2016 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Water Management
The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain
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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 31 of 44
2016 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Globalisation
To what extent globalization has influenced the core of cultural diversity in India? Explain.
Read question →2016 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Kings & Contributions
Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.
Read question →2016 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Important contributors/contribution
Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
Read question →2016 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Anti-colonial struggles
The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine.
Read question →2016 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Urban Water Management
Major cities of India are becoming more vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Groupings involving Immediate and Extended neighbours
Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Union Territory
Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of Indian federal politics?
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Miscellenous
Professor Amartya Sen has advocated important reforms in the realms of primary education and primary health care. What are your suggestions to improve their status and performance?
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
WTO
The broader aims and objectives of WTO are to manage and promote international trade in the era of globalization. But the Doha round of negotiations seem doomed due to differences between the developed and the developing countries. Discuss in the Indian perspective.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Civil Society
In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal. Critically examine this statement.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Constitutional Bodies
Exercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether audit of the Government’s Policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Political Parties
The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Making of the Constitution
Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the preamble. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Transaparency and Accountability
Effectiveness of the goverment system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent. Discuss their relationship with each other in context of India.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Case Laws
What was held in the Coelho case? In this context, can you say that judicial review is of key importance amongst the basic features of the Constitution?
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Human Resources
Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative. What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Making of the Constitution
Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Civil Services
Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India. Comment.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Groupings involving Immediate and Extended neighbours
Increasing cross-border terrorist attacks in India and growing interference in the internal affairs of several member-states by Pakistan are not conducive for the future of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). Explain with suitable examples.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
United Nations and its Agencies
What are the aims and objectives of the McBride Commission of the UNESCO? What is India’s position on these?
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Quasi judicial Bodies
What is a quasi-judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Transaparency and Accountability
In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, economic, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India.
Read question →2016 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Structural reforms and Actions
Has the Indian governmental system responded adequately to the demands of Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization started in 1991? What can the government do to be responsive to this important change?
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.