September 18 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2025 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ Art and Culture)
“The Bhakti movement’s literary and musical traditions fostered social unity and cultural syncretism in medieval India.” Discuss with reference to the contributions of key saints and their impact on regional identities. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The Bhakti movement (8th–17th centuries) promoted devotion and equality, fostering social unity through literary and musical traditions. Key saints bridged cultural divides, shaping regional identities in medieval India.

Contributions of Key Saints

• Kabir’s Syncretic Poetry: Kabir’s dohas, blending Hindu and Islamic mysticism, emphasized universal spirituality, uniting diverse communities in North India.
• Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas: Written in Awadhi, it popularized devotion to Rama, strengthening cultural identity in the Hindi heartland.
• Mirabai’s Devotional Songs: Her bhajans in Rajasthani expressed intense Krishna devotion, inspiring women and transcending caste barriers.
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu’s Kirtans: His ecstatic musical traditions in Bengal popularized Vaishnavism, fostering communal harmony.

Impact on Regional Identities

• Linguistic Growth: Bhakti saints used vernaculars like Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil, enriching regional literature and making spirituality accessible.
• Social Cohesion: By rejecting caste hierarchies, saints like Namdev in Maharashtra united diverse groups, fostering inclusivity.
• Cultural Syncretism: Bhakti’s interaction with Sufism, seen in Kabir’s teachings, blended Hindu-Muslim traditions, shaping composite regional cultures.

Conclusion
The Bhakti movement’s literary and musical traditions, through saints like Kabir and Tulsidas, promoted social unity and cultural syncretism. Their legacy strengthened regional identities, fostering India’s pluralistic heritage.

Suggested Diagram: A map of India highlighting regions (e.g., North India, Bengal, Maharashtra) with key Bhakti saints and their contributions.

Q2. (GS2/ International Relations)
In light of the 2025 BRICS Summit outcomes, assess India’s role in promoting sustainable development within the grouping. Suggest strategies for India to enhance its leadership while safeguarding its strategic autonomy. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The 2025 BRICS Summit emphasized sustainable development, with India playing a pivotal role in advancing this agenda. Balancing leadership within BRICS while safeguarding strategic autonomy is crucial for India’s global stature.

India’s Role in Sustainable Development

• Renewable Energy Leadership: India’s International Solar Alliance (ISA) aligns with BRICS’ green energy goals, promoting solar projects in member states like South Africa.
• Climate Finance: The New Development Bank (NDB), co-founded by India, funds sustainable infrastructure, supporting projects like India’s 2025 metro expansions.
• Technology Sharing: India’s digital initiatives, like UPI, are shared with BRICS nations, enhancing financial inclusion and sustainable economic growth.
• Global South Advocacy: India champions SDGs, ensuring BRICS addresses developing nations’ needs, as seen in 2025 health cooperation initiatives.

Strategies to Enhance Leadership

• Strengthen NDB Role: Increase India’s contributions to NDB for sustainable projects, ensuring equitable funding allocation.
• Promote South-South Cooperation: Lead knowledge-sharing platforms on renewable energy and agriculture, reinforcing India’s soft power.
• Balance Geopolitical Ties: Engage bilaterally with China and Russia to align BRICS goals without compromising Quad commitments.
• Focus on Inclusivity: Advocate for smaller economies within BRICS, enhancing India’s leadership as a voice of the Global South.

​​​​​​​​Challenges

• Geopolitical Tensions: Divergent interests, like China’s Belt and Road Initiative, may overshadow India’s initiatives.
• Resource Constraints: Limited funding for global projects requires strategic prioritization.

Conclusion
India’s leadership in BRICS promotes sustainable development through renewable energy, finance, and technology sharing. By strengthening NDB, fostering South-South cooperation, and balancing geopolitical ties, India can enhance its leadership while safeguarding strategic autonomy, solidifying its global role.

Q3. (GS3/ Environment)
The 2025 National Action Plan on Climate Change has emphasized ecosystem restoration to combat desertification. Evaluate its progress in addressing land degradation in India and propose measures to strengthen its implementation. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The 2025 National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) prioritizes ecosystem restoration to combat desertification, a growing concern in India. While progress is notable, challenges hinder effective implementation, necessitating reforms.

Progress in Addressing Land Degradation

• Afforestation Initiatives: The National Mission for a Green India has restored degraded lands in Rajasthan, increasing forest cover by 2% since 2023.
• Soil Conservation: Watershed management programs in Gujarat have reduced soil erosion, enhancing agricultural productivity.
• Community Involvement: Engaging locals in restoration projects, like in Aravallis, promotes sustainable land use.

