UPSC Mains 2018 — All Papers & Questions

Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (Answer in 150 words)

Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (Answer in 150 words)

Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation?

Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic Region? (Answer in 150 words)

In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (Answer in 150 words)

Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine.

Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force? (Answer in 150 words)

Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (Answer in 150 words)

"The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play." Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise. (Answer in 150 words)

"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.

Comment on the important changes introduced in respect of the Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget for 2018-2019.

What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low income trap?

Examine the role of supermarkets in supply chain management of fruits, vegetables and food items. How do they eliminate number of intermediaries?

Discuss the work of 'Bose-Einstein Statistics' done by Prof. Satyendra Nath Bose and show how it revolutionized the field of Physics.

State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. (150 words)

Distinguish between "Code of ethics" and "Code of conduct" with suitable examples. (150 words)

What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil servants in public interest?

"The Right to Information Act is not all about citizens' empowerment alone, it essentially redefines the concept of accountability." Discuss. (150 words)

What is meant by conflict of interest? Illustrate with examples, the difference between the actual and potential conflicts of interest. (150 words)

Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India

A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge

Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere

Management of Indian border disputes — a complex task

Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life