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UPSC Mains 2021 GS 3 Question Paper (General Studies III)

All 20 questions from the UPSC Civil Services Mains 2021 General Studies III paper, transcribed from the official question paper and tagged by syllabus topic. Format: 150 words (Q1–10, 10 marks) · 250 words (Q11–20, 15 marks). Download the original question paper PDF.

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Q1 Indian Economy & Planning · 10 marks

Explain the difference between computing methodology of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) before the year 2015 and after the year 2015.

Q2 Government Budgeting · 10 marks

Distinguish between Capital Budget and Revenue Budget. Explain the components of both these Budgets.

Q3 Agriculture · 10 marks

How did land reforms in some parts of the country help to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginal and small farmers?

Q4 Agriculture · 10 marks

How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India's water crisis?

Q5 Science & Technology · 10 marks

How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world?

Q6 Infrastructure & Energy · 10 marks

Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

Q7 Environment & Ecology · 10 marks

Describe the key points of the revised Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs) recently released by the World Health Organisation (WHO). How are these different from its last update in 2005? What changes in India's National Clean Air Programme are required to achieve these revised standards?

Q8 Disaster Management · 10 marks

Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.

Q9 Internal Security · 10 marks

Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.

Q10 Internal Security · 10 marks

Keeping in view India's internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.

Q11 Indian Economy & Planning · 15 marks

Do you agree that the Indian economy has recently experienced V-shaped recovery? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Q12 Infrastructure & Energy · 15 marks

"Investment in infrastructure is essential for more rapid and inclusive economic growth." Discuss in the light of India's experience.

Q13 Agriculture · 15 marks

What are the salient features of the National Food Security Act, 2013? How has the Food Security Bill helped in eliminating hunger and malnutrition in India?

Q14 Agriculture · 15 marks

What are the present challenges before crop diversification? How do emerging technologies provide an opportunity for crop diversification?

Q15 Science & Technology · 15 marks

What are the research and developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poorer sections of the society?

Q16 Science & Technology · 15 marks

The Nobel Prize in Physics of 2014 was jointly awarded to Akasaki, Amano and Nakamura for the invention of Blue LEDs in 1990s. How has this invention impacted the everyday life of human beings?

Q17 Environment & Ecology · 15 marks

Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference?

Q18 Disaster Management · 15 marks

Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy.

Q19 Internal Security · 15 marks

Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat these threats.

Q20 Internal Security · 15 marks

Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the menace of terrorism.

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