UPSC Optional papers 2020 questions

224 questions from the UPSC Optional papers 2020, each on its own page with its options. The two most recent years are free to read in full.

Q1Contribution of Robert Bruce Foote to Indian Archaeology (Answer in 150 words)
Q1Discuss the subject matter of comparative politics. Outline the limitations of comparative political analysis. (Answer in 150 words)
Q1Elaborate A. R. Desai's perspective to the study of Indian society. (Answer in 150 words)
Q1How did the intellectual forces lead to the emergence of sociology ? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q1Mughal administration incorporated a combination of Indian and extra-Indian elements. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q1Natufian culture (Answer in 150 words)
Q1Post colonial theory of the state (Answer in 150 words)
Q1"The strength of Public Administration is in its exploration of the complexities and nuances of public policy making and implementation." Discuss. (Answer in…
Q2Analyze the contribution of liberal democratic principles in the democratization of Indian polity. (Answer in 150 words)
Q2"Banning practice of 'Sati' is attributed to annihilation of a major social evil in colonial India." Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Q2Debates on 'Aryan' invasion (Answer in 150 words)
Q2Equality of opportunity (Answer in 150 words)
Q2Is sociology a value-free science ? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q2Principles of analysis and principles of action were not differentiated in Taylor's scientific management. Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Q2Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (Answer in 150 words)
Q2There is a constant and continuous collision between bureaucratic values and democratic values which adversely affects development. Do you agree? Elaborate.…
Q3"Arbitrariness in the application of rule of law is a primary cause of poor governance." Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q3Contribution of K. S. Singh to Indian Anthropology (Answer in 150 words)
Q3Has the increased participation of the underprivileged in the political process of the developing societies strengthened democracy or created political chaos…
Q3How do you justify Dumont's deliberate stress on ideology that produced intellectualized account of Indian society? (Answer in 150 words)
Q3Human rights and Cultural relativism (Answer in 150 words)
Q3Liberalism as a revolutionary idea (Answer in 150 words)
Q3Methodology is a system of rules, principles and procedures, which forms scientific investigation. Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Q3Parliamentary committees are at the deliberative core of parliamentary work which is crucial for refining legislation. Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)
Q4Ambedkar’s ideas on constitutionalism (Answer in 150 words)
Q4Considering India's diversity, the planning pattern of 'one-size-fits-all' was discarded in favour of indicative planning. To what extent has it been useful…
Q4Critically examine the impact of the process of globalization from the perspective of the countries of the Global South. (Answer in 150 words)
Q4“Departments, Boards and Commissions as forms of organization are dissimilar in the context of accountability and responsibility." Analyse. (Answer in 150…
Q4Dravidian languages (Answer in 150 words)
Q4Explain the definitional problems concerning the tribal communities in India. (Answer in 150 words)
Q4'Ideal Types' of Max Weber are mental constructs, they do not correspond to the reality. Give your views. (Answer in 150 words)
Q4Victor Turner and Liminality (Answer in 150 words)
Q5Administrative man bridges the psychological man and the rational man. Explain. (Answer in 150 words)
Q5Analyse the relevance of 'Pattern variables' in the study of social change. (Answer in 150 words)
Q5Even if all the States combine together, they cannot have their way in decision-making in the GST Council, unless the Union agrees to it. Analyse this in the…
Q5Jane Goodall's contributions in studying primate behaviour (Answer in 150 words)
Q5'Khap' Panchayat (Answer in 150 words)
Q5Machiavelli’s secularism (Answer in 150 words)
Q5"Secularism was an outcome of 20th century humanistic radicalism." Comment on this statement. (Answer in 150 words)
Q5What are the core assumptions of idealism as an approach to study International Relations? Explain its continuing relevance in peace building. (Answer in 150…
Q6Critically evaluate the contesting theories of the emergence and dispersal of modern Homo Sapiens. (Answer in 350 words)
Q6Discuss the impact of Islam on Indian Society. (Answer in 350 words)
Q6District administration is the most important unit in governance. Most of the Central and State Government schemes and programmes are directed towards the…
Q6Explain the concept of balance of power. What are the various techniques of maintaining balance of power? (Answer in 350 words)
Q6"Indian caste system is unique and has been unhealthy for the growth of sociology of India." How far do you agree with this view? (Answer in 350 words)
Q6Make a comparative assessment of Greek perspective of Justice with the Rawlsian concept of Justice. (Answer in 350 words)
Q6“The movement towards governance as an organizing concept for public administration and management is because the focus of administration has been shifting…
