April 17 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ History) 
“The Mauryan Empire's administrative innovations laid the foundation for centralized governance in ancient India.” Discuss. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE), under rulers like Chandragupta and Ashoka, established a sophisticated administrative system that pioneered centralized governance in ancient India. These innovations ensured efficient control over a vast, diverse empire, setting a precedent for future polities.

Body

Centralized Administrative Framework

• Royal Bureaucracy: The Mauryans introduced a hierarchical bureaucracy with officials like amatyas and mahapurohits, ensuring centralized policy implementation across provinces.
• Revenue System: Land revenue, assessed systematically, was managed by samahartas, enabling economic stability and resource mobilization.

Provincial and Local Governance

• Provincial Administration: The empire was divided into provinces governed by kumara (princes) or trusted officials, ensuring loyalty to the center.
• Espionage Network: A robust spy system, described in Kautilya’s Arthashastra, monitored officials and citizens, curbing corruption and rebellion.

Socio-Economic Integration

• Standardized Measures: Uniform weights, measures, and coinage facilitated trade and economic cohesion across regions.
• Dhamma Propagation: Ashoka’s edicts promoted ethical governance, integrating diverse communities through moral persuasion.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart depicting the Mauryan administrative hierarchy, from the emperor to local officials.

Conclusion
The Mauryan Empire’s administrative innovations, blending centralization with regional autonomy, laid a robust foundation for governance in ancient India. Their legacy influenced subsequent empires, shaping India’s administrative traditions.

Q2. (GS2/ Polity)
To what extent has the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on federalism evolved in balancing Centre-State relations? Suggest measures for India to strengthen cooperative federalism amid fiscal challenges. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The Supreme Court of India has played a pivotal role in shaping federalism, balancing Centre-State relations through landmark judgments. As fiscal challenges persist in 2025, its jurisprudence evolves to strengthen cooperative federalism, necessitating further reforms to ensure equitable governance.

Body

Evolution of Federal Jurisprudence

• Early Central Dominance: In State of West Bengal v. Union of India (1963), the Court upheld the Centre’s authority, prioritizing national unity over state autonomy.
• Balancing Autonomy: The S.R. Bommai case (1994) limited misuse of Article 356, protecting states’ rights against arbitrary dismissals.
• Recent Trends: By 2025, rulings on GST disputes (e.g., Union of India v. Mohit Minerals, 2022) emphasize fiscal federalism, ensuring states’ revenue rights.

Challenges in Centre-State Relations

• Fiscal Imbalances: States face revenue constraints due to GST centralization, with 2025 data showing 40% dependency on central transfers.
• Policy Disputes: Conflicts over schemes like NEP 2020 highlight tensions in policy implementation.

Measures to Strengthen Cooperative Federalism

• Enhanced Fiscal Autonomy: Increase states’ share in GST revenue and allow flexibility in cess allocation.
• Strengthen NITI Aayog: Transform it into a statutory body to mediate Centre-State policy disputes effectively.
• Inter-State Coordination: Promote platforms like the Inter-State Council for collaborative decision-making.
• Transparent Fund Allocation: Use data-driven metrics to ensure equitable distribution of central funds.

Suggested Diagram: A diagram illustrating Centre-State fiscal flows under GST, highlighting revenue sharing and disputes.

Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s evolving jurisprudence has bolstered federal balance, safeguarding state autonomy while upholding national unity. Strengthening cooperative federalism requires fiscal reforms, institutional empowerment, and collaborative platforms to address ongoing challenges effectively.

Q3. (GS3/ Economy)
Evaluate the role of India's semiconductor mission in achieving self-reliance in electronics manufacturing by 2025, with reference to recent PLI scheme outcomes. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
India’s Semiconductor Mission, launched to boost electronics manufacturing, aims for self-reliance by 2025. Supported by the PLI scheme, it seeks to reduce import dependency and strengthen the tech ecosystem, though challenges persist.

Body

Progress of the Semiconductor Mission

• PLI Scheme Impact: By 2025, the PLI scheme for semiconductors attracted ₹1.5 lakh crore in investments, establishing three fabrication units.
• Global Partnerships: Collaborations with companies like TSMC have enhanced technology transfer, boosting chip production capacity.

