Essay – Themes Beyond PESTLE
Birendra Sir – Head, Mains and Mentoring (SureShot), Vajiram and Ravi
Previous Year Essay
Theme Sub-Themes
Topics
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader
(2015)
• With greater power comes greater responsibility
(2014)
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils
breed (2016)
Integrity, Leadership, Greed vs.
• Values are not what humanity is, but what
Need, Power & Responsibility,
Ethics, Values & Character humanity ought to be (2019)
Virtue Ethics, Institutional Ethics,
• Life is a long journey between human being and
Humanism
being humane (2020)
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by
knowledge (2018)
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems
rather to make a man more clever devil (2015)
• Character tested by power (2024)
• There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the
path (2024)
• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities
(2022)
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self
(2020)
Happiness, Simplicity, Joy, • Joy is the simplest form of gratitude (2017)
Philosophy, Mind & Human Mindfulness, Perception, • Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication (2020)
Condition Rationality, Truth, Existentialism, • Wisdom finds truth (2019)
Paradox • Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms
it (2018)
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my
reaction to you is an awareness of me (2021)
• The real is rational and the rational is real (2021)
• Quick but steady wins the race (2015)
• Be the change you want to see in others (2013)
• Education is what remains after one has forgotten
what one has learned in school (2023)
• Mathematics is the Music of Reason (2023)
• Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless
there is an opposite team (2023)
Education vs. Schooling, • What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
Knowledge, Education & Creativity Research, Thinking, Innovation, (2021)
Mathematics, Music of Reason • Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms
(2017)
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic
growth and social welfare (2016)
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to
look for the magical in the mundane (2023)
• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: threat or opportunity
(2019)
• Technology cannot replace manpower (2015)
• Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse (2016)
• Technology as the silent factor in international
AI, Cyberspace, Digital Economy,
Science, Technology & Human relations (2020)
Tech vs. Manpower, Research,
Progress • The process of self-discovery has now been
Future of Jobs
technologically outsourced (2021)
• Digital economy: A leveller or source of inequality
(2016)
• Science and technology is the panacea for the
growth and security of the nation (2013)
• A society that has more justice is a society that
needs less charity (2023)
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet most significant
Justice, Charity, Patriarchy, structure of social inequality (2020)
Social Justice, Equality & Gender Feminism, Discrimination, New • Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth
Woman, Poverty (2017)
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered
(2016)
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity
everywhere (2018)
• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with
demands (2023)
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium (2017)
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy
Media, Social Media & Public Biased Media, Sting Operations, (2019)
Discourse Social Media Selfishness, FOMO • Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? (2014)
• Social media is triggering FOMO among the youth
(2024)
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist
Laws, Natural Justice, natural laws (2017)
Cooperative Federalism, Water• Water disputes between states in federal India
Governance, Polity & Federalism
Disputes, Moral vs. Economic (2016)
Crises • Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality (2016)
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic (2015)
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth? (2015)
• Near jobless growth in India (2016)
Capitalism, Fiscal Federalism,
Economy, Development & Inclusive • Farming has lost the ability to be a source of
Jobless Growth, Farming Crisis,
Growth subsistence (2017)
Innovation, Economic Inequality
• Impact of new economic measures on fiscal ties
between union and states (2017)
• Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow
them (2024)
Forests vs. Deserts, Climate
• Forests are the best case studies for economic
Environment & Sustainability Resilience, Alternative
excellence (2022)
Technologies
• Alternative technologies for a climate change
resilient India (2018)
• Management of Indian border disputes (2018)
• Has the Non-Alignment Movement lost its
relevance? (2017)
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
International Relations, NAM,
(2014)
Miscellaneous & Multidisciplinary Borders, Sports, Culture,
• Dreams which should not let India sleep (2014)
Tourism, Colonialism, Dreams
• Fifty Gold’s in Olympics: Can this be a reality for
India? (2014)
• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success?
