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UPSC Mains 2016 GS 3 Question Paper (General Studies III)

All 20 questions from the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2016 General Studies III paper, transcribed from the official question paper and tagged by syllabus topic. Format: 200 words each (Q1–20, 12.5 marks). Download the original question paper PDF.

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Q1 Effects of Liberalization on the Economy · 12.5 marks

How globalization has led to the reduction of employment in the formal sector of the Indian economy? Is increased informalization detrimental to the development of the country?

Q2 Government Budgeting · 12.5 marks

Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context?

Q3 Inclusive Growth · 12.5 marks

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.

Q4 Infrastructure & Energy · 12.5 marks

What are 'Smart Cities'? Examine their relevance for urban development in India. Will it increase rural-urban differences? Give arguments for 'Smart Villages' in the light of PURA and RURBAN Mission.

Q5 Indian Economy & Planning · 12.5 marks

Justify the need for FDI for the development of the Indian economy. Why there is gap between MOUs signed and actual FDIs? Suggest remedial steps to be taken for increasing actual FDIs in India.

Q6 Inclusive Growth · 12.5 marks

Comment on the challenges for inclusive growth which include careless and useless manpower in the Indian context. Suggest measures to be taken for facing these challenges.

Q7 Agriculture · 12.5 marks

What is water-use efficiency? Describe the role of micro-irrigation in increasing the water-use efficiency.

Q8 Agriculture · 12.5 marks

What is allelopathy? Discuss its role in major cropping systems of irrigated agriculture.

Q9 Agriculture · 12.5 marks

Discuss the role of land reforms in agricultural development. Identify the factors that were responsible for the success of land reforms in India.

Q10 Agriculture · 12.5 marks

Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

Q11 Infrastructure & Energy · 12.5 marks

Give an account of the current status and the targets to be achieved pertaining to renewable energy sources in the country. Discuss in brief the importance of National Programme on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs).

Q12 Science & Technology · 12.5 marks

Discuss India's achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?

Q13 Science & Technology · 12.5 marks

Why is nanotechnology one of the key technologies of the 21st century? Describe the salient features of Indian Government's Mission on Nanoscience and Technology and the scope of its application in the development process of the country.

Q14 Environment & Ecology · 12.5 marks

Rehabilitation of human settlements is one of the important environmental impacts which always attracts controversy while planning major projects. Discuss the measures suggested for mitigation of this impact while proposing major developmental projects.

Q15 Disaster Management · 12.5 marks

The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.

Q16 Disaster Management · 12.5 marks

With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.

Q17 Internal Security · 12.5 marks

The terms 'Hot Pursuit' and 'Surgical Strikes' are often used in connection with armed action against terrorist attacks. Discuss the strategic impact of such actions.

Q18 Internal Security · 12.5 marks

"Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades." Analyze the above statement.

Q19 Internal Security · 12.5 marks

Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management.

Q20 Internal Security · 12.5 marks

Use of Internet and social media by non-state actors for subversive activities is a major security concern. How have these been misused in the recent past? Suggest effective guidelines to curb the above threat.

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