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Economy, Development
Education
Indian Democracy, society, culture, mindset
International issues
Quote based / Philosophical
Polity, administration
Science-Technology
Women empowerment
9. With greater power comes greater responsibility.
10. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
11. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress?
12. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.
13. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of
our country?
14. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
15. Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India?
16. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
17. 2013----18. Crime against women due to Delhi gang-rape.
19. Criminalization of politics.
20. Policy paralysis. (But asked in 2014 exam under Modi-raj finally. May be examiner was
too afraid to ask it during UPA-raj hahaha)
21. Indo-China, Indo-Pak, elections, Mangalyaan etc.
22. Space-exploration (ISRO-Mangalyan)
23. Extremism (ISIS)
24. New cold war (Ukraine).
25. Good governance, E-governance, Minimum governance (Modi)
26. Relevance Planning commission, socialist economy.
27. Nehru related essays because of his 125th Anniversary.
28. Economy, Development
29. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of
our country? -2014
30. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
31. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be
the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
32. Is the criticism that the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model for development is
more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified ?-2012
Special economic zone : boon or bane

Education
1. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
2. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014

Credit based higher education system status , opportunities and challenges

Indian Democracy, society, culture, mindset

1. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
2. Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014
3. Is the Colonial mentality hindering Indias Success?-2013
Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it?
globalization vs. nationalism
Indian culture today: a myth or a reality?

Quote based / Philosophical

1. With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
2. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
3. Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013
4. Discipline means success , anarchy means ruin -2008
5. Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
6. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
7. Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002
8. Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003
9. Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
10. Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
11. Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, oldage a regret -1994
12. Useless life is an early death. -1994
13. He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a
king. -1993
14. Compassion is the basic of all morality would -1993
15. If youth knew, if age could. -2002
16. The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
17. The pursuit of excellence. -2001
18. Truth is lived, not taught -1996
Polity, administration
Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative , economic and developmental
implication
Reservation, politics and empowerment.
Food security for sustainable national development
Urbanisation and its hazards

Judicial activism and Indian democracy

Science-Technology
1. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
2. Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
Women empowerment
1. Managing work and home is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012
2. Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
3. Womens reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
4. The hand that rocks the cradle -2005
5. If women ruled the world -2005
6. Whither womens emancipation? -2004
7. Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
8. Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999
9. Woman is gods best creation. -1998
10. Greater political power alone will not improve womens plight. -1997
11. The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
Make in India vs. Make in China

One of the biggest taxation reforms in India -- the Goods and Service Tax (GST) -- is all set to
integrate State economies and boost overall growth.
GST will create a single, unified Indian market to make the economy stronger.
The implementation of GST will lead to the abolition of other taxes such as octroi, Central Sales
Tax, State-level sales tax, entry tax, stamp duty, telecom licence fees, turnover tax, tax on
consumption or sale of electricity, taxes on transportation of goods and services, et cetera, thus
avoiding multiple layers of taxation that currently exist in India.
But just what is GST all about and how will it impact you?
What is GST?
Goods and Services Tax -- GST -- is a comprehensive tax levy on manufacture, sale and
consumption of goods and services at a national level.
Through a tax credit mechanism, this tax is collected on value-added goods and services at each
stage of sale or purchase in the supply chain.
The system allows the set-off of GST paid on the procurement of goods and services against the
GST which is payable on the supply of goods or services. However, the end consumer bears this
tax as he is the last person in the supply chain.
Experts say that GST is likely to improve tax collections and boost India's economic
development by breaking tax barriers between States and integrating India through a uniform tax
rate.

What are the benefits of GST?

Under GST, the taxation burden will be divided equitably between manufacturing and services,
through a lower tax rate by increasing the tax base and minimizing exemptions.
It is expected to help build a transparent and corruption-free tax administration. GST will be is
levied only at the destination point, and not at various points (from manufacturing to retail
outlets).
Currently, a manufacturer needs to pay tax when a finished product moves out from a factory,
and it is again taxed at the retail outlet when sold.
How will it benefit the Centre and the States?
It is estimated that India will gain $15 billion a year by implementing the Goods and Services
Tax as it would promote exports, raise employment and boost growth. It will divide the tax
burden equitably between manufacturing and services.
What are the benefits of GST for individuals and companies?
In the GST system, both Central and State taxes will be collected at the point of sale. Both
components (the Central and State GST) will be charged on the manufacturing cost. This will
benefit individuals as prices are likely to come down. Lower prices will lead to more
consumption, thereby helping companies.
What type of GST is proposed for India?
India is planning to implement a dual GST system. Under dual GST, a Central Goods and
Services Tax (CGST) and a State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) will be levied on the taxable
value of a transaction.
All goods and services, barring a few exceptions, will be brought into the GST base. There will
be no distinction between goods and services.
Which other nations have a similar tax structure?
Almost 140 countries have already implemented the GST. Most of the countries have a unified
GST system. Brazil and Canada follow a dual system where GST is levied by both the Union and
the State governments.
France was the first country to introduce GST system in 1954.
Will this be an extra tax?
It will not be an additional tax. CGST will include central excise duty (Cenvat), service tax, and
additional duties of customs at the central level; and value-added tax, central sales tax,
entertainment tax, luxury tax, octroi, lottery taxes, electricity duty, state surcharges related to
supply of goods and services and purchase tax at the State level.
What will be the rate of GST?
The combined GST rate is being discussed by government. The rate is expected around 14-16
per cent. After the total GST rate is arrived at, the States and the Centre will decide on the CGST
and SGST rates.
Currently, services are taxed at 10 per cent and the combined charge indirect taxes on most
goods is around 20 per cent.

Will goods and services cost more after this tax comes into force?
The prices are expected to fall in the long term as dealers might pass on the benefits of the
reduced tax to consumers.
Why are some States against GST; will they lose money?
The governments of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu say that the information
technology systems and the administrative infrastructure will not be ready to implement GST.
States have sought assurances that their existing revenues will be protected.
The central government has offered to compensate States in case of a loss in revenues.
Some States fear that if the uniform tax rate is lower than their existing rates, it will hit their tax
kitty. The government believes that dual GST will lead to better revenue collection for States.
However, backward and less-developed States could see a fall in tax collections. GST could see
better revenue collection for some States as the consumption of goods and services will rise.
How will GST be implemented?
The empowered committee is finalized the details of GST in August. But States have to sort out
several issues like agreement on GST rates, constitutional amendments and holding talks with
industry associations. Experts feel the drafting of legislation and the implementation of law will
take time.
What are the items on which GST may not be applied?
Alcohol, tobacco,are likely to be out of the GST regime.
All goods and services, except alcoholic liquor for human consumption, will be brought under
the purview of GST. Petroleum and petroleum products
have also been Constitutionally brought under GST. However, it has also been provided that petroleum
and petroleum products shall not be subject to the levy of GST till notified at a future date on the
recommendation of the GST Council. The present taxes levied by the States and the Centre on
petroleum and petroleum products, i.e., Sales Tax/VAT, CST and Excise duty only, will continue to be
levied in the interim period.