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UPSC Essay Topics PYQ

1 India: Democracy, administration, Society, culture

1.1 India Since Independence

1. Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? -2013

2. In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms
‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to
Indian democracy -2012
3. Dreams which should not let India sleep. -2015
4. Why should we be proud of being Indians? -2000
5. Whither Indian democracy? -1995
6. How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? -2003
7. What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. -1997
8. What have we gained from our democratic set-up? -2001
9. My vision of India in 2001 a.d. -1993
10. National identity and patriotism. (2008)
11. Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task. (2018)

1.2 Federalism, Decentralization

1. Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
2. Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
3. Cooperative federalism : Myth or reality. -2016
4. Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental
implication -2011
5. Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to
people. -2007
6. Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
7. The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998
8. Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? (2007)

1.3 Administration

1. There are better practices to “best practices”. -2021

2. How should a civil servant conduct himself? -2003
3. Politics without ethics is a disaster. -1995
4. The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy -1996
5. Need for transparency in public administration -1996
6. The country’s need for a better disaster management system. -2000
7. Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. -1994
8. The Role of Politics in Development.
9. Should Youth in India Consider Politics as a Career?
10. Art, Freedom and Creativity will change society faster than politics.
11. The politics of Identity is the Politics of the Weak.
12. People should not be afraid of their Government. The Government should be afraid of its people.
13. Government Surveillance - Good or Bad?
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1.4 Judiciary

1. We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
2. Justice must reach the poor -2005
3. Judicial activism and Indian democracy. -2004
4. Judicial activism. -1997
5. Judicial activism vs judicial overreach

1.5 Poverty, Social Justice

1. Poverty
2. Literacy
3. Socio Cultural Diiversity
4. SC/ST
5. Child Labour
6. There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social
justice is meaningless (बिना आर्थिक समृद्धि के सामाजिक न्याय नहीं हो सकता, किन्तु बिना
सामाजिक न्याय के आर्थिक समृद्धि निरर्थक है ) -2020
7. Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
8. The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. -2009
9. Food security for sustainable national development -2005
10. Reservation, politics and empowerment. -1999
11. Reservation, politics and empowerment. (1999)
12. Food security for sustainable national development. (2005)
13. The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. (2009)
14. Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India. (2017)
15. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. (2018)
16. Inclusivity and Plurality are the hallmarks of a Peaceful Society.
17. A Gender-sensitive Indian Society is a prerequisite for Women and Child Empowerment.
18. The weaker sections of Indian Society - are their Rights and Access to Justice getting Better?
19. Transgender ,lgbtqia, Differently abled
20. The new emerging women power: the ground realities. (1995)
21. Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. (1997)
22. Woman is god’s best creation. (1998)
23. Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. (1999)
24. Empowerment alone cannot help our women. (2001)
25. Whither women’s emancipation? (2004)
26. If women ruled the world. (2005)
27. The hand that rocks the cradle. (2005)
28. Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. (2006)
29. Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal? (2012)
30. If development is not engendered, it is endangered. (2016)
31. Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. (2017)
32.
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1.6 Indian Society, Culture and Values

1. Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have (जो हम है, वह संस्कार; जो हमारे पास है,
वह सभ्यता ) -2020
2. Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? -2000
3. Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. -2000
4. The composite culture of India. -1998
5. The Indian society at the crossroads. -1994
6. From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm
shift? -2010
7. New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion -1996
8. Culture changes with economic development.
9. Culture is what we are, Civilization is what we have.
10. Social reform is a myth if places of worship are open only to all castes and not to all genders.
11. Impact of Globalization on Indian Art and Culture.
12. Caste System - India’s Enduring Curse.
13. Youth culture today. (1999)
14. As civilization advances culture declines. (2003)

1.7 Media, TV & Cinema, literature

1. Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy. -2019

2. Responsibility of media in a democracy. -2002
3. Role of media in good governance -2008
4. Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? -2011
5. How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? -2007
6. Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? -2014
7. Mass media and cultural invasion. -1999
8. The misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. -1998
9. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (कवि संसार के अनधिकृत रूप से विधायक
होते हैं) – 2022

2 Economy, Development

2.1 Growth vs Development

1. Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. -2018

2. Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. -2016
3. Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. -2016
4. Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. -2016
5. Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. -2015
6. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our
country? -2014
7. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right
indices for judging the wellbeing of a country-2013
8. Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? -2015
9. Resource management in the Indian context. -1999
10. Economic growth without distributive justice is bound to breed violence. -1993
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2.2 Environment vs Development

1. Sustainable development
2. Climate change
3. Global warming
4. Pollution air water land
5. Degrading air quality and health
6. Plastic menace
7. Climate finance
8. Net zero
9. Renewable energy , solar , green hydrogen
10. Swachh bharat
11. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence (आर्थिक समृद्धि हासिल करने के
मामले में वन सर्वोत्तम प्रतिमान होते हैं।) – 2022
12. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. -2018
13. Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? -2010
14. Urbanisation and its hazards -2008
15. Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. -2006
16. Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. -1997
17. Ecological considerations need not hamper development. -1993
18. We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. (2017)

2.3 MNCs

1. Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. -2006

2. Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs -1994
3. Special economic zone: boon or bane -2008
4. 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

2.4 Sectors of Economy

1. Agriculture [status schemes ]

2. Millet
3. Tech in agriculture
4. Food inflation
5. Tourism [status scope]
6. Healthcare system
7. Pharma sector
8. Pandemics
9. Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India. -2017
10. BPO boom in India. -2007
11. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? -2014
12. Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? -2009
13. We don't have to sacrifice a Strong Economy for a Healthy Environment.
14. India, a $5 trillion Economy - Dream or Reality?
15. Digital Economy: A leveller or a source of Economic Inequality?
16. Innovation is the key determinant of social welfare and economic growth.
17. Labour Reforms in India and its Role in Economic Growth.
18. Resource management in the Indian context. (1999)
19. Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs. (1994)
20. Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. (2006)
21. BPO boom in India. (2007)
22. Special economic zone: boon or bane? (2008)
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23. Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? (2009)

24. 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)
25. Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? (2014)

26. GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right
indices for judging the wellbeing of a country. (2013)
27. Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
(2014)
28. Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. (2015)
29. Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. (2016)
30. Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. (2016)
31. Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. (2016)
32. Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. (2017)

3 Education

3.1 Values in Education

1. Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. -2017

2. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil-2015
3. Independent thinking should be encouraged right form the childhood. -2007
4. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? -2014
5. Irrelevance of the classroom. -2001
6. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? -2014
7. Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. -1996
8. Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses ? -2008
9. What is real education? -2005
10. Restructuring of Indian education system. (1995)
11. Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. (1996)
12. Irrelevance of the classroom. (2001)
13. Privatization of higher education in India. (2002)
14. Modern technological education and human values. (2002)
15. What is real education? (2005)
16. “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. (2006)
17. Independent thinking should be encouraged right from the childhood. (2007)
18. Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses? (2008)
19. Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges. (2011)
20. Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? (2014)
21. Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? (2014)
22. Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil. (2015)
23. Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. (2017)
24.
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3.2 Scheme implementation

1. Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness. -2019
2. “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. -2006
3. Restructuring of Indian education system. -1995

3.3 Higher education

1. Privatization of higher education in India. -2002

2. Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges -2011

4 Quote based, Philosophy, Ethics

 Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.

 Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world.
 History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.
 A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is for.
 The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
 You cannot step twice in the same river.
 A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
 Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.
 Everything comes to him, who hustles while he waits.
 We are always blind as we want to be.
 You cannot step twice in the same river.
 A disciplined mind brings happiness.
 The price of Greatness is Responsibility.
 People would rather Believe than Know.
 Mind - A beautiful Servant? Or a dangerous Master?
 Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
 Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
 What is research but a blind date with knowledge?
 Best for an individual is not necessarily best for society.
 Wisdom finds truth.
 Ships don’t sink because of water around them, ships sink because of water that gets into them.
 Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
 Technology as the silent factor in international relations.
 Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret. (1994)
 Useless life is an early death. (1994)
 Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. (1995)
 When money speaks, the truth is silent. (1995)
 Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. (1995)
 Truth is lived, not taught. (1996)
 True religion cannot be misused. (1997)
 Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. (2002)
 The paths of glory lead but to the grave. (2002)
 If youth knew, if age could. (2002)
 There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. (2003)
 Be the change you want to see in others. (2013)
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 With greater power comes greater responsibility. (2014)

 Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. (2014)
 Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. (2015)
 “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. (2018)
 Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. (2018)
 Attitude makes habit, habit makes character and character makes a man. (2007)
 Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin. (2008)
 Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. (2015)
 Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. (2016)
 Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. (2017)
 A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. (2018)
 A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. (2018)
 Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life. (2018)

4.1 Character, Honesty, Ethics

1. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities (हर असमंजस के लिए मुस्कराहट ही चुनिन्दा
साधन है) – 2022
2. Philosophy of wantlessness is a Utopian, while materialism is a chimera. -2021
3. Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. -2021
4. Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (सरलता चरम परिष्करण है ) -2020
5. Ships don’t sink because of water around them ships sink because of water that gets into them
(जहाज अपने चारों तरफ के पानी के वजह से नहीं डूबा करते, जहाज पानी के अंदर समां
जाने की वजह से डूबता हैं ) -2020
6. Life is a long journey between being human and being humane. (मनुष्य होने और मानव बनने के
बीच का लम्बा सफर ही जीवन है)-2020
7. Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be -2019
8. Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society -2019
9. Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success -2019
10. Wisdom finds truth -2019
11. A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. -2018
12. Customary morality cannot be a guide to modem file. -2018
13. We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. -2017
14. Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. -2016
15. Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. -2015
16. With greater power comes greater responsibility. -2014
17. Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. -2014
18. Attitude makes, habit makes character and character makes a man. -2007
19. He would reigns within himself and folds his passions and desires and fears is more than a king. -
1993

4.2 Knowledge

1. The real is rational and the rational is real. -2021

2. Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self (विचारपरक संकल्प स्वयं के तचित्त रहने
का उत्प्रेरक है )-2020
3. ‘The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. -2018
4. A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. -2018
5. There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. -2003
6. Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. -1995
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4.3 Compassion

1. Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. -2017

2. Compassion is the basic of all morality of the world -1993
3. Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. -2015
4. Be the change you want to see in others (Gandhi)-2013

4.4 Truth and reality

1. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए
कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना
ही होगा) – 2022
2. Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. -2018
3. Truth is lived, not taught -1996
4. When money speaks, the truth is silent. -1995
5. Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. -2002

4.5 Youth, Discipline

1. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining (छप्पर मरम्मत करने का समय तभी होता
है, जब धूप खिली हुई हो) – 2022
2. You cannot step twice in the same river (आप उसी नदी में दोबारा नहीं उतर सकते) – 2022
3. Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin -2008
4. Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret -1994
5. If youth knew, if age could. -2002
6. Youth culture today. -1999
7. Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? -2014

4.6 Towards excellence

1. A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता
है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) – 2022
2. Quick but steady wins the race. -2015
3. Useless life is an early death. -1994
4. Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. -1995
5. The paths of glory lead but to the grave. -2002
6. The pursuit of excellence. -2001

5 Women empowerment

5.1 @National Politics

1. Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. -1997
2. Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. -2006
3. The new emerging women power: the ground realities. -1995
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5.2 @World / Quote type

1. Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. -2021

2. If women ruled the world -2005
3. The hand that rocks the cradle -2005

5.3 Empowerment overall

1. Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality ( पितृ-सत्ता की
व्यवस्था नजर मैं बहुत काम आने के बावजूद सामाजिक विषमता की सबसे प्रभावी संरचना है)
-2020
2. Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. -2017
3. If development is not engendered, it is endangered. -2016
4. Whither women’s emancipation? -2004
5. Empowerment alone cannot help our women. -2001
6. Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. -1999

5.4 Compared to men

1. Gender equality
2. Woman is god’s best creation. -1998
3. Men have failed: let women take over. -1993
4. Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal ?-2012

6 International issues, Internal Security, History

6.1 Globalization

1. Religion
2. Communalism
3. Secularism’
4. Demographic dividend
5. Human capital formation
6. South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural
identities. -2019
7. Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. -1994
8. ‘globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’ -2009
9. National identity and patriotism -2008
10. Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. -2004
11. The masks of new imperialism. -2003
12. As civilization advances culture declines. -2003
13. The implications of globalization for India. -2000
14. My vision of an ideal world order. -2001
15. India’s contribution to world wisdom. -1998
16. The world of the twenty-first century. -1998
17. Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. -2010
18. Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. (1994)
19. The world of the twenty-first century. (1998)
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20. The implications of globalization for India. (2000)

21. My vision of an ideal world order. (2001)
22. The masks of new imperialism. (2003)
23. Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. (2004)
24. ‘Globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’. (2009)
25. Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. (2010)
26.

