February 13 – Mini Mock Test Solutions: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q1. (GS1/ Indian Society)
“The digital divide in India by 2025 continues to exacerbate social inequalities, particularly in education and employment.” Analyze the causes of this divide and suggest measures to bridge it for inclusive development. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
By 2025, India’s digital revolution has transformed education and employment, but the digital divide deepens social inequalities, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. Bridging this gap is essential for inclusive development.

Causes of Digital Divide

• Infrastructure Gaps: Limited internet connectivity in rural areas, despite BharatNet, restricts digital access.
• Economic Barriers: High costs of devices and data plans exclude low-income groups, as seen in tribal regions.
• Digital Illiteracy: Lack of digital skills among rural youth limits access to online education and jobs.
• Gender Disparities: Women face restricted access to technology due to social norms, exacerbating inequality.

Measures to Bridge the Divide

• Expand Connectivity: Accelerate BharatNet to provide high-speed internet in remote areas.
• Affordable Technology: Subsidize smartphones and data plans for low-income households through Digital India.
• Digital Literacy Programs: Scale up PMGDISHA to train rural youth and women in digital skills.
• Gender-Inclusive Policies: Promote women’s access to technology through community training centers.

Conclusion
The digital divide fuels inequalities in education and employment. By enhancing connectivity, affordability, and literacy, India can bridge this gap, ensuring inclusive development aligned with SDG 10 by 2030.

Suggested Diagram: A bar graph comparing urban vs. rural internet penetration and digital literacy rates, with arrows indicating proposed interventions.

Q2. (GS2/ Indian Society)
“The rise of women’s participation in local governance through reservation policies has transformed rural India by 2025.” Discuss the impact of this trend on social empowerment and suggest ways to address remaining challenges. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
By 2025, reservation policies under the 73rd Amendment have boosted women’s participation in rural governance, empowering communities. However, challenges persist, requiring measures for sustained impact.

Impact on Social Empowerment

• Decision-Making Power: Women sarpanches, like those in Haryana, drive inclusive policies in health and education.
• Gender Equity: Reservations challenge patriarchal norms, increasing women’s visibility in public spaces.
• Community Development: Women-led panchayats prioritize sanitation and water access, as seen in Rajasthan’s 2025 schemes.
• Role Models: Elected women inspire younger generations, fostering social change.

Challenges

• Proxy Leadership: Male relatives often control decisions, undermining women’s authority.
• Capacity Gaps: Lack of training limits effective governance by women sarpanches.
• Social Resistance: Patriarchal attitudes restrict women’s participation in conservative regions.

Suggested Measures

• Capacity Building: Expand training programs like RGSY to enhance governance skills.
• Awareness Campaigns: Promote gender sensitization to curb proxy leadership and social biases.
• Monitoring Mechanisms: Establish oversight bodies to ensure women’s autonomy in panchayats.
• Incentive Schemes: Reward women-led panchayats for impactful projects to encourage participation.

Conclusion
Women’s participation in local governance has empowered rural India, but challenges like proxy leadership persist. Training, awareness, and monitoring can strengthen their role, fostering equitable development by 2030.

Suggested Diagram: A pie chart showing women’s representation in panchayats and a table listing empowerment outcomes vs. challenges.

Q3. (GS3/ Internal Security)
In light of the 2025 advancements in counter-terrorism measures, evaluate the effectiveness of India’s multi-agency coordination in addressing cross-border terrorism. Suggest reforms to strengthen national security frameworks. (250 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
By 2025, India’s counter-terrorism measures have advanced, with multi-agency coordination tackling cross-border terrorism. However, gaps in integration and response necessitate reforms to strengthen national security.

Effectiveness of Multi-Agency Coordination

• Institutional Framework: Agencies like NIA, IB, and RAW collaborate effectively, as seen in thwarting 2025 terror plots in Jammu.
• Intelligence Sharing: Real-time data exchange via NATGRID has improved threat detection and response.
• Border Security: BSF and ITBP’s enhanced surveillance, supported by drones, reduced infiltrations along LoC in 2025.
• International Cooperation: India’s partnerships with Quad nations bolster intelligence on cross-border threats.

​​​​​​​​Challenges

• Coordination Gaps: Overlaps between NIA and state police delay responses, as seen in 2025 Mumbai alerts.
• Resource Constraints: Limited funding and manpower hinder advanced tech deployment in border areas.
• Cyber Threats: Growing cyber-terrorism, like 2025 ransomware attacks, exposes coordination weaknesses.