Challenges

• Funding Shortfalls: Inadequate budgets limit large-scale restoration, particularly in arid regions like Thar.
• Land Use Conflicts: Mining and urbanization encroach on restored lands, undermining efforts in Chhattisgarh.
• Monitoring Gaps: Weak tracking of restoration outcomes reduces accountability.

Proposed Measures

• Increased Funding: Allocate higher budgets to NAPCC missions, prioritizing desertification-prone areas.
• Policy Integration: Align land use policies with restoration goals to prevent encroachments.
• Technology Adoption: Use satellite monitoring for real-time tracking of restoration progress.
• Community Empowerment: Strengthen Self-Help Groups for sustainable land management practices.

Conclusion
The NAPCC’s focus on ecosystem restoration has advanced India’s fight against desertification, but funding and monitoring gaps persist. Enhanced financing, policy alignment, and technology can strengthen implementation, ensuring sustainable land management by 2030.

Suggested Diagram: A map of India highlighting desertification-prone areas (e.g., Rajasthan, Gujarat) and NAPCC restoration projects.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Neha, an IAS officer, is the District Collector in a tribal district in 2025. Under the Aspirational Districts Programme, funds are allocated for healthcare infrastructure. During a review, Neha finds that a senior official has diverted funds to a private hospital project linked to a powerful local politician, claiming it will attract elite medical tourism and boost the local economy.

Tribal communities, however, report inadequate primary health centers, with shortages of doctors and medicines. Exposing the diversion risks political backlash, project delays, and Neha’s transfer, limiting her ability to serve. Ignoring it compromises tribal healthcare and perpetuates inequality.

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

• Public Welfare vs. Political Pressure: Reporting fund diversion risks political retaliation and transfer, but ignoring it compromises tribal healthcare.
• Integrity vs. Economic Gains: Exposing corruption upholds accountability but may delay projects, impacting the local economy.
• Transparency vs. Stability: Tribal demands for better healthcare conflict with maintaining project momentum to avoid unrest.

(b) Ethical Principles and Leadership Qualities

• Integrity: Prioritizing public interest, as seen in S.R. Sankaran’s tribal welfare work, ensures trust.
• Courage: Confronting influential stakeholders, like Ashok Khemka’s land deal exposés, upholds justice.
• Utilitarian Ethics: Balancing maximum benefit (healthcare access) with minimal harm (project delays).
• Empathy: Understanding tribal communities’ needs to prioritize their welfare.

(c) Recommended Course of Action

• Discreet Investigation: Neha should initiate a confidential audit of fund allocations, documenting evidence of diversion.
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with tribal leaders to ensure interim healthcare access, maintaining trust.
• Escalate Strategically: Report findings to the state vigilance commission, avoiding public confrontation to minimize delays.
• Systemic Reforms: Advocate for transparent fund tracking systems in Aspirational Districts to prevent future misuse.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
“Compassion in public service enhances governance in a diverse society.” Analyze the role of compassion in ethical decision-making, with examples from Indian administration. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Compassion, the ability to empathize with others’ suffering, is vital for ethical governance in India’s diverse society. It fosters inclusive decision-making, ensuring public welfare and trust.

Role of Compassion

• Inclusive Policies: Compassion drives policies for marginalized groups. IAS officer Srijana Gummalla’s empathetic handling of migrant workers’ needs during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis ensured food and transport.
• Conflict Resolution: Compassion de-escalates tensions. In 2023, a DM in Assam resolved tribal land disputes through empathetic dialogue, ensuring fair settlements.
• Public Trust: Compassionate governance builds credibility. Kerala’s Health Minister K.K. Shailaja’s empathetic communication during COVID-19 enhanced public compliance.
• Ethical Prioritization: Compassion prioritizes vulnerable groups, as seen in Armstrong Pame’s community-funded road project in Manipur, improving tribal access.

Challenges

• Diverse Needs: India’s socio-cultural diversity demands nuanced compassion, challenging uniform application.
• Bureaucratic Pressures: Political and administrative constraints may limit compassionate decisions, requiring resilience.

Way Forward

• Training Programs: Integrate compassion in IAS training to enhance empathetic governance.
• Community Engagement: Promote participatory mechanisms like Gram Sabhas to understand local needs.

Conclusion
Compassion in public service fosters inclusive and ethical governance, building trust in diverse societies. Strengthening training and engagement can enhance its role in Indian administration.