July 10 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ History) 
“The Mauryan Empire’s administrative system reflects a blend of centralized control and regional autonomy.” Discuss its key features and their impact on ancient Indian governance. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The Mauryan Empire (321–185 BCE), under rulers like Chandragupta and Ashoka, developed a sophisticated administrative system blending centralized control with regional autonomy. This structure profoundly influenced ancient Indian governance.

Key Features

• Centralized Authority: The emperor wielded supreme power, supported by a council of ministers, ensuring unified policy-making from Pataliputra.
• Provincial Administration: The empire was divided into provinces governed by royal princes or trusted officials, balancing local autonomy with central oversight.
• Bureaucratic Framework: A vast bureaucracy, including amatyas and adhayakshas, managed revenue, trade, and public works, as described in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
• Local Governance: Village councils (gramikas) and city officials (nagarikas) maintained local autonomy, addressing community needs.
• Espionage and Accountability: A robust spy network ensured loyalty and curbed corruption, reinforcing central control.

Impact on Governance

• Efficient Revenue System: Land taxes and trade duties funded infrastructure, strengthening state capacity.
• Social Cohesion: Ashoka’s Dhamma policies promoted ethical governance, uniting diverse regions.
• Legacy: The Mauryan model influenced later empires like the Guptas, shaping India’s administrative traditions.

Conclusion
The Mauryan administrative system’s blend of centralized control and regional autonomy ensured effective governance, fostering stability and cultural unity in ancient India.

Suggested Diagram: A hierarchical chart showing the Mauryan administrative structure (Emperor → Provincial Governors → Local Officials) and key functions.

Q2. (GS2/ Polity)
In light of India’s federal reforms by 2025, assess the role of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council in strengthening cooperative federalism. Suggest measures to address challenges in its implementation. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
By 2025, the GST Council, established under India’s federal reforms, has been pivotal in fostering cooperative federalism by harmonizing taxation. However, implementation challenges persist, necessitating measures to strengthen its role.

Role in Strengthening Cooperative Federalism

• Collaborative Decision-Making: The GST Council, with central and state representation, ensures consensus on tax rates and policies, fostering inter-governmental cooperation.
• Revenue Sharing: The council’s compensation mechanism supports states’ fiscal autonomy, with ₹3 lakh crore disbursed to states by 2025.
• Uniform Taxation: GST’s single tax structure eliminates inter-state trade barriers, promoting economic unity and federal harmony.
• Dispute Resolution: The council mediates state grievances, as seen in resolving Kerala’s compensation demands in 2023, strengthening trust.

Challenges in Implementation

• State Disparities: Revenue-dependent states like Bihar face fiscal stress due to uneven GST collections.
• Compliance Burden: Small businesses struggle with complex GST filing, leading to non-compliance.
• Political Tensions: States like Tamil Nadu criticize central dominance in council decisions, straining federal relations.
• Technology Gaps: Glitches in the GSTN portal hinder efficient tax administration in 2025.

Measures to Address Challenges

• Equitable Revenue Distribution: Revise compensation formulas to prioritize economically weaker states.
• Simplified Compliance: Introduce user-friendly GST filing for MSMEs, supported by digital training.
• Enhanced Federal Dialogue: Increase state voting weight in the GST Council to ensure balanced decision-making.
• Technological Upgrades: Strengthen GSTN with AI-driven analytics to improve compliance and reduce errors.
• Capacity Building: Train state officials to align with GST processes, fostering uniformity.

Conclusion
The GST Council has strengthened cooperative federalism through collaborative taxation and revenue sharing. Addressing fiscal disparities, compliance issues, and technological gaps can further enhance its role, ensuring a robust federal framework.

Suggested Diagram: A diagram showing the GST Council structure (Centre, States, Voting Mechanism) and its impact on cooperative federalism with challenges.

Q3. (GS3/ Economy) 
Evaluate the impact of India’s green hydrogen initiatives on its energy security and economic growth as of 2025. Discuss challenges in scaling up production and adoption. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
India’s green hydrogen initiatives, under the National Hydrogen Mission, have bolstered energy security and economic growth by 2025. However, scaling production and adoption faces significant challenges.

Impact on Energy Security and Economic Growth

• Energy Security: Green hydrogen reduces reliance on fossil fuel imports, with 1 GW of production capacity achieved by 2025.
• Economic Growth: The hydrogen sector has created 50,000 jobs, boosting industries like transport and manufacturing.
• Renewable Integration: Green hydrogen leverages India’s 80 GW solar capacity, enhancing clean energy ecosystems.
• Global Competitiveness: Export potential strengthens India’s position in the global green energy market.

