APSC CCE Mains 2024 General Studies-IV (Paper-5) Previous Year Question Paper

EXAM DETAILS

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions.

• There are NINETEEN questions printed in ENGLISH and ASSAMESE.
• All questions are compulsory.
• The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
• Answers to Question Nos. 1 to 13 should be in 150 words each, whereas answers to Question Nos. 14 to 19 should be in 250 words each.
• Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet must be clearly struck off.

QUESTIONS

The questions below have been reproduced in English from the official APSC CCE Mains 2024 General Studies-IV (Paper-5) Question Paper for educational and reference purposes. Candidates can also view the official Question Paper PDF at the end of this page.

SECTION-A

Questions 1–13: Answer in 150 words each (10 marks each).

1. “Looking at various means of developing compassion, I think empathy is an important factor, the ability to appreciate others’ suffering.” (Dalai Lama)

   Discuss in the context of building attitude for public service.

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

2. While a school of thought believes that certain values are universal and eternal, many other believe that values keep on changing with time and situation. Which school of thought do you support? Explain.

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

3. Do self-confidence, character and spirituality play a vital role in moulding good leadership qualities? If so, how?

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

4. “Quiet diplomacy is far more effective than public posturing.” (Atal Bihari Vajpayee)

   Examine in the context of problem-solving by public officials.

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

5. Albert Einstein said, “Everybody is genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

   Explain the above saying in terms of mental and physical aptitude.

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

6. You are posted as a Medical Officer in a rural dispensary. The area is basically inhabited by poor people who are either marginal farmers or tea garden workers. You have found that the infant mortality rate is high in the area in comparison to average in the State. You have also identified that non-vaccination and incomplete vaccination are the reasons of high infant mortality. The inhabitants are not cooperating in vaccination programme.

   How will you use your emotional intelligence to convince the villagers to go for vaccination of their children?

   What will be your comprehensive approach to achieve the goal?

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

7. Can it be comprehensively held that coaching institutes contribute to the holistic making of a civil servant? Are these initiatives an indirect reflection of lack of creativity and self-confidence in the aspirants? Elaborate.

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

8. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now-a-days considered a permanent feature of corporate governance. What is CSR? Define by way of an illustration or example. Is CSR sufficient as a rule-bound exercise for the private sector’s contribution to society’s welfare? Briefly explain.

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

9. The terms ‘fake news’ and ‘influencer’ have become a part of present-day vocabulary.

   1. What do you mean by ‘fake news’ and ‘influencer’? Is the widespread use of ‘fake news’ an indication of society’s overall moral decay?
   2. To what extent, if at all, are ‘influencers’ different from thinkers and philosophers from the past? Elaborate suitably.

   (Answer in 150 words) 10

10. What is the meaning of social audit? Can social audit ensure complete transparency in the utilization of public funds? To what extent is social audit distinct and different from audit carried out by designated government departments? Elaborate.

    (Answer in 150 words) 10

11. “Accountability breeds response-ability.” (Stephen R. Covey)

    How can accountability mechanism strengthen ethical administration? What are the challenges to ethical governance?

    (Answer in 150 words) 10

12. “Public service is a public trust, requiring employees to place loyalty to the Constitution, the laws and ethical principles above private gains.”

    Explain how the above principle ensures fairness and equity in public service delivery for a diverse society.

    (Answer in 150 words) 10

13. You are posted as an Additional SP in a district and you have been tasked to sensitize the officials in the police stations about the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and also to ensure its enforcement. Through your initiative and investigations, three numbers of brickkilns were closed recently because of violation of the Act.

    You have a son who is only 8 months old. Your in-laws have sent a small girl about 10 years to help your wife in taking care of your son. The girl is actually a neighbour of your in-laws and has been helping your wife when she was in her home after childbirth. The girl is a school dropout and belongs to a very poor family having 5 children. It was her parents who insisted that she comes with you as they would be less burdened and that she would have better food and nutrition. Your wages for the girl would also help the poor family to maintain their other children. Your wife has developed a liking for the girl and has also become dependent on her.

    Questions:

    1. What is the dilemma faced by you? What are the expectations and interest of different stakeholders that are contributing to your dilemma?
    2. What, in your opinion, is the most appropriate course for you so that nobody’s interest is very adversely hurt?

    (Answer in 150 words) 10

SECTION-B

Questions 14–19: Answer in 250 words each (20 marks each)

14. It is often held that teachers play a greater role than parents in shaping youths as good citizens.

    1. Explain as to how far this can be justified.
    2. Are there other individuals or agencies, apart from parents and teachers, who can contribute to the shaping of youths? Explain briefly.

    (Answer in 250 words) 20

15. “The most important human endeavour is striving for morality in our actions. Our inner balance and even our very existence depend on it. Only morality in our actions can give beauty and dignity to life.” (Albert Einstein)

    Discuss in detail citing examples.

    (Answer in 250 words) 20

16. Begging is very common at traffic intersections by some of the members of the transgender (TG) community, particularly in busy cities. You have been serving as District Commissioner in the district. The police and the civil society report you to curb the practice and avoid traffic hazards, as well as, ensuring the safety of the communities. On enquiry into the matter, it is revealed, by and large, that the TG community is unemployed and a neglected lot in the society. They have limited access to education. Social stigma about the TG is deeply rooted. On the other hand, it is also revealed that commuters are often harassed by aggressive and forceful begging.

    Now, you are required to intervene in the matter to restore normalcy at the traffic intersection point and ensure road safety while also being mindful of the need to uphold the dignity, rights and social justice of a marginalized community. In this context, answer the following:

    1. What are the key dilemmas involved in balancing public order with the rights and dignity of the TG? How does prevailing social attitude shape these dilemmas?
    2. What policy interventions could you consider to address both the immediate concerns and the sustainable welfare of the transgender community?

    (Answer in 250 words) 20

17. “Indians always considered environment as mother and believed in its preservation.”

    1. Is this statement justified in present-day scenario of damage to the environment?
    2. What would you suggest to achieve a balance in modern age need of the human being and protection of environment?

    (Answer in 250 words) 20

18. The considerable volume of waste is posing threats to small towns as well as cities. The landfill sites are facing the problem of overcapacity. Towns have endeavoured to have waste-to-energy plants to mitigate the problem to some extent. However, due to incapacitation or inefficiency, the project may not necessarily yield the desired result. Administrations are often criticized for emitting pollutant gases, etc. Upon reviewing the situation, it is observed that how people dispose of waste is one of the primary reasons behind the problem. The government has already notified rules regarding the disposals, collection and treatment of waste and has initiated an awareness campaign in the past. Still, there is no definite answer to resolve the issue.

    You are posted as District Commissioner. Given such situations, explain the following questions:

    1. What is the reason behind the apathy of people towards waste disposal that affects the larger interest of society?
    2. Who are the stakeholders, and what is the significance of their involvement in addressing the issue?
    3. What arguments will you put forth to convince people to act on the issue?

    (Answer in 250 words) 20

19. You are posted as an Additional District Commissioner of a district. The district is identified as Aspirational District by the NITI Aayog. You have been entrusted to function as Nodal Officer for all the initiatives of the NITI Aayog being taken up in the district for holistic development. Special thrust is being given to increase literacy rate in the district. The NITI Aayog has engaged one philanthropic organization to mediate and facilitate progress in the educational sector of the district.

    Being the Nodal Officer, how will you proceed for holistic development in educational sector with the help of existing government setup and the appointed organization?

    (Answer in 250 words) 20