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Last 25 Years Topic-wise Essay Questions From UPSC Mains (1994 - 2018)

Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services mains exam is the Essay. Here, prelims-qualified IAS aspirants have to write two essays out of a few given topics. The paper is for a total of 250 marks and its marks are taken into consideration for the Final Merit List. In this article, we have listed all the essay topics asked in the UPSC mains exam from 1994 to 2018. We have also classified the last 25 years essay questions into topics to make your preparation easier.

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UPSC Essay Topics

Administration.

• Politics, bureaucracy and business – fatal triangle. (1994)
• Politics without ethics is a disaster. (1995)
• The VIP cult is a bane of Indian democracy. (1996)
• Need for transparency in public administration. (1996)
• The country’s need for a better disaster management system. (2000)
• How should a civil servant conduct himself? (2003)

Democracy/India since independence

• Whither Indian democracy? (1995)
• What we have not learnt during fifty years of independence. (1997)
• Why should we be proud of being Indians? (2000)
• What have we gained from our democratic set-up? (2001)
• How far has democracy in India delivered the goods? (2003)
• National identity and patriotism. (2008)
• In the context of Gandhiji’s views on the matter, explore, on an evolutionary scale, the terms ‘Swadhinata’, ‘Swaraj’ and ‘Dharmarajya’. Critically comment on their contemporary relevance to Indian democracy. (2012)
• Is the colonial mentality hindering India’s success? (2013)
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. (2015)
• Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task. (2018)

Economic growth and development

• Resource management in the Indian context. (1999)
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the wellbeing of a country. (2013)
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country? (2014)
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. (2015)
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms. (2016)
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. (2016)
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare. (2016)
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. (2017)

Federalism, Decentralisation

• The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. (1998)
• Water resources should be under the control of the central government. (2004)
• Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. (2007)
• Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanization? (2007)
• Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication. (2011)
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality. (2016)
• Water disputes between States in federal India. (2016)

Indian Culture & Society

• The Indian society at the crossroads. (1994)
• New cults and godmen: a threat to traditional religion. (1996)
• The composite culture of India. (1998)
• Youth culture today. (1999)
• Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values. (2000)
• Indian culture today: a myth or a reality? (2000)
• As civilization advances culture declines. (2003)
• From traditional Indian philanthropy to the gates-buffet model-a natural progression or a paradigm shift? (2010)
• Judicial activism. (1997)
• Judicial activism and Indian democracy. (2004)
• Justice must reach the poor. (2005)

Social justice/Poverty

• Reservation, politics and empowerment. (1999)
• Food security for sustainable national development. (2005)
• The focus of health care is increasingly getting skewed towards the ‘haves’ of our society. (2009)
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for the majority of farmers in India. (2017)
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere. (2018)

Media & Society

• Misinterpretation and misuse of freedom in India. (1998)
• Mass media and cultural invasion. (1999)
• Responsibility of media in a democracy. (2002)
• How has satellite television brought about cultural change in Indian mindsets? (2007)
• Role of media in good governance. (2008)
• Does Indian cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it? (2011)
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy? (2014)

Environment/Urbanisation

• Urbanization is a blessing in disguise. (1997)
• Protection of ecology and environment is essential for sustained economic development. (2006)
• Urbanisation and its hazards. (2008)
• Should a moratorium be imposed on all fresh mining in tribal areas of the country? (2010)
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws. (2017)

Economic sectors/MNCs

• Multinational corporations – saviours or saboteurs. (1994)
• Globalization would finish small-scale industries in India. (2006)
• BPO boom in India. (2007)
• Special economic zone: boon or bane? (2008)
• Are our traditional handicrafts doomed to a slow death? (2009)
• Is the criticism that the Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model for development is more of a bane than a boon in the Indian context, justified? (2012)
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India? (2014)
• Restructuring of Indian education system. (1995)
• Literacy is growing very fast, but there is no corresponding growth in education. (1996)
• Irrelevance of the classroom. (2001)
• Privatization of higher education in India. (2002)
• Modern technological education and human values. (2002)
• What is real education? (2005)
• “Education for all” campaign in India: myth or reality. (2006)
• Independent thinking should be encouraged right from the childhood. (2007)
• Is an egalitarian society possible by educating the masses? (2008)
• Credit – based higher education system – status, opportunities and challenges. (2011)
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth? (2014)
• Are the standardized tests good measure of academic ability or progress? (2014)
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil. (2015)
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms. (2017)
• The new emerging women power: the ground realities. (1995)
• Greater political power alone will not improve women’s plight. (1997)
• Woman is god’s best creation. (1998)
• Women empowerment: challenges and prospects. (1999)
• Empowerment alone cannot help our women. (2001)
• Whither women’s emancipation? (2004)
• If women ruled the world. (2005)
• The hand that rocks the cradle. (2005)
• Women’s reservation bill would usher in empowerment for women in India. (2006)
• Managing work and home – is the Indian working woman getting a fair deal? (2012)
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered. (2016)
• Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth. (2017)

Quotes-based/Philosophy

• Youth is a blunder, manhood a struggle, old age a regret. (1994)
• Useless life is an early death. (1994)
• Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the lifeblood of civilisation. (1995)
• When money speaks, the truth is silent. (1995)
• Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. (1995)
• Truth is lived, not taught. (1996)
• True religion cannot be misused. (1997)
• Search for truth can only be a spiritual problem. (2002)
• The paths of glory lead but to the grave. (2002)
• If youth knew, if age could. (2002)
• There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. (2003)
• Be the change you want to see in others. (2013)
• With greater power comes greater responsibility. (2014)
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword. (2014)
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole. (2015)
• “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values. (2018)
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it. (2018)
• Attitude makes habit, habit makes character and character makes a man. (2007)
• Discipline means success, anarchy means ruin. (2008)
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader. (2015)
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed. (2016)
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. (2017)
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. (2018)
• A people that values its privileges above its principles loses both. (2018)
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life. (2018)

Globalisation

• Modernisation and westernisation are not identical concepts. (1994)
• The world of the twenty-first century. (1998)
• The implications of globalization for India. (2000)
• My vision of an ideal world order. (2001)
• The masks of new imperialism. (2003)
• Globalizations and its impact on Indian culture. (2004)
• ‘Globalization’ vs. ‘nationalism’. (2009)
• Preparedness of our society for India’s global leadership role. (2010)

Science & Tech

• The modern doctor and his patients. (1997)
• Value-based science and education. (1999)
• The march of science and the erosion of human values. (2001)
• Spirituality and scientific temper. (2003)
• The lure of space. (2004)
• Science and Mysticism: Are they compatible? (2012)
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation. (2013)
• Technology cannot replace manpower. (2015)
• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India. (2018)

Internet/IT

• The cyberworld: its charms and challenges. (2000)
• Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society. (2006)
• Cyberspace and Internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run. (2016)
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium. (2017)

International organisations/relations

• Restructuring of UNO reflect present realities. (1996)
• India’s role in promoting ASEAN cooperation. (2004)
• Importance of Indo-US nuclear agreement. (2006)
• Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world. (2017)
• Terrorism and world peace. (2005)
• Are we a ‘soft’ state? (2009)
• Good fences make good neighbours. (2009)
• In the Indian context, both human intelligence and technical intelligence are crucial in combating terrorism. (2011)

Miscellaneous

• India’s contribution to world wisdom. (1998)
• The pursuit of excellence. (2001)
• Geography may remain the same; history need not. (2010)
• Fifty Golds in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? (2014)
• Quick but steady wins the race. (2015)

When preparing for IAS Mains, aspirants must focus on UPSC Mains Answer Writing Practise as this will improve one’s speed, efficiency and writing skills. It will automatically help in essay writing as well. 

