UPSC Mains 2019 — All Papers & Questions

Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in the Gandhara art.

The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate.

Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century's 'Indian Renaissance' and the emergence of national identity.

Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate.

Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s.

“Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution is a limited power and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power.” In the light of this statement explain whether Parliament under Article 368 of the Constitution can destroy the Basic Structure of the Constitution by expanding its amending power?

From the resolution of contentious issues regarding distribution of legislative powers by the courts, ‘Principle of Federal Supremacy’ and ‘Harmonious Construction’ have emerged. Explain.

Do you think that Constitution of India does not accept principle of strict separation of powers rather it is based on the principle of ‘checks and balance’? Explain.

What can France learn from the Indian Constitution’s approach to secularism?

Individual Parliamentarian’s role as the national law maker is on a decline, which in turn, has adversely impacted the quality of debates and their outcome. Discuss.

Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017.

Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments.

It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement.

The public expenditure management is a challenge to the Government of India in the context of budget making during the post-liberalization period. Clarify it.

How far is Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?

What are the basic principles of public life? Illustrate any three of these with suitable examples.

You are heading the rescue operations in an area affected by severe natural calamity. Thousands of people are rendered homeless and deprived of food, drinking water and other basic amenities. Rescue work has been disrupted by heavy rainfall and damage to supply routes. The local people are seething with anger against the delayed limited rescue operations. When your team reaches the affected area, the people there heckle and even assault some of your team members. One of your team members is even severely injured. Faced with this crisis, some team members plead with you to call off the operations fearing threats to their life. In such trying circumstances, what will be your response? Examine the qualities of a public servant which will be required to manage the situation.

What is meant by 'crisis of conscience'? How does it manifest itself in the public domain?

In a modern democratic polity, there is a concept of the political executive and permanent executive. Elected people’s representatives form the political executive and bureaucracy forms the permanent executive. Ministers frame policy decisions and bureaucrats execute these. In the initial decades after independence, the relationship between the permanent executive and the political executive were characterized by mutual understanding, respect and cooperation, without encroaching upon each other’s domain. However, in the subsequent decades, the situation has changed. There are instances of the political executive insisting upon the permanent executive to follow its agenda. Respect for an appreciation of upright bureaucrats has declined. There is an increasing tendency among the political executive to get involved in routine administrative matters such as transfers, posting etc. Under this scenario, there is a difinitive trend towards ‘politicization of bureaucracy’. The rising materialism and acquisitiveness in social life has also adversely impacted upon the ethical values of both the permanent executive and the political executive. What are the consequences of this ‘politicization of bureaucracy’? Discuss.

“Emotional Intelligence is the ability to make your emotions work for you instead of against you”. Do you agree with this view? Discuss.

Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society.

Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.

Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness.

South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities.

Rise of Artificial Intelligence : the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling