The Civil Services Main examination is designed to know the aspirants personality and also his/her ability to present his/her knowledge in a comprehensible, consistent and descriptive manner. The IAS Mains Exam evaluates the overall intellectual quality of the candidates’ and his insights on different issues.

General Studies paper 3 is of  250 Marks and contains Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management in syllabus.  Click here for UPSC MAINS SYLLABUS 2021


2017 UPSC MAINS GS PAPER 3

Answer all the following questions. Answers to Question 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to Question Nos 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.

  1. Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential?    (10 Marks)  150 words
  2. Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital – intensive exports.    (10 Marks) 150 words
  3. Examine the development of airports in India through joint ventures under Public – private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard?    (10 Marks) 150 words
  4. Explain various types of revolutions, took place in agriculture after Independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?    (10 Marks) 150 words
  5. What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost-effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?    (10 Marks) 150 words
  6. Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and servere burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?    (10 Marks) 150 words
  7. India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space missions. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically.     (10 Marks) 150 words
  8. Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.     (10 Marks) 150 words
  9. Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.    (10 Marks) 150 words
  10. The North- East region of India  has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.     (10 Marks) 150 words
  11. One of intended objectives of the Union Budget 2017-18 is to transform, energise and clean India’. Analyse the measure proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective.     (15 Marks) 250 words
  12. “Industrial growth rate has lagged-behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-product (GDP) in the post-reform period.” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial-policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?     (15 Marks) 250 words
  13. What are the salient features of inclusive growth? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyse and suggest measures for inclusive growth.      (15 Marks) 250 words
  14. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stablise the yield of the crops in the system?     (15 Marks) 250 words
  15. How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of the crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers ?       (15 Marks) 250 words
  16. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantages of fast breeder reactor programme in India?     (15 Marks) 250 words
  17. ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change?     (15 Marks) 250 words
  18. On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factor responsible for occurrence of tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.     (15 Marks) 250 words
  19. Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable example, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.      (15 Marks) 250 words
  20. The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?        (15 Marks) 250 words

The nature of questions in General Studies in civil services mains exam need answers that are relevant, consequential and synoptic . These questions are to test the candidate’s skill on assessing and taking a view on the diverging socio-economic goals and objectives.To get more tips on studies of UPSC mains  click here 


UPSC Prelims syllabus 2021

How Many hours should you stdy to clear UPSC exam 2021

Hoew to select optional subject?