(2013)
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship
is for (2022)
• You cannot step twice in the same river (2022)
• Ships do not sink because of water around them;
Extra: Unique
Metaphors, Symbolism, ships sink because of water that gets into them
Philosophical/Metaphorical
Existential Reflections (2020)
Themes
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword
(2014)
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the
world (2022)
Scopes to be practiced for the Brainstorming Purpose
Theme Detailed Scope
- Explain the core idea and value (philosophical, moral)
- Explore individual ethics and personal conduct
- Connect leadership dimension — role models, transformational vs transactional
leadership
A. Ethics, Character & - Institutional aspect — how organizations nurture or corrupt character (codes of conduct,
Leadership whistleblowing)
- Power dynamics — link power, corruption, misuse of authority
- Societal impact — how a value deficit shapes injustice and social trust
- Checks & balances — legal-regulatory systems, watchdogs
- Ways to build & nurture these values — education, family, cultural conditioning
- Real-life examples — leaders, corporate cases, whistle-blowers
- Thoughtful quote or moral conclusion
- Introduce the core concept (happiness, simplicity, mindfulness)
- Explore philosophical traditions — Eastern & Western schools
- Psychological angle — perception bias, mind-body link, emotional well-being
- Scientific & neuroscience aspects — evidence for mindfulness, well-being research
- Cultural/social aspect — contentment in traditional societies vs modern urban life
- Modern contradictions — consumerism, materialism, digital distractions
B. Human Condition,
- Practical applications — stress management, work-life balance, daily habits
Philosophy & Mind
- Global parallels — Bhutan’s GNH, global mindfulness practices
- Real examples & lessons — stories, role models
- Conclude with an inspirational note
- Define true knowledge vs mere schooling
- Link thinking & curiosity — critical vs rote learning
- Explore innovation & research — scientific temper, national progress
- Economic impact — human capital, skill gaps, employability
- Social dimension — urban-rural education divide, equity, digital literacy
- Cultural roots — value-based education, Gurukul, Tagore’s vision
C. Knowledge, Education &
- Policy perspective — NEP, global best practices like Finland
Creativity
- Challenges — brain drain, plagiarism, declining research standards
- Pathways forward — experiential learning, nurturing creativity
- Real-life spark or inspirational quote
- Brief the debate — AI, automation, tech vs manpower
- Economic perspective — future of work, gig economy, Industry 4.0
- Ethical dilemmas — privacy, surveillance, AI ethics
D. Science, Technology & - Social impact — digital divide, gender gaps in access
Society - International dimension — tech geopolitics, data sovereignty
- Psychological aspect — addiction, FOMO, echo chambers
- Regulatory & policy aspect — India’s data laws, global best practices
- Environmental angle — e-waste, clean tech solutions
- Solutions — digital literacy, balanced tech use
- Close with case study and relevant quote
- Define the justice vs charity debate
- Historical roots — patriarchy, caste, poverty traps
- Economic dimension — wage gaps, feminisation of poverty, glass ceiling
E. Social Justice, Gender & - Legal & policy framework — gender laws, POSH Act, reservation, UBI debates
Equality - Cultural norms — stereotypes, moral policing, mind-set barriers
- Intersectionality — caste, class, gender, rural-urban overlaps
- Global parallels — Nordic gender models, SDG-5
- Grassroots realities — SHGs, local women’s movements
- Persistent challenges — tokenism, deep-seated bias
- End with vision & moral takeaway
- Role & definition — media as the 4th pillar
- Evolution — print to social media to digital age
- Economic side — TRP race, paid news, sensationalism
- Political link — fake news, propaganda, echo chambers
F. Media & Public Discourse - Ethical conflicts — sting ops vs privacy, trial by media
- Social impact — polarisation, cancel culture, misinformation
- Youth & identity — social validation, mental health impact
- Legal & regulatory aspects — Press Council, IT Rules, privacy safeguards
- Real-life case studies — Cambridge Analytica, deep fakes
- Practical solutions & balanced conclusion
- Introduce the core theme — federalism, natural vs human law
- Constitutional basis — division of powers, water disputes, tribunals
- Institutional angle — NITI Aayog, Finance Commission, GST Council
G. Governance, Polity & - Economic perspective — fiscal federalism, devolution
Development - Conflicts & issues — inter-state water disputes, linguistic tensions
- Crisis dimension — moral vs economic failures, governance deficits
- Reforms needed — local governance, participatory budgeting
- Global models — US/EU federal systems for comparison
- Current affairs linkage — cooperative vs competitive federalism debates
- Visionary conclusion with practical roadmap
- Define the economic theme — capitalism, jobless growth
- Historical context — mixed economy, neoliberalism
- India’s present scenario — stats, informal economy, inequality
H. Economy, Growth & - Social justice angle — bridging poverty traps
Sustainability - Sustainability trade-offs — climate goals, green GDP
- Policy tools — fiscal policy, DBT, green tech investments
- Global lessons — Nordic model, China’s blend of market/state
- Grassroots perspective — role of MSMEs, farming crises
- Solutions — inclusive growth, skilling, social safety nets
- End with a hopeful economic vision
- Historical backdrop — NAM, colonial mind-set
- Current geopolitics — multipolar world, India
-China context- Security aspect — border disputes, maritime issues
- Soft power — culture, diaspora, yoga, Bollywood diplomacy
I. Global Affairs & Culture - Economic link — trade, tourism, sports as soft power
- Institutional link — India’s role in UN, BRICS, SCO
- Relevant case studies — border agreements, Olympics ambitions
- Policy frameworks — Look East, Neighbourhood First
- Challenges & new opportunities
- Conclusion — India’s global vision for the future
J. Metaphorical & Philosophical - Decode the metaphor — interpret hidden meaning
Misc. - Add philosophical depth — paradox, irony, hidden wisdom
- Psychological insight — inner strength, overcoming weaknesses
- Social & cultural meaning — collective resilience, adaptability
- Individual application — moral courage, self-awareness
- Institutional lesson — how organisations reflect these truths
- Historical examples — leaders, movements proving the metaphor
- Contemporary angle — modern relevance, practical reflection
- Key lesson & moral takeaway- Close with timeless quote
