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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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2017

  1. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crop in the system?
  2. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksNot many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.
  3. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksMob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.
  4. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksThe north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyse the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region
  5. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksOne of the intended objectives of the Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energise and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective.
  6. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksDiscuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.
  7. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the reasons for the poor acceptance of cost effective small processing units? How will the food processing unit be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?
  8. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyse and suggest measures for inclusive growth.
  9. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksThe scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?
  10. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksStem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?
  11. 2017 · GS3 · 15 marksHow do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?
  12. 2017 · GS3 · 10 marksExplain various types of revolutions, that took place in agriculture after the Independence of India. How have these revolutions helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?
  13. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksHow will you apply emotional intelligence in administrative practices?
  14. 2017 · GS4 · 20 marksA building permitted for three floors, while being extended illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a consequence, a number of innocent labourers including women and children died. These labourers are migrants of different places. The government immediately announced cash relief to the aggrieved families and arrested the builder. Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their occurrence.
  15. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksConflict of interest in the public sector arises when (a) Official duties, (b) Public interest, and (c) Personal interests are taking priority one above the other. How can this conflict in administration be resolved? Describe with an example
  16. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksCorporate social responsibility makes companies more profitable and sustainable. Analyse.
  17. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksThe crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss.
  18. 2017 · GS4 · 20 marksYou are the manager of a spare parts company A and you have to negotiate a deal with the manager of a large manufacturing company B. The deal is highly competitive and sealing the deal is critical for your company. The deal is being worked out over a dinner. After dinner the manager of manufacturing company B offered to drop you to the hotel in his car. On the way to hotel he happens to hit motorcycle injuring the motorcyclist badly. You know the manager was driving fast and thus lost control. The law enforcement officer comes to investigate the issue and you are the sole eyewitness to it. Knowing the strict laws pertaining to road accidents you are aware that your honest account of the incident would lead to the prosecution of the manager and as a consequence the deal is likely to be jeopardised, which is of immense importance to your company. What are the dilemmas you face? What will be your response to the situation?
  19. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksDiscipline generally implies following the order and subordination. However, it may be counter-productive for the organization. Discuss.
  20. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marks“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles with direct them.”-Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.
  21. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marks“If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher.” – A.P.J Abdul Kalam. Analyse.
  22. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksIncreased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some “enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority.” Justify.
  23. 2017 · GS4 · 20 marksYou are aspiring to become an IAS officer and you have cleared various stages and now you have been selected for the personal interview. On the day of the interview, on the way to the venue you saw an accident where a mother and child who happen to be your relatives were badly injured. They needed immediate help. What would you have done in such a situation? Justify your action
  24. 2017 · GS4 · 10 marksOne of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example.
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