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May 15, 2024 06:02
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UPSC mains PYQ topic wise is useful for candidates looking to excel in UPSC mains exam. You can find out more about mains PYQ here!
UPSC mains PYQ topic wise breakdown will help candidates identify important themes for UPSC mains exam in different subjects. With a better understanding of important themes, candidates can increase their score drastically.
To divide UPSC mains PYQ topic wise, candidates need to have a clear understanding of the syllabus. In addition, candidates will have to analyse question papers from the past 5-6 years.
Here, you will find UPSC mains PYQ topic wise along with model answers. Read the PYQs topic wise and try to answer the questions!
The UPSC mains exam will consist of nine papers, all in descriptive format. Out of these 9 papers, the marks scored in seven of them will be used to determine the merit list. The remaining two are qualifying in nature. The details about the UPSC mains exam are given below.
| Exam Name | UPSC Civil Services (Main) Exam |
| Eligibility | Qualify Prelims |
| UPSC Mains Exam Date 2024 | 20th to 28th September |
| Exam Format | Descriptive Paper |
| Number of Papers | 9 |
| Duration | 3 hours each |
| Qualifying Papers | Paper A (Indian Language)
Paper B (English) |
| Qualifying Marks for Language Papers | 75 Marks |
| Papers used for Calculating Merit | Essay
General Studies 1 General Studies 2 General Studies 3 General Studies 4 Optional Paper 1 Optional Paper 2 |
| Total Marks | 250 X 7 = 1750 |
| Cutoff marks | Varies (741 for General in 2023) |
The UPSC mains exam consists of nine papers. One of the seven papers considered for calculating merit list is the GS Paper – 1. The topic wise PYQ for GS Paper – 1 is given below.
| Topic | Download Links | Sample Questions |
| Geography | Click Here | Q. Discuss the consequences of climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (150 words, 10 Marks) |
| World History | Click Here | Q. What problems are germane to the decolonization process in the Malay Peninsula? (10 marks, 150 words) |
| Post Independence History | Click Here | Q. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (150 words, 10 Marks) |
| Modern History | Click Here | Q. How did colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? (250 words, 15 Marks) |
| Indian Heritage and Culture | Click Here | Q. Evaluate the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (150 words, 10 Marks) |
| Indian Society | Click Here | Q. Do you think marriage as a sacrament is losing its value in Modern India? (150 words, 10 Marks) |
GS Paper – 2 deals with subjects such as Polity, Governance, International Relations, and Social Justice. The UPSC mains PYQ topic wise GS Paper – 2 is given below:
| Topic | Download Links | Sample Questions |
| Indian Polity | Click Here | Q. “Constitutionally guaranteed judicial independence is a prerequisite of democracy.” Comment. (150 words, 10 marks) |
| Governance | Click Here | Q. The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous co-ordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. (150 words, 10 Marks) |
| Social Justice | Click Here | Q. “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (150 words, 10 marks) |
| International Relations | Click Here | Q. The Indian diaspora has scaled new heights in the West. Describe its economic and political benefits for India. (150 words, 10 marks) |
UPSC Mains PYQ Topic Wise PDF for GS Paper- 3
As part of GS Paper – 3, candidates will have to study Science and Technology, Economy, Environment etc. The detailed UPSC mains PYQ topic wise for GS Paper – 3 is given below:
| Topic | Download Links | Sample Questions |
| Economy and Growth | Click Here | Q. Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in Infrastructure projects? Examine the role of the PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India. (150 words, 10 Marks) |
| Science and Technology | Click Here | 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? (150 words, 10 Marks) |
| Environment and Ecology | Click Here | Q. Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol.(150 words, 10 Marks) |
| Disaster Management | Click Here | Q. Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (150 Words, 10 Marks) |
| Internal Security | Click Here | Q. Discuss the types of organised crimes. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels. (150 words, 10 Marks) |
GS Paper – 4 deals with Ethics, Aptitude and Integrity. Candidates will also have to attempt case studies as part of the subject. The detailed topic wise breakdown for GS Paper – 4 is given below:
| Topic | Download Links | Sample Questions |
| Ethics | Click Here | Q. What do you understand by ‘moral integrity’ and ‘professional efficiency’ in the context of corporate governance in India? Illustrate with suitable examples. (150 words, 10 Marks) |
| Case Studies | Click Here | Q. You are working as an executive in a nationalised bank for several years One day one of your close colleagues tells you that her father is suffering from heart disease and needs surgery immediately to survive. She also tells you that she has no insurance and the operation will cost about 10 lakh. You are also aware of the fact that her husband is no more and that she is from a lower middle class family. You are empathetic about her situation. However, apart from expressing your sympathy, you do not have the resources to fund her. A few weeks later, you ask her about the well-being of her father and she informs you about his successful surgery and that he is recovering. She then confides in you that the bank manager was kind enough to facilitate the release of 10 lakh from a dormant account of someone to pay for the operation with a promise that it should be confidential and be repaid at the earliest. She has already started paying it back and will continue to do so until it is all returned. (a) What are the ethical issues involved ? (b) Evaluate the behaviour of the bank manager from an ethical point of view. (c) How would you react to the situation? (250 words, 20 Marks) |
PYQ analysis is an important part of UPSC preparation. Candidates analysing PYQ have a better chance of streamlining their exam preparation. The significance of UPSC mains PYQ topic wise analysis is given below.
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