GS 3 Trend Analysis and Themes
UPSC Mains General Studies 3 Trend Analysis
In recent years, the UPSC Mains General Studies Paper 3 has seen a clear shift in its approach. The paper now moves beyond simple factual recall, emphasizing a more analytical and integrated understanding of key subjects such as the economy, agriculture, environment, science & technology, and internal security, along with the interconnections among them.
Candidates are expected to critically evaluate issues, interpret data, and construct well-reasoned arguments supported by relevant evidence and examples. The focus is on assessing not just knowledge, but the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world contexts.
The paper encourages a multidisciplinary outlook, urging aspirants to draw insights from across subjects and relate them to current developments. Originality in thought, a holistic perspective, and an awareness of contemporary issues are essential.
To excel in GS Paper 3, candidates must develop strong analytical skills, adaptability, and a broad, practical understanding of the subjects, enabling them to deliver insightful, well-structured responses.
UPSC Mains General Studies 3 Themes
| Themes | Total No. of Years Questions Appeared (2013 - 2023) | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
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Growth, Development & Employment |
9 |
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Inclusive Growth |
7 |
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Government Budgeting |
8 |
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PPP Model |
4 |
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Infrastructure |
4 |
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Cropping & Irrigation |
9 |
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Transport & Marketing |
6 |
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Farm Subsidies & MSP |
5 |
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Disaster Preparedness: NDMA & Other Measures |
8 |
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Biodiversity & Environmental Conservation |
7 |
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Environment Impact Assessment |
4 |
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Air Pollution & Measures |
3 |
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S&T: Development & Application |
7 |
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S&T: Indian Acheivements |
7 |
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Food Processing Industry |
4 |
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Land Reforms |
4 |
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FDI |
3 |
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Climate Change |
4 |
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Extremism: LWE & NE Insurgency |
7 |
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Border Area Security & Maritime Security |
7 |
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Terrorism & Organised Crime |
7 |
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Challenges to Internal Security |
4 |
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Cyber Security & Social Networking Sites |
10 |
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UPSC Mains General Studies 3 Topic-Wise Questions
Indian Economy And Issues Related To Planning, Mobilisation Of Resources, Growth, Development, Employment;
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2014 |
01 |
Q. While we found India’s demographic dividend, we ignore the dropping rates of employability. What are we missing while doing so? Where will the jobs that India desperately needs come from? Explain. |
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2015 |
03 |
Q. “Success of ‘Make in India’ programme depends on the success of ‘Skill India’ programme and radical labour reforms.” Discuss with logical arguments.
Q. Craze for gold in Indians have led to a surge in import of gold in recent years and put pressure on balance of payments and external value of rupee. In view of this, examine the merits of Gold Monetization Scheme.
Q. The nature of economic growth in India in described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer |
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2017 |
02 |
Q. Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labor-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.
Q. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential? |
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2018 |
01 |
Q. How are the principles followed by the NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile |
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2019 |
01 |
Q. Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy |
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2020 |
02 |
Q. Define potential GDP and explain its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting
Q. Explain the meaning of investment in an economy in terms of capital formation. Discuss the factors |
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2021 |
02 |
Q. Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V- shapes recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Q. Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. |
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2022 |
01 |
Q. Economic growth in the recent past has been led by increase in labour activity.” Explain this statement. Suggest the growth pattern that will lead to creation of more jobs without compromising labour productivity. |
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2023 |
03 |
Q. Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the government in this regard. Q. What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements. Q. Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. |
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2024 |
03 |
Q. Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on Social Services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth?
Q. What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of RBI to control this type of inflation.
Q. Discuss the merits and demerits of the four Labour Codes’ in the context of labour market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard? |
Inclusive Growth And Issues Therein
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
01 |
Q. With a consideration towards the strategy of inclusive growth, the new companies bill, 2013 has |
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2014 |
01 |
Q. Capitalism has guided the world economy to unprecedented prosperity. However, it often encourages shortsightedness and contributes to wide disparities between the rich and the poor. In this light, would it be correct to believe and adopt capitalism driving inclusive growth in India? Discuss. |
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2016 |
02 |
Q. Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges.
