UPSC Mains · 2013–2025
Previous Year Questions with Model Answers
Every General Studies question UPSC has asked since 2013, paper- and topic-wise, each with the marks and word limit from the paper and a full-marks model answer you can learn the structure from.
- Questions · all with model answers
- 1033
- Years
- 13
- 2025 · GS I · Q1Ancient History and Art & Culture10 marks · 150 words
Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture.
- 2025 · GS I · Q2Ancient History and Art & Culture10 marks · 150 words
Examine the main aspects of Akbar’s religious syncretism.
- 2025 · GS I · Q3Ancient History and Art & Culture10 marks · 150 words
‘The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life.’ Elucidate.
- 2025 · GS I · Q4Geography10 marks · 150 words
How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.
- 2025 · GS I · Q5Geography10 marks · 150 words
What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.
- 2025 · GS I · Q6Geography10 marks · 150 words
Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.
- 2025 · GS I · Q7Geography10 marks · 150 words
What are Tsunamis? How and where are they formed? What are their consequences? Explain with examples.
- 2025 · GS I · Q8Indian Society10 marks · 150 words
How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?
- 2025 · GS I · Q9Indian Society10 marks · 150 words
The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.
- 2025 · GS I · Q10Indian Society10 marks · 150 words
Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.
GS subjects at a glance
GS I
Ancient History and Art & Culture36 questions
Modern History35 questions
- 2024 GS I: What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results.
- 2024 GS I: How far was the Industrial Revolution in England responsible for the decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India?
- 2023 GS I: What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism?
World History15 questions
- 2025 GS I: The French Revolution has enduring relevance to the contemporary world. Explain.
- 2024 GS I: How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of balance of power?
- 2023 GS I: Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world.
Post-Independence India9 questions
- 2025 GS I: Trace India’s consolidation process during early phase of independence in terms of polity, economy, education and international relations.
- 2022 GS I: The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples.
- 2021 GS I: Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States.
Indian Society74 questions
- 2025 GS I: How does smart city in India, address the issues of urban poverty and distributive justice?
- 2025 GS I: The ethos of civil service in India stand for the combination of professionalism with nationalistic consciousness – Elucidate.
- 2025 GS I: Do you think that globalization results in only an aggressive consumer culture? Justify your answer.
Geography106 questions
- 2025 GS I: How are climate change and the sea level rise affecting the very existence of many island nations? Discuss with examples.
- 2025 GS I: What are non-farm primary activities? How are these activities related to physiographic features in India? Discuss with suitable examples.
- 2025 GS I: Explain briefly the ecological and economic benefits of solar energy generation in India with suitable examples.
GS II
Polity and Constitution108 questions
- 2025 GS II: Discuss the ‘corrupt practices’ for the purpose of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Analyze whether the increase in the assets of the legislators and/or their associates, disproportionate to their known…
- 2025 GS II: Comment on the need of administrative tribunals as compared to the court system. Assess the impact of the recent tribunal reforms through rationalization of tribunals made in 2021.
- 2025 GS II: Compare and contrast the President’s power to pardon in India and in the USA. Are there any limits to it in both the countries? What are ‘preemptive pardons’?
Governance61 questions
- 2025 GS II: e-governance projects have a built-in bias towards technology and back-end integration than user-centric designs. Examine.
- 2025 GS II: Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.
- 2025 GS II: What are environmental pressure groups? Discuss their role in raising awareness, influencing policies and advocating for environmental protection in India.
Social Justice39 questions
- 2025 GS II: Women’s social capital complements in advancing empowerment and gender equity. Explain.
- 2025 GS II: Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of ‘paradox of poverty’.
- 2025 GS II: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has to address the challenges faced by children in the digital era. Examine the existing policies and suggest measures the Commission can initiate to tackle the…
International Relations57 questions
- 2025 GS II: India-Africa digital partnership is achieving mutual respect, co-development and long-term institutional partnerships. Elaborate.
- 2025 GS II: “With the waning of globalization, post-Cold War world is becoming a site of sovereign nationalism.” Elucidate.
- 2025 GS II: “Energy security constitutes the dominant kingpin of India’s foreign policy, and is linked with India’s overarching influence in Middle Eastern countries.” How would you integrate energy security with India’s foreign…
GS III
Economic Development81 questions
- 2025 GS III: Distinguish between the Human Development Index (HDI) and the Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI) with special reference to India. Why is the IHDI considered a better indicator of inclusive growth?
- 2025 GS III: What are the challenges before the Indian economy when the world is moving away from free trade and multilateralism to protectionism and bilateralism? How can these challenges be met?
- 2025 GS III: Explain how the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) can be used as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of states in India. In what way would it encourage the states to adopt prudent and sustainable fiscal policies?
Agriculture38 questions
- 2025 GS III: Explain the factors influencing the decision of the farmers on the selection of high value crops in India.
- 2025 GS III: Elaborate the scope and significance of supply chain management of agricultural commodities in India.
- 2025 GS III: Examine the scope of the food processing industries in India. Elaborate the measures taken by the government in the food processing industries for generating employment opportunities.
Science & Technology45 questions
- 2025 GS III: The fusion energy programme in India has steadily evolved over the past few decades. Mention India’s contributions to the international fusion energy project – International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).…
- 2025 GS III: How can India achieve energy independence through clean technology by 2047? How can biotechnology play a crucial role in this endeavour?
- 2025 GS III: How does nanotechnology offer significant advancements in the field of agriculture? How can this technology help to uplift the socio-economic status of farmers?
Environment and Ecology35 questions
- 2025 GS III: What is Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)? What is the potential role of CCUS in tackling climate change?
- 2025 GS III: Seawater intrusion in the coastal aquifers is a major concern in India. What are the causes of seawater intrusion and the remedial measures to combat this hazard?
- 2025 GS III: Examine the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?
Disaster Management16 questions
- 2024 GS III: 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).
- 2024 GS III: 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…
- 2023 GS III: Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.
Internal Security53 questions
- 2025 GS III: Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain.
- 2025 GS III: The Government of India recently stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be eliminated by 2026. What do you understand by LWE and how are the people affected by it? What measures have been taken by the government to…
- 2025 GS III: What are the major challenges to internal security and peace process in the North-Eastern States? Map the various peace accords and agreements initiated by the government in the past decade.
GS IV
Ethics (Theory)147 questions
- 2025 GS IV: In the present digital age, social media has revolutionised our way of communication and interaction. However, it has raised several ethical issues and challenges. Describe the key ethical dilemmas in this regard.
- 2025 GS IV: “Constitutional morality is not a natural sentiment but a product of civil education and adherance of the rule of law.” Examine the significance of constitutional morality for public servant highlighting the role in…
- 2025 GS IV: Carl von Clausewitz once said, “War is a diplomacy by other means.” Critically analyse the above statement in the present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.
Ethics (Case Studies)78 questions
- 2025 GS IV: Vijay was Deputy Commissioner of remote district of Hilly Northern State of the country for the last two years. In the month of August heavy rains lashed the complete state followed by cloud burst in the upper reaches…
- 2025 GS IV: In line with the Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Indian Constitution, the government has a constitutional obligation to ensure basic needs – “Roti, Kapda aur Makan (Food, Clothes and Shelter)” –…
- 2025 GS IV: Subash is Secretary, PWD in the State Government. He is a senior officer, known for his competence, integrity and dedication to work. He enjoys the trust and confidence of Minister Incharge of PWD and Programme…