- Mains GS Papers Topicwise from 2013-2022
- Mrunal’s Model Answers for UPSC GSM-2020 Paper
- Mains GS Paper1: History, Social Science, Geography
- Mains GS Paper2: Polity, Governance,International Relation
- Mains GS Paper3: Economy, Environment, Sci-Tech, Internal Security
- Mains GS Paper4: Ethics, Integrity, Attitude
Mains GS and Essay Papers Topicwise from 2013-2022
- [Download] UPSC Mains-2020 Essay Paper, Including Topicwise last 30 YEARS Essay Question Papers (1993-2022) with booklist, strategy!
- [Download] Topicwise UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-1 (GSM1): History, Geography, Social Science
- [Download] Topicwise UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-2 (GSM2): Polity, Welfare, Governance, International Relations (IR) since new Syllabus of 2013-2022
- [Download] Topicwise UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-3 (GSM3): Economy, Agriculture, Disaster Management, EIA, Science, Internal Security since new Syllabus of (2013-2022)
- [Download] UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-4 (GSM4) Topicwise Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude – All Papers (2013-2022)
Mains GS Paper1: History, Social Science, Geography
- Indian culture covers the salient features of Literature, Art Forms, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
- Modern Indian history include the significant events, personalities, issues during the middle of the eighteenth century until the present
- Various stages and important contributors and contributions from different parts of the country in ‘The Freedom Struggle’
- Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country
- History of the world includes events, forms and effect on the society from 18th century like world wars, industrial revolution, colonization, redrawal of national boundaries, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc
- Salient aspects of Diversity of India and Indian Society
- Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and remedies
- Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism
- Distribution of key natural resources across the world including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent; factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world including India
- Effects of globalization on Indian society
- Salient features of world’s physical geography
- Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1: Urban poor women living conditions more deplorable than rural counterparts
- [Lecture] UPSC Mains Answer Writing with Self-Assessment-Benchmarks: Democractic Elements in Religious Reforms (250 Words)
- [Lecture] UPSC Mains Answer Writing with Self-Assessment-Benchmarks: Quit India Movement- Planned or Spontaneous? (250 Words)
- [Lecture] UPSC Mains Answer Writing with Self-Assessment-Benchmarks: Gandhi’s Secular Image vs. Khilafat Support
- [Lecture] UPSC Mains Answer Writing with Self-Assessment-Benchmarks: British Imperialism Exigencies
- [Lecture] UPSC Mains Answer Writing with Self-Assessment-Benchmarks: Hindu elements in Mughal Architecture
- [Lecture] UPSC Mains Answer Writing with Self-Assessment-Benchmarks: Chola Bronze Sculptures
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q20: Geography / Urbanization- New Problems of IT-BPO Cities (250 words, 15 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q19: How religiosity transformed into communalism in Independent India? (250 words)
- [Full Length Mock] UPSC Mains General Studies Paper-1 with FREE Question-cum-Answerbooklet (QCA)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q18: Women Issues & Debates in the 19th Century India (250 words, 15 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q17: Geography- Monsoon climate that feeds over 50% population of World
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q16: Geography- Converting floods into irrigation & inland navigation sources?
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q15: Implications of Market-based Petro Refineries on developing country?
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q14: Oceanic Salinity variations & its multi-dimensional effects (250 words, 15 marks) Physical Geography
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q13: New Objectives added to vision of Free India since 1920s
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q12: How traditional artisanal industry’s decline crippled rural economy of colonial India
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q11: Indian society’s spirit of tolerance & love in past & present times
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q10: Major legal initiatives by the State since Independence on discrimination against Scheduled Tribes (STs)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q9: Whether regions form cultural units or States? (10 Marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q8: Geography: How does Cryosphere affect Global Climate?
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q7: Benefits of Pulse Cultivation, Why UN declared International Year of Pulses?
- [Model Answer] GSM1-2017/Q5: Physical Geography: NASA’s Juno Mission: Knowing Earth’s Origin from Jupiter’s Data?
