May 22 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ Geography) 
“The shifting patterns of the Indian monsoon in 2025 highlight the vulnerabilities of agriculture to climate change.” Discuss. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The Indian monsoon, vital for agriculture, is undergoing significant shifts in 2025 due to climate change, exposing vulnerabilities in food security. Erratic rainfall and extreme weather events threaten agricultural productivity, necessitating adaptive measures.

Body

Monsoon Shifts

• Irregular Rainfall: IMD data in 2025 indicates a 12% rainfall deficit in key states, with delayed monsoon onset disrupting sowing schedules.
• Extreme Events: Increased cyclones and floods, particularly in eastern India, damage crops and soil fertility.

Agricultural Vulnerabilities

• Crop Yield Losses: Reduced rainfall lowered rice and wheat yields by 8% in 2025, impacting 55% of rain-fed agriculture.
• Economic Strain: Small farmers face income losses, with 2025 surveys showing 30% reporting debt due to crop failures.

Adaptive Strategies

• Climate-Resilient Crops: Promoting drought-resistant varieties like BPT-5204 rice enhances yield stability.
• Irrigation Improvements: Expanding micro-irrigation systems reduces dependence on erratic monsoons.

Suggested Diagram: A map of India showing regions with monsoon deficits and affected agricultural zones in 2025.

Conclusion
Shifting monsoon patterns in 2025 exacerbate agricultural vulnerabilities, threatening food security. Adopting resilient crops and efficient irrigation is critical to mitigate climate change impacts and support farmers.

Q2. (GS2/ Governance)
How effective has the Digital India initiative been in improving governance transparency by 2025? Suggest ways to further enhance digital inclusion in rural areas without compromising data privacy. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The Digital India initiative, launched to enhance digital governance, has significantly improved transparency by 2025. However, rural digital inclusion and data privacy challenges persist, requiring strategic measures to ensure equitable access and security.

Body

Effectiveness of Digital India

• E-Governance Platforms: By 2025, platforms like DigiLocker and UMANG digitized 80% of government services, enabling transparent access to certificates and schemes.
• RTI Accessibility: Online RTI portals increased public queries by 40%, promoting accountability in governance.
• Direct Benefit Transfers: DBT systems, linked to Aadhaar, ensured transparent delivery of ₹3 lakh crore in subsidies, reducing leakages.

Challenges

• Rural Digital Divide: Only 50% of rural households have internet access in 2025, limiting e-governance reach.
• Data Privacy Concerns: Cybersecurity breaches rose by 20%, raising fears of personal data misuse.

Measures for Enhancement

• Rural Connectivity: Expand BharatNet to ensure high-speed internet in 90% of villages by 2027.
• Digital Literacy: Launch community training programs to educate rural citizens on e-governance tools.
• Privacy Safeguards: Enforce stricter data encryption and compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act.
• Localized Platforms: Develop vernacular e-governance apps to enhance accessibility for rural users.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart showing Digital India’s impact on transparency, with branches for rural inclusion and privacy measures.

Conclusion
Digital India has significantly enhanced governance transparency by 2025, but rural access and privacy gaps remain. Expanding connectivity, literacy, and robust data protection will ensure inclusive and secure digital governance.

Q3. (GS3/ Science)
Assess the advancements in quantum computing in India by 2025 and their potential impact on data security and cryptography. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
India’s quantum computing advancements by 2025, driven by initiatives like the National Quantum Mission, promise transformative impacts on data security and cryptography. These developments enhance computational capabilities but pose new challenges.

Body

Advancements in Quantum Computing

• National Quantum Mission: By 2025, India established three quantum computing hubs, developing 50-qubit processors with IITs and DRDO.
• Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with firms like IBM advanced quantum algorithm research for cryptography applications.

Impact on Data Security

• Cryptography Breakthroughs: Quantum algorithms, like Shor’s, can decrypt RSA systems, necessitating quantum-resistant encryption.
• Enhanced Security: Quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, piloted in 2025, ensure unbreakable communication channels.