Q6What are the reactions of R.K. Merton to the functionalism of social anthropologists ? Bring out the limitations of latent functions. (Answer in 350 words)
Q7Discuss Erving Goffman's concept of total institutions and its relevance in contemporary society. (Answer in 250 words)
Q7Discuss the contribution of V. N. Misra to Archaeological Anthropology in India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q7Discuss Whitehead's contention that caste has potential to displace class and colonial contradiction. (Answer in 350 words)
Q7Enumerate the challenges in the operation of the principles related to collective security in the UN Charter. (Answer in 250 words)
Q7How are Hierarchy and Exclusion the major impediments in the transformation of societies ? Discuss. (Answer in 350 words)
Q7"Organizations of the future will be organic-adaptive structures but temporary systems." Discuss how Warren Bennis characterizes the new form of organization.…
Q7Representative democracy....... means the people as a body must be able to control the general direction of government policy. (J. S. Mill). Comment. (Answer…
Q7The structural part of the Constitution of India is to a large extent derived from the Government of India Act, 1935, whereas its philosophical part has many…
Q8Assess the significance of right to property in political theory. (Answer in 250 words)
Q8Critically analyze the implications of Sino-American strategic rivalry for the South and South-East Asian region. (Answer in 250 words)
Q8Differentiate between Lower Palaeolithic culture and Middle Palaeolithic culture with suitable examples. (Answer in 250 words)
Q8Elucidate the linguistic classification of Indian tribes. (Answer in 250 words)
Q8Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people's participation in politics ? (Answer in 150 words)
Q8"Indian rural society is a faction-ridden society." Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q8"Productivity is not the result of working conditions but the result of emotional response of workers to work performed." Are Elton Mayo's findings relevant…
Q8The public services in India are an evolution of the British Raj. Trace the Indianization of the services. (Answer in 150 words)
Q9Capitalism has brought increasing informalisation of work in society. Substantiate your answer. (Answer in 350 words)
Q9Discuss the characteristics of caste system in India. (Answer in 350 words)
Q9Discuss the ways to strengthen the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to enable it to address the challenges faced by the developing countries. (Answer in 350 words)
Q9Does the privatization of key public sector bodies augur well for welfarism in India? Discuss with suitable illustrations. (Answer in 350 words)
Q9Examine the colonial policy of segregation of tribes under the Government of India Act, 1935. (Answer in 350 words)
Q9Explain the impact of feminist movement on universality of marriage and family structure. (Answer in 350 words)
Q9Explicate the ideological components of Gandhism. (Answer in 350 words)
Q9Performance information use is a form of organizational behavior that is influenced by an individual, job, organizational and environmental factors.…
Q10Critically analyse Durkheim's views on elementary forms of religious life and role of religion. Also discuss the consequences of religious revivalism in…
Q10Critically evaluate the role of the United States of America in the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism and its implications for the…
Q10Critically examine the demographic and epidemiological consequences with rise in food production and sedentism. (Answer in 250 words)
Q10Discuss the dynamics of 'migrant workers' in India in the context of Corona pandemic. (Answer in 350 words)
Q10Discuss the importance of Ethnoarchaeology in reconstructing the Past citing Indian examples. (Answer in 250 words)
Q10Examine the nature and meaning of power. (Answer in 250 words)
Q10New Public Service emphasizes democracy and citizenship as the basis for public administration theory and practice. Elucidate. (Answer in 250 words)
Q10The spirit of democratic values requires that the independence of judiciary remains absolute. It is high time that the All India Judicial Service (AIJS) was…
Q11"Accountability under New Public Management has undergone a radical change, although the focus has continued to remain on management." Comment. (Answer in 250…
Q11Discuss the consequences of Across Region marriage on kinship system in modern Indian society. (Answer in 150 words)
Q11Elucidate how Darwin and Post-Darwin theories of evolution resulted in the development of Synthetic theory of evolution. (Answer in 250 words)
Q11Explain the impact of Hinduism on Tribal people of India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q11Explain the significance and importance of the demand raised by the developing countries for a New International Economic Order (NIEO). Are they likely to…
Q11Explain the sources of ancient Indian political thought. (Answer in 250 words)
Q11How does Andre Beteille justify 'middle class in India'? (Answer in 150 words)
Q11To strengthen the Election Commission of India and its commissioners is the need of the hour. Suggest measures to make it more independent and impartial.…
Q12"Developments in the field of Administrative Law reflect an increasingly blurred boundary between the state and society, and between justice and…
