May 8 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ Indian Society)
“The escalating mental health crisis among Indian youth in 2025 underscores systemic educational and employment pressures.” Discuss. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The mental health crisis among Indian youth in 2025, driven by educational and employment pressures, poses a significant societal challenge. Systemic issues fuel anxiety and depression, necessitating urgent interventions to support well-being.

Body

Educational Pressures

• Competitive Environment: Intense competition for exams like JEE and UPSC, with 2025 data showing 65% of students facing stress-related disorders, strains mental health.
• Inadequate Support: Limited counseling in schools leaves students vulnerable to academic pressure and failure-related stigma.

Employment Challenges

• Job Scarcity: Youth unemployment at 18% in 2025 creates uncertainty, exacerbating feelings of inadequacy and depression.
• Skill Gaps: Misalignment between education and industry needs leaves graduates unprepared, increasing stress.

Societal Factors

• Cultural Stigma: Mental health issues remain taboo, with only 12% of affected youth seeking therapy due to social judgment.
• Family Expectations: Pressure to secure high-paying jobs stifles personal aspirations, worsening mental strain.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart mapping educational and employment pressures to mental health outcomes, with intervention points.

Conclusion
The mental health crisis among Indian youth in 2025 stems from systemic educational and employment pressures, compounded by societal stigma. Integrating counseling and skill-focused education is essential to mitigate this crisis effectively.

Q2. (GS2/ Indian Society)
To what extent have government initiatives mitigated the youth unemployment crisis in India by 2025? Suggest strategies for enhancing skill development and job creation while addressing regional disparities. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
India’s youth unemployment crisis, at 18% in 2025, challenges economic growth. Government initiatives like Skill India and Startup India have made progress, but regional disparities and structural gaps persist, requiring targeted strategies for inclusive job creation.

Body

Government Initiatives

• Skill India Mission: By 2025, PMKVY trained 45 crore youth, but only 35% secured jobs due to industry-skill mismatches.
• Startup India: Support for 60,000 startups created 2 crore jobs, yet urban-centric growth limits rural impact.
• Make in India: Manufacturing growth added 1.8 crore jobs, but benefits are skewed toward industrialized states.

Challenges

• Regional Disparities: States like Uttar Pradesh face 22% unemployment, compared to 12% in Tamil Nadu, due to uneven industrial development.
• Quality of Skilling: Many training programs lack practical, industry-aligned curricula, reducing employability.

Strategies for Improvement

• Localized Skilling: Tailor programs to regional economies, e.g., agro-tech skills in Bihar and IT skills in Karnataka.
• Industry Partnerships: Collaborate with private sectors to design demand-driven training and apprenticeships.
• Rural Job Creation: Incentivize MSMEs in backward regions through subsidies and infrastructure support.
• Digital Platforms: Expand online job portals to connect rural youth with urban opportunities, reducing disparities.

Suggested Diagram: A map of India showing youth unemployment rates by state, with annotations for key initiatives.

Conclusion
Government initiatives have partially mitigated youth unemployment by 2025, but regional and quality gaps remain. Localized skilling, industry collaboration, and rural-focused job creation can enhance inclusivity and economic growth.

Q3. (GS3/ Internal)
Evaluate the impact of cross-border infiltration on India's internal security landscape in 2025, with reference to incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Cross-border infiltration in 2025 significantly disrupts India’s internal security, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the Northeast. These incidents fuel militancy and social tensions, demanding robust countermeasures.

Body

Impact in Jammu and Kashmir

• Terrorist Activities: Over 60 infiltration attempts along the LoC in 2025, with 25% linked to Pakistan-backed groups, escalated violence in J&K.
• Radicalization: Infiltration fuels propaganda, increasing youth recruitment into militancy, destabilizing the region.

Impact in the Northeast

• Illegal Migration: Post-2025 political unrest in Bangladesh, infiltration into Assam has surged, straining resources and sparking ethnic conflicts.
• Crime Networks: Smuggling and trafficking linked to infiltrators have risen, undermining local security.

