UPSC Mains 2020 Hit Ratio

GENERAL STUDIES 1

Question 1

The interlinking of rivers can provide viable solutions to the multi-dimensional inter-related problems of droughts, floods and interrupted navigation. Critically examine. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and repeated theme of interlinking of rivers asked in past year also
• Could have been easily answered if previous year questions were solved by aspirant.
• Covered in various modules of Editorial analysis course
• Editorial PDF-July 21 and 23 2019
• The Big Picture Ep. 80-Floods & River Linking

 

Question 2

Account for the huge flooding of million cities in India including the smart ones like Hyderabad and Pune. Suggest lasting remedial measures. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and based on the repeated theme of urban flooding asked in previous year questions.
• Could have been easily done if the candidate had done previous year questions.
• The Big Picture Ep. 41-Floods and Dam Management
• Editorial PDF-November 02 and 03 2020
• Editorial PDF-October 17 and 19 2020

 

Question 3

India has immense potential of solar energy though there are regional variations in its developments. Elaborate. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy given solar energy is a conventional topic and a lot of content available on it.
• Covered in various modules of Hindu analysis course
• The Big Picture Ep. 186-One Sun One World One Grid
• Editorial PDF-July 13 and 14 2020
• Editorial PDF-June 07 2019

 

Question 4

Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate and factual from current affairs – State of Forest Report 2019.
• Knowledge of the report would have helped in answering the question.
• Editorial PDF-August 14 2019
• Editorial PDF-January 07 2019
• Editorial PDF-July 14 2019
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 5

How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate your answer. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy/moderate and straightforward with lot of example
• Huge list of government initiatives can be included
• Editorial PDF-July 06 and 07 2020
• Editorial PDF-June 08 2020
• Editorial PDF-May 26 2020
• Editorial PDF-September 04 and 05 2020
• Editorial PDF-September 23 and 24 2020

 

Question 6

The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Straightforward yet difficult to write content/ too specific
• Few Basics covered in Static Notes
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 7

Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Difficult/Moderate – Pala being less important in syllabus
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 8

Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movements. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and straightforward can be answered from any conventional source.
• Basics covered in Static Notes

 

Question 9

Discuss the geophysical characteristics of Circum-Pacific Zone. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderately difficult
• Straightforward and factual question about the Circum Pacific Zone.
• That is. Ring of Fire
• Basics covered in Static Notes
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 10

The process of desertification does not have climate boundaries. Justify with examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Difficult and conceptual
• This required conceptual understanding of desertification and also
• some factual knowledge for examples to justify your answer.
• Basics covered in Static Notes

 

Question 11

How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and straightforward
• A repeated theme on Himalayan glaciers and its melting and its impact.
• Covered in RSTV-Melting Himalayas
• The Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report 2019

 

Question 12

Account for the present location of iron and steel industries away from the source of raw material by giving examples. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and straightforward question
• This question could be easily answered from Geography NCERT.

 

Question 13

Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words, 15 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Basic question
• Easy and repeated theme from previous year
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 14

COVID-19 pandemic accelerated class inequalities and poverty in India. Comment. (Answer in 150 words, 10 marks)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Current affairs based question
• As this was the major burning issue from Mains perspective
• We have provided almost 10 to 15 such editorials or more around this topic of
  • Covid-19 and its impact on unemployment
  • Covid-19 and its impact on migration
  • Covid-19 and its impact on poverty
  • Covid-19 and its impact on inequality
  • Covid-19 and its impact on economy
  • Covid-19 and its impact on Education

 

GENERAL STUDIES 2

Question 1

“Recent amendments to the Right to Information Act will have profound impact on the autonomy and independence of the Information Commission”.  Discuss.

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Current Affairs Based Question
• Recently the RTI act was amended which allowed the central government to prescribe the term for information commissioners.
• Also it allowed central government to determine salaries, allowances and other terms of service of the Chief/State Information Commissioner and the Information Commissioners.
• Covered in various modules of Editorial analysis course
• Editorial PDF-July 21 and 23 2019
• Editorial PDF-July 25 and 26 2019

 

Question 2

How far do you think Cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite Some recent examples to validate your answer.

