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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 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes that are continuously being generated? How do we safely remove the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?
  2. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksComment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019.
  3. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksIndia’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What countermeasures should be taken to prevent the same?
  4. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksLeft-wing extremism (LWE) is showing a downward trend but still affects many parts of the country. Briefly explain the Government of India’s approach to counter the challenges posed by LWE.
  5. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap?
  6. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksWhy is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?
  7. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksHow are the principles followed by NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India?
  8. 2018 · GS3 · 15 marksHow would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect the macroeconomic stability of India?
  9. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksExamine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate the number of intermediaries?
  10. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksSikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of an Organic State?
  11. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksWhat is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.
  12. 2018 · GS3 · 10 marksDiscuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionised the field of Physics.
  13. 2018 · GS4 · 20 marksDr X is a leading medical practitioner in a city. He has set up a charitable trust through which he plans to establish a super-speciality hospital in the city to cater to the medical needs of all sections of the society. Incidentally, that part of the State had been neglected over the years. The proposed hospital would be a boon for the region. You are heading the tax investigation agency of that region. During an inspection of the doctor’s clinic, your officers have found out some major irregularities. A few of them are substantial which had resulted in considerable withholding of tax that should be paid by him now. The doctor is cooperative. He undertakes to pay the tax immediately. However, there are certain other deficiencies in his tax compliance which are purely technical in nature. If these technical defaults are pursued by the agency, considerable time and energy of the doctor will be diverted to issues which are not so serious, urgent or even helpful to the tax collection process. Further, in all probability, it will hamper the prospects of the hospital coming up. There are two options before you: 1) Taking a broader view, ensure substantial tax compliance and ignore defaults that are merely technical in nature. 2) Pursue the matter strictly and proceed on all fronts, whether substantial or merely technical. As the head of the tax agency, which course of action will you opt and why? (250 words)
  14. 2018 · GS4 · 20 marksA big corporate house is engaged in manufacturing industrial chemicals on a large scale. It proposes to set upon the additional unit. Many states rejected its proposal due to the detrimental effect on the environment. But one state government acceded to the request and permitted the unit close to a city, brushing aside all opposition. The unit was set up 10 years ago and was in full swing till recently. The pollution caused by the industrial effluents was affecting the land, water and crops in the area. It was also causing serious health problems to human beings and animals. This gave rise to a series of agitation thousands of people took part, creating a law and order problem necessitating stern police action. Following the public outcry, the State government ordered the closure of the factory. The closure of the factory resulted in the unemployment of not only those workers who were engaged in the factory but also those who were working in the ancillary units. It also very badly affected those industry which depended on the chemicals manufactured by it. As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of handling this issues, how are you going to address it? (250 words)
  15. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksDistinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.
  16. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marks“In doing a good thing, everything is permitted which is not prohibited expressly or by clear implication”. Examine the statement with suitable examples in the context of a public servant discharging his/her duties.
  17. 2018 · GS4 · 20 marksEdward Snowden, a computer expert and former CIA administrator, released confidential Government documents to the press about the existence of Government surveillance programmes. According to many legal experts and the US Government, his action violated the Espionage act of 1971, which identified the leak of State secret as an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he broke the law, Snowden argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave a justification for his “whistle blowing” by stating that he had a duty “to inform the public as to that which is done in there name and that which is done against them.” According to Snowden, the Government’s violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised national security, for which he should be held accountable. Do you agree that Snowden’s actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case (250 words)
  18. 2018 · GS4 · 20 marksIt is a State where prohibition is in force. You are recently appointed as the Superintendent of Police of a district notorious for illicit distillation of liquor. The illicit liquor leads to many death, reported and unreported, and causes a major problem for the district authorities. The approach till now had been to view it as a law and order problem and tackle it accordingly. Raids, arrest, police cases, and criminal trials – all these had only limited impact. The problem remains as serious as ever. Your inspections show that the parts of the district where the distillation flourishes are economically, industrially and educationally backward. Agriculture is badly affected by poor irrigation facilities. Frequent clashes among communities gave boost to illicit distillation. No major initiatives had taken place in the past either from the government’s side or from social organizations to improve the lot of the people. Which new approach will you adopt to bring the problem under control? (250 words)
  19. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marks“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffett What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain.
  20. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat is mean by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest.
  21. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat is mean by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest?
  22. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksExplain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration.
  23. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you in the present context “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” — Tirukkural
  24. 2018 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat does this quotation mean to you in the present context “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” — Mahatma Gandhi
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