2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
World wars
To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically
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 34 of 44
2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Energy
What are the economic significances of discovery of oil in Arctic Sea and its possible environmental consequences?
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Population and associated issues
Critically examine whether growing population is the cause of poverty OR poverty is the main cause of population increase in India.
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Globalisation
Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India.
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Miscellaneous
Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Tribes & Related Issues
How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes?
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Civilizations & Highlights
The ancient civilization in Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Diversity and pluralism
Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity.
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Industrial Revolution
Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there during the industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present?
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Population and associated issues
Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades.
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Water Management
India is well endowed with fresh water resources. Critically examine why it still suffers from water scarcity.
Read question →2015 · GS 1 · 12.5 marks
Monsoon
How far do you agree that the behavior of the Indian monsoon has been changing due to humanizing landscapes? Discuss.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
SHGs
The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India’s own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Civil Society
Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Bilateral Relations
Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically examine.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Local Self Government
In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, `Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Education
The quality of higher education in India requires major improvements to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of higher and technical education in the country? Discuss.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Federalism
The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Health
Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest?
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Informal associations and their role in polity
Khap Panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and the judiciary to set the things right in this regard.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Fundamental Rights
Does the right to clean environment entail legal regulations on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and Judgement(s) of the Apex Court in this regard.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Neighbourhood
Project `Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationship with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Neighbourhood
Terrorist activities and mutual distrust have clouded India-Pakistan relations. To what extent the use of soft power like sports and cultural exchanges could help generate goodwill between the two countries? Discuss with suitable examples.
Read question →2015 · GS 2 · 12.5 marks
Transaparency and Accountability
If amendment bill to the Whistleblowers Act, 2011 tabled in the Parliament is passed, there may be no one left to protect. Critically evaluate.
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.