GS Paper 3 UPSC 2024 (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 22-09-2024.

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 2024 GS paper 3 below along with the UPSC mains GS 3 question paper.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 3 UPSC 2024: 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) 2024

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)
What are the causes of persistent high food inflation in India? Comment on the effectiveness of the monetary policy of the RBI to control this type of inflation. (Answer in 150 words)
What were the factors responsible for the successful implementation of land reforms in some parts of the country? Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words)
Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India. (Answer in 150 words)
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)
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 hazards? (Answer in 150 words)
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 initiatives in this regard.
What role do Environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite Tour examples with all important details.
Explain how narco-terrorism has emerged as a serious threat across the country. Suggest suitable measures to counter narco-terrorism. (Answer in 150 words)
Describe the context and salient features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Discuss the merits and demerits of the four ‘Labour Codes’ in the context of labour market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard? (Answer in 250 words)
What is the need for expanding the regional air connectivity in India? In this context, discuss the government’s UDAN Scheme and its achievements.
What are the major challenges faced by the Indian irrigation system in recent times? State the measures taken by the government for efficient irrigation management. (Answer in 250 words)
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)
The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits. (Answer in 250 words)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)

UPSC CSE Mains 2024 General Studies Paper 3 Question Topics

Here are brief notes on each of the questions from the UPSC CSE Mains 2024 General Studies Paper 3:

1. Public Expenditure on Social Services in the Post-Reforms Period

Trends: Since the 1991 economic reforms, there has been a steady increase in public spending on social services such as education, healthcare, and social security. Despite this, the spending has often lagged behind needs.
Inclusive Growth: While public expenditure has contributed to poverty reduction and human development, the uneven distribution of funds and inefficiencies have hindered its full potential in achieving inclusive growth.

2. Causes of Persistent High Food Inflation in India

Causes: Poor agricultural productivity, supply chain inefficiencies, rising input costs (fuel, fertilizers), and changing dietary patterns have contributed to food inflation.
Effectiveness of RBI’s Monetary Policy: While monetary policy tools like interest rate adjustments can control demand-side inflation, they are less effective against supply-side factors that drive food prices.

3. Successful Implementation of Land Reforms

Factors: Political will, active local leadership, and pressure from peasant movements in regions like Kerala and West Bengal facilitated successful reforms. Effective land redistribution and tenancy reforms also played key roles.
Challenges: Other states faced bureaucratic delays and resistance from land-owning classes, leading to uneven success.

4. Role of Millets in Nutritional Security

Nutritional Benefits: Millets are rich in fiber, protein, and micronutrients like iron and calcium, making them essential for tackling malnutrition.
Health Security: Their climate resilience and low water requirements make them suitable for ensuring food security in drought-prone areas.

5. Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Life Materials

Global Scenario: IPR protection for life materials like genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is stringent, dominated by developed countries.
India’s Low Commercialization: Factors like lack of infrastructure, weak collaboration between industry and academia, and a slow regulatory process have hindered the commercialization of Indian patents.

6. Technology for Electronic Toll Collection

Technology: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology through systems like FASTag enables seamless toll collection.
Advantages: Reduces congestion, fuel consumption, and human intervention.
Limitations and Hazards: High setup costs, lack of uniformity across tolls, and potential cybersecurity risks. Proposed changes aim at nationwide interoperability.

7. Mitigation Measures for Industrial Pollution in Rivers

Measures: Stricter enforcement of effluent treatment norms, promotion of zero liquid discharge, and setting up of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs).
Government Initiatives: Programs like Namami Gange aim to reduce industrial pollution in rivers by improving water treatment infrastructure and monitoring systems.

8. Role of Environmental NGOs in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Influence: NGOs play a crucial role in raising awareness, conducting independent research, and holding governments accountable for environmentally harmful projects.
Examples: Projects like POSCO steel plant and Vedanta’s mining project saw major interventions by NGOs, influencing EIA outcomes.

9. Narco-Terrorism in India

Threat: Narco-terrorism refers to the use of drug trafficking profits to finance terrorism. India faces threats from cross-border smuggling, especially in Punjab and Northeast India.
Counter-Measures: Strengthening border security, improving intelligence-sharing, and international cooperation to dismantle drug syndicates.

10. Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

Context: Introduced to regulate the processing of personal data and ensure data privacy in the digital economy.
Salient Features: Introduces data protection principles, creates a Data Protection Board, and grants individuals the right to data portability and deletion.

11. Merits and Demerits of Four Labour Codes

Merits: Simplification of complex labor laws, promotion of ease of doing business, ensuring social security for gig workers, and improving dispute resolution.
Demerits: Concerns over dilution of workers’ rights, lack of clarity on implementation, and apprehension regarding the wage code. Progress has been slow due to delays in notifying state-specific rules.

12. UDAN Scheme and Regional Air Connectivity

Need: Expanding regional connectivity helps integrate remote regions, boosts tourism, and drives economic growth.
Achievements: UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) has connected underserved airports and made air travel accessible to lower-income groups, but challenges remain in terms of financial sustainability.

13. Challenges in the Indian Irrigation System

Challenges: Inefficient water management, outdated infrastructure, and over-reliance on groundwater leading to depletion.
Government Measures: Programs like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) promote efficient irrigation through micro-irrigation techniques like drip and sprinkler systems.

14. Importance of Buffer Stocks in Agriculture

Importance: Buffer stocks help stabilize prices during agricultural shocks, ensuring food availability and controlling inflation.
Challenges: High storage costs, wastage due to inadequate infrastructure, and delayed stock release mechanisms.

15. Technologies for Solving Freshwater Crisis

Desalination: Converts seawater to potable water. Merits: Addresses coastal water needs. Demerits: High energy consumption.
Rainwater Harvesting: Efficient, low-cost, but depends on rainfall.
Wastewater Recycling: Recycles water for non-drinking purposes. Merits: Reduces freshwater demand. Demerits: Needs significant infrastructure.

16. Asteroids and Threat to Life

Asteroids: Rocky bodies orbiting the sun, with some posing a potential threat to Earth.
Threat: Impact from large asteroids could cause mass extinctions, similar to the one that killed the dinosaurs.
Strategies: NASA’s DART mission, asteroid deflection technologies, and early warning systems are being developed to prevent potential catastrophes.

17. Disaster Resilience and the Sendai Framework

Disaster Resilience: The ability of communities to withstand and recover from disasters. Determined by preparedness, mitigation, and response capacity.
Elements of Resilience Framework: Risk assessment, infrastructure resilience, community awareness, and adaptive strategies.
Sendai Framework Targets: Focuses on reducing disaster mortality, economic losses, and damage to infrastructure by 2030.

18. Causes of Urban Flooding and Major Incidents

Causes: Unplanned urbanization, poor drainage systems, and climate change-induced extreme weather events.
Major Floods: Mumbai (2005) and Chennai (2015) were caused by excessive rainfall and poor drainage.
Policies: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Smart Cities Mission aim to improve urban infrastructure resilience.

19. India’s Border Issues with China and Pakistan

China: Border disputes in Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh, and the Doklam standoff. Security challenges include military build-up and LAC violations.
Pakistan: Kashmir issue, cross-border terrorism, and infiltration.
Border Area Development Programme (BADP): Focuses on infrastructure development, education, and healthcare in border regions to enhance security.

20. Security Challenges of Social Media

Challenges: Spread of misinformation, radicalization, and encryption hindering surveillance.
Measures Taken: Initiatives like IT Rules 2021 mandate traceability of content, and government partnerships with social media platforms to curb fake news.
Suggestions: Enhancing cybersecurity, increasing awareness, and improving content regulation mechanisms.

These short notes provide an overview of each question’s key points, covering relevant facts and offering succinct explanations while connecting them to broader issues of governance, environment, economy, and security.

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GS Paper 3 UPSC 2024 (Mains): Question Paper Analysis

Please find my analysis of the UPSC CSE Mains 2024 General Studies Paper 3:

Thematic Coverage

The paper covers a broad spectrum of topics across economic, environmental, scientific, and security dimensions. It tests the candidate’s ability to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines while focusing on current issues in the Indian context. It also emphasizes problem-solving, analytical thinking, and familiarity with government policies and initiatives.