- [Model Answer] GSM1-2017/Q4: World History- Decolonization problems in Malay Peninsula
- [Model Answer] GSM1-2017/Q3: Freedom Struggle: Why Moderates failed to convince masses by end of 19th Century?
- [Model Answer] GSM1-2017/Q2: Spectre of fragmented polity in mid-eighteenth century India (150 words, 10 Marks)
- [Model Answer] GSM1-2017/Q1: Gupta coins & numismatic art was better than its successive dynasties. Justify (150 Words, 10 Marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM1-2017/Q6: Carbon Imperialism vs Economic Cost of Renewable Energy vs Social Cost of Thermal Powerplants: Model Answers in Hindi & English
- [Full Length Mock] UPSC Mains GS1, Set#1: History & Culture, Society & Geography; with sources for Model Answerkey
- [AW/GSM1] Art & Culture: Declining Male Classical Dancers & Sanskrit Literature in Modern India- with Model Answers
- [AW/GSM1] History: Thugs of Hindustan, Criminal Tribes Act 1871, Rise of Totalitarianism in Europe- with Model Answers
- [AW/GSM1] Society: Post-Truth & Rise of Intolerance in India vs (GSM2): Constitution: Liberty of Thought & Expression? With Model Answers
- [AW/GSM1] Post-Independence: LTTE vs IPKF & Globalization vs FLPR with Model Answers
- Lecture/Rao forGSM1: Narasimha Rao’s Diplomacy & Mains Answer writing Basics
- Lecture/GSM1: Right wing Vigilantism in India vs Alt-Right in Trump’s USA: Compare Contrast
- Lecture/GSM1&4: DeenDayal- Integral humanism (एकात्म मानवदर्शन), One India (एक भारत), Dharma Rajya
- Lecture/GSM1: Leather Industry- Location Factors, Opportunities, Challenges, Cow Vigilantism
- Lecture/GSM1- Urban Floods: Problem, Remedies, Chennai Floods & Disaster Mitigation
- FREE Complete Lecture Series on World History by Pratik Nayak
Mains GS Paper2: Polity, Governance,International Relation
- Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein
- Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
- Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and institutions
- Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity
- Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act
- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies
- Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections
- Health, Education, Human Resources
- Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders
- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures
- Issues relating to poverty and hunger
- Role of civil services in a democracy
- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
- India and its neighborhood- relations
- Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Critically Examine the Need to abolish No-Detention Policy under Right to Education Act (150 words)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Explain the signifiance of ‘Affordable Housing’ in Human & Economic Development of India (150 words)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Why did Govt. propose Triple Talaq Bill / Ordinance? List Salient Features (150 words)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Diplomacy- Modi’s De-hyphenation Policy vs Nehru’s NAM Policy (250 words, 15 Marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Son Meta-Preference impact on India’s Gender Inequality Index (GII) at UNDP (250 words)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Ayushman Bharat-NHPM: Features, Fiscal & Administrative challenges (250 words, 15 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: 15th Finance Commission’s Terms of Reference (TOR)- Why are States apprehensive? (250 words)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Law Commission Report#276: Legalizing Sports-Betting in India. Discuss your Stand (250 words)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: National Register of Citizens (NRC) & Assam Accord: Features & Interconnections (250 words)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: Article 239AA & Lieutenant Governor’s Absolutism Post-SC Judgement
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: OBC Sub-categorization: Constitutional and Legal dimensions (150 words, 10 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM2: American Senate is more powerful than Indian Rajya Sabha. Analyse
- [Full Length Mock] UPSC Mains GS2: Set#2- US Senate vs Rajya Sabha, Modi’s De-hyphenated Policy vs Nehru’s NAM
- [Full Length Mock] UPSC Mains GS2: Set#1 with model Answerkey: SC guidelines on Section 498-A
- [Economy/GSM2] Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) vs WTO: MFN-Forward, Standstill & Ratchet, India’s stand, with Model Answers in Hindi & English
- [AW/GSM2] Art of Answer writing: Uniform Civil Code (UCC)- 3 Mock Questions & Model Answers in Hindi & English
- [AW/GSM2] Art of Answer writing: Regulatory Bodies autonomy & independence: Model Answers in English & Hindi
- Lecture/GS2: Natural Fiber Textiles vs SDG; Bulk Drugs & API Industry- Govt Policies
- Lecture/GSM2: Polity- Referendum in India? Lessons from BREXIT, Columbia & Scotland
- Lecture/GSM2: Polity- Refugee & Asylum Framework in India? Lessons from EU-Refugee Crisis
- Lecture/GSM2: Polity- Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Profit: Constitutional origins?