Also, read:

Frequently Asked Questions on UPSC Essay Topics for UPSC Mains

Q 1. how can i write a good essay in upsc, q 2. does handwriting matter in upsc.

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Essay (UPSC Mains) - Previous Year Questions

Looking for comprehensive preparation for the UPSC Mains Essay paper? Explore our collection of previous year questions from 2013 to 2023. Get insights, practice, and boost your chances of success with Past year questions and answers.

• Thinking is like a game; it does not begin unless there is an opposite team.
• Visionary decision-making happens at the intersection of intuition and logic.
• Not all who wander are lost.
• Inspiration for creativity springs from the effort to look for the magical in the mundane.
• Girls are weighed down by restrictions, boys with demands — two equally harmful disciplines.
• Mathematics is the Music of Reason.
• A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity.
• Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.

Value based / Ethical Issues

• A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
• Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

Philosophical

• The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.
• You can not step twice in the same river.
• A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for.

Miscellaneous / Mixed

• Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence. (Environment / Economics)
• Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world ( Literature / Socio-political-economic impacts)
• History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man ( History / Values / Philosophy)
• Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me.
• Philosophy of wantlessness is Utopian, while materialism is a chimera.
• The real is rational and the rational is real.
• Hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

History / Culture

• History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

Science and Technology

• What is research, but a blind date with knowledge!
• There are better practices to “best practices”. ( Multiple Themes )
• The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced. ( Philosophy / Technology)
• Life is long journey between human being and being humane.
• Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
• Ships do not sink because of water around them; ships sink because of water that gets into them.
• Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
• Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.

Social Issues

• There can be no social justice without economic prosperity but economic prosperity without social justice is meaningless.
• Patriarchy is the least noticed yet the most significant structure of social inequality.
• Technology as the silent factor in international relations ( Technology / International Relation ).
• Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be.
• Courage to accept and dedication to improve are two keys to success.
• Wisdom finds truth.
• South Asian societies are woven not around the state, but around their plural cultures and plural identities.
• Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society.
• Neglect of primary health care and education in India are reasons for its backwardness.

Science & Technology

• Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling.
• Biased media is a real threat to Indian democracy.
• A good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
• A people that value its privileges above its principles lose both.
• “The past’ is a permanent dimension of human consciousness and values.
• Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life.
• Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.
• Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere.

Environment

• Alternative technologies for a climate change resilient India.

IR & Security

• Management of Indian border disputes – a complex task.
• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
• Fulfilment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium Domain.
• Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multi-polar world Domain.
• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India Domain. ( Agriculture )
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India Domain.
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.

Polity & Governance

• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws Domain.
• Need brings greed, if greed increases it spoils breed.
• If development is not engendered, it is endangered.
• Cyberspace and internet: Blessing or curse to the human civilization in the long run Domain.
• Near jobless growth in India: An anomaly or an outcome of economic reforms.
• Water disputes between states in federal India Domain.
• Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality India.
• Digital economy: A leveller or a source of economic inequality. ( Technology / Economy)
• Innovation is the key determinant of economic growth and social welfare Domain. ( Technology / Economy / Social Sector)
• Character of an institution is reflected in its leader.
• Lending hands to someone is better than giving a dole.
• Quick but steady wins the race.
• Technology cannot replace manpower.
• Can capitalism bring inclusive growth?
• Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make a man more clever devil. ( Education / Ethics)
• Crisis faced in India – moral or economic. ( Morality / Economics)
• With greater power comes greater responsibility.
• Words are sharper than the two-edged sword.
• Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?
• Was it the policy paralysis or the paralysis of implementation which slowed the growth of our country?
• Tourism: Can this be the next big thing for India?
• Is the growing level of competition good for the youth?
• Are the standardized tests, good measure of academic ability or progress?
• Dreams which should not let India sleep. ( Multiple themes )
• Fifty Gold’s in Olympics: Can this be a reality for India? ( Sports / Governance )
• Be the change you want to see in others – Gandhiji
• Science and technology is the panacea for the growth and security of the nation.
• GDP (Gross Domestic Product) along with GDH (Gross Domestic Happiness) would be the right indices for judging the well-being of a country.
• Is the Colonial mentality hindering India’s Success? ( History / Culture / Growth & Development / Ethics )

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In the journey to cracking the Civil Services Examination, UPSC previous year question papers play an important role. They offer valuable insights into the exam pattern, question types, priority areas, and time management strategies. Moreover, they provide a means for aspirants to assess their progress and build confidence. Aspirants should incorporate the practice of solving UPSC previous year papers into their study routine, making it an integral part of their preparation strategy. In doing so, they enhance their chances of mastering this challenging examination and realising their dream of serving the nation in prestigious administrative roles.

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• Get familiar with the exam pattern and the type of questions asked. The UPSC exam is a very competitive exam, and the question paper is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of subjects. By solving UPSC previous year question papers, you will get a good idea of the type of questions that are asked, the level of difficulty, and the time it takes to answer them. This will help you to prepare better for the actual exam.
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• Learn time management skills. The UPSC CSE is a three-hour exam, and you will need to manage your time wisely in order to answer all of the questions. By solving previous year question papers, you will get a better understanding of how much time you need to spend on each question.
• Gain confidence. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in your ability to answer the questions in the exam. Solving UPSC previous year question papers is a great way to build your confidence and prepare for the actual exam.

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ESSAY QUESTION  PAPER – UPSC Civil Services  IAS Mains – 2022

1. Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence

2. Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world

3. History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man

4. A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for

5. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining

6. You cannot step twice in the same river

7. A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities

8. Just because you have a choice, it does not mean that any of them has to be right.

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UPSC Previous Year Papers: 2023

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Download UPSC Previous Year Question Paper PDF

The UPSC Previous Year Question Papers provide valuable insights about the types of questions that can be asked in the upcoming UPSC Exam 2024. UPSC PYQ will help aspirants understand the exam’s requirements and familiarize themselves with the exam pattern. They provide insights into the exam pattern , highlight important topics, improve problem-solving skills, and offer an opportunity for self-assessment. Regular practice with previous year papers can significantly enhance a candidate's chances of clearing the UPSC CSE and achieving their dream of becoming a civil servant. To assist candidates in their preparation, UPSC Previous Year Question Papers PDF are provided in this article, enabling candidates to download and utilize them effectively. It is important to note that the UPSC Exam 2024 is scheduled to be held on 16th June 2024 .

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UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Papers PDF for Prelims and Mains Preparation

Ias exam latest updates.

