UPSC Mains 2016 — All Papers & Questions

Krishnadeva Raya, the king of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Explain how the uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Has the formation of linguistic states strengthened the cause of Indian unity? (200 words, 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?  (200 words, 12.5 marks)

The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss. (200 words, 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. (200 words, 12.5 marks)

Discuss each adjective attached to the word ‘Republic’ in the ‘Preamble’. Are they defendable in the present circumstances? (200 words, 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? (200 words, 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?

Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context?

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 option.

Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India.

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.

Explain how ethics contributes to social and human well-being.

Why should impartiality and non-partisanship be considered as foundational values in public services, especially in the present-day socio-political context? Illustrate your answer with examples.

What do you understand about the term ‘good governance’? How far have recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples.

Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins.

Analyse John Rawls’s concept of social justice in the Indian Context. .