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UPSC Mains PYQs

1053 questions

Every General Studies question since 2013, ready to attempt. Model answers arrive week by week.

GS3

268 questions

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2017

  1. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crop in the system?
  2. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksNot many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
  3. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksMob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.
  4. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksThe north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyse the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region
  5. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksOne of the intended objectives of the Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energise and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective.
  6. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksDiscuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.
  7. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the reasons for the poor acceptance of cost effective small processing units? How will the food processing unit be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?
  8. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyse and suggest measures for inclusive growth.
  9. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksThe scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?
  10. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksStem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?
  11. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksHow do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?
  12. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksExplain various types of revolutions, that took place in agriculture after the Independence of India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?

2016

  1. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksGive an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of the National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).
  2. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWhat is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.
  3. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksBorder management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.
  4. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksComment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken to face these challenges.
  5. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe frequency of urban floods due to high-intensity rainfall has increased over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
  6. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksGiven the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
  7. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksHow globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?
  8. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksDiscuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?
  9. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksJustify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is a gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken to increase actual FDIs in India.
  10. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWhy is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of the Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country.
  11. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksPradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing the unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for the financial inclusion of the poor section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.
  12. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWith reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
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