• 09 August, 2024 : UPSC Mains Schedule 2024 Out; Exam from September 20

UPSC IAS Prelims Question Paper 2024 is available here to download in PDF format. UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Exam is conducted on June 16, 2024. The UPSC IAS Prelims 2024 Exam shift timings are 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM and 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

UPSC Prelims 2024 GS and CSAT Question Paper with Answer Key

UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Papers are important for understanding the question pattern of the exam. You must refer to the stage-wise and subject-wise question papers to notice the important topics . They will also help you in understanding the UPSC IAS exam pattern and the weightage trends for previous years .

Another helpful aspect of solving question papers is finding the pattern in the questions. Even if you don’t find the same questions, you will probably notice similar questions being asked. Thus, you can plan your approach such questions which will help you in saving time on the exam day. Along with question papers, you should also take UPSC IAS Mock Tests for this purpose.

Latest Updates:

• Prepare Daily Current Affairs for IAS 2024 Here
• Refer to Detailed UPSC IAS Prelims Syllabus and Ensure Covering Every Topic
• Download and practice UPSC IAS Previous Year Question Papers to Understand the Question Pattern Better

While preparing for the exam, you have to remember that UPSC IAS Prelims exam is objective while the Mains demand descriptive answers. Solving more and more number of questions in an exam-like time-constrained manner helps you develop a habit of the same. This will benefit you in ensuring speed and accuracy.

Ques. Can I crack IAS in 3 months?

Ans. It generally takes candidates about 10 months to prepare for UPSC IAS exam. However, with smart strategies, consistency and dedication, you can clear the Prelims in 3 months. You need to ensure covering every topic, revising them regularly, and solving as many sample question papers and mock tests as possible.

Ques. Is IAS a tough exam?

Ans. IAS exam is considered to be one of the toughest exams in the country. It is very competitive due to the lakhs of candidates appearing for the exam against the vacancies of a couple thousands. However, if you’re consistent and dedicated in your preparations, you can clear the exams even in your first attempt.

Ques. How many hours of study are required for IAS?

Ans. UPSC IAS Syllabus is quite vast and it is important to cover each aspect of it. To ensure that, along with regular revisions, self-assessments, and mock tests, one needs to have a study plan of about 15-16 hours a day. It should be evenly distributed and must cover everything mentioned.

UPSC Prelims 2023 GS and CSAT Question Paper with Answer Key (Held on May 28, 2023)

UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers with Solution PDF

UPSC Mains 2023 Language Paper B September 23, 2023

UPSC Mains 2023 Language Paper A September 23, 2023

UPSC Mains 2023 Optional Paper I and II- September 24, 2023

UPSC Prelims 2022 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2022 Previous Year Question Paper

UPSC Mains 2022 Language A Question Paper: September 24, 2022

UPSC Mains 2022 Language B Question Paper: September 24, 2022

UPSC Mains 2022 Optional Papers I and II- September 25, 2022

IAS prelims 2021 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2021, was conducted in two shifts on October 10, 2021 while UPSC Mains 2021 Paper was conducted on the following dates: September 07, 08, 09, 15 and 16 2022.

UPSC Prelims 2021 Paper I and CSAT Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2021 Previous Year Question Paper PDFs

Check out IAS (UPSC CSE) Eligibility Criteria, Admit Card, Exam Dates , etc.

UPSC Mains 2021 Language A Question Paper- January 15, 2022

UPSC Mains 2021 Language B Question Paper- January 15, 2021

Upsc mains 2021 optional papers i and ii- october 16, 2021, check out current affairs 2021 . find out the best ias (upsc cse) books to prepare for the exam. preparation strategy of ria dabi (upsc air 15) in ias (upsc cse) 2020.

IAS prelims 2020 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2020, was conducted in two shifts on October 05, 2020 while UPSC Mains 2020 Paper was conducted on the following dates: January 8, 9, 10, 16 and 17, 2021

UPSC Prelims 2020 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2020 Previous Year Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2020 Language A Question Paper: January 16, 2022

UPSC Mains 2020 Language B Question Paper: January 16, 2021

Upsc mains 2020 optional papers i and ii - january 17, 2021.

IAS prelims 2019 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2019, was conducted in two shifts on June 02, 2019 while UPSC Mains 2019 Paper was conducted on the following dates: September 20, 21, 22, 28 and 29, 2019.

UPSC Prelims 2019 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2019 Previous Year Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2019 Language A Question Paper- September 28, 2019

UPSC Mains 2019 Language B Question Paper- September 28, 2019

Upsc mains 2019 optional papers i and ii - september 29, 2019.

IAS prelims 2018 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2018 was conducted in two shifts on June 03, 2018 while UPSC Mains 2018 Paper was conducted on the following dates: September 28, 29, 30, October 6 and 7, 2018.

UPSC Prelims 2018 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2018 Previous Year Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2018 Language A Question Paper- September 28, 2018

UPSC Mains 2018 Language B Question Paper September 28, 2018

Upsc mains 2018 optional papers i and ii - september 29, 2018.

IAS prelims 2017 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2017 was conducted in two shifts on June 18, 2017 while UPSC Mains 2017 Paper was conducted on the following dates: October 28, 30, 31, November 1 and 3, 2017.

UPSC Prelims 2017 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2017 Previous Year Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2017 Language A Question Paper- November 01, 2017

Upsc mains 2017 language b question paper: november 01, 2017, upsc mains 2017 optional papers i and ii - november 03, 2017.

IAS prelims 2016 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2016 was conducted in two shifts on August 07, 2016 while UPSC Mains 2016 Paper was conducted on the following dates: December 03, 05, 06, 07, 09 2016.

UPSC Prelims 2016 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2016 Previous Year Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2016 Language A Question Paper: December 07, 2016

UPSC Mains 2016 Language B Question Paper: December 07, 2016

Upsc mains 2016 optional papers i and ii - december 09, 2016.

IAS prelims 2015 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2015 was conducted in two shifts on August 23, 2015 while UPSC Mains 2015 Paper was conducted on the following dates: December 18, 19, 21, 22, 23 2015.

UPSC Prelims 2015 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2015 Previous Year Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2015 Language A Question Paper- December 22, 2015

UPSC Mains 2015 Language B Question Paper- December 18, 2015

Upsc mains 2015 optional papers i and ii - december 23, 2015.

IAS prelims 2014 is available to download in PDF. UPSC Prelims 2014 was conducted in two shifts on August 24, 2014 while UPSC Mains 2014 Paper was conducted on the following dates: December 14, 15, 17, 19, 20 2014.

UPSC Prelims 2014 Paper I and CSAT Question Papers

UPSC Mains 2014 Previous Year Question Paper PDF

UPSC Mains 2014 Language A Question Paper- December 20, 2014

UPSC Mains 2014 Language B Question Paper- December 14, 2014

Upsc mains 2014 optional papers i and ii - december 19, 2014.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. What are the most repeated questions in the UPSC exam?

Ans. The most frequently repeated topics in the UPSC exam include Indian Polity and Governance, Modern Indian History, Geography of India and the World, Indian Economy, and Economic Development, International Relations and Current Affairs, Ecology and Environment, Science and Technology, Social Issues and Social Justice, etc.

Ques. How many marks for one question in UPSC?

Ans. Every question in paper 1 is of 2 marks. So, the question paper is a total of 200 marks. Every question in the Civil Service Aptitude Test carries 2.5 marks.