​​​​Challenges

• Infrastructure Gaps: Limited cryogenic facilities hinder scalable quantum computing development.
• Cybersecurity Risks: Current encryption systems face obsolescence, requiring urgent upgrades.

Suggested Diagram: A diagram illustrating quantum computing’s impact on cryptography, showing traditional vs. quantum encryption processes.

Conclusion
India’s quantum computing advancements by 2025 strengthen data security through QKD but challenge existing cryptography systems. Scaling infrastructure and developing quantum-resistant algorithms are critical to harness these advancements effectively.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Sanjay is an IAS officer posted as District Collector in a coastal district vulnerable to climate change. In 2025, amid severe cyclones exacerbated by global warming, he uncovers that disaster relief funds are being siphoned off by contractors with political connections to build luxury resorts instead of resilient infrastructure like flood barriers. The contractors claim the resorts will boost tourism and economic growth, indirectly aiding recovery.

Sanjay reports the diversion, but superiors warn that:

• Exposing it could delay relief efforts and provoke political backlash, affecting future funding.
• The evidence is incomplete, and action might lead to legal battles or his transfer.
• Compromising could "promote public-private partnerships" for long-term development.

Local communities, hit by repeated floods, complain of inadequate shelters and aid, with NGOs providing data on rising displacement. If Sanjay acts firmly, he risks career sabotage and local unrest; if he overlooks it, he enables corruption and endangers lives.

Questions 
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Sanjay in this case? 
(b) If guiding young IAS officers on this scenario, what ethical principles and leadership qualities would you emphasize for handling conflicts between immediate relief and long-term accountability? 
(c) Suggest the most appropriate course of action for Sanjay, balancing disaster management pragmatism with ethical governance.
Ans: 
(a) Ethical Dilemmas

• Relief vs. Economic Growth: Exposing fund diversion prioritizes disaster preparedness but risks economic losses from tourism.
• Duty vs. Political Pressure: Action against contractors upholds integrity but invites political backlash or transfer.
• Public Safety vs. Personal Risk: Protecting communities ensures safety but endangers Sanjay’s career.

(b) Recommended Principles and Qualities

• Integrity: Upholding transparency ensures public trust despite pressures.
• Accountability: Prioritizing public welfare aligns with administrative duty.
• Resilience: Courageously navigating political challenges is essential for ethical leadership.

(c) Course of Action

• Discreet Investigation: Gather evidence through audits, coordinating with NDRF for legal backing.
• Community Engagement: Work with NGOs to prioritize resilient infrastructure, addressing local needs.
• Advocacy: Escalate findings to state authorities, proposing reallocation of funds to flood barriers.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
“Accountability in public service is the cornerstone of good governance, fostering trust and efficiency.” Examine this statement in the context of ethical administration. (150 words)
Ans: Introduction
Accountability in public service ensures transparency and efficiency, fostering public trust and ethical governance. It anchors good administration by aligning actions with public welfare and legal standards.

Body

Role of Accountability

• Transparency: Mechanisms like RTI Act enable public scrutiny, ensuring decisions align with public interest, as seen in budget disclosures.
• Public Trust: Accountable governance, such as transparent DBT implementation, builds confidence in administrative systems.

Enhancing Efficiency

• Performance Monitoring: Regular audits and performance reviews, like those in Aspirational Districts, improve resource utilization.
• Corrective Action: Accountability ensures swift correction of mismanagement, preventing fund misuse in welfare schemes.

Challenges

• Systemic Pressures: Political interference can hinder accountability, risking biased decision-making.
• Resource Constraints: Limited infrastructure in rural areas hampers effective monitoring and transparency.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart showing how accountability leads to transparency, efficiency, and public trust in governance.

Conclusion
Accountability is the cornerstone of ethical administration, fostering trust and efficiency. By prioritizing transparency and corrective measures, public servants can uphold good governance, addressing societal needs effectively.