GS Paper 3 UPSC 2023 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis

GS Paper 3 UPSC 2023 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis- GS Paper 3 comprises questions from the technology, economic development, biodiversity, environment, security, and disaster management section. Check the mains question paper along with a detailed exam analysis.

UPSC conducted the Civil Services Mains Examination General Studies Paper 3 for 2023 on 17-09-2023.

There were a total of 20 questions in this paper. Out of these, 10 questions were of 10 makes and the rest of the 10 questions were of 20 marks.

Get a detailed analysis of UPSC CSE mains 2023 GS paper 3 below along with the UPSC mains GS 3 question paper.

GS Paper 3 UPSC 2022: Instructions

General instruction mentioned on the UPSC GS paper 3 is mentioned below. Each candidate is required to follow these instructions carefully.

• Total Marks: 250 marks, Time duration: 3 hours.
• There are 20 questions printed both in ENGLISH and HINDI.
• All questions are compulsory.
• The number of marks carried by a question/part is printed 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 no. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words, whereas answers to questions no. 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, must be struck off clearly.
• The content of the answer is more important than its length.

General Studies Paper 3 Question Paper: UPSC Civil Services Main Exam (Written) 2023

Q 1: Faster economic growth requires increased share of the manufacturing sector in GDP, particularly of MSMEs. Comment on the present policies of the government in this regard. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 2: What is the status of digitalization in the Indian economy? Examine the problems faced in this regard and suggest improvements. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 3: How does e-Technology help farmers in production and marketing of agricultural produce? Explain it. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 4: State the objectives and measures of land reforms in India. Discuss how land ceiling policy on landholding can be considered as an effective reform under economic criteria. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 5: Introduce the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI). How does Al help clinical diagnosis? Do you perceive any threat to privacy of the individual in the use of Al in healthcare? (Answer in 150 words)

Q 6: Discuss several ways in which microorganisms can help in meeting the current fuel shortage. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 7: Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyse the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 8: What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is pollution particularly harmful for a country like India. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 9: Winning of ‘Hearts and Minds’ in terrorism affected areas is an essential step in restoring the trust of the population. Discuss the measures adopted by the Government in this respect as part of the conflict resolution in Jammu and Kashmir. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 10: The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc, is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat. (Answer in 150 words)

Q 11: Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. (Answer in 250 words)

Q 12: Distinguish between ‘care economy’ and ‘monetised economy’. How can care economy be brought into monetised economy through women empowerment? (Answer in 250 words)

Q 13: Explain the changes in cropping patterns in India in the context of changes in consumption patterns and marketing conditions. (Answer in 250 words)

Q 14: What are the direct and indirect subsidies provided to farm sector in India. Discuss the issues raised by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in relation to agricultural subsidies. (Answer in 250 words)

Q 15: The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (Answer in 250 words)

Q 16: What is the main task of India’s third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the system in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the ‘Virtual Launch Control Centre’ at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (Answer in 250 words)

Q 17: Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India’s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (Answer in 250 words)

Q 18: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region? (Answer in 250 words)

Q 19: What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (Answer in 250 words)

Q 20: Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of the No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference recently held at New Delhi in November 2022. (Answer in 250 words)

UPSC Mains: Question Topics in General Studies Paper 3

According to the syllabus, the questions in mains GS paper 3 are asked from these topics. However, the questions are not direct and specific and they require a blend of static as well as current knowledge.

• Faster economic growth and manufacturing sector (Topic: Indian Economy and Development)
• Digitalization in the Indian economy (Topic: Indian Economy and Development)
• e-Technology in agriculture (Topic: Agriculture)
• Land reforms and land ceiling policy (Topic: Indian Economy and Development)
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in healthcare (Topic: Science and Technology)
• Microorganisms for meeting fuel shortage (Topic: Science and Technology)
• Causes of dam failures (Topic: Environment and Ecology)
• Oil pollution and its impact on marine ecosystem (Topic: Environment and Ecology)
• Conflict resolution in terrorism-affected areas (Topic: Security Issues)
• Measures to tackle the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for security threats (Topic: Security Issues)
• Unemployment and methodology for computing unemployment (Topic: Indian Economy and Development)
• ‘Care economy’ and ‘monetized economy’ and women empowerment (Topic: Indian Economy and Development and Social Issues)
• Cropping patterns in India (Topic: Agriculture)
• Agricultural subsidies and WTO issues (Topic: Indian Economy and Development)
• Electric vehicles and their impact on reducing carbon emissions (Topic: Science and Technology and Environment and Ecology)
• India’s third moon mission and its objectives (Topic: Science and Technology)
• National Wetland Conservation Programme and Ramsar Sites (Topic: Environment and Ecology)
• Global sea level rise and its impact on India and the Indian Ocean region (Topic: Environment and Ecology)
• Internal security challenges in India and the role of Intelligence Agencies (Topic: Security Issues)
• Terror Funding Sources in India and the No Money for Terror (NMFT) Conference (Topic: Security Issues)

GS Paper 3 UPSC 2023 (Mains): Question Paper Analysis

The GS 3 paper for UPSC CSE Mains appears to cover a wide range of topics and the questions are fairly aligned with the syllabus.

The paper effectively covers various aspects of the GS 3 syllabus, including economic growth, digitalization, agriculture, land reforms, technology, environment, security, and social issues.

It is surely designed to check candidates’ understanding of syllabus, and knowledge of current events along with their ability to analyze and present information accordingly.

This year’s difficulty level of the GS paper 3 questions seems moderate. Most questions are straightforward and can be answered by candidates with a good understanding of the topics covered in the syllabus and current affairs. However, some questions might require in-depth knowledge and critical thinking.

This year’s question paper shows a blend of the syllabus with current events which is like a normal trend of questions from the past few years, so it was expected. Questions like the one on digitalization in the Indian economy, the impact of AI in healthcare, and terrorism-related measures show this integration.

Moreover, there doesn’t appear to be a direct repetition of topics from the previous year’s papers in this set of questions. Each question seems to bring forth new and relevant themes.

This year, the major focused areas in this paper include the economy, technology (AI and digitalization), agriculture, environment (wetlands and climate change), security (terrorism and internal security), and social issues (unemployment, women empowerment). These areas reflect the contemporary challenges and opportunities facing India.

In short, the GS 3 paper for UPSC CSE Mains 2023 appears to be well-structured, covering a diverse range of topics while maintaining a good balance between theoretical knowledge and its practical application in current events.

The questions seem to be of moderate difficulty, with a clear focus on assessing candidates’ analytical and problem-solving skills.

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Article Written By: Priti Raj