Ques. Why solving UPSC question papers is important?

Ans. Solving the UPSC questions will make candidates acquainted with the MCQ pattern of the prelims. It is essential to develop speed and also learn tricks to avoid negative marks in the prelims paper.

Ques. How many UPSC test papers should be taken before the UPSC CSE exam?

Ans. With UPSC’s previous year’s question papers, aspirants are advised to attempt as many UPSC test paper series or mock tests for better understanding of the UPSC CSE Exam.

Ques. Are IAS Exam Questions tough?

Ans. Yes, IAS questions are difficult to answer. The nature of IAS questions differs in UPSC Prelims and Mains so aspirants should carefully go through previous years’ UPSC question papers to understand the pattern.

UPSC : Polity - Parliament

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UPSC CDS General Knowledge All India Mock Test

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Upsc mains schedule 2024 out; exam from september 20.

The shift-wise schedule for UPSC IAS Mains 2024 has been released on the official website. It will be conducted from September 20 to 29 in two session..

KTET Result 2024 Released at Ktet.kerala.gov.in; Check Direct link

KTET Result 2024 has been declared on official website on September 3, 2024.

SSC CPO Tier I 2024 result released; Download merit list PDF

SSC has announced the results of SSC CPO Exam 2024 at ssc.gov.in. SSC CPO Exam 2024 was held from June 27 to 29, 2024. The goal of the SSC recruitment..

RRB NTPC 2024 Notification Short Notice Released; Download PDF

RRB NTPC 2024 Short Notice has been released on the RRB website. You can download notification PDF and also apply for RRB NTPC 2024 online on the webs..

[Download] UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-1 (2013-2023) History, Geography, Social Science since new syllabus

History: Art & Culture

History: india before independence, history: india after independence, history: world, social science: caste, religion, region, globalization, social science: poverty, population, globalization, social science: globalization, social science: women, geography: physical, geography: climate, disaster related, geography: resources distribution, geography: factors affecting industrial locations, geography: urbanization / society: urbanization, appendix: linear paper of 2023-gsm1, appendix: model answer pe free lecture & powerpoint, appendix: syllabus of upsc mains-gsm1 general studies paper1.

In 2013, UPSC changed the syllabus-pattern of Mains examination and the number of general studies papers were increased from two to four. Out of them, GS Paper-I deals with History, Culture, Society and Geography. Overall breakup looks like this

[Block-1] History

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient aspects of Art, Architecture, literature from Ancient to Modern Times

How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days ? (स्पष्ट करें कि मध्यकालीन भारतीय मंदिरों की मूर्तिकला उस दौर के सामाजिक जीवन का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है। )

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues); Freedom Struggle (various stages, important contributors from different parts of the country)

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Post-Independence (consolidation and reorganisation within country)

GS1 Syllabus Topic: 18th century events (e.g. Industrial revolution, WWs, redrawn boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g. communism, capitalism, socialism) and their effect on society

[Block-2] Social Science

GS1 Syllabus Topic:

• Communalism, Regionalism, Secularism; Social Empowerment
• Salient features of Indian Society; Diversity of India;

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Globalisation (effects on Indian society)

• GS1 Syllabus Topic: Role of women and women’s organisation;
• Although some of the following questions fall under population and globalization categories, but if a person cultivates habit of noting down women related topics under one head, it’ll benefit in both GS1, GS2 and Essay.

[Block-3] Geography

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Salient Features of World Physical Geography; Important Geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones); Geographical features and location;

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and effects thereof)

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Distribution of key Natural Resources (world, S. Asia, Indian subcontinent)

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Factors responsible for location of Industries (primary, secondary, tertiary; India, world)

GS1 Syllabus Topic: Urbanization: problems and remedies

• Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India. (प्राचीन भारत के विकास के लिए भौगोलिक कारकों की भूमिका को स्पष्ट करें।) (150 words/10m)
• What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society? (वैदिक समाज और धर्म की मुख्य विशेषताएं क्या हैं? क्या आपको लगता है कि भारतीय समाज में कुछ विशेषताएं अभी भी प्रचलित हैं?) (250 words/15m)
• What were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence the Indian society? (सल्तनत युग के दौरान प्रमुख तकनीकी परिवर्तन क्या पेश किए गए थे? उन तकनीकी परिवर्तनों ने भारतीय समाज को कैसे प्रभावित किया?) (250 words/15m)
• What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? (शिक्षा और राष्ट्रवाद के प्रति उनके दृष्टिकोण में महात्मा गांधी और रबींद्रनाथ टैगोर के बीच क्या अंतर था?) (150 words/10m)
• How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? (औपनिवेशिक शासन ने भारत में आदिवासियों को कैसे प्रभावित किया और औपनिवेशिक उत्पीड़न के लिए आदिवासी प्रतिक्रिया क्या थी?) (250 words/15m)
• From being net food importer in 1960s, India has emerged as a net food exporter to the world. Provide reasons. (1960 के दशक में ख्याधआयातक होने से, भारत दुनिया के लिए खाद्य निर्यातक के रूप में उभरा है। कारण प्रदान करें।) (250 words/15m)
• Bring out the socio-economic effects of the introduction of railways in different countries of the world (दुनिया के विभिन्न देशों में रेलवे की शुरूआत के सामाजिक-आर्थिक प्रभावों को बाहर लाएं) (150 words/10m)
• Why did human development fail to keep pace with economic development in India? (भारत में आर्थिक विकास के साथ मानव विकास क्यों विफल रहा?) (250 words/15m)
• Does urbanization lead to more segregation and/or marginalization of the poor in Indian metropolises? (क्या शहरीकरण भारतीय महानगरों में गरीबों के अधिक अलगाव और/या हाशिए पर ले जाता है?) (250 words/15m)
• Do you think marriage as a sacrament is loosing its value in Modern India? (क्या आपको लगता है कि एक संस्कार के रूप में विवाह आधुनिक भारत में अपना मूल्य खो रहा है?) (150 words/10m)
• Explain why suicide among young women is increasing in Indian society. (बताएं कि भारतीय समाज में युवा महिलाओं के बीच आत्महत्या क्यों बढ़ रही है।) (150 words/10m)
• Child cuddling is now being replaced by mobile phones. Discuss its impact on the socialization of children. (बच्चों को दुलारने की जगह अब मोबाइल फोन द्वारा प्रतिस्थापित किया जा रहा है। बच्चों के समाजीकरण पर इसके प्रभाव पर चर्चा करें।) (150 words/10m)
• Why is caste identity in India both fluid and static? (भारत में जाति की पहचान द्रव और स्थिर दोनों क्यों है?) (250 words/15m)
• Discuss the impact of post-liberal economy on ethnic identity and communalism. (जातीय पहचान और सांप्रदायिकता पर उदारवादी अर्थव्यवस्था के प्रभाव पर चर्चा करें।) (250 words/15m)
• Discuss the consequences of climate change on the food security in tropical countries. (उष्णकटिबंधीय देशों में खाद्य सुरक्षा पर जलवायु परिवर्तन के परिणामों पर चर्चा करें।) (150 words/10m)
• Why is the world today confronted with a crisis of availability of and access to freshwater resources? (आज दुनिया को मीठे पानी के संसाधनों की उपलब्धता और पहुंच के संकट के साथ क्यों सामना किया जाता है?) (150 words/10m)
• Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India (भारत में प्राकृतिक वनस्पति की विविधता के लिए जिम्मेदार कारकों की पहचान करें और चर्चा करें। भारत के वर्षा वन क्षेत्रों में वन्यजीव अभयारण्यों के महत्व का आकलन करें) (250 words/15m)
• How are the fjords formed? Why do they constitute some of the most picturesque areas of the world? (Fjords कैसे बनते हैं? वे दुनिया के कुछ सबसे सुरम्य क्षेत्रों का गठन क्यों करते हैं?) (150 words/10m)
• Why is the South-West Monsoon called Purvaiya’ (easterly) in Bhojpur Region? How has this directional seasonal wind system influenced the cultural ethos of the region? (भोजपुर क्षेत्र में दक्षिण-पश्चिम मानसून को पुरवाया (ईस्टरली) क्यों कहा जाता है? इस दिशात्मक मौसमी पवन प्रणाली ने क्षेत्र के सांस्कृतिक लोकाचार को कैसे प्रभावित किया है?) (150 words/10m)
• Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas. (भारत की लंबी तटरेखा की संसाधन क्षमता पर टिप्पणी करें और इन क्षेत्रों में प्राकृतिक खतरे की तैयारियों की स्थिति को उजागर करें।) (250 words/15m)