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and straightforward question given lot of developments in recent years in federal relation
• Cooperation – GST Council
• Confrontation – Permission to CBI to investigate cases , Opposition farm laws by some states
• Competition – Ease of doing business ranking of state governments
• Each and every above topic covered in Detail through various editorials
• As these were the major burning issue from Mains perspective

 

Question 3

“Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker’ ! Do you think this practice should be adopted to impart objectivity to the office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha? What could be its implications for the robust functioning of parliamentary business in India?

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate as office of speaker in Parliament and State legislature has been in news
• Due to controversy over his/her biases in anti – defection decisions and in conducting proceedings of the house.
• Burning issue was- Rajasthan HC vs. 19 MLAs Challenging Speaker notice
• Burning issue was- SC upholds disqualification of 17 Karnataka MLAs by Speaker, etc.
• Editorial PDF-July 27 and 28 2019
• Editorial PDF-November 15 2019
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 4

In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate difficulty can be answered with knowledge about schemes for healthcare of old people and women.
• It is related to SDG 3 and 5.
• Covered in various modules of Editorial analysis PDF
• Editorial PDF-August 28,29 2020
• We have provided almost 10 to 15 such editorials or more around this topic of
  • Maternal Healthcare
  • Old age and its health issue
  • India’s Health system and its poor performance,etc.
  • Malnourishment, nutrition issues,
  • Pandemic & Affordable Healthcare,
  • related govt. schemes and its loopholes/concerns

 

Question 5

“Institutional quality is a crucial driver of economic performance”. In this context suggest reforms in Civil Service for strengthening democracy. (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderately difficult as directly from syllabus.
• Burning Issue-Mission Karmayogi
• 10th Report of 2nd ARC and following recent reforms in civil services like perform and perish,
• The National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (‘NPCSCB’) – “Mission Karmayogi” has been launched with the objective of enhancing governance through Civil Service Capacity Building.

 

Question 6

“The emergence of Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) has initiated e-Governance as an integral part of the government”. Discuss (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Basic question
• Editorial PDF-December 27 2019
• The Hindu Analysis June 01 2020

 

Question 7

Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the COVID-19 Pandemic (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy Question – WHO has been in the news a lot over its response to COVID 19 pandemic .
• Lot of content in current affairs over this issue.
• The Big Picture Ep. 282-Reforms in UN & other impaired blocs
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 8

Indian Constitution exhibits centralising tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate and current affairs based as Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, Disaster Management Act 2005 had been in news during COVID lockdown and recent farm acts have also been in news.
• We have provided many such editorials or more around this topic of
  • Epidemic Act,
  • DM Act 2005,
  • Covid-19 and related acts etc.
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 9

“The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone”. In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report. (Answer in 250 words).

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and current affairs based.
• Theme is quite common – income alone is an inadequate criteria to measure poverty.
• Covered in various modules of Editorial analysis course
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 10

“There is a need for simplification of Procedure for disqualification of persons found guilty of corrupt practices under the Representation of Peoples Act”. Comment (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Basic question
• Difficult question given that specific knowledge of RPA Section 123 dealing with corrupt practices required.
• Limited content in Laxmikant
• Few Basics covered in Static notes

 

Question 11

“Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine, is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India”. Evaluate the role of the Self Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and straightforward question on SHGs and their role.
• Few Basics covered in Static Notes
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 12

National Education Policy, 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and current affairs based question.
• Anyone following current affairs and knowing SDGs can answer it.
• RSTV Desh Deshantar-National Education Policy, 2020
• The Big Picture Ep. 263-Improving Higher Education
• Editorial PDF-August 15 2020
• Editorial PDF-August 21 2020
• Editorial PDF-August 28 2020
• Editorial PDF-July 15 2019
• Editorial PDF-July 31 2020
• Editorial PDF-December 04 2020
• Editorial PDF-December 09 2020

 

Question 13

‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)’ is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times — Discuss. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and Current Affairs based question.
• Question on QUAD was expected as it was in the news.
• The Big Picture Ep. 171- Quad-Plus Diplomacy
• Editorial PDF-July 20 & 21 2020
• Editorial PDF-October 14 & 15 2020
• Editorial PDF-October 30 & 31 2020
• Editorial PDF-September 19 & 21 2020

 

Question 14

What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate in nature as both Indo- US and Indo – Russia were in news
• but the question was analytical in nature.
• Few Basics covered in Editorial Analysis part
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

