Nine Irulars rescued from brick kiln near Ambur

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements:
1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund coverage.
2. All casual workers are entitled for regular working hours and overtime payment.
3. The government can by a notification specify that an establishment or industry shall pay wages only through its bank account.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. A. 1 and 2 only
2. B. 1 and 3 only
3. C. 2 and 3 only
4. D. 1, 2 and 3

In India, Legal Services Authorities provide free legal services to which of the following type of citizens?
1. Person with an annual income of less than Rs 1,00,000
2. Transgender with an annual income of less than Rs 2,00,000
3. Member of Other Backward Classes (OBC) with an annual income of less than Rs 3,00,000
4. All Senior Citizens

1. A. 1 and 2 only
2. B. 3 and 4 only
3. C. 2 and 3 only
4. D. 1 and 4 only

Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India :
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi Tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. A. 1, 2 and 3
2. B. 2, 3 and 4
3. C. 1, 2 and 4
4. D. 1, 3 and 4

Which of the following statements with regard to the persons with disabilities in India is/are correct ?

1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, an Act passed by the Parliament of India in 2018, mandates reservation in education and employment, places a legal duty on Governments to ensure accessibility and non-discrimination.
2. The Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan focuses on achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities across three key domains — built infrastructure, transport systems and information and communication technology.
3. The National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC) is a public sector organisation set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as a not-for-profit company to promote entrepreneurship among Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Select the answer using the code given below :

1. A. 1 and 2
2. B. 2 only
3. C. 1 and 3
4. D. 1 only

With reference to land reforms in independent India, which one of the following statements is correct?

1. A. The ceiling laws were aimed at family holdings and not individual holdings.
2. B. The major aim of land reforms was providing agricultural land to all the landless.
3. C. It resulted in cultivation of cash crops as a predominant form of cultivation.
4. D. Land reforms permitted no exemptions to the ceiling limits.

With reference to the National Legal Services Authority, consider the following statements :
1. Its objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of the society on the basis of equal opportunity.
2. It issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the legal programs and schemes throughout the country.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 only
3. C. 1 and 2 only
4. D. None of the above

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:

1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. A. 1 only
2. B. 2 only
3. C. Both 1 and 2
4. D. Neither 1 nor 2

Which one of the following best describes the main objective of ‘Seed Village Concept’?

1. A. Encouraging the farmers to use their own farm seeds and discouraging them to buy the seeds from others
2. B. Involving the farmers for training in quality seed production and thereby to make available quality seeds to others at the appropriate time and affordable cost
3. C. Earmarking some villages exclusively for the production of certified seeds
4. D. Identifying the entrepreneurs in the village and providing them technology and finance to set up seed companies

Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land to private parties for mining be declared null and void?

1. A. Third Schedule
2. B. Fifth Schedule
3. C. Ninth Schedule
4. D. Twelfth Schedule

‘Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan’ is a national campaign to -

1. A. rehabilitate the homeless and destitute persons and provide them with suitable sources of livelihood
2. B. release the sex workers from the practice and provide them with alternative sources of livelihood
3. C. eradicate the practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitate the manual scavenger
4. D. release the bonded labourers free their bondage and rehabilitate them

Ashok is Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts of the North East State. A few years back, Military has taken over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. Civil law situation is prevailing in the country especially in last two years. However, internal situation further deteriorated due to rebel groups taking over control of certain populated areas near town border. Due to intense fight between military and rebel groups, civilian casualties have increased manifold in recent past. In the meantime, one night Ashok got 200-250 people, mainly women and children by firing to cross over to our side of the border. There are also about 10 soldiers with their weapons in military uniform part of this group who wants to cross over. Women and Children are also crying and begging for help. A few of them are injured and bleeding profusely need immediate medical care. Ashok tried to contact Home Secretary of the State but failed to do so due to poor connectivity mainly due to inclement weather.

(a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope with the situation?
(b) What are the ethical and legal dilemmas being faced by Ashok?
(c) Which of the options, do you think would be more appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why?
(d) In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the Border Guarding Police in dealing with soldiers in uniform?

Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence, integrity and dedication to work. He enjoys the trust and confidence of the Minister in charge of PWD and Programme Implementation. As a part of his job profile, he is responsible for policy formulation, execution of projects relating to infrastructure initiatives in the State. Besides, he oversees the technical and administrative aspects relating to planning, designing and construction etc..

Subash's Minister is an important Minister in the state and significant growth in urban infrastructure development and road network has been registered during his tenure. He is very keen for launching of ambitious road construction project in the near future.

