2018 · 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 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 26 of 44
2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 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 r…
Read question →2018 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Tirukkural
Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good. -Tirukkural
Read question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Codes of Ethics and Codes of Conduct
Distinguish between “Code of ethics” and “Code of conduct” with suitable examples.
Read question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Ethical dilemmas in Public Administration
Explain the process of resolving ethical dilemmas in Public Administration.
Read question →2018 · 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 acquisition from private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was also taken to minimize defores…
Read question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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, 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 th…
Read question →2018 · GS 4 · 10 marks
Mahatma Gandhi
Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding. -Mahatma Gandhi
Read question →2018 · 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 question →2018 · 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 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.