Governance Previous Year Questions (PYQs) | UPSC Mains Examination
On this page you will find all the updates related to the previous year questions of subject Governance for UPSC IAS Mains examination.
Governance holds a crucial role in the structure of Indian polity, and numerous questions on this subject have been asked in the Main General Studies Paper 2 of the UPSC exam. Therefore, candidates must have a comprehensive grasp of all the facets within the Governance section of the UPSC Syllabus.
Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation:
Q.1) The Gati-Shakti Yojana needs meticulous coordination between the government and the private sector to achieve the goal of connectivity. Discuss. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2022]
Q.2) ‘Earn while you learn’ scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful” Comment. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2021]
Q.3) ‘In the context of neo-liberal paradigm of development planning, multi-level planning is expected to make operations cost effective and remove many implementation blockages.’-Discuss. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2019]
Q.4) The need for cooperation among various service sector has been an inherent component of development discourse. Partnership bridges bring the gap among the sectors. It also sets in motion a culture of ‘Collaboration’ and ‘team spirit’. In the light of statements above examine India’s Development process. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2019]
Q.5) “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2018]
Topic: Issues relating to poverty and hunger
Q.1) Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through micro financing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2021]
Q.2) “The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2020]
Q.3) There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on non-Food essential items squeezing their food-budget.Elucidate. [150 Words][10 Marks] [2019]
Q.4) How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2018]
Q.5) ‘Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political will’. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2017]
Q.6) Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty over time. Do you agree. Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]
Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance applications,models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures:
Q. Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women’s effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India. [15 Marks] [2023]
Q.1) Has digital literacy, particularly rural areas, coupled with lack of information and Communications Technology (ICT) accessibility hindered socio-economic development? Examine with justification. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2021]
Q.2) “The emergence of Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2020]
Q.3) Implementation of information and Communication Technology (ICT) based Projects /Programmes usually suffers in terms of certain vital factors. Identify these factors, and suggest measures for their effective implementation. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2019]
Q.4) e-governance in not only about utilization of the power of new technology, but also much about critical importance of the ‘use value’ of information. Explain. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2018]
Q.5) The Citizen’s Charter is an ideal instrument of organisational transparency and accountability, but it has its own limitations. Identify the limitations and suggest measures for greater effectiveness of the Citizen’s Charters. [250 Words] [15 Marks] [2018]
Q.6) Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems.Suggest measures for improvement. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2017]
Q.7) “In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal.” Critically examine this statement. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]
Q.8) “Effectiveness of the government system at various levels and people’s participation in the governance system are inter-dependent/” Discuss their relationship in the context of India. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]
Q.9) In the light of Satyam Scandal (2009), discuss the changes brought in the corporate governance to ensure transparency and accountability. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2015]
Q.10) Though Citizens’ charters have been formulated by many public service delivery organizations,there is no corresponding improvement in the level of citizens’ satisfaction and quality of services being provided Analyse. [200 Words] [10 Marks] [2013]
Topic: Role of civil services in a democracy:
Q.1) “Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context suggest reforms in Civil Service for strengthening democracy. [150 Words] [10 Marks] [2020]
Q.2) Initially Civil Services in India were designed to achieve the goals of neutrality and effectiveness,which seems to be lacking in the present context. Do you agree with the view that drastic reforms are required in Civil Services. Comment. [250 Words][15 Marks] [2017]
Q.3) “Traditional bureaucratic structure and culture have hampered the process of socio-economic development in India.” Comment. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2016]
Q.4) Has the Cadre based Civil Services Organization been the cause of slow change in India? Critically examine. [200 Words] [12.5 Marks] [2014]
Trend of governance Previous Year Questions (PYQs) For UPSC Mains
Governance as a subject carry huge weightage in Mains examination. Since last 4-5 years, around 3-4 questions are asked from this section.
Because of the trend in UPSC Mains Governance Previous Year Questions (PYQs), candidates are suggested to keep themselves updated of current affairs. It is recommended for candidates preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Exam to regularly practice governance Mains Questions, assess the difficulty level, and formulate their preparation strategy accordingly.
| Year | Total Marks weightage |
| 2023 | 35 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2021 | 65 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2017 | 65 |
| 2016 | 50 |
| 2015 | 62.5 |
| 2014 | 62.5 |
| 2013 | 60 |