Subash is in regular touch with the Minister and is working various modalities of road construction project. Regular meetings, interactions and presentations are made by him to the Minister before a formal public announcement of the project is made by the Minister. Subash's only son Vikas is in real estate business. His son, from his own sources, is aware that a mega road project is on the anvil and announcement in this regard is expected anytime. He is very keen to know from his father the exact location of the upcoming project. He knows that there would be quantum jump in the prices of land in the vicinity. Buying land at this stage at cheaper prices would pay him rich dividends. He is pleading with him (his father) day in and day out to share him location of the proposed project. He assured him that he would handle the matter discreetly so it would not attract any adverse notice as he in the normal course, keeps on buying land as a part of his business. He feels pressurised because of constant pleadings by his son.

Another significant aspect of the matter pertained to the extra/undue interest in the above project by the Minister PWD. His nephew was also having big infrastructure project company. In fact, the Minister has also introduced his nephew to him and indicated to him to take care of his nephew's business interest in the forthcoming project. The Minister encouraged him to act fast in the matter as early announcement and execution of mega road project would enhance his status in the party and public life.

In the above backdrop, Subash is in a fix as to the future course of action.

(a) Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
(b) Critically examine the options available to Subash in the above situation?
(c) Which of the above would be most appropriate and why?

In line with the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the government has a constitutional obligation to ensure basic needs – "Roti, Kapda aur Makan (Food, Clothes and Shelter)" – for the under-privileged. Pursuing this mandate, the district administration proposed clearing a portion of forest land to develop housing for the homeless and economically weaker sections of the society.

The proposed land, however, is an ecologically sensitive zone densely populated with age-old trees, medicinal plants and vital biodiversity. Besides, these forests help to regulate micro-climate and rainfall; provide habitat for wildlife, support soil fertility and prevent land/soil erosion and sustain livelihoods of tribal and nomadic communities.

In spite of the ecological and social costs, the administration argues in favour of the proposed initiative by highlighting that this very initiative addresses fundamental human rights as a critical welfare priority. Besides, it fulfils the government's duty to uplift and empower the poor through inclusive housing development. Further, these forest areas have become unsafe due to wild animal threats and recurring human-wild life conflicts. Lastly, clearing a forest-zone may help to curb anti-social elements allegedly using these areas as hideouts, thereby enhancing law and order.

(a) Can deforestation be ethically justified in the pursuit of social welfare objectives like, housing for the homeless?
(b) What are the socio-economic, administrative and ethical challenges in balancing environmental conservation with human development?
(c) What substantial alternatives or policy interventions can be proposed to ensure that both environmental integrity and human dignity are protected? (Answer in 250 words)

Vijay is the Deputy Commissioner of a remote district of Himachal Pradesh. For the last two years, he has been in this region. In the month of August, heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by cloudbursts in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state, especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and the buildings were damaged extensively. People's houses have been destroyed and they were forced to stay in open. More than 200 people have been killed and about 5000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured people. Helicopter services were pressed in for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas. Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days, Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother has expired. Vijay has no close relative except one elder sister who is a US citizen and has been staying there for the last several years. In the meantime, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing the last rites of his mother.

(a) What are the options available with Vijay?
(b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Vijay?
(c) Critically evaluate and examine each of these options identified by Vijay.
(d) Which of the options, do you think, would be most appropriate for Vijay to adopt and why?

"One who is devoted to one's duty attains highest perfection in life." Analyse this statement with reference to sense of responsibility and personal fulfilment as a civil servant.

What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

Nine members of the Irular tribal community were recently rescued from a brick kiln near Ambur. Ambur is located in which of the following districts of Tamil Nadu?

1. A. Vellore
2. B. Tiruvannamalai
3. C. Tirupattur
4. D. Krishnagiri

According to the article, the Irular families were subjected to bonded labor for approximately how long, and what was the initial advance payment that trapped them?

1. A. Five years; ₹10,000
2. B. Seven years; ₹12,000
3. C. Over a decade; ₹15,000
4. D. Two decades; ₹20,000

The revenue officials provided 'release certificates' to the rescued bonded laborers. What is the primary purpose of these certificates as mentioned in the article?

1. A. To serve as proof of their employment at the brick kiln.
2. B. To enable them to file a criminal case against the owner.
3. C. To facilitate access to financial aid and government schemes for bonded laborers.
4. D. To certify their tribal community status for reservation benefits.

Despite constitutional safeguards and specific legislation, bonded labor continues to plague vulnerable sections of society, as highlighted by the rescue of Irular tribals. Examine the socio-economic factors that perpetuate bonded labor in India and discuss the effectiveness of government policies and interventions in eradicating this practice.

Introduce with the context of bonded labor, elaborate on socio-economic factors, critically analyze government schemes and legal frameworks, and suggest measures for effective eradication.

The exploitation of the Irular tribal community in bonded labor underscores the persistent vulnerability of indigenous groups. Analyze the specific challenges faced by tribal communities that make them susceptible to such exploitation and suggest comprehensive measures for their rehabilitation and long-term empowerment.

Begin by highlighting tribal vulnerability, detail the specific challenges leading to exploitation, and then propose multi-pronged strategies for rehabilitation, economic upliftment, and social empowerment.