Mains PYQs · 2017

UPSC Mains 2017 GS3, every question.

The 2017 GS Paper 3 in full, in paper order: marks, word limit and directive for each question, with a link to write it against the clock.

By Gaurav Singh and Aditya Tiwari·Published ·Questions: UPSC Civil Services (Main) papers·Updated

What the 2017 paper asked

The 2017 GS Paper 3 had 20 questions for 250 marks: 10 of 10 marks (150 words), 10 of 15 marks (250 words). The directives UPSC used most: how (4), analyse (4), discuss (3), suggest (2). 1 of these questions have topper answers in the writeupsc bank, linked under each.

GS Paper 3 covers technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security and disaster management. For how long a scoring answer runs at each mark, see how long toppers actually write.

All 20 questions

Q1 · 10 marks · 150 words · Do You Agree

Among several factors for India’s potential growth, savings rate is the most effective one. Do you agree? What are the other factors available for growth potential?

Q2 · 10 marks · 150 words · Suggest

Account for the failure of manufacturing sector in achieving the goal of labour-intensive exports rather than capital-intensive exports. Suggest measures for more labour-intensive rather than capital-intensive exports.

Q3 · 10 marks · 150 words · Examine

Examine the development of Airports in India through joint ventures under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard?

Q4 · 10 marks · 150 words · Explain

Explain various types of revolutions, took place in Agriculture after independence in India. How these revolutions have helped in poverty alleviation and food security in India?

Q5 · 10 marks · 150 words · How

What are the reasons for poor acceptance of cost-effective small processing unit? How the food processing unit will be helpful to uplift the socio-economic status of poor farmers?

Q6 · 10 marks · 150 words · Describe

Stem cell therapy is gaining popularity in India to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including Leukaemia, Thalassemia, damaged cornea and severe burns. Describe briefly what stem cell therapy is and what advantages it has over other treatments?

Q7 · 10 marks · 150 words · Examine

India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbitter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space missions. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically.

Q8 · 10 marks · 150 words · Discuss

Not many years ago, river linking was a concept but it is becoming a reality in the country. Discuss the advantages of river linking and its possible impact on the environment.

Q9 · 10 marks · 150 words · Discuss

Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.

Q10 · 10 marks · 150 words · Analyse

The North-East region of India has been infested with insurgency for a very long time. Analyze the major reasons for the survival of armed insurgency in this region.

Q11 · 15 marks · 250 words · Analyse

One of the intended objectives of the Union Budget 2017-18 is to ‘transform, energise and clean India’. Analyse the measures proposed in the Budget 2017-18 to achieve the objective.

Q12 · 15 marks · 250 words · How

“Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period.” Give reasons. How far the recent changes in Industrial Policy are capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?

Q13 · 15 marks · 250 words · Analyse

What are the salient features of ‘inclusive growth’? Has India been experiencing such a growth process? Analyse and suggest measures for inclusive growth.

Q14 · 15 marks · 250 words · How

What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful to stabilise the yield of the crops in the system?

Q15 · 15 marks · 250 words · What

How do subsidies affect the cropping pattern, crop diversity and economy of farmers? What is the significance of crop insurance, minimum support price and food processing for small and marginal farmers?

Q16 · 15 marks · 250 words · What

Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India?

Q17 · 15 marks · 250 words · How

‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How will India be affected by climate change? How will the Himalayan and coastal states of India be affected?

Q18 · 15 marks · 250 words · Discuss

On December 2004, the tsunami wreaked havoc on 14 countries, including India. Discuss the factors responsible for the occurrence of a tsunami and its effects on life and the economy. In the light of NDMA guidelines (2010), describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.

Q19 · 15 marks · 250 words · Analyse

Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.

Q20 · 15 marks · 250 words · Suggest

The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?

← 2016 · All GS3 years · 2018 →

Other 2017 papers: GS1 · GS2 · GS4 Ethics · Essay.

Questions

How many questions were in UPSC Mains 2017 GS Paper 3?

20 questions, 250 marks in all: 10 of 10 marks (150 words), 10 of 15 marks (250 words). All are compulsory.

Where can I practise the 2017 GS3 questions?

In the practice bank, with a timer set to exam pace. Writing is free with no sign-in; checking an answer against topper answers uses an evaluation (1 free).

Write one, then get it checked.

Write by hand against the clock in the practice bank, then photograph the page: writeupsc puts it beside real topper answers. 1 free evaluation.

Practise GS3 questions
Check your answer on Telegram. Send a photo of your handwritten answer to @WriteUPSCbot for marks in about a minute, or join the group for a Mains question every morning.