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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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2016

  1. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksRehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts that always attract controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects.
  2. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksDiscuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.
  3. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWhat are ‘Smart Cities’? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ’Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.
  4. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.
  5. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marks“Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.” Analyse the above statement.
  6. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe use of the internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major security concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.
  7. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWhat is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency.
  8. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWomen empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context?

2015

  1. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksDiscuss the advantage and security implication of cloud hosting of servers vis-a-vis in house machine based hosting for government business.
  2. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWhat are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel the research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation.
  3. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThere is a clear acknowledgement that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are a tool for industrial development, manufacturing and exports. Recognising this potential, the whole instrumentality of SEZs requires augmentation. Discuss the issue plaguing the success of SEZs with respect to taxation, governing laws and administration.
  4. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksConsidering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a “Digital Armed Forces” to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation.
  5. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe Craze for gold in India has led to a surge in the import of gold in recent years and put pressure on the balance of payments and the external value of the rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of the Gold Monetization scheme.
  6. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksHow can the Digital India program help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What step has the government taken in this regard?
  7. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksTo what factors can the recent dramatic fall in equipment cost and tariff of solar energy be attributed? What implications does the trend have for thermal power producers and related industries?
  8. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects.
  9. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksHuman right activists constantly highlight the fact that the Armed forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human right abuses by security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists. Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by Apex Court.
  10. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWhat are the impediments in marketing and supply chain management in developing the food processing industry in India? Can e-commerce help in overcoming this bottleneck?
  11. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksIndia’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted information on more than 2 million medicinal formulations is proving a powerful weapon in the country's fight against erroneous patents. Discuss the pros and cons of making the database publicly available under open source licensing.
  12. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksLivestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.
  13. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksDiscuss the Namami Gange and National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed results from the previous schemes. What quantum leaps can help preserve the river Ganga better than incremental inputs?
  14. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe nature of economic growth in India in recent times is often described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.
  15. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksThe persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements. With Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) doctrine that affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth.
  16. 2015 · GS3 · 12.5 marksReligious indoctrination via social media has resulted in Indian youth joining ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous to the internal security of our country?
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