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


2019 UPSC MAINS GS PAPER 3

  1. Enumerate the indirect taxes which have been subsumed in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India. Also, comment on the revenue implications of the GST introduced in India since July 2017. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks

  2.  Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  3.  How far is Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  4.  Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  5.  How was India benefitted from the contributions of Sir M.Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the fields of water engineering and agricultural science respectively? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  6.  What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  7. Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyse the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  8.  Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  9.  The banning of ‘Jamaat-e – islaami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize influence of OGWs. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  10.  What is CyberDome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 Marks
  11. It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  12. The public expenditure management is a challenge to the government of India in the context of budget making during the post-liberalization period. Clarify it. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  13.  What are the reformative steps taken by the government to make food grain distribution system more effective? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  14. Elaborate the policy taken by the government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  15. How is the government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  16. How can biotechnology improve the living standards of farmers? (Answer in 250 words)  15 Marks
  17. Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  18. Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help in disaster mitigation in the case of landslides. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  19. Indian government has recently strengthened the anti-terrorism laws by amending the unlawful activities (Prevention) act (UAPA), 1967 and the NIA Act. Analyze the changes in the context of prevailing security environment while discussing the scope and reasons for opposing the UAPA by human rights organizations. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks
  20. Cross-border movement of insurgents is only one of the several security challenges facing the policing of the border in North-East India. Examine the various challenges currently emanating across the India-Myanmar border. Also discuss the steps to counter the challenges. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks


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?