UPSC Mains 2022 — All Papers & Questions

How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (Answer in 150 words)

Why did the armies of the British East India Company - mostly comprising of Indian soldiers - win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words)

Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons. (Answer in 150 words)

Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (Answer in 150 words)

Discuss the natural resource potentials of 'Deccan Trap'. (Answer in 150 words)

"The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court." Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws. (Answer in 150 words)

"Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute." Comment. (Answer in 150 words)

To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? (Answer in 150 words)

Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (Answer in 150 words)

Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body. (Answer in 150 words)

Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India.

Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India.

What are the major challenges of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India? How can it be made effective and transparent?

Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India.

Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department.

Wisdom lies in knowing what to reckon with and what to overlook. An officer being engrossed with the periphery, ignoring the core issues before him, is not rare in the bureaucracy. Do you agree that such preoccupation of an administrator leads to travesty of justice to the cause of effective service delivery and good governance? Critically evaluate. (Answer in 150 words)

The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance. Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success, whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations against the case. Discuss with illustrations. (Answer in 150 words)

It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning? (Answer in 150 words)

What do you understand by the term 'good governance'? How far recent initiatives in terms of e-Governance steps taken by the State have helped the beneficiaries? Discuss with suitable examples. (Answer in 150 words)

Online methodology is being used for day-to-day meetings, institutional approvals in the administration and for teaching and learning in education sector to the extent telemedicine in the health sector is getting popular with the approvals of the competent authority. No doubt, it has advantages and disadvantages for both the beneficiaries and the system at large. Describe and discuss the ethical issues involved in the use of online method particularly to the vulnerable section of the society. (Answer in 150 words)