Q12Discuss the conceptual issues about lineage and descent in India. Give suitable illustrations. (Answer in 350 words)
Q12Discuss the significance and urgency of the UN Security Council reforms. Explain the relevance of the reform proposals made by the UN Secretary-General…
Q12Discuss various anthropological approaches to the study of personality and culture. (Answer in 350 words)
Q12Examine the National Health Policy in the context of the current pandemic situation. Identify the problems and suggest improvements. (Answer in 350 words)
Q12Explain the reasons of caste violence in India with suitable examples. (Answer in 350 words)
Q12Is humanity at the mercy of Nature, Science and Technology ? Comment in the light of pandemic situation. (Answer in 350 words)
Q12Trace the evolution of Western Political Thought from ancient to contemporary period. (Answer in 350 words)
Q13According to Durkheim, "The major function of education is the transmission of society's norms and values." Discuss. (Answer in 350 words)
Q13Analyze household dimensions of family in India. (Answer in 350 words)
Q13Critically analyze the role of ASEAN in the promotion of regional peace and security through economic cooperation and trade. (Answer in 250 words)
Q13Discuss the impact of Globalization on Indian villages. (Answer in 250 words)
Q13Discuss the significance of a normative approach to Political theory. (Answer in 250 words)
Q13Illustrate with examples the various types of locomotion patterns among the non-human primates. (Answer in 250 words)
Q13“The content and process theories of motivation have the same focus but are different in approaches." Do you agree? Give reasons. (Answer in 250 words)
Q13The Speaker of the State Assembly has assumed a significant role in formations and dissolutions of governments. Examine under the circumstances of coalition…
Q14At the district level, police functions under the overall supervision and control of the District Magistrate. Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Q14Critically assess social mobility in closed and open systems. (Answer in 150 words)
Q14Describe the provisions under 6th Schedule of Indian constitution. (Answer in 250 words)
Q14Discuss Karl Marx’s concept of class. (Answer in 250 words)
Q14Examine the role of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other major efforts by the UN to address the global environmental…
Q14How is the construct of power linked to the notion of conspicuous consumption and its impact on distributive justice ? (Answer in 250 words)
Q14Thrust on citizen centricity and Right based approaches, aim to empower the citizens. In the light of the above, has administrative accountability improved?…
Q14Write a note on 'cultural pluralism' in multi-religious society like India. (Answer in 150 words)
Q15"Comparative Public Administration started with no paradigm of its own and developed none" Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Q15Concept of Sanskritisation (Answer in 150 words)
Q15Describe the structure and function of the National Security Council of India. What role does it play in the formulation of Indian foreign policy? (Answer in…
Q15In the context of globalisation, has the scope of sociology been changing in India ? Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Q15Point out the benefits of 'green chemistry' for agrarian transformation in India. (Answer in 150 words)
Q15Political neutrality of civil servants has been regarded as one of the cardinal principles in democratic governments. Is its sanctity being maintained in…
Q15Racism and Eugenics (Answer in 150 words)
Q15Role of socialists in Indian National Movement (Answer in 150 words)
Q16Analyze the issues related to the citizenship in contemporary India. Give suitable illustrations. (Answer in 150 words)
Q16Budget is an indicator of financial health of a polity which is reflected in the statement of income and expenditure. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q16Discuss the importance and sources of hypothesis in social research. (Answer in 150 words)
Q16Genetic drift (Answer in 150 words)
Q16Indian constitution makers’ concerns on social inequality (Answer in 150 words)
Q16"Markets, hierarchies and networks represent modem governing structures in government." Explain. (Answer in 150 words)
Q16'Narmada' Man (Answer in 150 words)
Q16Outline the reasons of low volume of trade in the SAARC region. (Answer in 150 words)
Q17Analyze the impact of hydropolitics on Indo-Bangladesh relations. (Answer in 150 words)
Q17Concept of 'Dominant' caste (Answer in 150 words)
Q17Experiential Ethnography (Answer in 150 words)
Q17Give an account of the consequences and remedies of chronic malnutrition in India. (Answer in 150 words)
Q17Has policy analysis become a major source of legitimation of the status quo in political and social order? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q17Panchayati Raj Institutions are still plagued by State control and domination of bureaucracy. Argue your case. (Answer in 150 words)
Q17Right to constitutional remedies in India (Answer in 150 words)
Q17What are the problems in observing social facts in Durkheim's views ? (Answer in 150 words)
Q18Discuss the future prospects of Indo-Nepal relations in the context of the recent publication of new Nepalese map wrongly claiming Indian territory. (Answer…
Q18Ethics and Genetic engineering (Answer in 150 words)
