UPSC Mains 2024 GS3 Analysis

UPSC MAINS 2024 GS-llI PAPER QUESTION PAPER, ANALYSIS AND PAST YEAR TRENDS

On September 22, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the General Studies (GS) Paper lll for the Civil Service Examination (CSE) Mains 2024.

This paper consists of 20 questions divided into 2 categories based on marks; 10 questions have 10 marks each, and the remaining 10 have 15 marks each.

The total marks of the GS lll paper is 250, and the allotted time is 3 hours.

UPSC 2024 GS Paper lll: Instructions

There are TWENTY questions printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

All questions are compulsory.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided.

No marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.

Answers to Questions Nos. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to Questions Nos. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words.

Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.

Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

UPSC MAINS 2024 GENERAL STUDIES PAPER IIl

1) Examine the pattern and trend of public expenditure on Social Services in the post-reforms period in India. To what extent this has been in consonance with achieving the objective of inclusive growth? (Answer in 150 words) 10

2) What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of RBI to control this type of inflation. 10 (Answer in 150 words)

3) What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words) 10

4) Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10

5) What is the present world scenario of intellectual property rights with respect to life materials? Although, India is second in the world to file patents, still only a few have been commercialized. Explain the reasons behind this less commercialization. (Answer in 150 words) 10

6) What is the technology being employed for electronic toll collection on highways. What are its advantages and limitations? What are the proposed changes that will make this process seamless? Would this transition carry any potential hazard? (Answer in 150 words) 10

7) Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiative in this regard. (Answer in 150 words) 10

8) What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. (Answer in 150 words) 10

9) Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism. (Answer in 150 words) 10

10) Describe the context and salient feature of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. (Answer in 150 words) 10

11) Discuss the merits and demerits of the four Labour Codes’ in the context of labor market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard? (Answer in 250 words) 15

12) What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government’s UDAN Scheme and its achievements. (Answer in 250 words) 15

13) What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management. (Answer in 250 words) 15

14) Elucidate the importance of buffer stocks for stabilizing agricultural prices in India. What are the challenges associated with the storage of buffer stock? Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15

15) The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe alternative freshwater. What are the technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies, citing their key merits and demerits. (Answer in 250 words) 15

16) What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe? (Answer in 250 words) 15

17) What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also mention the global targets of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030). (Answer in 250 words) 15

18) Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods. (Answer in 250 words) 15

19) India has a long and troubled border with China and Pakistan, fraught with contentious issues. Examine the conflicting issues and security challenges along the border. Also give out the development being undertaken in these areas under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme. (Answer in 250 words) 15

20) Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies to address the problem. (Answer in 250 words) 15

ANALYSIS OF UPSC MAINS 2024 GENERAL STUDIES PAPER lll

Subject	Total Questions
Economic Development & Policy	7
Environmental Issues	5
Security & Governance	4
Agriculture & Food Security	4

Analysis of UPSC Mains GS Paper lll: Question-Wise Data

Subjects	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Economics	5	4	4	4	4	4
Agriculture and allied sector	4	6	4	4	4	4
Internal Security	4	4	4	4	4	4
Environment/Science and Technology/ Disaster	7	6	8	8	8	8

Analysis of UPSC Mains GS Paper lll: Marks Wise Data

Subjects	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Economics	65	50	50	50	50	50
Agriculture and Allied sector	60	75	50	50	50	50
Internal Security	50	50	50	50	50	50
Environment/Science and Technology/ Disaster	75	75	100	100	100	100

UPSC MAINS 2024 GENERAL STUDIES PAPER IIl: Detail Analysis

Highlights the trends in government spending after economic reforms on social services, focusing on education, health, and welfare projects. Discusses how increased funding is expected to reduce inequality and how it aligns with inclusive growth objectives.

Emphasizes success in alleviating poverty and improving service access. Examines challenges such as regional differences and inadequate implementation and suggests measures.

2) What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of RBI to control this type of inflation. 10 (Answer in 150 words)

Discuss persistent causes of high food inflation in India, such as supply chain disturbances, climate change, and implementation inefficiency.

Discuss the effectiveness of the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy tools in fighting inflation, such as interest tax adjustments. Highlights the limitations in controlling food prices due to supply factors.

3) What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Discuss important reasons that contributed to the successful implementation of the land reforms in specific regions, such as strong political will, mass mobilisation, and legal support frameworks. Examine case studies, including West Bengal and Kerala, showing how effective implementation leads to an equitable distribution of land and increased agricultural productivity.

4) Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Discuss how millet contributes to health and nutritional security in India. Explain its nutrient values, low water requirements, and climate resilience qualities.

Examine initiatives taken by the government to promote millet cultivation and consumption to increase food security and combat malnutrition.

Discuss the contemporary global situation of intellectual property rights regarding life materials, focusing on biotechnology and traditional knowledge.

Highlight reasons behind the low commercialisation rate despite high patent registrations in India, explain reasons such as lack of investment, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient cooperation between industry and academia.

Highlights the technology concept behind electronic toll collection systems, such as RFID and GPS. Discuss the benefits, including reducing congestion and efficient payment collection, and examine limitations such as infrastructure costs and data privacy concerns.

Discuss the various approaches adopted to reduce Industrial pollution of rivers, such as wastewater treatment plants and the implementation of regulatory guidelines.

Examine the steps taken by the government, such as the National River Conservation Plan, which focuses on improving water quality and implementing more stringent pollution control measures.