Q.Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion |
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2017 |
01 |
Q. What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyze and suggest measures for inclusive growth. |
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2019 |
01 |
Q. It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement. |
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2020 |
01 |
Q. Explain intra-generational and inter-generational issues of equity from the perspective of inclusive |
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2021 |
01 |
Q. “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth.” Discuss in the light of India’s experience. |
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2022 |
02 |
Q. The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community.
Q. Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in |
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2023 |
01 |
Q. Distinguish between ‘care economy’ and ‘monetised economy’. How can care economy be brought into monetised economy through women empowerment? |
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2024 |
01 |
Q. Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India. |
Government Budgeting
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
03 |
Q. Discussion the rationale for introducing Good and services tax in India. Bring out critically the reasons for delay in roll out for its regime.
Q. What is meaning of the term tax-expenditure? Taking housing sector as an example, discuss how it
Q. What are the reasons for introduction of Fiscal responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) act, |
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2015 |
01 |
Q. In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. |
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2016 |
01 |
Q. Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of |
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2017 |
01 |
Q. One of the intended objectives of Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energize and clean India’. |
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2018 |
01 |
Q. Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gains Tax |
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2019 |
02 |
Q. The public expenditure management is a challenge to the government of India in the context of
Q. Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in |
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2020 |
01 |
Q. Explain the rationale behind the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Act of 2017. How |
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2021 |
01 |
Q. Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these |
Infrastructure (Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways); Investment Models
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
01 |
Q. Adaptation of PPP model for infrastructure development of the country has not been free from |
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2014 |
03 |
Q. Explain how private public partnership agreements, in longer gestation infrastructure projects, can
Q. National urban transport policy emphasizes on moving people instead of moving vehicles. Discuss
Q. The right to fair compensation and transparency land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement |
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2015 |
01 |
Q. There is a clear acknowledgement that Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are a tool of industrial |
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2016 |
02 |
Q. Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between
Q. What are ‘Smart Cities? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase |
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2017 |
01 |
Q. Examine the developments of Airports in India through Joint Ventures under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard? |
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2018 |
02 |
Q. 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.
Q. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss |
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2022 |
02 |
Q. Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify
Q. Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India. |
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2024 |
02 |
Q. What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways. What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazard?
Q. What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government’s UDAN Scheme and its achievements. |
Effects Of Liberalisation On The Economy; Changes In Industrial Policy & Their Effects On Industrial Growth
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
03 |
Q. Though India allowed foreign direct investment (FDI) in what is called multi brand retail through joint venture route in September 2012, the FDI even after a year, has not picket up. Discuss the reasons.
Q. Discuss the impact of FDI entry into multi-trade retail sector on supply chain management in commodity trade pattern of the economy.
Q. Examine the impact of liberalization on companies owned by Indian. Are the competing with the MNCs satisfactorily? |
|
2014 |
02 |
Q. Foreign direct investment in the defence sector is now said to be liberalised. What influence this is expected to have on Indian defence and economy in the short and long run?
Q. Normally countries shift from agriculture to industry and then later to services, but India shifted directly from agriculture to services. What are the reasons for the huge growth of services vis-a-vis industry in the country? Can India become a developed country without a strong industrial base? |
|
2016 |
01 |
Q. How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian |
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2017 |
01 |
Q. “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? |
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2018 |
01 |
Q. How would the recent phenomena of protectionism and currency manipulations in world trade affect macroeconomic stability of India? |
Land Reforms In India
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
01 |
Q. Establish the relationship between land reform, agriculture productivity and elimination of poverty in Indian Economy. Discussion the difficulty in designing and implementation of the agriculture friendly land reforms in India. |
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2016 |
01 |
Q. Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were |
|
2021 |
01 |
Q. How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers? |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how land ceiling policy on landholding can be considered as an effective reform under economic criteria |
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2024 |
01 |
Q. What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate. |
Cropping-Irrigation
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2016 |
03 |
Q. Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Q. What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.