Appendix: Linear paper of 2022-GSM1

• How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days ? (स्पष्ट करें कि मध्यकालीन भारतीय मंदिरों की मूर्तिकला उस दौर के सामाजिक जीवन का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है। ) 10m 150w
• 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. (अधिकांश भारतीय सिपाहियों वाली ईस्ट इंडिया की सेना क्यों तत्कालीन भारतीय शासकों की संख्याबल में अधिक और बेहतर सुसज्जित सेना से लगातार जीतती रही ? कारण बताएँ ।) 10m 150w
• Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century ? Give reasons. (औपनिवेशिक भारत की अठारहवीं शताब्दी के मध्य से क्यों अकाल पड़ने में अचानक वृद्धि देखने को मिलती है? कारण बताएं।) 10m 150w
• Describe the characteristics and types of primary rocks. (प्राथमिक चट्टानों की विशेषताओं एवं प्रकारों का वर्णन कीजिए।) 10m 150w
• Discuss the meaning of colour-coded weather warnings for cyclone prone areas given by India Meteorological Department. (भारतीय मौसम विज्ञान विभाग द्वारा चक्रवात प्रवण क्षेत्रों के लिए मौसम सम्बन्धी चेतावनियों के लिए निर्धारित रंग-संकेत के अर्थ की चर्चा करें।) 10m 150w
• Discuss the natural resource potentials of ‘Deccan Trap’. ( ‘दक्कन ट्रैप’ की प्राकृतिक संसाधन सम्भावनाओं की चर्चा कीजिए।) 10m 150w
• Examine the potential of wind energy in India and explain the reasons for their limited spatial spread. (भारत में पवन ऊर्जा की संभावना का परीक्षण कीजिए एवं उनके सीमित क्षेत्रीय विस्तार के कारणों को समझाइए|) 10m 150w
• Explore and evaluate the impact of ‘Work From Home’ on family relationships. (पारिवारिक सम्बन्धों पर ‘वर्क फ्रॉम होम’ के असर की छानबीन तथा मूल्यांकन करें ।) 10m 150w
• How is the growth of Tier 2 cities related to the rise of a new middle class with an emphasis on the culture of consumption ? (उपभोक्ता संस्कृति के विशेष परिप्रेक्ष्य में नव मध्यवर्ग के उभार से टीयर 2 शहरों का विकास किस तरह सम्बन्धित है ?) 10m 150w
• Given the diversities among tribal communities in India, in which specific contexts should they be considered as a single category ? (भारत के जनजातीय समुदायों की विविधताओं को देखते हुए किस विशिष्ट सन्दर्भ के अन्तर्गत उन्हें किसी एकल श्रेणी में माना जाना चाहिए ?) 10m 150w
• The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples. (राज्यों एवं प्रदेशों का राजनीतिक और प्रशासनिक पुनर्गठन उन्नीसवीं शताब्दी के मध्य में निरंतर चल रही एक प्रक्रिया है। उदाहरण सहित विचार करें।) 15m 250w
• Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture. (भारतीय परम्परा और संस्कृति में गुप्त-काल और चोल काल के योगदान पर चर्चा करें।) 15m 250w
• Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture. (भारतीय मिथक कला और वास्तुकला में सिंह एवं वृषभ की आकृतियों के महत्व पर विचार करें।) 15m 250w
• What are the forces that influence ocean currents? Describe their role in fishing industry of the world. (समुद्री धाराओं को प्रभावित करने वाली शक्तियाँ कौन सी है ? विश्व के मत्स्य उद्योग में इनके योगदान का वर्णन करें ) 15m 250w
• Describing the distribution of rubber producing countries, indicate the major environmental issues faced by them. (रबर उत्पादक देशों के वितरण का वर्णन करते हुए उनके द्वारा सामना किए जाने वाले प्रमुख पर्यावरणीय मुद्दों को इंगित कीजिए।) 15m 250w
• Mention the significance of straits and isthmus in international trade. (अंतर्राष्ट्रीय व्यापार में जलसंधि व स्थलसंधि के महत्त्व का उल्लेख कीजिए ।.) 15m 250w
• Troposphere is a very significant atmospheric layer that determines weather processes. How? ( क्षोभमंडल वायुमंडल का एक महत्त्वपूर्ण परत है जो मौसम प्रक्रियाओं को निर्धारित करता है। कैसे ?) 15m 250w
• Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion. (भारतीय समाज में जाति, क्षेत्र तथा धर्म के समानांतर ‘पंथ’ की विशेषता की विवेचना कीजिए ।) 15m 250w
• Are tolerance, assimilation and pluralism the key elements in the making of an Indian form of secularism ? Justify your answer. (क्या सहिष्णुता, सम्मिलन एवं बहुलता मुख्य तत्त्व हैं जो धर्मनिरपेक्षता के भारतीय रूप का निर्माण करते हैं ? तर्कसंगत उत्तर दें।) 15m 250w
• Elucidate the relationship between globalization and new technology in a world of scarce resources, with special reference to India. (अपर्याप्त संसाधनों की दुनिया में भूमंडलीकरण एवं नए तकनीक के रिश्ते को भारत के विशेष सन्दर्भ में स्पष्ट करें। ) 15m 250w
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• 1) Salient aspects of Art, Architecture,
• 2) literature from Ancient to Modern Times
• Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues); Freedom Struggle (various stages, important contributors from different parts of the country)
• Post-Independence (consolidation and reorganisation within country)
• 18th century events (e.g. Ind’l revo, WWs, redrawn boundaries, colonisation, decolonisation); Political philosophies (e.g. communism, capitalism, socialism) and their effect on society
• Poverty, Population; Development and associated issues
• Salient features of Indian Society; Diversity of India; Globalisation (effects on Indian society)
• Role of women and women’s organisation;
• Critical geographical features, flora, fauna (changes and effects therof)
• Factors responsible for location of Industries (primary, secondary, tertiary; India, world)
• Salient Features of World Physical Geography; Important Geophysical phenomena (earthquakes, tsunami, volcanoes, cyclones); Geographical features and location;
• Distribution of key Natural Resources (world, S. Asia, Indian subcontinent)
• Urbanisation: problems and remedies

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UPSC Main Paper 1 2024: Important essay topics, previous year’s question paper and more

UPSC Mains 2024 Essay paper: Exam pattern

UPSC Mains 2023 question paper for Essay

Upsc mains essay paper: important topics.