Challenges in Scaling Up

• High Production Costs: Electrolysis-based hydrogen production remains expensive, limiting scalability.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Lack of dedicated pipelines and storage facilities hinders distribution.
• Technology Dependence: Reliance on imported electrolyzers slows self-reliance efforts.
• Policy Gaps: Inconsistent state-level incentives hamper widespread adoption.

Way Forward

• Cost Reduction: Subsidize electrolyzer production under ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ to lower costs.
• Infrastructure Development: Build hydrogen refueling stations and pipelines.
• R&D Investment: Fund indigenous technology to reduce import dependency.
• Policy Harmonization: Align state policies with national hydrogen goals.

Conclusion
Green hydrogen enhances India’s energy security and economic growth, but cost and infrastructure challenges persist. Strategic investments and policies can drive scalable adoption.

Suggested Diagram: A bar graph comparing green hydrogen production capacity (2023 vs. 2025) and key challenges (cost, infrastructure).

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Meena, an IAS officer, is posted as District Collector in a tribal-dominated district in 2025. The district is part of an ambitious renewable energy project funded by the central government. During an audit, Meena discovers that a significant portion of the funds has been diverted by local officials to build a commercial complex, justified as a means to attract private investment for “regional development.”

Tribal communities, displaced by land acquisition for the project, demand fair compensation and rehabilitation. Meena faces pressure from her superiors to ignore the misappropriation to maintain investor confidence ahead of a national economic summit. Exposing the issue could stall the project and risk her career, while compliance compromises the rights of vulnerable tribals.

Questions: 
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas faced by Meena in this scenario? 
(b) As a mentor to young civil servants, what ethical principles and leadership qualities would you emphasize to navigate such conflicts? 
(c) Recommend a course of action for Meena, balancing administrative efficiency with ethical accountability.
Ans: 
(a) Key Ethical Dilemmas

• Public Welfare vs. Political Pressure: Exposing fund misuse prioritizes tribal welfare but risks political retaliation, potentially stalling renewable energy projects.
• Integrity vs. Pragmatism: Reporting corruption upholds ethical standards but may delay investor-driven development during a summit.
• Transparency vs. Stability: Tribal demands for fairness conflict with superiors’ pressure to maintain investor confidence.

(b) Ethical Principles and Leadership Qualities

• Integrity: Upholding accountability, as seen in Ashok Khemka’s exposure of land deal irregularities despite transfers.
• Courage: Acting decisively for public good, like E. Sreedharan’s transparent infrastructure leadership.
• Utilitarian Ethics: Prioritizing maximum benefit for displaced tribals over short-term economic gains.
• Empathy: Understanding tribal communities’ needs to ensure fair rehabilitation and compensation.

(c) Recommended Course of Action

• Discreet Reporting: Meena should confidentially escalate evidence to the Vigilance Commission, avoiding public confrontation to maintain project momentum.
• Immediate Relief: Redirect available funds to ensure tribal rehabilitation and compensation.
• Community Engagement: Hold transparent meetings with tribals to assure fair action, building trust.
• Systemic Reforms: Advocate for real-time fund tracking and stricter land acquisition audits to prevent future misuse.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics)
“Transparency is a cornerstone of ethical public administration in a democratic society.” Discuss its significance in fostering accountability, with examples from Indian governance. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Transparency, the open disclosure of administrative actions, is vital for ethical public administration in India’s democratic society. It fosters accountability, ensuring trust and effective governance.

Significance of Transparency

• Accountability: Transparency enables scrutiny of public actions. The RTI Act has empowered citizens to expose fund misuse, as seen in MGNREGA audits.
• Public Trust: Transparent governance builds confidence. IAS officer Srijana Gummalla’s open aid distribution during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis in Telangana reassured citizens.
• Curbing Corruption: Transparency deters malpractices. T.N. Seshan’s transparent electoral reforms as CEC ensured fair elections, strengthening democracy.
• Inclusive Decision-Making: Open processes, like public consultations in Smart Cities Mission, ensure citizen-centric policies.

​​​​​​​​Challenges

• Bureaucratic Resistance: Officials often withhold information to avoid scrutiny, undermining transparency.
• Digital Divide: Limited access to e-governance platforms in rural areas restricts transparency benefits.

Conclusion
Transparency is essential for ethical governance, promoting accountability and trust. Strengthening RTI, digital access, and public engagement can embed transparency in India’s administration, ensuring responsive and equitable governance.