APPSC Group 1 Mains 2023-PolityConstitutionGovernanceLawEthics

Are Direct Taxes Transferable or Non-Transferable? And Recent Direct Tax Reforms in India Introduction: Direct taxes are taxes levied directly on the income or wealth of individuals or corporations. Unlike indirect taxes (like GST), they cannot be passed on to a consumer. The key characteristic differentiating direct and indirect taxes is the incidence of tax … Read more

Substantive Law vs. Procedural Law: A Comparative Analysis Introduction: Law, in its broadest sense, governs human behavior and societal interactions. It can be broadly categorized into two primary branches: substantive law and procedural law. Substantive law defines rights, duties, and liabilities; it dictates what is legal and illegal. Procedural law, on the other hand, outlines … Read more

International Ethics: Guiding Principles for Global Cooperation Introduction: International ethics refers to the principles and norms governing the behavior of states and other international actors in their interactions. It transcends national boundaries and seeks to establish a framework for just and equitable relations between nations. Unlike domestic ethics, which are often codified in law, international … Read more

Does Popular Democracy Breed Distrust in the Public Towards Their Representatives? Introduction: Popular democracy, characterized by direct or indirect citizen participation in government, ideally fosters trust and accountability. However, a growing body of evidence suggests a complex relationship between popular democracy and public trust in elected officials. Surveys consistently reveal declining public confidence in government … Read more

Persuasion and its Role in Building a ‘New India’ Introduction: Persuasion, at its core, is the art of influencing the beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors of others through communication. It’s a multifaceted process involving various constructs, including ethos (credibility), pathos (emotional appeal), and logos (logical reasoning). Aristotle, in his Rhetoric, laid the foundation for understanding persuasion, … Read more

Do Attitudes Influence Behavior? Discussing the Polarization of Political Attitudes in India Introduction: The question explores the relationship between attitudes and behavior, specifically examining the phenomenon of political attitude polarization in India. Attitudes, defined as learned predispositions to respond consistently favorably or unfavorably to an object, person, or event, are widely believed to influence behavior. … Read more

Vinoba Bhave’s Ideology: Relevance in Modern India Introduction: Vinoba Bhave (1895-1982), a prominent Gandhian and spiritual leader, significantly impacted India’s social and political landscape. His philosophy, rooted in Gandhian principles of non-violence (ahimsa), Sarvodaya (upliftment of all), and Gram Swaraj (village self-rule), aimed at fostering ethical conduct and social justice. While his direct influence might … Read more

The Significance of Values in Personality and Socio-Cultural Systems Introduction: Values, deeply held beliefs about what is good, desirable, and important, form the bedrock of both individual personality and societal structures. They act as guiding principles, influencing our choices, behaviors, and interactions. Psychologists like Abraham Maslow, with his hierarchy of needs, and moral philosophers like … Read more

Ethics in Public Service and the Pathway to a ‘Naitik Bharat’ Introduction: Parliamentary democracy thrives on the ethical conduct of its public servants. A ‘Naitik Bharat’ – an ethical India – necessitates a fundamental shift in the ethical landscape of public service, moving beyond mere adherence to rules to a deeper commitment to integrity and … Read more

The Dimensions of Governance: A Focus on the Administrative Dimension Introduction: Governance, in its broadest sense, refers to the processes and structures through which societies manage their common affairs. It encompasses the mechanisms by which power is exercised to manage a country’s economic and social resources for development. While the concept is multifaceted, several key … Read more