August 7 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ History) 
“The Revolt of 1857 was a significant turning point in India’s colonial history, reflecting both regional grievances and a collective resistance to British rule.” Discuss its causes and impact. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The Revolt of 1857, often termed India’s First War of Independence, marked a pivotal moment in colonial history. Driven by diverse grievances, it united various sections of society against British rule, exposing its vulnerabilities and reshaping India’s colonial trajectory.

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Causes of the Revolt

• Economic Exploitation: British policies like heavy taxation, land revenue systems, and deindustrialization impoverished peasants and artisans, fueling discontent.
• Political Marginalization: The Doctrine of Lapse and annexation of princely states, such as Awadh, alienated the ruling elites.
• Socio-Religious Grievances: Interference in customs, like the abolition of Sati, and fears of forced conversions sparked cultural resistance.
• Military Discontent: Sepoys were aggrieved by low pay, racial discrimination, and the use of greased cartridges, triggering the initial spark at Meerut.

Impact of the Revolt

• End of Company Rule: The revolt led to the Government of India Act 1858, transferring power from the East India Company to the British Crown.
• Administrative Reforms: The British restructured the army, increased Indian representation, and adopted conciliatory policies toward princely states.
• Nationalist Awakening: The revolt sowed seeds of nationalism, inspiring later movements like the Indian National Congress.
• Social Divide: British policies post-1857 deepened Hindu-Muslim divides, impacting India’s social fabric.

Suggested Diagram: A timeline of key events in 1857, marking Mangal Pandey’s rebellion, Delhi’s capture, and the revolt’s suppression.

Conclusion
The Revolt of 1857, driven by economic, political, and cultural grievances, was a landmark in India’s resistance against colonial rule. Though suppressed, its legacy of administrative changes and nationalist fervor laid the foundation for India’s independence struggle, marking it as a defining moment in history.

Q2. (GS2/ Polity)
Evaluate the role of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) debate in shaping India’s judicial independence. How can the collegium system be reformed to ensure transparency and accountability in 2025? (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015, sparked a critical debate on judicial independence versus accountability. In 2025, the collegium system remains central to judicial appointments, but its opacity demands reforms to balance transparency and autonomy.

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NJAC and Judicial Independence

• NJAC’s Intent: Proposed in 2014, NJAC aimed to replace the collegium with a commission including the Chief Justice, judges, the Law Minister, and eminent persons, seeking broader representation.
• Judicial Concerns: The Supreme Court declared NJAC unconstitutional, arguing it compromised judicial primacy by giving the executive veto power, threatening independence.
• Impact on Debate: The NJAC verdict reinforced judicial autonomy but highlighted the collegium’s lack of transparency, fueling demands for reform.

Challenges of the Collegium System

• Opacity: The collegium’s closed-door decisions lack public scrutiny, raising concerns about favoritism and nepotism.
• Accountability Gaps: No formal criteria or public justification for appointments undermines credibility.
• Diversity Issues: Underrepresentation of marginalized groups in higher judiciary persists.

Reforms for 2025

• Transparent Criteria: Establish clear, merit-based guidelines for appointments, published publicly.
• Public Oversight: Introduce a limited external oversight mechanism, like an advisory panel, without executive control.
• Diversity Inclusion: Prioritize representation of women, SC/ST, and OBC candidates in judicial appointments.
• Digital Platform: Create a public portal for tracking appointment processes, ensuring accountability while preserving judicial independence.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart comparing NJAC and collegium structures, highlighting decision-making processes and stakeholders.

Conclusion
The NJAC debate underscored the tension between judicial independence and accountability. While the collegium safeguards autonomy, its opacity necessitates reforms. Transparent criteria, limited oversight, diversity focus, and digital accountability can strengthen the system in 2025, ensuring a robust and trusted judiciary.

Q3. (GS3/ Economy) 
“India’s gig economy has spurred growth but exposed vulnerabilities in labor rights and social security.” Analyze the challenges faced by gig workers in India and suggest policy measures to address them in 2025. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
India’s gig economy, projected to employ over 20 million workers by 2025, drives growth through platforms like Uber and Swiggy. However, gig workers face significant challenges in labor rights and social security, necessitating urgent policy interventions.

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Challenges for Gig Workers

• Lack of Job Security: Gig workers, classified as independent contractors, lack employment benefits like provident fund or health insurance.
• Income Instability: Fluctuating earnings and high platform commissions (20-30%) strain financial stability.
• No Legal Protection: Absence of labor laws for gig workers leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, with no grievance redressal mechanisms.
• Skill Gaps: Limited access to upskilling restricts career mobility in a tech-driven economy.

