Statement and Argument Questions

• Energy policy — should India immediately stop digging coal? Statement: Should India immediately stop mining coal from its mines? Arguments: I. Yes — the present coal stock will not last long if we continue at the current rate. II. No — we do not have alternative energy sources in sufficient quantity. III. No — stopping would disadvantage millions of people and hurt industry.
• Tax reform — merge all indirect taxes into a single tax on all commodities? Statement: Should all indirect taxes in India be combined into one tax on all commodities? Arguments: I. Yes — this would simplify tax collection and reduce collection costs. II. Yes — manufacturers and traders would benefit, which would in turn boost tax collection. III. No — no other country has adopted such a system.
• Talent mobility — total ban on Indian professionals seeking jobs abroad? Statement: Should there be a complete ban on Indian professionals taking up jobs abroad after being educated in India? Arguments: I. Yes — it is the only way to sustain the current rate of technological development in India. II. No — Indians settled abroad remit large foreign exchange, a significant part of reserves. III. No — practical knowledge gained abroad helps India’s development.
• Public health vs. livelihood & revenue — total ban on tobacco products and smoking? Statement: Should there be a total ban on tobacco products and smoking in India? Arguments: I. Yes — it is wrong to smoke away millions of rupees. II. No — thousands of workers in the tobacco industry would lose employment. III. No — the government would lose substantial tax revenue from these products.
• Civil service postings — should administrative officers be transferred every 1–2 years? Statement: Should administrative officers be transferred after one or two years? Arguments: I. Yes — they may become too friendly with locals and be manipulated. II. No — policies and schemes need time to take shape; frequent transfers disrupt them. III. No — it creates administrative hassles and inconvenience to officers.
• Public health policy — ban on aerated drinks in India? Statement: Should consumption of aerated drinks be banned in India? Arguments: I. Yes — it is the only way to reduce disease risk from such products. II. No — each individual should have the right to choose. III. No — there is no confirmed evidence that these products harm the human body. IV. Yes — they are banned in many other countries.
• Statement–Argument — Should the government levy tax on agricultural income in India? Arguments: I. Yes, that is the only way to fill the government's coffers. II. No, because around 80% of the population lives in rural areas.
• Statement–Argument — Should computers be used in all possible sectors in India? Arguments: I. Yes, computers increase efficiency and accuracy in work. II. No, it would be an injustice to the large human resource that is currently underutilized.
• Statement–Argument — Should young entrepreneurs be encouraged by policy and institutions? Arguments: I. Yes, this will contribute to industrial development and innovation. II. Yes, it will reduce pressure on the employment market by creating jobs.
• Statement–Argument — Should state governments retain a major share of central taxes collected in their respective states? Arguments: I. No. The Central Government funds most nationwide development programmes and therefore should receive the major share. II. Yes. Most State Governments face fund shortages and need larger shares to meet their obligations.
• Statement–Argument — Should the officer in charge of every police station be transferred every two years? Arguments: I. No. It creates administrative hassles and causes inconvenience to officers and their families. II. Yes. Frequent transfers are an effective way to break nexus between officers and anti-social elements.
• Statement–Argument — Should a major part of school examinations be made objective type? Arguments: I. No. Objective tests do not assess a student's ability to express and reason in extended form. II. Yes. This is the best method to assess ability and knowledge.
• Statement–Argument — Should all factories located in cities be shifted to far outskirts? Arguments: I. Yes. This is an essential step to control urban pollution. II. No. Such relocation will cause considerable inconvenience to employees and their families.
• Statement–Argument — Should the practice of rewarding high exam scores be stopped to reduce frustration among moderate scorers? Arguments: I. No. Rewards motivate high performers; recognition is a key incentive. II. Yes. Excessive praise for toppers can demotivate average students and sometimes trigger extreme reactions.
• Statement–Argument — Should there be a total ban on the use of plastic bags? Arguments: I. No. Specify a minimum thickness/standard so that limited, safer use is possible with lower environmental damage. II. Yes. Plastic bags cause pollution, clog drains, and aggravate waterlogging; hence a ban is necessary.
• Statement–Argument — Should English be the medium of instruction for higher education in India? Arguments: I. Yes. Even in countries like the UK and USA, higher education is in English. II. Yes. English is a widely used international language today.
• Statement–Argument — Should religion be taught in schools? Arguments: I) No; ours is a secular state. II) Yes; teaching religion helps inculcate moral values among children. Choose which argument(s) are strong.
• Statement–Argument — Will the Cauvery River water dispute finally be settled? Arguments: I) Yes; politicians of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will reach a satisfactory political settlement. II) No; each state prioritizes its own interests, so the dispute will be prolonged. Identify the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Does President’s Rule in a state improve law and order in disturbed areas? Arguments: I) Yes; the Chief Minister does not know how to cope with deteriorating law and order. II) President’s Rule is better than rule by the State Government. Select the strong argument(s).
• Statement–Argument — Can the young enjoy old movies? Arguments: I) Yes; many modern movies lack a proper story. II) No; old movies lack the glamour and pace of modern films. Choose the strong argument(s).