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UPSC Mains PYQs

1053 questions

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

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2016

  1. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksDiscuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
  2. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks“Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are interdependent”. Discuss their relationship in the context of India.
  3. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksDiscuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of Indian federal politics?
  4. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksEvaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario.
  5. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksExercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether an audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.
  6. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksTo what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity.
  7. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksWhat was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the Constitution?
  8. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks“Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation).” Explain with suitable examples
  9. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks“In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement.
  10. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksHas the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?
  11. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksThe Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes. Discuss.
  12. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksIn the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India.
  13. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksExamine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.
  14. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksProfessor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?
  15. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksWhat is the quasi-judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
  16. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marks“Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment.
  17. 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).
  18. 2016 · GS3 · 12.5 marksWhat is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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).
  23. 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?
  24. 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?
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