Suggested Reforms

• Unified Command Structure: Establish a National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) for seamless agency coordination.
• Technology Integration: Deploy AI-based analytics for predictive threat assessment across agencies.
• Capacity Building: Increase funding for training and equipping state police to align with central agencies.
• Cyber Defense: Strengthen NCIIPC to counter cyber-terrorism, integrating it with counter-terrorism frameworks.
• Global Partnerships: Deepen ties with Interpol and Quad for real-time intelligence on cross-border threats.

Conclusion
India’s multi-agency coordination has bolstered counter-terrorism efforts, but gaps in integration and resources persist. A unified command, advanced technology, and global partnerships can strengthen national security, ensuring robust defense against cross-border terrorism by 2030.

Suggested Diagram: A flowchart of India’s counter-terrorism framework, showing NIA, IB, RAW, and proposed NCTC, with coordination gaps highlighted.

Q4. (GS4/ Ethics) Case Study
Suman, an IAS officer, is posted as District Magistrate in a coastal district in 2025. The district is implementing a climate-resilient infrastructure project funded by a central scheme. During a review, Suman discovers that a local contractor, with ties to influential politicians, has misappropriated funds meant for flood-resistant embankments to build a commercial complex, claiming it will boost local tourism and employment.

Local fishing communities, heavily reliant on these embankments, report increased flood risks due to substandard work. Exposing the misappropriation could lead to political backlash, project delays, and Suman’s transfer, hindering her ability to serve. Ignoring it risks community safety and perpetuates corruption.

Questions: 
(a) What are the ethical dilemmas Suman 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 Suman, balancing administrative pragmatism with ethical accountability.
Ans: 
(a) Ethical Dilemmas

• Public Safety vs. Political Pressure: Exposing fund misappropriation risks political backlash and transfer, but ignoring it endangers fishing communities.
• Integrity vs. Economic Gains: Reporting corruption upholds accountability but may delay infrastructure, impacting tourism claims.
• Transparency vs. Stability: Community demands for flood protection conflict with maintaining project momentum to avoid unrest.

(b) Ethical Principles and Leadership Qualities

• Integrity: Upholding public interest, as seen in Ashok Khemka’s land deal exposés, ensures trust.
• Courage: Confronting influential stakeholders, like T.N. Seshan’s electoral reforms, prioritizes duty.
• Utilitarian Ethics: Balancing maximum benefit (community safety) with minimal harm (project delays).
• Empathy: Understanding community needs to prioritize their welfare.

(c) Recommended Course of Action

• Independent Audit: Suman should commission a discreet third-party audit to verify embankment quality and fund misuse.
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with fishing communities to monitor project progress, ensuring transparency.
• Strategic Reporting: Escalate findings to the state anti-corruption bureau, avoiding public confrontation to minimize delays.
• Systemic Reforms: Advocate for real-time fund tracking and stricter tender oversight in climate projects.

Q5. (GS4/ Ethics) 
“Probity in governance ensures public trust in a diverse democracy.” Discuss the role of probity in ethical public administration, with examples from Indian governance. (150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
Probity, characterized by honesty and uprightness, is essential for ethical governance in India’s diverse democracy. It fosters public trust and ensures fair administration.

Role of Probity

• Public Trust: Probity builds confidence, as seen in the transparent DBT system reducing subsidy leakages.
• Accountability: Honest governance ensures answerability. U. Sagayam’s probe into Tamil Nadu’s illegal mining upheld public interest.
• Equitable Service Delivery: Probity ensures resources reach intended beneficiaries, as in PMAY’s transparent housing allocations.
• Anti-Corruption: Upright conduct prevents malpractices, exemplified by T.N. Seshan’s electoral reforms ensuring fair polls.

Examples from Indian Governance

• E. Sreedharan: His transparent Metro project management minimized corruption, delivering public infrastructure efficiently.
• Kiran Bedi: Her Tihar prison reforms showcased probity, improving inmate welfare through honest administration.

​​​​Challenges

• Political Interference: Pressure from vested interests, as faced by Ashok Khemka, tests probity.
• Systemic Corruption: Bureaucratic inefficiencies encourage shortcuts, undermining ethical standards.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Oversight: Enhance CVC and Lokpal powers for swift anti-corruption action.
• Ethics Training: Integrate probity-focused modules in IAS training programs.

Conclusion
Probity ensures trust and fairness in governance. Strengthening oversight and training can uphold ethical administration, reinforcing India’s democratic values.