Key Areas of Focus:

Economy and Public Policy:
- Questions on public expenditure, food inflation, land reforms, and irrigation emphasize India’s economic challenges and policy responses, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure, and labor reforms.
- There is a strong focus on inclusive growth and poverty alleviation, asking candidates to critically analyze whether government measures have been effective in reducing disparities.
- The question on intellectual property rights (IPR) highlights the global competition in innovation and commercialization, pressing candidates to think about the hurdles in India’s technological advancement.
Environment and Sustainability:
- Environmental challenges such as industrial pollution, water scarcity, and urban flooding are prominently featured. These questions test not only factual knowledge but also require candidates to propose sustainable solutions.
- The paper reflects a growing awareness of climate change impacts, particularly the risks of urban flooding, and places emphasis on disaster resilience and mitigation strategies.
Scientific and Technological Advancements:
- The paper includes questions on modern technology and science, such as the technology behind electronic toll collection, space-related risks (asteroids), and emerging alternative water technologies. This showcases the UPSC’s focus on cutting-edge technology as an essential part of the governance framework.
- Questions on millets and freshwater technologies emphasize the need for innovation in achieving sustainable development goals.
Security and Strategic Issues:
- The inclusion of narco-terrorism, border issues with China and Pakistan, and the role of social media in security challenges highlights the importance of national security in contemporary governance.
- These questions test candidates’ understanding of complex security dynamics and the need for multi-dimensional strategies that include diplomacy, military readiness, and cybersecurity.
Governance and Law:
- There is a significant focus on governance reforms, reflected in questions about the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the Labour Codes, and the UDAN Scheme for regional air connectivity. These questions evaluate the candidates’ understanding of recent legislative changes and their implications for the economy and society.
- Questions also touch upon the role of NGOs and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), probing candidates on participatory governance and the influence of civil society in decision-making.

Key Observations:

Focus on Current Affairs and Policies:
- Many questions revolve around recent policy changes, such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act and the UDAN Scheme, making it essential for candidates to be well-informed about contemporary developments and government programs.
- The paper highlights the intersection between policy and technology (e.g., toll collection systems), encouraging candidates to think about the real-world application of innovations in governance.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Approach:
- The paper demands more than just factual knowledge; it asks candidates to analyze causes, evaluate policies, and suggest improvements. For instance, the question on persistent high food inflation requires both an understanding of the economic causes and an assessment of RBI’s monetary policy.
- Questions related to environmental concerns and disaster management challenge candidates to propose feasible solutions to pressing issues like pollution and water scarcity.
Interdisciplinary Nature:
- The paper encourages an interdisciplinary approach, requiring knowledge across economics, science, environmental studies, and public administration. For example, the question on buffer stocks in agriculture touches on both economic stability and infrastructure challenges.
- It also tests candidates’ ability to connect scientific concepts (e.g., asteroids and disaster resilience) with policy and governance frameworks, reflecting the increasing importance of science and technology in policy-making.
International Context and Global Perspectives:
- While the paper is largely India-centric, it includes questions on global threats like water scarcity and narco-terrorism, asking candidates to think about India’s role in global issues.
- The IPR question brings in the international dimension of patent filing and commercialization, connecting India’s economic aspirations to global innovation systems.

Challenge Level:

Breadth and Depth of Knowledge:
- The paper tests a wide range of topics, from agriculture and water technologies to national security and labor reforms. Candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of both historical reforms (e.g., land reforms) and cutting-edge innovations (e.g., desalination technologies).
Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills:
- Many questions, such as those on environmental impact assessments and social media’s security challenges, require a critical evaluation of existing policies. Candidates must provide well-reasoned arguments and propose practical solutions.
Policy Understanding:
- The paper demands a thorough understanding of recent policy developments and government initiatives. Questions like those on UDAN Scheme and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act test how well candidates are in tune with the government’s policy-making and implementation processes.

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Conclusion:

The UPSC CSE Mains 2024 General Studies Paper 3 demands a strong grasp of current affairs, economic policies, environmental challenges, and scientific advancements.

It encourages a multidisciplinary approach, blending factual knowledge with analytical skills to address complex real-world issues.

The paper not only tests theoretical knowledge but also places significant emphasis on problem-solving and policy evaluation, reflecting the need for holistic thinking in public administration.

Candidates must be well-versed in recent policy initiatives, have a clear understanding of scientific innovations, and be able to connect these with broader economic and environmental objectives.

Success in this paper requires the ability to integrate diverse perspectives and propose solutions that are both innovative and grounded in policy frameworks.

GS Paper 3 UPSC 2024 (Mains) Question Paper and Analysis