• Justice and mercy balance precariously on the edge of circumstances.
• The quest for knowledge is an ever-expanding journey toward the boundaries of understanding.
• True greatness in life is found not in never stumbling, but in the resilience to rise each time we fall.
• Clarity and comprehension emerge beyond the fog of doubt.
• A nation’s strength is reflected in the safety and empowerment of its women.
• Poverty extends beyond financial deprivation, encompassing the denial of opportunities and choices.
• Progress should not compromise democracy and individual freedoms.
• The mind holds the power to transform its own reality, creating heaven or hell within.
• Compassion, empathy, and forgiveness are noble qualities that enhance the human experience.
• In the face of change, some erect barriers while others harness the power of the winds to propel forward.
• The greatest punishment for avoiding leadership is to be ruled by someone less capable.
• The strongest minds often belong to those who speak the least.
• Some rules are more respected when broken than when followed.
• The strong do what they must, and the weak accept what they must.
• True glory lies not in never falling, but in rising each time we do.
• Power doesn’t corrupt; rather, people corrupt power.

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CDS Previous Year Question Paper: PDF Download

Cds previous year question papers provided insights into exam pattern, mark distribution, and duration.  get the question paper pdf download link on this page and identify key topics.  check the exam pattern, difficulty level, benefits of solving and other details here. .

UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Paper with solutions is one of the best resources to prepare well for the upcoming exam. Candidates preparing for the upcoming Combined Defence Services Examination must download the UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Paper. It will help them to understand the exam format, marking scheme, and topics usually asked in the exam. The Union Public Service Commission conducts the UPSC CDS 2024 exam for admission to the Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Officers Training Academy.

There are various advantages of solving UPSC CDS previous year question papers with solutions to achieve desired results in the exam. Solving previous year papers regularly will boost their question-solving speed and accuracy. The UPSC CDS previous year's question paper will be announced within a few days after the exam is conducted successfully. 

The exam prep team of Jagran Josh has compiled the UPSC CDS previous year question papers for 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019 on this page. This will help them to discover their mistakes and help them to maximise their scores on the exam.

CDS Previous Year Paper 2024

CDS Previous Year Question Papers PDF

Candidates should practice the UPSC CDS previous year's question paper pdf to know the important topics that have been asked in the exam over the past years. Also, they should practice the UPSC CDS previous year's question paper to identify their strong and weak areas and improve the points that require improvements.

CDS Exam Previous Year Question Paper PDF

Benefits of Solving UPSC CDS Exam Previous Year Question Papers

• Solving UPSC CDS's previous year question paper will help them keep track of the progress of their preparation level.
• Practicing UPSC CDS previous year question papers will increase their speed and accuracy and allow them to manage their time effectively.
• Solving UPSC CDS question papers will help them to know their strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving the weak areas.
• Attempting UPSC CDS previous year question papers with solutions PDF will help them cover all the exam aspects.

How to Attempt UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Paper?

• Go through the entire UPSC CDS previous year's question paper carefully.
• Place a stopwatch or count-down timer in order to solve the entire question paper in real timed environment.
• Solve easy questions first, then pick the lengthy ones in the UPSC CDS previous year's question papers.
• Once the time is up, stop solving any questions and verify their answers with the key to track their overall performance and mistakes that require rectification.

UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Papers Analysis

As per the UPSC CDS 1 exam analysis, the overall difficulty level of the UPSC CDS question paper was moderate. In brief, the difficulty level and the number of good attempts were as follows: Elementary Mathematics (Easy to Moderate, 60-65), General Knowledge (Moderate, 60-64), and English (Easy to Moderate, 65-67). In the UPSC CDS 1 math section, questions were asked about work and time, trigonometry, time and distance, height and distance, clock and time, etc. However, in the UPSC CDS 1  General Knowledge paper, questions were asked about current affairs, history, polity, static GK, economics, etc. On the other, in the UPSC CDS 1 English, questions were asked about filling in the blanks, ordering words, spotting errors, synonyms, cloze composition, etc.

UPSC CDS Question Paper Pattern 2023

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• How to download the UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Papers PDF? + To download the UPSC CDS previous year question paper PDF, you can check the official portal or click on the UPSC CDS previous year paper PDF link discussed on the page.
• Is it necessary to solve the UPSC CDS Previous Year Question Paper PDF? + Solving the UPSC CDS previous year question paper will help them know the questions usually asked in the exam.
• What is the format of the UPSC CDS previous year question paper? + The UPSC CDS question paper pdf comprises objective-type questions for 300 marks. The exam duration is 2 Hours for each subject.
• Is the UPSC CDS exam tough? + As per the UPSC CDS exam analysis, the difficulty level of questions was moderate. Hence, candidates should implement the right strategy and study material to crack the written exam.
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UPSC CSE Mains 2017 Essay Question Paper

Last updated on September 22, 2023 by ClearIAS Team

Table of Contents

Instructions:  Write  two  essays, choosing  one  from each of the following Section A and B, in about 1000-1200 words. 2*125 = Total 250 Marks.

Section – A

• Farming has lost the ability to be a source of subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
• Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India.
• Destiny of a nation is shaped in its classrooms.
• Has the Non- Alignment Movement (NAM) lost its relevance in a multipolar world?

Section – B

• Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
• Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
• We may brave human laws but cannot resist natural laws.
• Social media is inherently a selfish medium.

Post your analysis and feedback about the question paper in the comment section below. You may compare the essay questions asked in 2017 mains with those of questions of 2016 mains as well.

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Reader Interactions

October 28, 2017 at 4:53 pm

I Find Section A Tough,Still I Would Have Gone With Question No 3.and In Section B With Question No 1.

No More Stress Only Blessings For All. Keep Learning and Keep Growing…..!!!

November 15, 2017 at 3:47 am

Do your best & leave the rest! I also choose the same!

November 15, 2017 at 7:02 am

Wish You The Same.

God Bless You With Love and Peace……!!!

October 28, 2017 at 5:46 pm

Wau. ..I have found all the questions great!!not so hard as I thought 😐😐😐

October 29, 2017 at 1:01 am

Please tell me Gitaji, where you practiced essays writing from? And good luck for next upcoming paper.

July 14, 2019 at 2:37 pm

From where u do the practice of essays please tell me this is the 1st time for me i will give exam

October 28, 2017 at 11:00 pm

wow. so superb subject given in the essays in this paper.

