General Studies Paper III (GS III)

20 questions, 250 marks, 3 hours. Open a question for its Hindi text, a topper’s answer to it, and to write it and get it marked.

1. Q1Enumerate 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 2017.10 marks · 150 words
2. Q2Do 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.10 marks · 150 words
3. Q3How far is Integrated Farming System (IFS) helpful in sustaining agricultural production?10 marks · 150 words
4. Q4Elaborate the impact of National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production from water-stressed areas.10 marks · 150 words
5. Q5How 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?10 marks · 150 words
6. Q6What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme?10 marks · 150 words
7. Q7Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyze the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples.10 marks · 150 words
8. Q8Vulnerability 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.10 marks · 150 words
9. Q9The banning of ‘Jamaat-e-Islami’ 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.10 marks · 150 words
10. Q10What is CyberDome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India.10 marks · 150 words
11. Q11It is argued that the strategy of inclusive growth is intended to meet the objectives of inclusiveness and sustainability together. Comment on this statement.15 marks · 250 words
12. Q12The public expenditure management is a challenge to the Government of India in the context of budget making during the post-liberalization period. Clarify it.15 marks · 250 words
13. Q13What are the reformative steps taken by the Government to make food grain distribution system more effective?15 marks · 250 words
14. Q14Elaborate the policy taken by the Government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector.15 marks · 250 words
15. Q15How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies?15 marks · 250 words
16. Q16How can biotechnology help to improve the living standards of farmers?15 marks · 250 words
17. Q17Define 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.15 marks · 250 words
18. Q18Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides.15 marks · 250 words
19. Q19Indian 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.15 marks · 250 words
20. Q20Cross-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.15 marks · 250 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper III. The paper on upsc.gov.in.