GS 1 · 10 marks
Travellers
Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.
Read the full question →OFFICIAL QUESTION PAPERS · UPSC CIVIL SERVICES MAINS
UPSC Mains 2018:
read the demand, then plan.
Read 78 questions from this year below, organised by paper and theme. Official paper downloads are also included where available.
Make a past paper work harder for you.
- Underline the directive and separate every clause. Identify what the question states and what a complete answer must infer.
- Plan one argument for each substantive demand. Connect cause, consequence and a relevant limitation.
- Choose evidence that supports the argument; a long list of facts cannot replace it.
- Compare your plan with another year’s question on the same theme. Notice how the demand changes.
Paper downloads preserve the official wording. The main practice button generates a fresh question; selected exact-question practice is available in the verified collection.
Assamese Literature
Bengali Literature
English Literature
Gujarati Literature
Hindi Literature
Kannada Literature
Maithili Literature
Malayalam Literature
Manipuri Literature
Marathi Literature
Oriya Literature
Punjabi Literature
Sanskrit Literature
Sindhi (Devanagari) Literature
Tamil Literature
Telugu Literature
Urdu Literature
GS 1
GS 2
GS 3
GS 4
English
Assamese
Bengali
Bodo
Dogri
Gujarati
Hindi
Kannada
Malayalam
Marathi
Nepali
Oriya
Punjabi
Sindhi (Devnagari)
Sanskrit
Tamil
Telugu
Urdu
Agriculture
Animal Husbandary & Veterinary Science
Anthropology
Botany
Chemistry
Civil Engineering
Commerce and Accountancy
Economics
Electrical Engineering
Geography
Geology
History
Law
Management
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Science
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science and IR
Psychology
Public Administration
Sociology
Statistics
Zoology
Essay
Read the questions online
GS 1 · 10 marks
Secularism
How the Indian concept of secularism is different from the western model of secularism? Discuss.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Bhakti and Sufi movement
The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Geomorphology
Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Secondary sector
What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identify industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Miscellaneous
Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there?
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Water Management
The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system. How can it be made effective in urban areas?
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
States Reorganistion
Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Communalism
Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation. Argue by giving suitable illustrations.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Women and Associated concerns
Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata. Substantiate your view.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Gandhi X Indian Leaders of Freedom Struggle
Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Primary sector
Define blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Tertiary sector
Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation?
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Conservation of Indian Art & Heritage
Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Oceanography
What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem?
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Globalisation
Globalization is generally said to promote cultural homogenization but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian Society. Elucidate.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Natural resources Potential
Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region?
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Poverty and Related issues
Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing.’ Explain by giving reasons.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 10 marks
Caste system
Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India. Comment.
Read the full question →GS 1 · 15 marks
Urban Planning
Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Constitutional Bodies
How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Structural reforms and Actions
Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation’ to environment. “ Comment with relevant illustration.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Hunger
How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Geo-politics affecting India’s Interest
In what ways would the ongoing US-Iran Nuclear Pact Controversy affect the national interest of India? How should India respond to this situation?
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Emergency
Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force?
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Quasi judicial Bodies
How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above, discuss the constitutional validity and competency of the tribunals in India.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Electoral reforms
In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India?
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Executive Vs Legislature
Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Local Self Government
Assess the importance of Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
WTO
What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Health
Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All ‘ in India. Explain.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Bilateral Relations
India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Statutory Bodies
Multiplicity of various commissions for the vulnerable sections or the society leads to problems or overlapping jurisdiction and duplication of functions. Is it better to merge all commissions into an umbrella Human Rights Commission? Argue your case.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Constitutional Comparison
India and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenants on which the two political systems are based.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Geo-politics affecting India’s Interest
A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Parliamentary Committees
Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role or the Estimates Committee.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 15 marks
Citizens Charter
Citizens’ Charter is an ideal instrument of organizational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness or the Citizens Charter.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Constitutional Bodies
Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
Constitutional Bodies
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play. Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise.
Read the full question →GS 2 · 10 marks
E-governance
E-Governance is not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information Explain.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Renewable Energy
Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is the sine qua non to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Comment on the progress made in India in this regard.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Niti Aayog X Planning Commission
How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile Planning Commission in India?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Solid wastes
What are the impediments in disposing the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Bio-Technology
Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Protectionism and Currency Manipulations
How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Achievements of Indians in S&T
Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
MSP
What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low income trap?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Cyber security
Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weakness of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Biodiversity
How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Renewable Energy
With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Organic Farming
Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economical benefits of Organic State?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Left-Wing Extremism
Left 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.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Current Budget
Comment 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 20182019.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Threat from External state and Non-state actors
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Drug trafficking
India’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 counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Wetlands
What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Cropping pattern
How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption.
Read the full question →GS 3 · 10 marks
Agri-Marketing
Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Horticulture
Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?
Read the full question →GS 3 · 15 marks
Disaster Preparedness and Resilience
Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015-2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005?
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Abraham Lincoln
The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseprarable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the preponderance between them is continually demand. - Abraham Lincoln.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Public/Civil Service Values
What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest?
Read the full question →GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
Dr 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 …
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Tirukkural
Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good. -Tirukkural
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Normative Ethics (Deontology vs Teleology)
With regard to morality of actions, one view is that means are of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct
Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Integrity X Intelligence X Energy
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 you. - Warren Buffett. What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario? Explain.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Public/Civil Service Values
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.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Ethical dilemmas in Public Administration
Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road constructions projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acqui…
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Conflict of interest
What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
It 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, pol…
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Mahatma Gandhi
Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. -Mahatma Gandhi
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Applied Ethics x Environment
Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bound by forests and inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen contingencies?
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Transparency X RTI
The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens’ empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability. Discuss.
Read the full question →GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
Rakesh is a responsible district level officer, who enjoys the trust of his higher officials. Knowing his honesty, the government entrusted him with the responsibility of identifying the beneficiaries under a health care scheme meant for senior citizens. The criteria to be a beneficiary are the following: 1. 60 years of age or above. 2. Belonging to a reserved community. 3. Family income of less t…
Read the full question →GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
Edward 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 ar…
Read the full question →GS 4 · 10 marks
Foundational values
State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance.
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