UPSC CARE Mains Practice 2nd February 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- The Union Budget 2026–27 is described as a Yuva Shakti-driven Budget inspired by the principle of Kartavya. Examine how the three Kartavya outlined in the Budget seek to balance economic growth, human capability building, and inclusive development. (GS Paper III: Indian Economy and Planning, Budget, Growth, Development and Employment)
- Data privacy is no longer a technical concern but a democratic imperative in India’s digital governance.” In the context of International Data Privacy Day, examine India’s legal, institutional, and technological measures to ensure a secure and citizen-centric digital ecosystem. (GS Paper III (Cybersecurity, Digital Economy)
The Union Budget 2026–27 is described as a Yuva Shakti-driven Budget inspired by the principle of Kartavya. Examine how the three Kartavya outlined in the Budget seek to balance economic growth, human capability building, and inclusive development. (GS Paper III: Indian Economy and Planning, Budget, Growth, Development and Employment)
Introduction:
The Union Budget 2026–27 marks a shift towards duty-based governance by framing public policy around three Kartavya—accelerating growth, fulfilling aspirations, and ensuring Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas. It positions youth as drivers of growth while embedding inclusion and resilience into India’s economic strategy.
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Kartavya I: Accelerating and Sustaining Economic Growth
The Budget prioritises productivity, competitiveness, and resilience through manufacturing expansion, infrastructure push, energy security, and logistics reforms. Initiatives such as Biopharma Shakti, textile sector integration, City Economic Regions, high-speed rail corridors, and increased public capital expenditure strengthen India’s industrial base and reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities.
Kartavya II: Fulfilling Aspirations and Building Capacity
Human capital formation is central to the Budget. Medical hubs, veterinary sector expansion, creative economy support, girls’ hostels, tourism skilling, and the Khelo India Mission aim to enhance employability, health outcomes, and cultural industries. These measures convert demographic potential into productive economic participation.
Kartavya III: Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas
The Budget advances inclusive development through digital agriculture tools like Bharat Vistaar, women-led Self-Help Entrepreneur Marts, mental health infrastructure expansion, and targeted development of Purvodaya and North-Eastern regions. Regional balance and social equity are integrated into growth planning.
Conclusion:
By aligning growth acceleration with capacity building and inclusion, the three Kartavya framework transforms the Budget from a fiscal statement into a developmental vision, reinforcing India’s path towards Viksit Bharat while maintaining fiscal discipline.
Climate change–induced expansion of glacial lakes has significantly increased the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Himalaya–Karakoram region. Discuss the reasons for the rising GLOF risk and critically examine the gaps in assessment and preparedness. Suggest measures to enhance India’s resilience to such hazards. (GS Paper III – Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management)
Introduction:
The Himalaya–Karakoram region is witnessing a rapid rise in Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) due to accelerated glacier retreat driven by climate change. Recent studies warn that nearly one million people living downstream of glacial lakes face growing flood risks, while assessment and adaptation efforts remain inadequate.
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Reasons for Rising GLOF Risk
- Climate change and elevation-dependent warming: Higher warming rates at high altitudes have accelerated glacier melting, leading to rapid formation and expansion of glacial lakes.
- Expansion of unstable lakes: Since 1990, the number, area, and volume of glacial lakes have increased sharply, especially moraine-dammed and ice-dammed lakes that are structurally fragile.
- Unstable triggers: Avalanches, rockfalls, glacier calving, and sudden inflow from supraglacial or sub-glacial channels can abruptly breach natural dams.
- Feedback loops: Glaciers terminating in lakes retreat faster, further enlarging lakes and compounding flood risk.
Gaps in Assessment and Preparedness
- Inadequate risk mapping: Many glacial lakes lack detailed hazard and breach assessments despite rapid expansion.
- Data and research gaps: Over-reliance on remote sensing, lack of ground-based observations, inconsistent lake definitions, and non-standardised datasets limit accurate risk evaluation.
- Weak early-warning systems: Limited deployment of real-time monitoring and Early Warning Systems (EWSs) in vulnerable valleys.
- Neglect of social vulnerability: Insufficient assessment of downstream population exposure and adaptive capacity.
Way Forward
- Comprehensive lake inventories: Standardised, dynamic mapping incorporating seasonal and short-lived lakes.
- Strengthening EWSs: Real-time monitoring, community-based alert systems, and evacuation planning.
- Integrated research: Combining remote sensing with field studies and hydrological modelling.
- Mainstreaming GLOFs in disaster planning: Incorporating GLOF risk into infrastructure design, land-use planning, and climate adaptation policies.
- Regional cooperation: Sharing data and best practices across Himalayan countries.
Conclusion:
GLOFs represent a growing climate-induced disaster risk in the Himalaya–Karakoram region. Addressing scientific gaps, strengthening early-warning mechanisms, and adopting integrated, region-specific adaptation strategies are crucial to protect vulnerable communities and enhance disaster resilience.
