Skip to content
Start free

UPSC Mains PYQs

1053 questions

Every General Studies question since 2013, ready to attempt. Model answers arrive week by week.

79 questions

Clear filters

2021

  1. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksDistinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets.
  2. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksDiscuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.
  3. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksHow and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis?
  4. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marks“Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth. ”Discuss in the light of India’s experience.
  5. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksKeeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.
  6. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksAnalyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats.
  7. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksThe Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in the 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings?
  8. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification?
  9. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksExplain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
  10. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society?
  11. 2021 · GS3 · 10 marksHow is the S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?
  12. 2021 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India?
  13. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksAttitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human being. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant?
  14. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksBesides domain knowledge, a public official needs innovativeness and creativity of a high order as well, while resolving ethical dilemmas. Discuss with suitable example.
  15. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksIn case of a crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the ethical and moral stand that you are likely to follow? Critically examine.
  16. 2021 · GS4 · 20 marksThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has quickly spread to various countries. As of May 8th, 2020, in India 56342 positive cases of corona had been reported. India with a population of more than 1.35 billion had difficulty in controlling the transmission of coronavirus among its population. Multiple strategies became necessary to handle this outbreak. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India raised awareness about this outbreak and to take all necessary actions to control the spread of COVID-19. Indian Government implemented a 55-day lockdown throughout the country to reduce the transmission of the virus. Schools and colleges had shifted to alternative modes of teaching-learning-evaluation and certification. Online mode became popular during these days. India was not prepared for a sudden onslaught of such a crisis due to limited infrastructure in terms of human resources, money and other facilities needed for taking care of this situation. This disease did not spare anybody irrespective of caste, creed, religion on one hand and ‘have and have not’ on the other. Deficiencies in hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, ambulances, hospital staff and crematorium were the most crucial aspects. You are a hospital administrator in a public hospital at the time when coronavirus had attacked a large number of people and patients were pouring into the hospital day in and day out. a) What are your criteria and justification for putting your clinical and non-clinical staff to attend to the patients knowing fully well that it is a highly infectious disease and resources and infrastructure are limited? b) If yours is a private hospital, whether your jurisdiction and decision would remain the same as that of a public hospital?
  17. 2021 · GS4 · 20 marksAn elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state. You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is to complete the project in the next two years by 30 June 2021, since the project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by the inspecting team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the piers of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that a minimum of three piers of the elevated corridor have to be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of the inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack that will not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of the inspecting team and continue working with the same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the Chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared. Also informed you that the contractor is a far relative of the minister and he wants him to finish the project. He also gave you a hint that your further promotion as an additional chief engineer is under consideration by the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pier in the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor. a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager? b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges? c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges? d) What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team?
  18. 2021 · GS4 · 20 marksYou are Vice Principal of a degree college in one of the middle-class towns. The principal has recently retired and management is looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may promote you as Principal. In the meantime, during the annual examination, the flying squad which came from the university caught two students red-handed involving in unfair means. A senior lecturer of the college was personally helping these students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the management. One of the students was the son of a local politician who was responsible for getting college affiliated to the present reputed university. The second student was the son of a local businessman who has donated maximum funds for running the college. You immediately informed the management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve the issue with the flying squad at any cost. They further said that such an incident will not only tarnish the image of the college but also the politician and the businessman are very important personalities for the functioning of the college. You were also given hint that your further promotion to Principal depends on your capability in resolving this issue with the flying squad. In the meantime, you were intimidated by your administrative officer that certain members of the student union are protesting outside the college gate against the senior lecturer and the students involved in this incident are demanding strict action against defaulters. a) Discuss the ethical issue involved in the case. b) Critically examine the options available with you as Vice Principal. What option will you adopt and why?
  19. 2021 · GS4 · 20 marksA reputed food product company based in India developed a food product for the international market and started exporting the same after getting necessary approvals. The company announced this achievement and also indicated that soon the product will be made available for domestic consumers with almost the same quality and health benefits. Accordingly, the company got its product approved by the domestic competent authority and launched the product in the Indian market. The company could increase its market share over a period of time and earned substantial profit both domestically and internationally. However, the random sample test conducted by the inspecting team found the product being sold domestically in variance with the approval obtained from the competent authority. On further investigation, it was also discovered that the food company was not only selling products that were not meeting the health standard of the country but also selling the rejected export products in the domestic market. This episode adversely affected the reputation and profitability of the food company. a) What action do you visualize should be taken by the competent authority against the food company for violating the laid down domestic food standard and selling rejected export products in the domestic market? b) What course of action is available with the food company to resolve the crisis and bring back its lost reputation? c) Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case.
  20. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksIdentify five ethical traits on which one can plot the performance of a civil servant. Justify their inclusion in the matrix.
  21. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksIdentify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the /ways and means to prevent non-ethical behavior in the pubic servants.
  22. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksImpact of digital technology as reliable source of input for rational decision making is debatable issue. Critically evaluate with suitable example.
  23. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marksAn independent and empowered social audit mechanism is an absolute must in every sphere of public service, including the judiciary, to ensure performance, accountability and ethical conduct. Elaborate.
  24. 2021 · GS4 · 10 marks“Integrity is a value that empowers the human being”. Justify with suitable illustration.
Start free

Browse another way

The syllabus, topic by topic

Every question is filed under the topic it tests. Open a topic to see what UPSC has asked there.

Open the syllabus