Q18"Fiscal policy should address the issues of inequity, intricacy and obscurantism." Explain. (Answer in 150 words)
Q18How does the New Education Policy, 2020 aim to eradicate disparities in the system of education in India? (Answer in 150 words)
Q18Judicial overreach in India (Answer in 150 words)
Q18Linguistic minorities in India (Answer in 150 words)
Q18State the reasons for the various religious beliefs and practices in pre-modern societies. (Answer in 150 words)
Q18Urban local governance is perpetually afflicted with lack of financial autonomy and starvation of funds. Elaborate. (Answer in 150 words)
Q19Concept of Ethnicity (Answer in 150 words)
Q19Does the institution of marriage continue to be sacred in Indian society ? Comment. (Answer in 150 words)
Q19How does cross-border terrorism impede the achievements of peace and security in South Asia? (Answer in 150 words)
Q19Mechanism for settling inter-state disputes (Answer in 150 words)
Q19"Prevention of misconduct requires institutionalization of ethical values at the political and administrative levels." Justify. (Answer in 150 words)
Q19Senescence (Answer in 150 words)
Q19There has been a long-standing demand for separation of police investigation from prosecution. Analyze its merits and demerits. (Answer in 150 words)
Q19What do you understand by democratic federalism? How does it promote decentralization of power in India? (Answer in 150 words)
Q20"Administrative ideas must be seen in the context of the environment in which they develop." In the light of the above statement, examine the influence of New…
Q20Discuss in detail the main issues of development planning in mixed economy like India. (Answer in 350 words)
Q20Discuss the new labour codes and their impact on formal and informal labour in India. (Answer in 350 words)
Q20Examine the role and functioning of the Election Commission of India and the Comptroller and Auditor General in the last two decades. (Answer in 350 words)
Q20How do the guiding principles of India-Africa relations seek to enhance harmony and mutual cooperation between India and Africa? (Answer in 350 words)
Q20Secular trend in human growth can be positive, negative or neutral. Illustrate with examples. (Answer in 350 words)
Q20The office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India stands on the pillar of autonomy. Discuss the major lacunae in the functioning of this…
Q20What are the Social and Political problems of religious minorities in India ? (Answer in 350 words)
Q21According to Mills, "Elites rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms." Comment. (Answer in 350 words)
Q21Affirmative action in socio-economic development has not altogether eliminated discrimination. Discuss it in the context of women empowerment. (Answer in 250…
Q21Describe the functions of Tribal Research Institutes in India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q21Describe the impact of infectious diseases on indigenous populations. (Answer in 250 words)
Q21Do you think MSP (Minimum Support Price) Scheme for agricultural produce can help in rural development? Elaborate your response with suitable examples.…
Q21Implementation of administrative reforms is humongous and arduous. What lacks the push to realize the changes? (Answer in 350 words)
Q21Trace the role of militant and revolutionary movements in Indian national movement. (Answer in 250 words)
Q21What are the notable features of the recently concluded pact or the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) between India and Japan? How is it likely…
Q22Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of social survey method in social research. (Answer in 150 words)
Q22Discuss the effect of job reservation in alleviating unemployment among the tribal people of India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q22Discuss the significance of Indo-US strategic partnership and its implications for India’s security and national defence. (Answer in 250 words)
Q22Have political realities thwarted the move towards evidence based policy making? Critically examine. (Answer in 250 words)
Q22How can skill development programme induce social change? Illustrate. (Answer in 150 words)
Q22How may numerical aberrations in sex chromosomes lead to genetic disorders ? (Answer in 250 words)
Q22Immediate post-retirement appointments of high officers of government have become a new trend. Discuss its pros and cons. (Answer in 150 words)
Q22To what extent has 73rd and 74th amendments of the Indian Constitution enhanced women’s empowerment ? (Answer in 250 words)
Q23Does the functioning of the federalism in India tend to make it appear as a unitary state in practice ? (Answer in 350 words)
Q23Elaborate the causes, consequences and other concerns of growth of urban settlements in India. (Answer in 350 words)
Q23Explain how variations in language usage is related to social inequality. (Answer in 350 words)
Q23Explain the defence and foreign policy options of India to address the challenges emerging out of the current India-China standoff at the Line of Actual…
Q23Explain the impact of development-induced displacement among the tribal people in India with suitable examples. (Answer in 350 words)
Q23“Globalization is impacting the context of national policy making. The national policy agenda is becoming international.” Explain. (Answer in 350 words)
Q23Technology has accelerated the process of development and dependency. Discuss. (Answer in 350 words)