6.2 International Org./ Bilateral

1. Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक
के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी) -2020
2. Has the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world ? -2017
3. Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities -1996
4. The global order: political and economic -1993
5. India’s role in promoting ASEAN co-operation. -2004
6. Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement -2006

6.3 Security

1. Management of Indian border dispute is a complex task. -2018

2. In the Indian context , both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating
terrorism -2011
3. Are we a ‘soft’ state ? -2009
4. Good fences make good neighbours -2009
5. Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? -2007
6. Terrorism and world peace -2005
7. True religion cannot be misused. -1997
8. Terrorism and world peace. (2005)
9. Are we a ‘soft’ state? (2009)
10. Good fences make good neighbours. (2009)
11. In the Indian context, both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating
terrorism. (2011)
12.

6.4 History

1. History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. -2021

2. Geography may remain the same ; history need not. -2010

7 Science-Technology

7.1 Science and Religion

1. Spirituality and scientific temper. -2003

2. Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?-2012
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7.2 Science and Education

1. What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! -2021

2. Modern technological education and human values. -2002
3. Value-based science and education. -1999
4. The march of science and the erosion of human values. -2001
5. Deglobalisation is good for the world.
6. Science is organised Knowledge. Wisdom is Organised life.
7. Technology is a Weapon against Poverty.
8. Prioritising Education Technology for Global Growth.
9. Technology is the silent factor in International Relations.
10. Scientific and Technological Progress cannot be equated with Human Progress.
11. The modern doctor and his patients. (1997)
12. Value-based science and education. (1999)
13. The march of science and the erosion of human values. (2001)
14. Spirituality and scientific temper. (2003)
15. The lure of space. (2004)
16. Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible? (2012)
17. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation. (2013)
18. Technology cannot replace manpower. (2015)
19. Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. (2018)
20. The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. (2000)
21. Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. (2006)
22. Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run. (2016)
23. Social media is inherently a selfish medium. (2017)
24.

7.3 Computer and internet

1. The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. -2021

2. Technology as the silent factor in international relations (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंधों मैं मौन करक
के रूप मैं प्रौद्योगिकी) -2020
3. Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through
reskilling and upskilling. -2019
4. ‘Social media’ is inherently a selfish medium. -2017
5. Cyberspace and Internet : Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run -2016
6. Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. -2006
7. The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. -2000
8. Computer: the harbinger of silent revolution. -1993

7.4 Sci-Tech: others

1. Digitalisation
2. Digital divide/ gap
3. Cashless economy
4. Social media
5. Media trial
6. Social media and politics
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7. AI
8. Cyber security
9. Internet access to all
10. Work from home
11. Gig economy
12. Technology cannot replace manpower. -2015
13. Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation-2013
14. The modern doctor and his patients. -1997
15. The lure of space. -2004

Section-A

1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence (आर्थिक समृद्धि हासिल करने के
मामले में वन सर्वोत्तम प्रतिमान होते हैं।) – 2022
2. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (कवि संसार के अनधिकृत रूप से विधायक
होते हैं) – 2022
3. History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man (इतिहास
वैज्ञानिक मनुष्य के रूमानी मनुष्य पर विजय हासिल करने का एक सिलसिला है।) – 2022
4. A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for (जहाज बन्दरगाह के भीतर सुरक्षित होता
है, परन्तु इसके लिए तो वह होता नहीं है) & 2022

Section-B

5. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining (छप्पर मरम्मत करने का समय तभी होता
है, जब धूप खिली हुई हो) – 2022
6. You cannot step twice in the same river (आप उसी नदी में दोबारा नहीं उतर सकते) – 2022
7. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities (हर असमंजस के लिए मुस्कराहट ही चुनिन्दा
साधन है) – 2022
8. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right (केवल इसलिए
कि आपके पास विकल्प हैं, इसका यह अर्थ कदापि नहीं है कि उनमें से किसी को भी ठीक होना
ही होगा) – 2022