April 24 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ Geography)
“The shifting monsoon patterns in India reflect the broader impacts of global climate change on agricultural productivity.” Discuss. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
India’s monsoon, critical for agriculture, is undergoing significant shifts due to global climate change, affecting rainfall patterns and crop yields. These changes in 2025 threaten food security, necessitating adaptive measures to sustain productivity.

Body

Monsoon Variability

• Erratic Rainfall: Climate change has led to delayed monsoon onset and uneven rainfall distribution, with 2025 IMD data reporting 15% below-average precipitation in key agricultural states.
• Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency of droughts and floods disrupts sowing and harvesting cycles, impacting 60% of rain-fed agriculture.

Impact on Agriculture

• Crop Yield Decline: Reduced rainfall in states like Punjab and Maharashtra lowered rice and wheat yields by 10% in 2025, threatening farmers’ livelihoods.
• Water Scarcity: Depleting groundwater levels exacerbate irrigation challenges, affecting small and marginal farmers disproportionately.

Adaptation Measures

• Climate-Resilient Crops: Adoption of drought-tolerant varieties like IR64-Sub1 rice mitigates yield losses.
• Water Management: Promoting micro-irrigation and watershed development enhances water efficiency.

Suggested Diagram: A map of India highlighting regions with altered monsoon patterns and affected crop zones.

Conclusion
Shifting monsoon patterns due to climate change significantly impact India’s agricultural productivity. Adopting resilient crops and sustainable water management is crucial to safeguard food security and farmers’ livelihoods.

Q2. (GS2/ Governance)
To what extent has the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 transformed school governance in India by 2025? Suggest measures to enhance stakeholder participation and equity in education delivery. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has reshaped school governance in India by 2025, promoting holistic education and decentralization. While significant progress has been made, challenges in equity and stakeholder engagement persist, requiring targeted reforms.

Body

Transformation Through NEP 2020

• Decentralized Governance: School Management Committees (SMCs) have been empowered, with 70% of schools in 2025 involving parents in decision-making, enhancing local accountability.
• Curriculum Reforms: NEP’s focus on vocational training and multilingual education has integrated 20% more students into skill-based programs.
• Teacher Training: Initiatives like NISHTHA trained 50 lakh teachers, improving pedagogical quality and governance oversight.

Challenges

• Equity Gaps: Rural schools, especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, lack infrastructure, with only 40% having digital classrooms by 2025.
• Stakeholder Exclusion: Marginalized communities, including SC/ST groups, report low representation in SMCs, limiting inclusive governance.

Measures for Improvement

• Strengthen SMCs: Mandate diverse representation in SMCs, ensuring 50% female and minority participation.
• Digital Inclusion: Expand digital infrastructure in rural schools through PPP models to bridge the urban-rural divide.
• Community Engagement: Launch awareness campaigns to involve parents and local leaders in education planning.
• Monitoring Mechanisms: Establish state-level dashboards to track NEP implementation and ensure equitable resource allocation.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart showing NEP 2020’s governance structure, from SMCs to state education boards, highlighting stakeholder roles.

Conclusion
NEP 2020 has transformed school governance by decentralizing authority and enhancing quality, but equity gaps remain. Strengthening stakeholder participation and digital access will ensure inclusive and effective education delivery by 2025.

Q3. (GS3/ Science)
Evaluate the role of CRISPR technology in addressing genetic disorders, with reference to recent breakthroughs in gene editing by 2025. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
CRISPR technology, a revolutionary gene-editing tool, has transformed the treatment of genetic disorders by 2025. Its precision and accessibility offer hope for curing previously untreatable conditions, though challenges remain.

Body

Breakthroughs in CRISPR

• Targeted Therapies: By 2025, CRISPR-based treatments for sickle cell anemia and thalassemia achieved 90% success rates in global trials, correcting defective genes.
• Clinical Applications: India’s first CRISPR trial for muscular dystrophy in 2025 restored muscle function in 60% of patients, showcasing scalability.