Q23Ward committees in urban local governance have remained mere paper tigers. The ideal of realizing effective people's participation in collaboration with local…
Q24"Collaboration and its cognates for public service delivery need to be viewed from the governance lenses." Comment. (Answer in 250 words)
Q24Describe the biocultural responses to extreme climatic events. (Answer in 250 words)
Q24Discuss the characteristic features of 'Neolithic culture' in India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q24Evaluate the nature and scope of anthropogenic influence on climate in India and also analyze the environmental movements arising out of it. (Answer in 350…
Q24Explain the importance of India’s claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. (Answer in 250 words)
Q24Has the thrust of government tilted towards executive in contemporary Indian Politics ? Give your arguments. (Answer in 250 words)
Q24Phenomenological perspectives in sociology reject many of the assumptions of positivism. Comment. (Answer in 350 words)
Q24Police need to be made accountable and freed from the grip of politics. It is a big challenge not only for law and order but also for the development of the…
Q25Administrative reform is "an artificial inducement of administrative transformation against resistance." (Gerald Caiden). Identify the nature of resistance…
Q25Are the contemporary farmers' movements in India changing their course? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)
Q25Civil servants are trained to follow rules and procedures so much that they become bureaucracy. Do you agree? Justify. (Answer in 150 words)
Q25Critically assess the Marxian theory of 'Alienation'. (Answer in 150 words)
Q25Critically evaluate the state of implementation of the constitutional safeguards for the scheduled castes. (Answer in 250 words)
Q25Discuss the efficacy of India’s ‘no first use’ policy (nuclear weapons) in the context of the evolving strategic challenges from its neighbours. (Answer in…
Q25How do marriage rules impact the gene pool of populations ? (Answer in 250 words)
Q25‘Liberalisation of Indian Economy has not been accompanied with adequate reforms’. Comment. (Answer in 250 words)
Q26Colonial administrators helped to construct the very traditionalism which marked the Indian society as 'backward'. Comment critically. (Answer in 350 words)
Q26Discuss the regionalism and demand for autonomy in India from Anthropological perspective with respect to Kashmir/Nagaland/Bodoland/Gorkhaland agitation.…
Q26"Disruptive nature of developments in Information Technology has changed the contours of e-governance in the last one decade." Analyse. (Answer in 350 words)
Q26How can synergising the core branches of anthropology reinvigorate the holistic spirit of the discipline ? (Answer in 350 words)
Q26How does Marx view social conflict as an essential element in social change ? (Answer in 350 words)
Q26“The war in Afghanistan is crucial from the point of view of India’s national security. If the Americans withdraw and Jihadis emerge with a sense of…
Q26"There are adequate legal mechanisms to address corruption and malpractices in administration, but they have failed to curb the menace to any noticeable…
Q26To what extent has the inadequate intra-party democracy affected the functioning of Indian Democracy ? (Answer in 350 words)
Q27Despite the constitutional provisions for representation, the voice of weaker sections is not having the desired impact in the realms of Panchayati Raya…
Q27Elucidate the problems of land alienation among the tribals of India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q27Examine the role of religion in Indian Electoral Politics in the contemporary times. (Answer in 250 words)
Q27Identify the key sectors of cooperation between India and Israel since 2014. Examine their significance in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two…
Q27"Performance Management Framework enables a clear line of sight between planning, measuring and monitoring performance." Critically analyse. (Answer in 250…
Q27What are the applications of human genomic research in human welfare ? (Answer in 250 words)
Q27What is the impact of gender division of labour on the development of society ? (Answer in 350 words)
Q27What were the salient features of the India's Population Policy (2000)? How far its goals have been achieved? (Answer in 350 words)
Q28Critically examine the role of India in shaping the emerging world order. (Answer in 250 words)
Q28Describe the different settlement patterns in rural India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q28Examine how social movements come to an end. Illustrate with examples. (Answer in 150 words)
Q28Examine the nature of the civil liberty movement in India. (Answer in 250 words)
Q28How have interpretation and presentation of data changed from classical to contemporary writings in anthropological texts ? (Answer in 250 words)
Q28Ideally citizen-administration interface is supposed to be based on trustworthiness and purposefulness, in reality it is observed to be plagued by suspicion…
Q28"Objectives of performance budgeting include improving expenditure prioritization, effectiveness and efficiency." Has performance budgeting worked effectively…
Q28Point out the main causes of 'child labour' in India. How far the State policies have succeeded in its elimination? (Answer in 150 words)