Contribution to Self-Reliance

• Reduced Import Dependency: Domestic chip production rose by 20%, cutting reliance on Chinese imports for electronics.
• Job Creation: The mission generated 50,000 high-skill jobs, supporting India’s tech workforce.

​​​​Challenges

• Infrastructure Gaps: High setup costs and inadequate water/energy supply hinder fab scalability.
• Global Competition: India lags behind Taiwan and South Korea in advanced chip technology.

Suggested Diagram: A bar chart comparing India’s semiconductor production capacity (2020 vs. 2025) alongside import dependency.

Conclusion
India’s Semiconductor Mission, bolstered by the PLI scheme, has advanced self-reliance by 2025, reducing imports and fostering innovation. Addressing infrastructure and technological gaps is crucial to sustain progress and global competitiveness.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Neha is an IRS officer posted as Commissioner of Income Tax in a metropolitan city. In 2025, during an audit of a major tech firm, she discovers widespread tax evasion through offshore shell companies, involving prominent business leaders with close ties to ruling politicians. The evasion has deprived the government of billions in revenue, impacting welfare schemes.

Neha escalates the findings internally, but her superiors urge caution, arguing:

• Public exposure could destabilize the economy amid post-pandemic recovery, as the firm is a key employer.
• The evidence might be contested in court, leading to prolonged litigation and potential backlash.
• Discretion could "protect national interests" by allowing negotiated settlements that recover partial funds without scandal.

Local activists and media approach Neha with leaks, highlighting how the lost revenue affects public health funding. If she pursues aggressive action, she risks political vendetta, transfer, or fabricated charges; if she complies, she enables corruption and undermines fiscal justice.

Questions 
(a) What are the primary ethical dilemmas Neha encounters in this situation? 
(b) As a trainer for civil service aspirants, what ethical values and leadership traits would you stress for resolving tensions between professional duty and systemic pressures? 
(c) Recommend a balanced strategy for Neha, harmonizing fiscal integrity with practical administrative considerations.
Ans: 
(a) Ethical Dilemmas

• Duty vs. Economic Stability: Pursuing tax evasion upholds fiscal justice but risks economic disruption due to the firm’s role as a major employer.
• Integrity vs. Political Pressure: Exposing elite complicity ensures transparency but invites retaliation, including transfers or false charges.
• Public Good vs. Personal Risk: Action protects public funds but endangers Neha’s career and safety.

(b) Recommended Values and Traits

• Integrity and Accountability: Officers must prioritize transparency to uphold public trust, resisting external pressures.
• Courage: Facing political backlash requires bold decision-making to enforce the law.
• Ethical Frameworks: Use utilitarianism (maximizing public welfare) and deontology (duty-based ethics) to guide actions.

(c) Balanced Strategy

• Discreet Investigation: Strengthen evidence through forensic audits, coordinating with agencies like ED for legal backing.
• Negotiated Recovery: Pursue settlements to recover funds without immediate public exposure, minimizing economic fallout.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with activists to channel public pressure constructively, ensuring accountability.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
 “Compassion in governance tempers justice with empathy, ensuring equitable outcomes.” Examine this in the light of ethical public administration. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Compassion in governance integrates empathy with justice, ensuring equitable and humane outcomes. In public administration, it balances strict rule enforcement with sensitivity to citizens’ needs, fostering ethical leadership and trust.

Body

Role of Compassion

• Human-Centric Governance: Compassion ensures policies address marginalized groups’ needs, as seen in targeted welfare schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Yojana.
• Conflict Resolution: Empathetic engagement with stakeholders, such as during protests, de-escalates tensions and promotes dialogue.

Complementing Justice

• Equitable Implementation: Compassion tempers rigid rule application, e.g., waiving penalties for genuine tax defaulters during economic hardship.
• Public Trust: Empathetic communication in crises, like disaster relief, builds confidence in governance systems.

Challenges

• Risk of Bias: Over-compassion may lead to favoritism, undermining impartiality.
• Balancing Efficiency: Excessive focus on empathy can delay decisions, affecting administrative efficacy.

Suggested Diagram: A Venn diagram showing the overlap of compassion, justice, and equity in ethical governance outcomes.

Conclusion
Compassion in public administration humanizes justice, ensuring equitable outcomes while fostering trust. Ethical leaders must balance empathy with objectivity to deliver inclusive and effective governance, addressing diverse societal needs.