GENERAL STUDIES 3

Question 1

How does the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2020 differ from the existing EIA notification, 2006? (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Current Affairs Based Question
• Easy and Current affairs based question
• Draft EIA 2020 notification was frequently in news due to various concerns raised by many environmentalists that it would be diluting provisions of existing EIA 2006 notification
• Covered in various modules of Editorial analysis course
• Editorial PDF-August 02 and 03 2020

 

Question 2

What are the salient features of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Government of India for water conservation and water security? (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy, Straightforward and Current affairs based question.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched in 2019 as a campaign for water conservation and water security
• Editorial PDF-June 20 2020
• The Big Picture Ep. 72-India’s Water Crisis – Every Drop Counts
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 3

Define potential GDP and its determinants. What are the factors that have been inhibiting India from realizing its potential GDP? ( Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and generic in nature.
• The topic of GDP is constantly in news and can be easily answered if basic concepts are clearly understood to the student.
• Like GDP, potential GDP represents the market value of goods and services, but rather than capturing the current objective state of a nation’s economic activity, potential GDP attempts to estimate the highest level of output an economy can sustain over a period of time.
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 4

What are the main constraints in transports and marketing of agricultural produce in India? ( Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Basic question
• Covered in Static Notes
• Easy and directly from the syllabus
• The question aims to analyse the important role played by transportation in the agriculture sector and the issues associated with it.
• Give a detailed account of the constraints.
• You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

 

Question 5

What are the challenges and opportunities in food processing sector in the country? How can income of the farmers can sustainably be increased by encouraging food processing? ( Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate in nature. Directly from the syllabus.
• Basics covered in Static notes
• Sampada scheme, PM-Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) schemes can be incorporated in the answer.

 

Question 6

What do you understand by nanotechnology? And how it’s helping in the health sector? ( Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Basics covered
• Moderate in nature
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 7

Discuss different types of Cybercrimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace. (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy, Straightforward Question from the static part of the syllabus.
• A well-read candidate could have easily answered this question.
• Covered in Static Notes

 

Question 8

For effective border area management, discuss the steps required to be taken to deny local support to militants and also suggest ways to manage favourable perception among locals. (Answer in 150 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate and Specific in nature.
• Candidates require a deep understanding of the topic to properly address the question
• Border management is a static topic that has been asked in the previous year but different aspects.
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 9

Explain the rationale behind Goods and Services Tax(Compensation to states)act of 2017. How has COVID-19 impacted the GST compensation fund and created new federal tensions? (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate question of the analytical nature.
• The question was current affairs based as GST Compensation issue was in news in recent times
• with states demanding compensation from the centre due to shortfall in GST revenues.
• We have covered this topic holistically in our various editorial analysis PDF

 

Question 10

Suggest measures to improve water storage and irrigation system to make its judicious use under depleting scenarios. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Moderate due to suggestive nature.
• Basics Covered in Editorials ans static notes
• Creative thinking with the innovative approach will help to solve this question.
• Can be linked with conservation of the environment.
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 11

COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crises. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid management of the Pandemic. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Current Based question
• The Big Picture Ep. 152-Coronavirus & Digital Solution.
• Current affair based
• Comprehensive approach with relevant examples will help to solve this question.

 

Question 12

Describe the benefits of deriving electric energy from sunlight in contrast to the conventional energy generation. What are the initiatives offered by our government for this purpose? (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy and Current Affairs based questions.
• A lot of initiatives have been taken in the past few years to harness solar energy for electricity.
• The Big Picture Ep. 152-One World, One Sun, One Grid
• Covered in various Editorial analysis PDF
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 13

What are the features of the National Clean Air Programme(NCAP) initiated by the government of India? (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Easy, straight forward,
• factual in nature,
• Current affairs based

 

Question 14

Discuss the recent measures initiated in the disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Current Based question
• Basics covered in static notes
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 15

What are the determinants of left-wing extremism in the Eastern part of India? What strategy should the Government of India, civil administration and security forces adopt to counter the threat in the affected areas? (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Basics covered in static notes
• More analysis / data required for this question

 

Question 16

Analyse internal security threats and trans border crimes along Myanmar, Bangladesh and Pakistan borders including Line of Control (LoC). Also, discuss the role played by various security forces in this regard. (Answer in 250 words)

Importance of Mains and Editorial Analysis Course  

• Basics covered in static notes
• More analysis / data required for this question