October 29, 2017 at 6:11 pm

you are right , I wrote on number 1 in section 1 and 3 in section 2

October 29, 2017 at 6:42 pm

Alka section A essays are easy but how to deal with section B type essays

November 15, 2017 at 3:52 am

It’s not the context, it’s content! Don’t go for odds my friends, try to do evens also! ‘PUSH THE PACE’

Go with for/against both perspective in an essay! Write the bulletin! Explain the point! START WITH THE PROGRESSING HEIGHTS (BUILDING UR EMOTIONS) & END WITH A POSITIVE CONCLUSION..

Enough 2 score 70% in any essay!

November 15, 2017 at 8:26 am

I found sec B difficult..I would have gone for Ques 4 in sec A and ques 2 in sec B..

June 17, 2018 at 2:34 pm

Sir I am a student B. Com and I want ias please gave me information study materials

July 1, 2018 at 9:59 am

sir , i am b.com second year student and want to prepare for IAS .i don’t know where to start .please tell me

July 8, 2019 at 10:14 pm

Sir I am going to prepare for UPSC but still not sure that this is the only thing I want,as there is no other option left for me after graduation I have to prepare for it but people say do what your heart says,here I want to ask a question that is it really important to have a very clear aim before preparing for it, people like me who are unsure about their aim can’t prepare for UPSC????

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Download UPSC EPFO Previous Year Papers of Last 5 Years PDF

Download the previous year question papers pdf of EO/AO and APFC posts of UPSC EPFO of the last 5 years.

Topics Covered: UPSC EPFO EO & APFC Previous Year Question Papers, UPSC EPFO EO/AO Previous Year Question Paper 2023, UPSC EPFO EO/AO Previous Year Question Paper 2021, UPSC EPFO EO/AO PYQs 2017, UPSC EPFO APFC Previous Year Question Paper 2023, UPSC EPFO APFC Previous Year Question Paper 2015, UPSC EPFO APFC Previous Year Question Paper 2012, UPSC EPFO APFC Previous Year Question Paper 2004, UPSC EPFO APFC PYQs 2002, UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC PYQs with Answers, UPSC EPFO memory based papers, UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC Solved PYQs, UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC PYQ Analysis, Download UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC PYQ PDF.

Reviewing the UPSC EPFO previous year questions for the EO/AO and APFC posts is crucial for aspirants to get insights into the exam format, question types, and difficulty level. Analyzing UPSC EPFO PYQs can also help you identify exam trends and recognize the most important topics. This knowledge allows you to align your study material, tailor your preparation strategy, and maximize your chances of success in the UPSC EPFO exam.

Download UPSC EPFO Previous Year Papers PDFs

Fill below form to download the solved UPSC EPFO PYQs for EO/AO and APFC with answer keys in PDF format.

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UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper Analysis

At EduTap, our experts have analyzed previous year papers of the UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC exams to identify the most important topics.

By referring to this list of important topics during your preparation, you can:

• Strategically allocate your time to the most important topics.
• Avoid wasting time on less relevant topics
• Save time for revision

Below, we have mentioned the subject-wise important topics of the UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC exams:

UPSC EPFO Important Topics

Based on our PYQs analysis, here are the subject-wise important topics of the UPSC EPFO EO/AO & APFC exams:

Important Topics of Quantitative Aptitude for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of quantitative aptitude for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Simplification
• Number series
• Number system
• Ratio and proportion
• Mensuration
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Time and work
• Time and distance

Important Topics of Reasoning Ability for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of reasoning ability for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Coding decoding
• Blood relation
• Direction sense
• Previous Year Papers
• Preparation Sources

Important Topics of General English for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of general English for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Subject verb agreement
• Preposition
• Complex preposition
• Advance verbs
• Phrasal verbs
• Sentence improvement
• Reading comprehension
• Synonyms & antonyms
• Idioms & phrases + one word substitution

Important Topics of Current Affairs for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of current affairs for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Government schemes
• Reports/surveys
• National news
• Awards and honors
• Defence news
• Persons in news
• Science and technology
• Days in news
• Terms in news

Important Topics of Indian Polity for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of Indian polity and governance and constitution of India for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Regulating act of 1773
• Indian council act of 1909
• Government of India act of 1919 and 1935
• Features of Indian constitution 
• Preamble of Indian constitution 
• Fundamental rights 
• Directive principle of state policy (DPSPs)
• Emergency In India
• President of India and governor of state
• Parliament of India 
• Supreme court of India
• Finance commission and its recommendations
• National human right commission election commission
• Committees of electoral reforms
• Panchayati raj institution 
• Urban local government
• Scheduled and tribal areas

Important Topics of Indian Economy for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of Indian economy for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Law of demand and law of supply
• Movement and shift in the demand curve and supply curve
• Types of market structure
• Elasticity of demand – price elasticity, cross elasticity, and income elasticity
• National income and related aggregates 
• Concept of inclusive growth, growth versus development, real GDP, nominal GDP, and GDPdeflator
• Meaning and types of poverty
• Meaning and types of unemployment
• Five year plans
• Economic reforms since 1991  
• Instruments of monetary policy – quantitative tools and qualitative tools
• Monetary policy committee (MPC)
• Components of budget – types of receipts and expenditure
• Types of government deficit with significance
• Meaning, tools, and types of fiscal policy
• Inflation and measurement of inflation – wholesale price index and consumer price index 
• All about IMF and world bank 
• All about WTO
• Regional economic cooperation
• Meaning and components of balance of payments – current account and capital account
• Determination of exchange rate – flexible, fixed and managed floating exchange rate
• Industrial performance – situation and growth of indian industries since independence
• Special economic zones

Important Topics of General Science for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of general science for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Kinematics including distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration
• Dynamics and Newton’s laws of motion
• Electricity
• Elements, compounds, and mixtures
• Atoms and molecules
• Physical and chemical changes
• Chemistry in daily life
• Metals and non-metals
• Acids and bases
• Food components
• Health and diseases
• Cells and tissues
• Organ systems – digestive system, skeletal system, muscular system, respiratory system, circulatory system and reproductive system
• Biotechnology
• Space technology 
• Information and nano technology

Important Topics of Indian Freedom Struggle for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of Indian freedom struggle for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Indian national congress
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Important policies & laws by British
• Important peasant and tribal uprisings
• Major social reformers
• Revolutionary leaders
• Important battles

Important Topics of Basics of Computer Applications for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of basics of computer applications for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• History and generation of computers 
• Computer organization 
• Computer memory 
• Computer hardware 
• Computer software 
• Operating system 
• Computer network 
• Number system 
• Microsoft office 
• Database management system 
• Computer security 
• Miscellaneous topics 