Security Responses

• Technological Interventions: AI-based border surveillance reduced infiltration by 35% in 2025.
• Community Programs: Initiatives like “Operation Sadbhavana” in J&K promote development to counter radicalization.

Suggested Diagram: A map highlighting infiltration routes in J&K and Northeast, with security deployment points.

Conclusion
Cross-border infiltration in 2025 threatens India’s security, exacerbating militancy and social discord. Enhanced surveillance, community engagement, and diplomatic efforts are critical to safeguard national stability.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Rajesh is an IPS officer posted as Superintendent of Police in a border district in Northeast India. In 2025, amid heightened tensions due to cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh following political instability there, Rajesh uncovers a network of local politicians and smugglers facilitating illegal migration in exchange for electoral support. The infiltrators are being used as vote banks, exacerbating communal tensions and straining local resources.

Rajesh reports the issue to his superiors, but they caution restraint, stating:

• Exposing the network could ignite communal violence and destabilize the fragile peace in the region.
• The politicians involved have high-level connections, and action might lead to transfers or false allegations against him.
• Maintaining status quo could "preserve harmony" by avoiding immediate conflict, allowing time for diplomatic resolutions.

Meanwhile, local communities complain of increased crime, resource scarcity, and cultural dilution due to the influx. NGOs provide evidence of human trafficking linked to the network. If Rajesh pursues the case aggressively, he risks his safety and career; if he ignores it, he enables security breaches and ethical lapses.

Questions 
(a) What ethical dilemmas does Rajesh face in this scenario? 
(b) If mentoring aspiring police officers, what ethical principles and qualities would you highlight for managing conflicts between security imperatives and political pressures? 
(c) Propose a pragmatic yet ethically sound course of action for Rajesh, balancing immediate risks with long-term national security.
Ans: 
(a) Ethical Dilemmas

• Security vs. Stability: Exposing the smuggling network strengthens security but risks communal unrest and regional instability.
• Duty vs. Political Pressure: Action against influential politicians upholds law but invites retaliation, including transfers.
• Public Good vs. Personal Risk: Pursuing justice protects communities but endangers Rajesh’s career and safety.

(b) Recommended Principles and Qualities

• Integrity: Upholding the law despite pressures ensures public trust in policing.
• Courage: Facing political backlash requires bold, principled action.
• Emotional Intelligence: Understanding community dynamics aids in managing tensions effectively.

(c) Course of Action

• Covert Investigation: Gather concrete evidence through discreet operations, coordinating with NIA for legal support.
• Community Engagement: Partner with NGOs to address local concerns, reducing communal tensions.
• Escalation to Authorities: Report findings to central agencies for diplomatic and legal action, avoiding public confrontation.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
“Objectivity in public administration ensures impartiality, but emotional intelligence fosters humane governance.” Analyze this in the context of ethical leadership. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Ethical leadership in public administration blends objectivity for impartiality with emotional intelligence (EI) for humane governance. This synergy ensures fair and empathetic decision-making, fostering trust and inclusivity.

Body

Role of Objectivity

• Impartial Decisions: Objectivity ensures unbiased policy implementation, as seen in transparent UPSC recruitments, upholding fairness.
• Rule Adherence: Following legal frameworks without favoritism strengthens governance credibility.

Role of Emotional Intelligence

• Empathetic Engagement: EI enables understanding of public needs, as seen in compassionate disaster relief coordination.
• Conflict Management: Sensitivity to stakeholder emotions fosters dialogue, reducing tensions in diverse settings.

Synergy and Challenges

• Balanced Leadership: Combining objectivity with EI ensures equitable yet humane outcomes, e.g., empathetic welfare scheme delivery.
• Risk of Imbalance: Over-objectivity may seem detached, while excessive EI risks bias, requiring careful calibration.

Suggested Diagram: A Venn diagram showing the overlap of objectivity and EI in achieving ethical governance outcomes.

Conclusion
Objectivity ensures impartiality, while emotional intelligence humanizes governance. Ethical leaders must integrate both to deliver fair, compassionate, and effective administration, fostering public trust and inclusivity.