- Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Comment (10)
- Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (10)
- Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (10)
- Why is Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? (10 )
- Why is India taking keen interest in the Arctic region? (10)
- Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (10)
- What are the consequences of spreading of ‘Dead Zones’ on marine ecosystem? (10)
- “Caste system is assuming new identities and associational forms. Hence, caste system cannot be eradicated in India.” Comment. (10)
- ‘Despite implementation of various programmes for eradication of poverty by the government in India, poverty is still existing’. Explain by giving reasons. (10)
- How the Indian concept of secularism different from the western model of secularism? Discuss. (10)
- The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (15)
- Discuss whether formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India. (15)
- Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to their colonies? have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (15)
- “The ideal solution of depleting ground water resources in India is water harvesting system.” How can it be made effective in urban areas? (15)
- Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (15)
- What is the significance of Industrial Corridors in India? Identifying industrial corridors, explain their main characteristics. (15)
- Mention core strategies for the transformation of aspirational districts in India and explain the nature of convergence, collaboration and competition for its success. (15)
- ‘Women’s movement in India has not addressed the issues of women of lower social strata.’ Substantiate your view. (15)
- ‘Globalisation is generally said to promote cultural homogenisation but due to this cultural specificities appear to be strengthened in the Indian society.’ Elucidate.
- ‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation.’ Argue by giving suitable illustrations. (15)
Previous Year UPSC Mains Papers
| Year | 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 |