Important Topics of Industrial Relation, Labor Laws & Labor Codes for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of industrial relation, labor laws, and labor codes for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Industrial relations and the constitution of india
• National commission on labour
• Theoretical perspectives of industrial relations
• Conditions influencing an employee’s decision to join trade unions
• Robert hoxie’s trade unionism
• Types of trade union
• Collective bargaining
• Industrial discipline
• Methods of discovering grievances
• Settlement of industrial disputes
• Labour welfare
• Workers’ participation in management
• International labour organisation (ILO) and philadelphia declaration
• Theories of accidents
• Different concepts of labour
• Union security measures/agreements
• Payment of wages act, 1936
• Minimum wages act, 1948
• Industrial employment (standing orders) act, 1946
• Trade unions act, 1926
• Factories act, 1948
• Industrial disputes act, 1947
• The child and adolescent labour (prohibition and regulation) act, 1986
• Inter-state migrant workmen (regulation of employment and conditions of service) act, 1979
• Contract labour (regulation and abolition) act, 1970
• Payment of bonus act, 1965
• Building and other construction workers (regulation of employment and conditions of service) act, 1996
• Mines act, 1952
• The code on social security, 2020
• The code on wages, 2019
• The industrial relations code, 2020
• The occupational safety, health, and working conditions code, 2020

Important Topics of Social Security for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of social security for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Social security schemes
• Employees compensation act, 1923
• Employees’ state insurance act, 1948
• Employees’ provident funds and miscellaneous provisions act, 1952
• Maternity benefit act, 1961
• Payment of gratuity act, 1972
• Unorganized workers social security act, 2008

Important Topics of General Accounting Principles for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of general accounting principles for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Basics of accounting
• Preparation of financial statements
• Ratio analysis
• Cash flow statement
• Accounting for share capital transactions
• Accounting for bonus shares and rights shares
• Buyback of securities
• Accounting standard for inventories
• Accounting standard for revenue recognition
• Accounting standard for property, plant and equipment
• Accounting standard for investments
• Preparation and presentation of company final accounts
• Accounting for not-for-profit organisation

Important Note: The important topics outlined above are for the UPSC EPFO EO/AO and APFC exams. However, the UPSC EPFO APFC exam syllabus includes some additional subjects, important topics of those subjects are mentioned below.

Important Topics of Auditing for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of auditing for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Nature, objective and scope of auditing
• Audit strategy, audit planning, and audit programme
• Risk assessment and internal control
• Vouching and verification/audit of items of financial items
• Company audit
• Auditor’s report
• Audit of different types of entities
• Classification of audit

Important Topics of Insurance for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of insurance for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Basics, history, and features related to the insurance
• Fundamental principles governing insurance contract 
• Types and classification of insurance 
• Difference between life and general insurance 
• Insurance sector in india 
• Emerging concepts and products in the insurance sector

Important Topics of Population, Development & Globalization for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of population, development and globalization for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Growth of population
• Characteristics of population
• Concept of human development
• Information in latest human development report by UNDP
• Impact of globalisation

Important Topics of Indian Culture and Heritage for UPSC EPFO

Here are the important topics of Indian culture and heritage for the UPSC EPFO exam.

• Buddhism & Jainism
• Caves and temples in India
• Indian dance styles
• Indian scriptures
• UNESCO heritage
• Archaeology in India
• Important dynasties in India
• Bhakti movement

Now that you have the UPSC PYQs for EO/AO and APFC in PDF format, you can: 

• Identify different types of questions and important topics of each subject.
• Choose the right study material that aligns with the exam requirements.
• Get familiar with the exam pattern and boost confidence.
• Identify areas that need improvement and address them accordingly.

Anchit Garg, the co-founder, is a consultant turned edupreneur. With an MBA from IMT, Ghaziabad and B.Tech from PEC, Chandigarh, he has more than 7 years of experience in the field of education mentoring aspirants for regulatory bodies and banking exams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The chances of PYQs being repeated in the upcoming UPSC EPFO EO/AO and APFC 2024 exam are pretty low. However, that doesn’t mean you should devalue PYQs. They serve an important purpose in understanding the exam pattern and types of questions and identifying important topics.

EduTap provides the UPSC EPFO EO/AO and APFC PYQs in English.

Yes, you can. This is because the UPSC EPFO EO/AO syllabus forms a core foundation within the UPSC EPFO APFC syllabus. However, it’s important to dedicate additional time to cover the additional topics of the APFC syllabus, such as insurance, statistics, auditing, and population, development and globalization (PDG).

The core subjects and topics remain relatively consistent; however, minor variations or updates may occur. It’s essential to review the latest notification of the UPSC EPFO EO/AO and APFC exams for the most accurate and updated syllabus.

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CDS 2 Question Paper 2024, Download English, GK, Maths Question Paper

The UPSC has successfully conducted the Shift 1 and Shift 2 of the CDS 2 2024 exam on 1st September 2024. Candidates can download the CDA 2 English Question paper and CDS 2 General Knowledge question paper 2024, complete with subject-wise questions, through this article.

Table of Contents

Union Public Service Commission successfully conducted the CDS 2 exam in two sessions on 1 September 2024. A large number of candidates appeared in this exam at various centers across the country. You can check the questions asked in the CDS 2 exam and download them as PDF. You can download the CDS 2 Question Paper 2024 from the link given below this article.

UPSC CDS 2 Question paper 2024

The UPSC CDS exam is divided into three sections: English, General Knowledge and Elementary Mathematics. The English and General Knowledge sections consist of 120 questions each, while the Elementary Mathematics section consists of 100 questions. This exam consists of a total of 300 questions through which candidates are evaluated to get admission into the Indian Armed Forces Academies and Officer Training Programs.

UPSC CDS 2 Question Paper 2024 Overview

The CDS 2 exam was successfully completed on 1 September 2024. Candidates successfully attempted most of the questions, which made it clear that the paper was relatively manageable and candidates performed well here. You can download the question paper of CDS 2 Exam 2024 set-wise by clicking on the link given in the table below. You can see the overview of this exam from the table given below

UPSC CDS 2 English Question Paper 2024 PDF

In the CDS Exam, the English section is worth 100 marks, with a duration of 2 hours provided to candidates. This section is included across all four categories: IMA, INA, AFA, and OTA. Therefore, it’s crucial not to overlook this part of the exam. To assist you in your preparation, we’ve provided the PDF link to the English section of the CDS 2024 English question paper below.

UPSC CDS 2 General Knowledge Question Paper 2024 PDF

UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 was conducted on 1st September 2024 in offline mode. After the conclusion of the exam, candidates can carry their question papers with them. Links are given in the table below, by clicking on which you can download UPSC CDS Question Paper 2024 PDF set-wise. Keep in mind that this PDF of CDS 2 Exam 2024 can prove to be an important resource for preparing for next year’s CDS exams. Download the question paper and keep it safe for your reference. In the table given below, candidates can check the CDS 2024 General Knowledge question paper.

UPSC CDS 2 Math Question Paper 2024 PDF

The Mathematics section in the CDS Exam features questions derived from Class 11th and 12th Mathematics topics. Although the questions in this section are challenging and more complex, attempting them with high accuracy can lead to a perfect score. We’ve provided the PDF link to the Math section of the CDS 2024 Math question paper below.

Where can I download the UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 question papers?

The UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 question papers can be downloaded as PDFs from the provided links.

When was the UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 conducted?

The UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 was conducted on 1st September 2024.

How many sections are there in the UPSC CDS exam?

The UPSC CDS exam consists of three sections: English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics.

What is the selection process for the CDS exam?

The selection process for the CDS exam includes a written test, an interview, and a medical examination.

What is the mode of the UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024?

The UPSC CDS 2 Exam 2024 was conducted in offline mode.

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