Practicing with previous year’s UPSC question papers is a highly recommended strategy to understand the nature of the exam. Solving authentic IAS question paper will give you a true sense of the pattern and style of questions that will be asked on the UPSC exam.
Once the recruitment process is complete, the conducting body releases official UPSC previous year question papers PDFs along with their answer keys. It is crucial for IAS exam candidates to focus on solving and answering these questions to grasp the level of difficulty of the examination.
This article presents the previous year’s UPSC mains question paper of 2018. Doing well on these paper will boost a candidate’s confidence and assist them in identifying the most important topics from the civil services exam perspective.
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 1 Mains 2018
5. Why is India taking keen interest in resources of Arctic region? (Answer in 150 Words) (10 Marks)
6. Define mantle plume and explain its role in plate tectonics. (Answer in 150 Words) (10 Marks)
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 2 Mains 2018
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 3 Mains 2018
UPSC Mains General Studies Paper – 4 Mains 2018
SECTION A
6. What do each of the following quotations means to you in the present context?
- (a) “The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost every thing, especially of government policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.” – Abraham Lincoln. (Answer in 150 Words) (10 Marks)
- (b) “Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding.” – Mahatma Gandhi. (Answer in 150 Words) (10 Marks)
- (c) “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” – Tirukkural (Answer in 150 Words) (10 Marks)
SECTION B
The criteria to be a beneficiary are the following:
- (a) 60 years of age or above.
- (b) Belonging to a reserved community.
- (c) Family income of less than 1 Lakh rupees per annum.
- (d) Post-treatment prognosis is likely to be high to make a positive difference to the quality of life of the beneficiary.
One day, an old couple visited Rakesh’s office with their application. They have been the residents of a village in his district since their birth. The old man is diagnosed with a rare condition that causes obstruction in the large intestine. As a consequence, he has severe abdominal pain frequently that prevents him from doing any physical labour. The couple has no children to support them. The expert surgeon whom they contacted is willing to do the surgery without charging any fee. However, the couple will have to bear the cost of incidental charges, such as medicines, hospitalization, etc., to the tune of rupees one lakh. The couple fulfils all the criteria except criterion ‘b’. However, any financial aid would certainly make a significant difference in their quality of life. How should Rakesh respond to the situation? (Answer in 250 Words) (20 Marks)
Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his 20 acres farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover.
Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant. (Answer in 250 Words) (20 Marks)
The approach till now had been to view it as a law and order problem and tackle it accordingly. Raids, arrest, police cases, and criminal trials – all these had only limited impact. The problem remains as serious as ever.
Your inspections show that the parts of the district where the distillation flourishes are economically, industrially and educationally backward. Agriculture is badly affected by poor irrigation facilities. Frequent clashes among communities gave boost to illicit distillation. No major initiatives had taken place in the past either from the government’s side or from social organizations to improve the lot of the people.
Which new approach will you adopt to bring the problem under control? (Answer in 250 Words) (20 Marks)
The unit was set up 10 years ago and was in full swing till recently. The pollution caused by the industrial effluents was affecting the land, water and crops in the area. It was also causing serious health problems to human beings and animals. This gave rise to a series of agitations demanding the closure of the plant. In a recent agitation thousands of people took part, creating a law and order problem necessitating stern police action. Following the public outcry, the State government ordered the closure of the factory.
The closure of the factory resulted in the unemployment of not only those workers who were engaged in the factory but also those who were working in the ancillary units. It also very badly affected those industry which depended on the chemicals manufactured by it.
As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of handling this issues, how are you going to address it? (Answer in 250 Words) (20 Marks)
You are heading the tax investigation agency of that region. During an inspection of the doctor’s clinic, your officers have found out some major irregularities. A few of them are substantial which had resulted in considerable withholding of tax that should be paid by him now. The doctor is cooperative. He undertakes to pay the tax immediately.
However, there are certain other deficiencies in his tax compliance which are purely technical in nature. If these technical defaults are pursued by the agency, considerable time and energy of the doctor will be diverted to issues which are not so serious, urgent or even helpful to the tax collection process. Further, in all probability, it will hamper the prospects of the hospital coming up.
There are two options before you:
- (1) Taking a broader view, ensure substantial tax compliance and ignore defaults that are merely technical in nature.
- (2) Pursue the matter strictly and proceed on all fronts, whether substantial or merely technical.
As the head of the tax agency, which course of action will you opt and why? (Answer in 250 Words) (20 Marks)
According to Snowden, the Government’s violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised national security, for which he should be held accountable.
Do you agree that Snowden’s actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case. (Answer in 250 Words) (20 Marks)
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Q: What was the structure of the UPSC Mains Civil Services IAS Question Paper in 2018?
A: The UPSC Mains 2018 consisted of nine papers, including Essay, four General Studies papers, two Optional papers, and two qualifying language papers. The Essay paper had two sections, and each General Studies paper was for 250 marks.
2. Q: How important is time management during the UPSC Mains examination?
A: Time management is crucial during UPSC Mains. With a total of 1750 marks in the written examination, candidates must allocate time wisely for each question. Practicing with previous years’ papers helps in understanding time constraints and aids in effective time distribution.
3. Q: Were there any changes in the pattern or syllabus for the UPSC Mains exam in 2018 compared to previous years?
A: No significant changes were introduced in the pattern or syllabus for the UPSC Mains 2018 exam. The exam retained its traditional structure with nine papers, and the syllabus continued to cover a wide range of topics to assess candidates’ knowledge and analytical abilities.
4. Q: How important is answer presentation in the UPSC Mains examination?
A: Answer presentation plays a crucial role in scoring well in UPSC Mains. Clear, concise, and well-structured answers are preferred. Candidates should use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to enhance readability. Diagrams, charts, and maps can be included wherever relevant.
5. Q: Can you provide insights into the types of questions asked in the Optional papers during UPSC Mains 2018?
A: The Optional papers in UPSC Mains 2018 had diverse questions depending on the chosen subject. For instance, in subjects like History or Geography, questions ranged from analytical essays to specific events or locations. It’s essential for candidates to have a deep understanding of their chosen Optional subject for effective performance.
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