innovation with human rights.” Examine this statement in the context of Indian public administration. (150 words)
Ans: Introduction
AI’s integration into Indian public administration offers transformative potential but demands ethical governance to balance innovation with human rights, ensuring inclusivity and fairness.

Role of AI in Governance

• Efficiency: AI-driven systems like e-Governance portals streamline services, e.g., Aadhaar-based DBT, enhancing transparency.
• Public Safety: AI surveillance in smart cities improves security, as piloted in 2025 under MeitY guidelines.

Challenges to Human Rights

• Privacy Violations: AI systems like facial recognition risk data misuse, as seen in 2025 urban surveillance controversies.
• Bias and Inequality: Algorithms often discriminate against marginalized groups, undermining equity, e.g., biased loan approval systems.
• Lack of Accountability: Absence of clear AI ethics frameworks leads to unaddressed violations, eroding public trust.

Balancing Innovation and Rights

• Ethical Frameworks: IAS officers like Armstrong Pame used participatory governance to align projects with community needs, a model for AI deployment.
• Regulatory Oversight: The 2025 MeitY AI Governance Report emphasizes audits and transparency, ensuring accountability.
• Public Engagement: Involving citizens, as in Kerala’s e-Governance model, mitigates biases and fosters trust.

Conclusion
Ethical governance in India’s AI era requires robust regulations, public participation, and empathetic leadership to balance innovation with human rights, ensuring inclusive and equitable administration.