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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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2018

  1. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marksE-governance is not only about utilisation of the power of new technology, but also much about the critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain.
  2. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksHow far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?
  3. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksHow far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India.
  4. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksHow is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.
  5. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marks“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.
  6. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksIndia and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
  7. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksWhat are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?
  8. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marksIn the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections?
  9. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksMultiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections of the society leads to problems of overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case.
  10. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marksA number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.
  11. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marks“Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate protection and prevention of degradation to the environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations.
  12. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marksWhy do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee
  13. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marksUnder what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force?
  14. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksIn what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to its situation?
  15. 2018 · GS2 · 10 marksWhether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine.
  16. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksWhether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.
  17. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marks“Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.
  18. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksAssess the role of the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?
  19. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksHow does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, of 2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna?
  20. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksThe China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.
  21. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksData security has assumed significant importance in the digitised world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weaknesses of the Report relating to the protection of personal data in cyberspace?
  22. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksDescribe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from the ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’?
  23. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksHow has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millet production and consumption.
  24. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksWith growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.
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