Q. What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency. |
|
2017 |
01 |
Q. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilize the yield of the crop in the system? |
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2018 |
03 |
Q. How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past?
Q. Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and
Q. Sikkim is the first ‘Organic State’ in India. What are the ecological and economic benefits of Organic |
|
2019 |
04 |
Q. How was India benefited from the contributions of Sir M. Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in
Q. Elaborate on the impact of the National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas.
Q. How far is the Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?
Q. How can biotechnology improve the living standards of farmers? |
|
2020 |
02 |
Q. Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under
Q. What are the major factors responsible for making rice-wheat system a success? In spite of this success how has this system become bane in India? |
|
2021 |
01 |
Q. How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis? |
|
2022 |
01 |
Q. What is Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India? |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. Explain the changes in cropping patterns in India in the context of changes in consumption patterns and marketing conditions. |
|
2024 |
01 |
Q. What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management. |
E-Technology To Aid Farmers, Technology Missions;
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2015 |
01 |
Q. How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regard? |
|
2017 |
01 |
Q. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India? |
|
2020 |
01 |
Q. How is science interwoven deeply with our lives? What are the striking changes in agriculture triggered off by the science-based technologies? |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. |
Food Processing And Related Industries In India (Scope & Significance, Location, Upstream-Downstream Requirements, Supply Chain Management); Storage, Transport & Marketing Of Agro-Produce And Related Issues & Constraints; Economics Of Animal-Rearing
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
01 |
Q. India needs to strengthen measures to promote the pink revolution in food industry for better nutrition and health. Critically elucidate the statement. |
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2014 |
01 |
Q. There is also a point of view that agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) set up under the |
|
2015 |
03 |
Q. Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas.
Q. In view of the declining average size of land holdings in India which has made agriculture nonviable for a majority of farmers, should contract farming and land leasing be promoted in
Q. What are the impediments in marketing and supply chain management in industry in India? Can ecommerce help in overcoming these bottlenecks? |
|
2017 |
01 |
Q. What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost-effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers? |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. |
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2019 |
01 |
Q. Elaborate on the policy taken by the government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector. |
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2020 |
02 |
Q. What are the challenges and opportunities of food processing sector in the country? How can income of the farmers be substantially increased by encouraging food processing?
Q. What are the main constraints in transport and marketing of agricultural produce in India? |
|
2022 |
02 |
Q. What are the main bottlenecks in upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural
Q. Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India. |
Farm Subsidies And MSP and Issues therein (Direct and Indirect); PDS (Objectives, Functioning, Limitations, Revamping, Issues of Buffer Stocks & Food Security)
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
02 |
Q. What are the different types of agriculture subsidies given to farmers at the national and state
Q. Food security bill is expected to eliminate hunger and malnutrition in India. Critically discuss various apprehensions in its effective implementation along with the concerns it has generated in WTO. |
|
2014 |
01 |
Q. “In the villages itself no form of credit organisation will be suitable except the cooperative society.” |
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2017 |
01 |
Q. How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the |
|
2019 |
01 |
Q. What are the reformative steps taken by the government to make food grain distribution system |
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2021 |
02 |
Q. What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security
Q. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide |
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2022 |
01 |
Q. What are the major challenges of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India? How can it be made |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India. Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies. |
|
2024 |
01 |
Q. Elucidate the importance of buffer stocks for stabilizing agricultural prices in India. What are the challenges associated with the storage of buffer stock? Discuss. |
Environmental Conservation; Environmental Pollution And Degradation; Environmental Impact Assessment
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
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2013 |
04 |
Q. Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India?
Q. What do you understand by run of the river hydroelectricity project? How is it different from any other hydroelectricity project?
Q. What are the consequences of illegal mining? Discuss the ministry of environment and forests’ concept of “GO AND NO GO” zones for coal mining.
Q. Write a note on India’s green energy corridor to alleviate the problems of conventional energy. |
|
2014 |
02 |
Q. Environmental impact assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before project is cleared by
Q. Should the pursuit of carbon credit and clean development mechanism set up under UNFCCC be |
|
2015 |
02 |
Q. The Namami Gange and National mission for clean Ganga (NMCG) programmes and causes of mixed
Q. To what factors can the recent dramatic fall in equipment costs and tariff of solar energy be attributed? What implications does the trend have for the thermal power producers and the related industry? |
|
2016 |
02 |
Q. Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy
Q. Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always |
|
2017 |
02 |
Q. ‘Climate Change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan
Q. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming reality in the country. Discuss the |
|
2018 |
03 |
Q. How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna?
Q. What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation.
Q. 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? |
|
2019 |
02 |
Q. Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how
Q. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. |
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2020 |
03 |
Q. What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security?
Q. What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government
Q. How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA Notification, 2006? |
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2021 |
03 |
Q. 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?
Q. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the
Q. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 |
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2022 |
03 |
Q. Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain
Q. Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures
Q. Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? |
|
2023 |
03 |
Q. What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is pollution particularly harmful for a country like India.
Q. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites.
