2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 15 marks
Use of internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major security concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 15 marks
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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 10 marks
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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Internal Security 10 marks
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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Agriculture 12.5 marks
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).
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Agriculture 12.5 marks
Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Agriculture 12.5 marks
What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing water-use efficiency.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Disaster Management 12.5 marks
With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Disaster Management 15 marks
The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Environment & Ecology 12.5 marks
Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 12.5 marks
In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 12.5 marks
The nature of economic growth in India is described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favour of your answer.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 12.5 marks
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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 12.5 marks
Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why is there a gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 12.5 marks
What are ‘Smart Cities’? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for ’Smart Villages’ in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 10 marks
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing the unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poor section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 12.5 marks
Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Economy 12.5 marks
How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 12.5 marks
What do you understand by ‘Standard Positioning Systems’ and ‘Protection Positioning Systems’ in the GPS era? Discuss the advantages India perceives from its ambitious IRNSS programme employing just seven satellites.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 12.5 marks
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?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 12.5 marks
How can the ‘Digital India’ programme help farmers to improve farm productivity and income? What steps has the Government taken in this regards?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 12.5 marks
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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 12.5 marks
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?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 3 Science and Technology 12.5 marks
What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.
Model Answer Guidelines
GS Paper - 2 2 questions
2016
Mains GS Paper - 2 International Relations 12.5 marks
“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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 2 International Relations 12.5 marks
Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario.
Model Answer Guidelines
GS Paper - 1 34 questions
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 12.5 marks
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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 12.5 marks
How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 12.5 marks
“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?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 12.5 marks
“Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 12.5 marks
In the integrity index of Transparency International, India stands very low. Discuss briefly the legal, political, social and cultural factors that have caused the decline of public morality in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Social Justice 12.5 marks
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?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Governance 12.5 marks
Examine the main provisions of the National Child Policy and throw light on the status of its implementation.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Governance 12.5 marks
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?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Governance 12.5 marks
Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are interdependent” Discuss their relationship in the context of India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
“The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “Temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
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 institution of Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian Federal Politics?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
What is quasi judicial body? Explain with the help of concrete examples.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
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
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Polity 12.5 marks
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
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
In what way do micro-watershed development projects help in water conservation in drought-prone and semi-arid regions of India?
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
Present an account of the Indus Water Treaty and examine its ecological, economic, and political implications in the context of changing bilateral relations.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
Major cities of India are becoming vulnerable to flood conditions. Discuss.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
The South China Sea has assumed great geopolitical significance in the present context. Comment.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce human miseries. Explain.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
“The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 12.5 marks
Discuss the concept of air mass and explain its role in macro-climatic changes.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Geography 15 marks
With a brief background of the quality of urban life in India, introduce the objectives and strategy of the ‘Smart City Programme.’
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Indian Society 10 marks
Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 World History 12.5 marks
The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Modern India 12.5 marks
Highlight the difference in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Modern India 12.5 marks
Explain how the upraising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Ancient History Art & Culture 15 marks
Mesolithic rock-cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this comment.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Ancient History Art & Culture 15 marks
The ancient civilization in the 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.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Ancient History Art & Culture 15 marks
Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.
Model Answer Guidelines
2016
Mains GS Paper - 1 Ancient History Art & Culture 15 marks
Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.
Practicing previous year questions is one of the most effective strategies for UPSC CSE exam preparation. This page contains 60 authentic questions from the UPSC CSE Mains 2016 examination, complete with answers and detailed explanations.
At Quintessence Classes, we believe that understanding past exam patterns is crucial for success in competitive examinations. Our curated PYQ collection helps students identify frequently tested topics, understand the difficulty level, and practice with real exam questions. Whether you are preparing for UPSC CSE, JKPSC KAS, or JKSSB exams, our previous year questions database is designed to give you an edge in your preparation.