Policy Measures for 2025

• Legal Framework: Enact a Gig Workers’ Welfare Act to mandate minimum wages, social security, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
• Social Security Net: Extend schemes like PMJJBY and Ayushman Bharat to gig workers, ensuring health and life insurance.
• Platform Accountability: Regulate platforms to cap commissions and ensure transparent earnings reports.
• Skill Development: Integrate gig workers into Skill India programs for digital and soft skills training.

Suggested Diagram: A pie chart showing the distribution of gig workers across sectors (e.g., transport, food delivery, freelancing) in 2025.

Conclusion
India’s gig economy fuels economic growth but leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation and insecurity. A robust legal framework, social security inclusion, platform regulation, and skill development can address these challenges, ensuring equitable growth and worker welfare in 2025.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Priya, an IAS officer, is posted as the District Collector in a drought-prone district. In 2025, the district faces a severe water crisis, with rural communities struggling for drinking water. During a review, Priya discovers that a major irrigation project, funded by central schemes, has been stalled due to corruption involving local contractors and mid-level officials. The contractors claim delays are due to “unavoidable technical issues,” but evidence suggests funds were siphoned off for personal gain.

Local farmers, dependent on the project, stage protests, demanding swift action. Meanwhile, a senior politician, closely linked to the contractors, pressures Priya to overlook the irregularities, citing the need for “political stability” and promising future development funds for the district. Exposing the corruption could disrupt ongoing projects and invite political backlash, while inaction would deepen the water crisis and erode public trust.

Questions: 
(a) What ethical dilemmas does Priya face in this scenario? 
(b) As a mentor to young civil servants, what ethical principles and leadership qualities would you emphasize for handling such challenges? 
(c) Suggest a balanced course of action for Priya, ensuring ethical governance and public welfare.
Ans: 
(a) Ethical Dilemmas

• Public Welfare vs. Political Pressure: Exposing corruption risks political backlash and project delays, while inaction exacerbates the water crisis, harming farmers.
• Integrity vs. Pragmatism: Upholding transparency could invite retaliation, affecting Priya’s ability to govern, but compliance compromises her ethical duty.
• Systemic Corruption vs. Immediate Needs: Addressing systemic issues may disrupt short-term development, yet ignoring them perpetuates injustice.

(b) Guidance for Young Civil Servants
Ethical Principles:

• Duty to Public: Prioritize citizens’ welfare, especially vulnerable groups, over personal or political gains.
• Integrity: Maintain honesty and resist corrupt influences to uphold administrative credibility.
• Accountability: Ensure decisions are transparent and documented to withstand scrutiny.

Leadership Qualities:

• Courage: Confront powerful stakeholders to uphold justice.
• Empathy: Understand community needs to devise inclusive solutions.
• Strategic Thinking: Balance immediate action with long-term systemic reforms.

(c) Course of Action

• Investigate Corruption: Order a discreet audit of the irrigation project, gathering evidence of fund misuse without immediate confrontation.
• Engage Stakeholders: Collaborate with farmers’ groups and NGOs to amplify public demand for water solutions, countering political pressure.
• Escalate to Authorities: Report findings to anti-corruption bodies and senior officials, ensuring legal action against culprits.
• Mitigate Crisis: Reallocate available funds to temporary water supply measures (e.g., tankers) and expedite project completion with oversight.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
“Integrity is the cornerstone of public service, yet it is often tested by systemic pressures.” Discuss the importance of integrity for civil servants and how it can be upheld in challenging administrative environments. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Integrity, the adherence to moral and ethical principles, is the bedrock of public service. For civil servants in India, it ensures trust, fairness, and effective governance amidst systemic pressures like corruption and political interference.

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Importance of Integrity

• Public Trust: Integrity fosters confidence in administration, ensuring citizens believe in fair resource allocation and justice delivery.
• Ethical Decision-Making: It guides civil servants to prioritize public welfare over personal or political gains, as seen in handling sensitive issues like land disputes.
• Systemic Credibility: Upholding integrity counters corruption, strengthening institutional frameworks and governance.

Upholding Integrity in Challenges

• Resisting Pressures: Civil servants can use legal frameworks like RTI and vigilance mechanisms to counter undue influences transparently.
• Training and Sensitization: Regular ethics workshops under programs like Mission Karmayogi can reinforce integrity.
• Accountability Mechanisms: Documenting decisions and engaging with civil society ensure transparency and deter malpractices.
• Role Models: Emulating officers like T.N. Seshan, who upheld electoral integrity, inspires steadfastness.

Conclusion
​Integrity is vital for civil servants to maintain public trust and ethical governance. By leveraging legal tools, training, accountability, and inspirational examples, officers can uphold integrity despite systemic pressures, ensuring effective and just administration in India’s complex environment.