Q. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? |
|
2024 |
02 |
Q. Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiative in this regard.
Q. What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. |
S&T Developments And Everyday Applications & Effects; Awareness In Fields Of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nanotech, Biotech, IPR Issues
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2013 |
05 |
Q. What do you understand by fixed dose drug combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits.
Q. How does the 3D printing technology work? List out the advantages and disadvantages of the technology.
Q. Bring out the circumstances in 2005 which forced amendment to section 3(d) in the India n Patent Law, 1970. Discuss how it has been utilized by Supreme court in its judgment rejecting Novartis patent application for “Glivec”. Discuss briefly the pros and cons of the decision.
Q. What is an FRP composite material? How are they manufactured? Discuss their applications in aviation and automobile industry.
Q. What do you understand by Umpire decision review in cricket? Discuss its various components. |
|
2014 |
01 |
Q. In a globalized world, intellectual property rights assume significance and are a source of litigation. |
|
2015 |
02 |
Q. What are the areas of prohibitive labour that can be sustainably managed by robots? Discuss the initiatives that can propel research in premier research institutes for substantive and gainful innovation.
Q. India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) which has a database containing formatted |
|
2017 |
01 |
Q. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and several burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments? |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. Why is there so much activity in the field of biotechnology in our country? How has this activity benefitted the field of biopharma? |
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2020 |
03 |
Q. What do you understand by nanotechnology and how is it helping in health sector?
Q. COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the pandemic.
Q. Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our Government for this purpose? |
|
2021 |
03 |
Q. What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology/? How will these
Q. The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the
Q. How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the |
|
2022 |
03 |
Q. Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose, is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are the natural processes this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water and other end products?
Q. What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches
Q. Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much in the news since |
|
2023 |
03 |
Q. Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare?
Q. Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage.
Q. The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? |
|
2024 |
03 |
Q. What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization.
Q. The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe alternative freshwater. What are the technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies, citing their key merits and demerits.
Q. What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe? |
Achievements Of Indians In S&T; Indigenisation Of Technology & Development Of New Technology
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2014 |
02 |
Q. Can overuse and the availability of antibiotics without doctor’s prescription, the contributors to the
Q. Scientific research in Indian universities is declining, because a career in science is not as attractive as our business operations, engineering or administration, and the universities are becoming consumer oriented. Critically comment. |
|
2015 |
01 |
Q. What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning Systems’ and ‘Protection Positioning Systems’ in |
|
2016 |
02 |
Q. Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government’s Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country
Q. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development? |
|
2017 |
02 |
Q. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is
Q. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Explain critically. |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. Discuss the work of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it |
|
2019 |
02 |
Q. How is the government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by
Q. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the system in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. |
Linkages Between Development & Spread Of Extremism; Linkages Of Organized Crime And Terrorism
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2013 |
01 |
Q. Article 244 of Indian Constitution relates to Administration of Scheduled areas and tribal areas. |
|
2015 |
02 |
Q. Religious indoctrination via digital media has resulted in Indian youth joining the ISIS. What is ISIS
Q. . The persisting drives of the government for development of large industries in backward areas have resulted in isolating the tribal population and the farmers who face multiple displacements with Malkangiri and Naxalbari foci, discuss the corrective strategies needed to win the left-wing extremism (LWE) doctrine affected citizens back into the mainstream of social and economic growth. |
|
2016 |
01 |
Q. “Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.” Analyze the above |
|
2017 |
03 |
Q. The north-eastern region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.
Q. . The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?
Q. Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence. |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. 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. |
|
2019 |
02 |
Q. The Indian government has recently strengthened the anti-terrorism laws by amending the unlawful activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyze the changes in the context of prevailing security environment while discussing the scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations.