Discuss the influence of NGOs and environmental activists in the process of environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), noting examples like the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Valley project.

Examine how the participation of NGOs has promoted transparency and accountability in the project implementation and promoted sustainable development.

9) Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Discuss the rise in narco-terrorism as a major threat in India stems from drug trafficking and links to organised crime. Suggest countermeasures such as strengthening border security, cooperation between various agencies and public awareness campaigns to effectively combat this problem.

10) Describe the context and salient feature of Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. (Answer in 150 words) 10

Explains the context and main features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, focusing on data rights, compliance mechanisms and penalties for violations. Discuss the importance of protecting citizens' privacy in an increasingly digital world.

11) Discuss the merits and demerits of the four Labour Codes’ in the context of labor market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard? (Answer in 250 words) 15

Examine the provisions of the four labour codes and discuss their advantages, including easier compliance and stronger labour protections.

Highlights criticisms like potential job losses and resistance from labour unions. Evaluate the performance of these reforms and discuss their impact on the labour market.

12) What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government’s UDAN Scheme and its achievements. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Examine the objectives and achievements of the UDAN scheme. Examine the significance of extending air connectivity in the underserved region for economic growth and accessibility, and also discuss the challenges in enhancing air travel in the underserved areas.

13) What are the major challenges faced by Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Identify the main challenges facing the Indian irrigation system, such as water scarcity and inefficient management.

Discussed government measures, including the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, aimed at improving irrigation efficiency and sustainability.

14) Elucidate the importance of buffer stocks for stabilizing agricultural prices in India. What are the challenges associated with the storage of buffer stock? Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) 15

Discuss the significance of buffer stocks in stabilising agricultural goods prices, highlighting their impact on food security.

Examine the challenges of lack of storage infrastructure and quality control, followed by the recommendations for strengthening buffer stock management.

Discuss three key technologies for solving water scarcity problems: desalination of seawater, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling. Evaluate their merits and demerits in terms of cost, environmental impact, and scalability.

16) What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe? (Answer in 250 words) 15

Define asteroids and assess their potential threats to life on Earth. Discuss strategies developed for asteroid defence, Including tracking programs and potential deflection technology.

Describe disaster resilience and its determination through community preparedness, infrastructure robustness, and response capabilities.

Highlights features of a model resilience framework and discusses global targets under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).

Discuss the causes of flooding in the city, including inadequate drainage and climate change. Highlights major floods such as the Chennai floods of 2015 and the Delhi floods of 2020, and outlines government policies aimed at mitigating the impact of floods.

Examine the security challenges along the India-China and India-Pakistan borders, including territorial disputes and infiltration. Discuss development initiatives within the framework of the BADP and BIM projects aimed at improving infrastructure and security in border areas.

Highlights security challenges posed by social media and encrypted messaging services and discusses measures taken by governments and online platforms to combat misinformation and cyber threats. Propose solutions, such as improving digital literacy and regulatory frameworks.

Theme of the UPSC MAINS 2025 GENERAL STUDIES PAPER III

A) The UPSC MAINS 2024 General Study (GS) Paper lll cover a wide range of themes, focusing on economics, environment, science, and internal security. The paper assesses the candidate's ability to connect multiple subjects to understand the significance of India's present concerns, focusing on problem-solving, analytical thinking, and knowledge of government policies.

B) Questions address India's economic issues, in agriculture, infrastructure, and labour reform. Topics such as public waste, food inflation, and land reform require candidates to evaluate the effectiveness of government programs. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRI) issue require candidates to analyze how innovations linked with international norms that affect India's technological progress.

C) Questions evaluate candidates' knowledge of modern technologies, such as electronic toll collection, emerging technologies, such as water scarcity solutions and the significance of millets in sustainable development. It highlights that the questions are centre on innovation to achieve more sustainable goals.

D) Questions about drug terrorism, border disputes with China and Pakistan, and the role of social networks in security, evaluate candidates' awareness of these complex security issues. These questions require a deep understanding of the strategies related to diplomacy, military readiness and cyber security.

E) Questions about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act of 2023, the Labour Code, and the UDAN regional air connectivity project examine candidates' awareness of recent projects and their effects on the economy and society. Questions related to the role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and environmental impact assessments (EIA) assess candidates' understanding of participatory governance and civil society's impact on policymaking.

Understanding the Trend

A)Questions focus on current developments, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and the UDAN program, which highlights the necessity of understanding current government policies.

B)Questions stress the practical use of technology in governance, such as our toll collection system. It requires candidates to think critically about how these innovations affect policy implementation.

C)Questions require us to explain why food inflation has remained so high and criticised the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy. Environmental concerns and disaster management require innovative solutions, demonstrating that studying requires more practical understanding than theoretical solutions.

D)Question encourages applicants to combine knowledge from several subjects, integrating economics, science, environmental studies, and public administration to answer the questions compressively.

E)Questions about scientific topics such as asteroids, effective disaster management demonstrate the need for thorough knowledge of science and technology in governance.

Conclusion

The UPSC Mains 2024 General Study Paper III assesses candidates' understanding by testing their ability to connect knowledge to policies; this requires a good knowledge of basic concepts, deep understanding, and analytical skills. Candidates should present concise and comprehensive answers that reflect an in-depth understanding of complex issues and their practical significance. The exam requires clarity of thought and expression and integrating theoretical understanding with contemporary reality.

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