- Lecture/GSM2: Polity- Directly Elected Mayor system in ULBs, Private Member’s Bill- merits of
- Lecture/GSM2: Polity- Regulatory Bodies: Algo-Trading vs SEBI, MCI vs NMC?
Mains GS Paper3: Economy, Environment, Sci-Tech, Internal Security
- Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.
- Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
- Government Budgeting.
- Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
- Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
- Economics of animal-rearing.
- Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
- Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions
- Land reforms in India.
- Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
- Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
- Investment models.
- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology;
- Indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
- Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
- Disaster and disaster management.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism
- Model Answers for UPSC Mains → GSM3-2019/Q12: Disaster Vulnerability types & characterization in हिंदी & English (10m, 150 words)
- Model Answers for UPSC Mains → GSM3-2019/Q11: Hazard Zonation Mapping for Landslide Disaster Preparedness in हिंदी & English (15m, 250 words)
- Model Answers for UPSC Mains → GSM3-2019/Q10: Govt Reforms to make PDS food grain distribution system more effective (15m, 250 words) in हिंदी & English
- Model Answers for UPSC Mains → GSM3-2019/Q9: Govt initiatives for Food Processing Sector in India (15m, 250 words) in हिंदी & English
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q8: Contributions of Sir M.Visvesvaraya and Dr. M. S. Swaminathan
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q7:National Watershed Project in increasing agricultural production? (10m, 150 words)
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q6: Integrated Farming System for sustaining agricultural production? (10m, 150 words)
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q5: Biotechnology for Farmers Income Improvement? (15m, 250 words)
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q3: Is Indian Economy in Good shape?
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q3: Inclusive Growth strategy for Sustainability
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q2: Public Expenditure Management challenges Post-LPG Reforms
- [Model Ans in हिंदी & English] UPSC GSM3-2019/Q1: Comment on Revenue implications of GST
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q12: How is Protectionism & Currency Manipulation affecting Indian Economy?
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q11: How principles of NITI Aayog different from Planning Commission? (15 marks) incl. HINDI ANSWER
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q10: Internal Security- Govt’s approach to Left Wing Extremism (LWE)? (10m)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q9: Why India distanced from China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)? (10 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q8: 100% Organic Farming State’s ecological and economical benefits? (10 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q7: Ramsar “Wise use” Concept for wetland conservation (150 words, 10 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q6: How to remove Toxic Solid Waste from Habitable Environment? (10 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q5: Discuss how Bose-Einstein Statistics revolutionized the field of Physics? (10 marks)
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q4: Food-Processing: How Supermarket supply chain management (SCM) eliminates intermediaries?
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q3: Agriculture Issues- How MSP protects farmers from Low-Income Trap?
