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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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2013

  1. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksIn respect of India — Sri Lanka relations, discuss how domestic factors influence foreign policy.
  2. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksThe role of individual MPs (Members of Parliament) has diminished over the years and as a result, healthy constructive debates on policy issues are not usually witnessed. How far can this be attributed to the anti-defection law, which was legislated but with a different intention?
  3. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksDiscuss Section 66A of the IT Act, with reference to its alleged violation of Article 19 of the Constitution.
  4. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksThe Supreme Court of India keeps a check on the arbitrary power of the Parliament in amending the Constitution. Discuss critically.
  5. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksThough Citizen’s charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations, there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided. Analyse.
  6. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksWhat do you understand by ‘The String of Pearls’? How does it impact India? Briefly outline the steps taken by India to counter this.
  7. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksThe World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions, and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate.
  8. 2013 · GS3 · 5 marksHow does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology.
  9. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksAdaptation of the PPP model for the infrastructure development of the country has not been free from criticism. Critically discuss the pros and cons of the model.
  10. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksArticle 244 of the Indian Constitution relates to the Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. Analyze the impact of non-implementation of the provisions of the fifth schedule on the growth of Left Wing Extremism.
  11. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksThe circumstances in 2005 forced an amendment to section 3(d) in the Indian Patent Law, 1970. Discuss how it has been utilized by the Supreme Court in its judgment rejecting Novarti's patent application for “Glivec”. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision.
  12. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ concept of “GO AND NO GO” zones for coal mining.
  13. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksWith a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the New Companies Bill, 2013 has indirectly made CSR a mandatory obligation. Discuss the challenges expected in its implementation in right earnest. Also, discuss other provisions in the bill and their implications.
  14. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksCyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyberwarfare? Outline the cyber threats that India is vulnerable to and highlight the state of the country’s preparedness to deal with them.
  15. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state levels? Critically analyze the agriculture subsidy regime with reference to the distortions created by it.
  16. 2013 · GS3 · 5 marksWhat is a digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Giver various salient built-in features of a digital signature.
  17. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksEnumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies that may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for managing and handling hazardous wastes in India?
  18. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksEstablish the relationship between land reform, agriculture productivity and elimination of poverty in the Indian Economy. Discuss the difficulty in designing and implementing agriculture-friendly land reforms in India.
  19. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksHow far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly given the long porous borders with most countries of South Asia and Myanmar?
  20. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksThe Food Security Bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in the WTO.
  21. 2013 · GS3 · 5 marksWhat is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their applications in the aviation and automobile industry
  22. 2013 · GS3 · 5 marksDiscuss the impact of FDI entry into the multi-trade retail sector on supply chain management in the commodity trade pattern of the economy.
  23. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksExamine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indians. Are they competing with the MNCs satisfactorily?
  24. 2013 · GS3 · 10 marksHow important are vulnerability and risk assessments for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in disaster management?
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