UPSC Mains PYQs
1053 questions
Every General Studies question since 2013, ready to attempt. Model answers arrive week by week.
85 questions
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- 2022 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.’-Potter Stewart.
- 2022 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” Dalai Lama.
- 2022 · GS4 · 10 marksThe Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations.
- 2022 · GS4 · 10 marksThe Russia and Ukraine war has been going on for the last seven months. Different countries have taken independent stands and actions keeping in view their own national interests. We are all aware that war has its own impact on the different aspects of society, including human tragedy. What are those ethical issues that are crucial to be considered while launching the war and its continuation so far? Illustrate with justification the ethical issues involved in the given state of affair.
- 2022 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat do you understand by term ‘good governance’? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples.
2021
- 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksIdentify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix.
- 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksIdentify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the /ways and means to prevent non-ethical behavior in the pubic servants.
- 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksImpact of digital technology as reliable source of input for rational decision making is debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example.
- 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves.” – Dalai Lama
- 2021 · GS4 · 10 marks“Refugees should not be turned back to the country where they would face prosecution or human rights violation.” Examine the statement with reference to the ethical dimension being violated by the nation claiming to be democratic with an open society.
2020
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marks“The current internet expansion has instilled a different set of cultural values which are often in conflict with traditional values.” Discuss.
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marksDistinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marks“Education is not an injunction, it is an effective and pervasive tool for all-round development of an individual and social transformation”. Examine the New Education Policy, 2020 (NEP, 2020) in light of the above statement.
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard.
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marks“The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty.” Examine this statement in the context of international relations.
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you “Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marksDiscuss the role of ethics and values in enhancing the following three major components of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) viz. human capital, soft power (culture and policies) and social harmony.
- 2020 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss.
2019
- 2019 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples.
- 2019 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat is meant by constitutional morality? How does one uphold constitutional morality? (150 words).
- 2019 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” – M.K.Gandhi
- 2019 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- 2019 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat do you understand by the term ‘public servant’? Reflect on the expected role of a public servant. (150 words).
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