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q2: Long-term Capital Gains Tax (LCGT) & Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) in the Union Budget
- [Model Answer] UPSC GSM3-2018/Q1: Energy Access initiatives for SDG: Ujjwala, Saubhagya, Gram-Jyoti, Urja Ganga, Uday (150 words)
- [AW/GSM3] Internal Security: Preventing Lone Wolf & Hate Speech on Social Media: Mock Questions with Model Answer Writing
- [GSM3/Disasters] Human Stampede Prevention, Role of Science Tech (GSM3) & Code for Media (GSM4) With Model Answer Writing
- [AW/GSM3] Economy: Give Fiscal stimulus for 6-Quarter GDP dip & GST troubles of MSME/Small Traders? Critically Examine. Model Answer Included
- [Economy] WTO Buenos Aires Summit #EPICFAIL: Model Answers for UPSC Mains GS2 & GS3
- [AW/GSM3] Carbon Imperialism vs Economic Cost of Renewable Energy vs Social Cost of Thermal Powerplants: Model Answers in Hindi & English
- [Summary] Economy#4A: Agriculture Credit & Inputs (Part 1/3) for Descriptive Exams gist of Survey Vol1&2, NITI 3YRs & SDG30
- [Summary] Economy#4A: Agriculture Extension & Research, GM Crops (Part 2/3) for Descriptive Exams gist of Survey Vol1&2, NITI 3YRs & SDG30
- [Summary] Economy#4A: Agriculture Output Selling (3/3): Price Deficiency Payment (PDP), MSP, APMC & Food Management gist of Survey Vol1&2, NITI 3YRs & SDG30
- [AW/GSM3] Tomato Inflation, Organic Farming, Pulses Inflation: Mock Questions & Model Answer Writing for UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam
- [AW/GSM3] Art of Answer writing: Minor Forest Produce (MFP) significance & challenges for Tribal economy: Model Answers in English & Hindi
- [Economy] GSM3: New Metro Rail Policy 2017: Investment Models, PPP vs EPC, DFBOT, VGF with Model Answers in Hindi & English
- Lecture/Rao forGSM3: Rao’s Economic Reforms, Impact of Liberalization & industrial Policy
- Lecture/GSM3- SENDAI Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction & India’s updated NDM Plan 2016
- Lecture/GSM3: Pollution- Kigali Amendment, India- a Rejectionist Power in SDG, Paris, ICAO?
- Lecture/GSM3/Agri: Pulses inflation: Arvind Subramanian report, PPP procurement, higher MSP, DBT?
- Lecture/GSM3/Agri: GM Mustard, DMH-11 Hybrid should we adopt in India? GEAC report? Cartagena Protocol?
- Lecture/GSM3/Budgeting: Why Plan-Non plan merger? Is Revenue-Capital classification sufficient?
- Lecture/GSM3/Budgeting: Why Budget advanced to 1st February? Merits, Rationale, Summary
- Lecture/GSM3/Budgeting: Why change Financial Year of India instead of 1st April-31st March?
- Lecture/GSM3/Economy: GST-Proposed Framework, Benefits, Challenges- Summary
- Lecture/GSM3/Poverty: UBI- Universal Basic Income for Indian Poor: Benefits, Challenges- Summary
Mains GS Paper4: Ethics, Integrity, Attitude
This paper includes questions to check the candidate’s’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his/her problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him/her while dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects and covers area:
- Ethics and Human Interface- Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships
- Human Values- lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values
- Attitude- content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion
- Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections
- Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance
- Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
- Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration- Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance
- Probity in Governance- Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information; sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption
- Case Studies on above issues.
- [Download] ALL UPSC GSM4 Question Papers (Topicwise) from 2013-22 with Analysis & Future Strategy
- [Full Length Mock] UPSC Mains GS4: Set#1 Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude incl. Case Studies on Blue Whale Game, Gender Equality, Artistic Freedom
- [Full Length Mock] UPSC Mains GS4: Set#2- Ethics, Integrity, Aptitude with case study on recruitment, Ostracism, Friendship & More
- [AW/GSM4] Art of Answer writing: Transparency of Rules Act (TORA) vs RTI vs Citizen Charter for Transparency, Accountability & Good Governance
- Lecture/Rao forGS3&4: LPG Legacy= Growth NOT Redistributed? Crisis Mgmt using Kautilya?
- FREE Complete Lecture Series on Ethics by UPSC Topper Kavan Limbasiya (IRS)
- More Case Studies and Articles