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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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2021

  1. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksExplain the constitutional provisions under which Legislative Councils are established. Review the working and current status of Legislative Councils with suitable illustrations
  2. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksDo Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples.
  3. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marksDiscuss the desirability of greater representation to women in the higher judiciary to ensure diversity, equity and inclusiveness.
  4. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksHas digital illiteracy, particularly in rural areas, couple with lack of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification.
  5. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksAnalyze the distinguishing features of the notion of Equality in the Constitutions of the USA and India.
  6. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marks“Earn while you learn’ scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful.” Comment.
  7. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marksTo what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India?
  8. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marks“If the last few decades were Asia's growth story, the next few are expected to be Africa's.” In the light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years.
  9. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksThe jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting probe within a particular state is being questioned by various States. However, the power of States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India.
  10. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksThe newly tri-nation partnership AUKUS is aimed at countering China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region. Is it going to supersede the existing partnerships in the region? Discuss the strength and impact of AUKUS in the present scenario.
  11. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marks“Pressure groups play a vital role in influencing public policy making in India.” Explain how the business associations contribute to public policies.
  12. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marksHow have the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission of India enabled the states to improve their fiscal position?
  13. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksThough the Human Rights Commissions have contributed immensely to the protection of human rights in India, yet they have failed to assert themselves against the mighty and powerful. Analyzing their structural and practical limitations, suggest remedial measures
  14. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks“Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu?
  15. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marks“The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet Union.” Explain.
  16. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marksCan the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples.
  17. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksDiscuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.
  18. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksDo you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V-shapes recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer.
  19. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksAnalyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
  20. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksDescribe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards?
  21. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksDescribe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?
  22. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksDescribe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy.
  23. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksHow did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers?
  24. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksExplain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015.
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