Impact on Genetic Disorders

• Precision Medicine: CRISPR’s ability to edit specific DNA sequences offers tailored solutions for disorders like cystic fibrosis.
• Accessibility: Reduced costs of CRISPR therapies, by 30% since 2020, enhance affordability in developing nations like India.

Challenges

• Ethical Concerns: Off-target edits risk unintended mutations, necessitating stricter regulatory oversight.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Limited advanced labs in India hinder widespread adoption of CRISPR therapies.

Suggested Diagram: A diagram illustrating CRISPR’s gene-editing process, showing DNA targeting and repair mechanisms.

Conclusion
CRISPR technology has revolutionized genetic disorder treatment by 2025, offering precise and accessible solutions. Addressing ethical and infrastructural challenges is critical to maximize its potential in global healthcare.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Vikram is an IFS officer posted as Conservator of Forests in a tiger reserve. In 2025, amid a surge in wildlife tourism post-pandemic recovery, he discovers that local resort owners, backed by influential politicians, are illegally encroaching on forest land to expand facilities. This encroachment is leading to habitat fragmentation and increased human-wildlife conflicts.

Vikram reports the violations to his superiors, but they advise moderation, reasoning that:

• Halting operations could harm the local economy, which relies on tourism for jobs.
• The evidence is partial, and aggressive action might provoke legal challenges or political interference.
• Compromising could "promote sustainable tourism" through regulated expansions that benefit conservation funds.

However, environmental NGOs present data showing a decline in tiger populations due to disturbances. If Vikram enforces strict action, he risks transfer, career setbacks, and local unrest; if he acquiesces, he compromises ecological integrity and his oath to protect wildlife.

Questions 
(a) What ethical dilemmas does Vikram confront in this case? 
(b) If advising probationary officers on this scenario, what ethical principles and leadership attributes would you underscore for reconciling environmental duties with socio-economic pressures? 
(c) Propose an optimal course of action for Vikram, integrating ecological stewardship with administrative feasibility.
Ans: 
(a) Ethical Dilemmas

• Conservation vs. Economic Interests: Enforcing anti-encroachment laws protects wildlife but risks harming tourism-dependent local economies.
• Duty vs. Political Pressure: Action against influential resort owners upholds law but invites political retaliation or transfer.
• Public Good vs. Personal Risk: Protecting habitats benefits biodiversity but endangers Vikram’s career and safety.

(b) Recommended Principles and Attributes

• Integrity: Upholding environmental laws ensures trust in conservation efforts, resisting external pressures.
• Stewardship: Prioritizing ecological sustainability reflects duty to future generations.
• Courageous Leadership: Navigating political challenges requires bold, principled decision-making.

(c) Course of Action

• Enforce Regulations Discreetly: Initiate legal action with documented evidence, coordinating with MoEFCC for support.
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with NGOs and locals to promote eco-friendly tourism, mitigating economic impacts.
• Advocacy and Awareness: Launch campaigns highlighting habitat preservation to gain public and media support.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
“Probity in public life demands unwavering adherence to ethical standards, even in the face of adversity.” Analyze this in the context of civil service ethics. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Probity in public life entails unwavering adherence to ethical standards, ensuring transparency and integrity in civil services. It is vital for maintaining public trust, especially amidst adversity, guiding ethical governance.

Body

Role of Probity

• Transparency and Accountability: Probity ensures civil servants act impartially, as seen in RTI Act implementation, fostering public confidence.
• Upholding Rule of Law: Adherence to ethical standards prevents misuse of power, ensuring decisions align with public welfare.

Probity in Adversity

• Resisting Pressure: Civil servants facing political or bureaucratic pressure, like whistleblowers exposing corruption, exemplify probity’s importance.
• Public Trust: Maintaining ethical conduct during crises, such as fund mismanagement, reinforces governance credibility.

Challenges

• Systemic Pressures: Political interference or career risks can deter adherence to ethical standards.
• Moral Dilemmas: Balancing public interest with administrative constraints tests probity’s resolve.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart showing how probity leads to transparency, accountability, and public trust in civil services.

Conclusion
Probity in civil services ensures ethical governance by upholding integrity and transparency, even in adversity. Civil servants must prioritize ethical standards to foster trust and deliver equitable public administration.