The recent Bihar–Jharkhand agreement on sharing the Sone River waters demonstrates the potential of negotiated mechanisms in resolving inter-State water disputes. Examine the challenges associated with inter-State river water governance in India and suggest measures for their cooperative resolution.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation provides India both a platform for deeper Eurasian engagement and a forum marked by significant strategic contradictions. In light of the recent SCO Summit, examine the significance of the organisation for India and the challenges that constrain its effectiveness.

India’s latest GDP numbers indicate resilient growth alongside signs of an emerging investment cycle. Examine the drivers of India’s recent economic growth and assess whether it can translate into a sustained private investment boom.

Regenerative agriculture seeks to restore ecological processes while sustaining farm productivity. Examine its significance for addressing soil degradation and climate vulnerability in Indian agriculture, and discuss the challenges in scaling it up.

The Special Representatives mechanism remains central to managing the India–China boundary question despite the absence of a final settlement. Examine its significance in maintaining peace along the LAC and stabilising bilateral relations.

Recurring urban floods in Indian cities reflect not only extreme rainfall but also failures of urban planning and governance. Examine the causes of urban flooding and suggest measures for building climate-resilient cities.

A decade of UPI demonstrates how Digital Public Infrastructure can combine scale, inclusion and innovation. Examine UPI’s contribution to India’s digital economy and discuss the priorities for its next phase of growth.

India’s push for indigenous AI compute, foundation models and semiconductor capacity reflects the growing strategic importance of technological sovereignty. Examine how sovereign AI capabilities can strengthen India’s economic and national security.

The debate over applying the creamy-layer principle to SC/ST reservations raises a tension between historical group-based discrimination and intra-group inequality. Critically examine its constitutional and social implications.

India’s induction of MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE drones reflects the growing importance of persistent surveillance in maritime security. Examine how such unmanned systems can strengthen India’s internal and maritime security architecture.

The recent rise in sugar prices has revived the debate over diverting sugarcane for ethanol production. Examine the economic and environmental significance of India’s ethanol-blending programme and the challenges of balancing food, fuel and farmer interests.

Road accidents in India constitute not merely a transport challenge but a recurring human-induced disaster. Examine the causes of high road fatalities and suggest a disaster-management approach to road safety.

The escalating US–Canada tariff conflict reflects the growing weaponisation of trade among major economies. Examine its implications for India and the opportunities it creates for Indian trade.

The recent Southern Zonal Council meeting has highlighted the continuing importance of institutional dialogue in addressing inter-State disputes. Examine the role of Zonal Councils in strengthening cooperative federalism in India and discuss the challenges limiting their effectiveness.

The successful maiden flight of the indigenous Divyastra Mk3 reflects the growing centrality of unmanned systems in modern warfare. Examine how drone warfare is transforming the nature of military operations and assess India’s preparedness for this emerging battlespace.

PM CARES has strengthened India’s capacity to mobilise resources during emergencies, but its institutional design has generated debates over transparency and public accountability. Critically examine.

The MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks greater uniformity in mineral taxation but has raised concerns over States’ fiscal autonomy. Examine its significance and implications for fiscal federalism.

Extreme heat in Indian cities is increasingly becoming a question of climate justice rather than merely a meteorological hazard. Examine with particular reference to the vulnerability of the urban poor and suggest measures for heat-resilient cities.

The strengthening El Niño is likely to reshape global weather patterns and intensify climatic extremes. Explain the mechanism of El Niño and examine its implications for the Indian monsoon and economy.

The recent earthquake in Indonesia has once again highlighted the tectonic vulnerability of the Indo-Pacific seismic belt. Explain the geological processes responsible for its high seismicity and discuss their implications for disaster preparedness.