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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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2025

  1. 2025 · GS3 · 10 marksHow can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour?
  2. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksIndia aims to become a semiconductor manufacturing hub. What are the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry in India? Mention the salient features of the India Semiconductor Mission.
  3. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksWhat are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade.
  4. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksWhy is maritime security vital to protect India’s sea trade? Discuss maritime and coastal security challenges and the way forward.
  5. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksMineral resources are fundamental to the country’s economy and these are exploited by mining. Why is mining considered an environmental hazard? Explain the remedial measures required to reduce the environmental hazard due to mining.
  6. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksHow does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers?
  7. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksDiscuss the rationale of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. What are its achievements? In what way can the functioning and outcomes of the scheme be improved?
  8. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksExamine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities.
  9. 2025 · GS3 · 10 marksElaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India.
  10. 2025 · GS3 · 10 marksSeawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers is a major concern in India. What are the causes of seawater intrusion and the remedial measures to combat this hazard?
  11. 2025 · GS3 · 10 marksTerrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain.
  12. 2025 · GS3 · 15 marksWrite a review on India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement (2015) and mention how these have been further strengthened in COP26 (2021). In this direction, how has the first Nationally Determined Contribution intended by India been updated in 2022?
  13. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksTo achieve holistic development goal, a civil servant acts as an enabler and active facilitator of growth rather than a regulator. What specific measures will you suggest to achieve this goal?
  14. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marks“For any kind of social re-engineering by successfully implementing welfare schemes, a civil servant must use reason and critical thinking in an ethical framework.” Justify this statement with suitable examples.
  15. 2025 · GS4 · 20 marksAshok is Divisional Commissioner of one of the border districts of the North East State. A few years back, Military has taken over the neighbouring country after overthrowing the elected civil government. Civil law situation is prevailing in the country especially in last two years. However, internal situation further deteriorated due to rebel groups taking over control of certain populated areas near town border. Due to intense fight between military and rebel groups, civilian casualties have increased manifold in recent past. In the meantime, one night Ashok got 200-250 people, mainly women and children by firing to cross over to our side of the border. There are also about 10 soldiers with their weapons in military uniform part of this group who wants to cross over. Women and Children are also crying and begging for help. A few of them are injured and bleeding profusely need immediate medical care. Ashok tried to contact Home Secretary of the State but failed to do so due to poor connectivity mainly due to inclement weather. (a) What are the options available with Ashok to cope with the situation? (b) What are the ethical and legal dilemmas being faced by Ashok? (c) Which of the options, do you think would be more appropriate for Ashok to adopt and why? (d) In the present situation, what are the extra precautionary measures to be taken by the Border Guarding Police in dealing with soldiers in uniform?
  16. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksCarl von Clausewitz once said, “War is a diplomacy by other means.” Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.
  17. 2025 · GS4 · 20 marksVijay is the Deputy Commissioner of a remote district of Himachal Pradesh. For the last two years, he has been in this region. In the month of August, heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by cloudbursts in the upper reaches of the said district. The damage was very heavy in the complete state, especially in the affected district. The complete road network and telecommunication were disrupted and the buildings were damaged extensively. People's houses have been destroyed and they were forced to stay in open. More than 200 people have been killed and about 5000 were badly injured. The Civil Administration under Vijay got activated and started conducting rescue and relief operations. Temporary shelter camps and hospitals were established to provide shelter and medical facilities to the homeless and injured people. Helicopter services were pressed in for evacuating sick and old people from remote areas. Vijay got a message from his hometown in Kerala that his mother was seriously sick. After two days, Vijay received the unfortunate message that his mother has expired. Vijay has no close relative except one elder sister who is a US citizen and has been staying there for the last several years. In the meantime, the situation in the affected district deteriorated further due to resumption of heavy rains after a gap of five days. At the same time, continuous messages were coming on his mobile from his hometown to reach at the earliest for performing the last rites of his mother. (a) What are the options available with Vijay? (b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by Vijay? (c) Critically evaluate and examine each of these options identified by Vijay. (d) Which of the options, do you think, would be most appropriate for Vijay to adopt and why?
  18. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marks“Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherence of the rule of law.” Examine the significance of constitutional morality for public servant highlighting the role in promoting good governance and ensuring accountability in public administration.
  19. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksGiven below is the quotation of a great thinker. What does this quotations convey to you in the present context? “The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.” – William James
  20. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksGiven below is the quotation of a great thinker. What does this quotations convey to you in the present context? “The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people.” – Swami Vivekananda
  21. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksGiven below is the quotation of a great thinker. What does this quotations convey to you in the present context? “Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself.” – Thiruvalluvar
  22. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksIndia is an emerging economic power of the world as it has recently secured the status of fourth largest economy of the world as per IMF projection. However, it has been observed that in some sectors, allocated funds remain either under-utilised or misutilised. What specific measures would you recommend for ensuring accountability in this regard to stop leakages and gaining the status of third largest economy of the world in near future?
  23. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksKeeping the national security in mind, examine the ethical dilemmas related to controversies over environmental clearance of development projects in ecologically sensitive border areas in the country.
  24. 2025 · GS4 · 10 marksWhat are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.
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