Q. The banning of ‘Jamaat-e – Islamic’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of overground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs. |
|
2020 |
01 |
Q. What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in Eastern part of India? What strategy should |
|
2021 |
02 |
Q. Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also
Q. Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats |
|
2022 |
02 |
Q. Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting as a violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues gest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism.
Q. Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels. |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022. |
|
2024 |
01 |
Q. Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism. |
Money Laundering & Its Prevention
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2013 |
01 |
Q. Money laundering poses a serious threat to country’s economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace? |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. India’s proximity to two of the world’s biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her |
|
2021 |
01 |
Q. Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate |
Border Areas (Security Challenges and Management Thereof); Security Forces & Agencies (Mandate); Role Of External State & Non-State Actors In Creating Internal Security Challenges
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2013 |
01 |
Q. How far are India’s internal security challenges linked with border management, particularly in |
|
2014 |
05 |
Q. China and Pakistan have entered into an agreement for development of an economic corridor. What thread does it dispose for India’s security? Critically examine
Q. In 2012, the longitudinal marking of the high-risk areas for piracy was moved from 65° East to 78°
Q. How illegal trans-border migration does pose a threat to India’s security? Discuss the strategies to
Q. The diverse nature of India as a multireligious and multi-ethnic society is not immune to the impact
Q. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace above the territory. What do you understand by airspace? What are the implications of |
|
2016 |
02 |
Q. Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.
Q. The terms ‘Hot Pursuit’ and ‘Surgical Strikes’ are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions. |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One |
|
2019 |
01 |
Q. Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the |
|
2020 |
02 |
Q. Analyze internal security threats and trans-border crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard.
Q. For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support |
|
2022 |
01 |
Q. What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organizational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. |
|
2023 |
02 |
Q. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc, is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.
Q. Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. |
|
2024 |
01 |
Q. India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan, fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development being undertaken in these areas under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme. |
Basics Of Cyber Security; Role Of Media And Social-Networking Sites In Internal Security Challenges; Internal Security Challenges Through Communication Networks
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2013 |
03 |
Q. Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or
Q. What is social networking site and what security implications do these sites present?
Q. What is digital signature? What does its authentication mean? Giver various salient built in features of a digital signature. |
|
2015 |
02 |
Q. Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a “Digital Armed Force” to
Q. Discuss the advantage and security implications of cloud hosting of server vis-a-vis in-house |
|
2016 |
01 |
Q. Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major concern. |
|
2017 |
01 |
Q. Discuss the potential threats of Cyber-attack and the security framework to prevent it. |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cybercrimes. |
|
2019 |
01 |
Q. What is the Cyber Dome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India. |
|
2020 |
01 |
Q. Discuss different types of cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. |
|
2021 |
01 |
Q. Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyze the impact of cross-border cyber-attacks. Also |
|
2022 |
01 |
Q. What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, |
|
2024 |
02 |
Q. Describe the context and salient feature of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. Q. Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies to address the problem. |
Security Forces And Their Mandates
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2015 |
01 |
Q. Human rights activists constantly highlight the view that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. |
Disasters & Disaster Management
| Year | Total No. of Questions | Questions |
|---|---|---|
|
2013 |
01 |
Q. How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus in a disaster management. |
|
2014 |
01 |
Q. Drought has been recognised as a disaster in view of its party expense, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effect on various vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National disaster management authority, discuss the mechanism for preparedness to deal with the El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India. |
|
2015 |
01 |
Q. The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects. |
|
2016 |
02 |
Q. With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
Q. The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing |
|
2017 |
01 |
Q. On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on 14 countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of Tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. |
|
2018 |
01 |
Q. 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? |
|
2019 |
02 |
Q. Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard
Q. Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and |
|
2020 |
01 |
Q. Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing |
|
2021 |
02 |
Q. Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the
Q. Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the |
|
2022 |
01 |
Q. Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. |
|
2023 |
01 |
Q. Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyse the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures. |
|
2024 |
02 |
Q. What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also mention the global targets of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).
Q. Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods. |