2021 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Defence Technology
How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?
Read question →READ THE QUESTION. RECOGNISE THE DEMAND.
UPSC Mains PYQs.
Thirteen years, organised by theme.
Search 1,043 questions across GS 1–4, including ethics case studies. Read them here, connect recurring demands and build an answer plan.
1043 questions · Page 16 of 44
2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
Economic Growth
Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced a V-shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Earthquake
Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
PDS
What 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?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
Nobel Prizes
The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to a Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Money-laundering and Prevention
Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Land Reforms
How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
Crop Diversification
What is the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
Bio-Technology
What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poor sections of the society?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 10 marks
UNFCCC
Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at world leaders Summit of the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glassgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
UNFCCC
Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Micro-Irrigation
How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis?
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
Organized Crime and Terrorism
Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 15 marks
Inclusive Growth X Infrastructure
Investment in infrastructure is essential for a more rapid and inclusive economic growth. Discuss in the light of India’s experience.
Read question →2021 · GS 3 · 10 marks
Fiscal Policy
Distinguish between capital budget and revenue budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets.
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Swami Vivekananda
“Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later” – Swami Vivekananda
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
A 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 earne…
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
You 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 stud…
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Applied Ethics x Technology
Impact of digital technology as a reliable source of input for rational decision making is a debatable issue. Critically evaluate with a suitable example.
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Foundational values
Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the ways and means to prevent non-ethical behaviour in public servants.
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Attitude for Civil Servants
Attitude is an important component that goes as input in the development of human beings. How to build a suitable attitude needed for a public servant?
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Erik Erikson
“Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that it is better for us all” – Erik Erikson
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 10 marks
EI X Crisis of Conscience
In 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.
Read question →2021 · GS 4 · 20 marks
Ethical dilemmas and stakeholder reasoning
Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentlessness in pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal-dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from river belts and transporting it through trucks and selling them in the black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries a…
Read question →The expanded collection is transcribed from the supplied theme-wise compilation. Original marks and wording are retained where available; consult the official paper if an extraction looks unclear.