UPSC GS Paper 3 covers some of the most dynamic areas of the Civil Services Mains examination, including the Indian economy, agriculture, science and technology, environment, biodiversity, disaster management and internal security. The paper tests an aspirant’s ability to connect static concepts with current affairs, government policies, data and real-world examples.
Practising UPSC GS Paper 3 Previous Year Questions (PYQs) helps candidates understand recurring themes, changing question patterns and the analytical approach expected by UPSC. Regular answer writing within the prescribed word limit can significantly improve conceptual clarity, structure and presentation.
GENERAL STUDIES (PAPER-III)
150 Words Each
What do you mean by Digital Rupee? In this context, explain the working and progress of India’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Examine the view that financial inclusion is an integral part of social and economic inclusion in a country like India. Also throw light on the usefulness of the R.B.I.’s Financial Inclusion Index.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Describe the various Technology Missions initiated in Indian agriculture and examine their role in food security.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Explain the factors responsible for inefficiency of agri-produce marketing. How e-commerce helps to reduce inefficiency of agri-produce marketing? Explain.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Explain by giving two examples, how biotechnology has helped the Indian farmers in processing their perishable crops.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Distinguish between a Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) and a thermal nuclear reactor. In the context of first indigenously developed prototype FBR at Kalpakkam, explain the term ‘criticality’. What are its implications for clean energy future of our country?
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Discuss how the contradiction between ‘rapid infrastructure development’ and ‘disaster-risk reduction’ in ecologically-sensitive areas of India can be managed, with suitable examples.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Discuss the aim and goals of Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework. Mention India’s commitments and initiatives to achieve the goals and targets of this framework giving suitable examples.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Explain how fake news and disinformation pose threat to Internal Security and Public Order in Indian context? In this regard, discuss salient features of amendments in respect of Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Ladakh is strategically located between China and Pakistan. As a measure to win hearts and minds of locals, discuss the Border Area Development Programmes (BADP) by the Central Government and civic actions by the Army. Also discuss the demand of promulgation of provision of the Sixth Schedule of constitution for Ladakh.
Answer in 150 words — 10 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →250 Words Each
Explain the key challenges for India’s energy security. What measures do you suggest for ensuring energy security along with economic growth and sustainability?
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →How are startups in India promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and employment? Discuss the global and domestic challenges in their working and suggest suitable measures to overcome these challenges.
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →How Indian agriculture has been transformed from food scarcity to food surplus level? Explain the various government policies implemented for diversification of Indian agriculture.
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Discuss the different types of subsidies and supports provided by the Government of India to agricultural sector. Examine the related issues pertaining to Agreement on Agriculture of World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Mention salient features of ‘Mission Drishti’. Discuss the imaging techniques used in the satellite launched on 3rd May 2026. Why it is being considered world’s first satellite of its kind?
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →What is agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Explain its working. Describe its applications with suitable examples. Discuss the advantages, risks and challenges associated with agentic AI systems.
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →What are the challenges to solid waste management in India? Discuss the governmental policy framework on solid waste management. Discuss the success/failure cases of Delhi and Indore cities highlighting the salient feature of their solid waste management initiatives.
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →“Community participation is the cornerstone of effective disaster management”. Analyse this statement with suitable examples from India. Also discuss the challenges to community participation and measures to strengthen it.
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Separatist movements have been one of the major factors contributing to militancy and instability in Jammu & Kashmir (J & K). Bring out actions taken by the Government to bring J & K into national mainstream. Discuss pre and post abrogation status of Articles 370 and 35A. Also bring out positive impacts of abrogation of both articles in mainstreaming the state.
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →Discuss counterfeit currency and money laundering as major sources of terror funding in India. State the actions being taken at International level to check these menaces. Highlight the role of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and methods of compliance by its member states in preventing terror funding.
Answer in 250 words — 15 Marks
Answer – Coming Soon →A systematic study of UPSC GS Paper 3 PYQs allows aspirants to identify important themes and develop a multidimensional approach to economic, technological, environmental and security-related issues. Rather than simply memorising facts, candidates should use PYQs to understand the demand of the question and practise linking concepts, policies, data, examples and solutions in their answers.