Pre-cum-Mains GS Foundation Program for UPSC 2026 | Starting from 14th Nov. 2024 Click Here for more information
Dear Friends, This is the 3rd day of the UPSC Mains 2021 examination. Today, GS Paper 3 and 4 will be conducted in 2 sessions. The first exam has been conducted and the question paper of the same is out. You can download the UPSC Mains 2021 GS Paper 3 Question Paper using the link given below:
Download UPSC Mains 2021 GS Paper 3 Question Paper
GS Paper 3 Questions
Q1. Explain the difference between computing methodology of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015. (150 words 10 marks)
Q2. Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets. (150 words 10 marks)
Q3. How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers ? (150 words 10 marks)
Q4. How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis ? (150 words 10 marks)
Q5. How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world? (150 words 10 marks)
Q6. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) ? (150 words 10 marks)
Q7. Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India’s National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards ? (150 words 10 marks)
Q8. Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades. (150 words 10 marks)
Q9. Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels. (150 words 10 marks)
Q10 . Keeping in view India’s internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks. (150 words 10 marks)
Q11. Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V- shapes recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer. (250 words 15 marks)
Q12. “Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth. ”Discuss in the light of India’s experience. (250 words 15 marks)
Q13. What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013 ? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India?(250 words 15 marks)
Q14. What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification? (250 words 15 marks)
Q15. What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology/? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society? (250 words 15 marks)
Q16. The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings ? (250 words 15 marks)
Q17. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (250 words 15 marks)
Q18. Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy. (250 words 15 marks)
Q19. Analyse the multidimensıonal challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats. (250 words 15 marks)
Q20. Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism. (250 words 15 marks)
GS Paper 3 includes subjects Indian Economy, Environment, Science and Technology, Internal Security, and Disaster Management.
You can download the PDF of the UPSC Mains 2021 Essay paper here. And of GS Paper 1 here. Or
You can access all the previous year question papers along with the present ones, on this page
Following is the schedule for the upcoming UPSC mains 2021 papers:
Date | 1st Session (9 AM -12 PM) | 2nd Session (2 PM – 5 PM) |
– | ||
9th January 2022 | GS Paper – IV | |
15th January 2022 | Language Paper-1 | English Language Paper |
16th January 2022 | Optional Paper-I | Optional Paper-II |
Previous Year UPSC Mains PapersYear GS Paper I GS Paper II GS Paper III GS Paper IV Essay 2015 Paper I PaperII Paper III Paper IV Essay 2016 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay 2017 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay 2018 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay 2019 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay 2020 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay 2021 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay 2022 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay 2023 Paper I Paper II Paper III Paper IV Essay