GS Paper 3 UPSC 2022 (Mains): Question Paper and Analysis

Most of the questions in GS Paper 3 of UPSC CSE 2022 Mains were strictly based on the UPSC syllabus. Please find the questions in the General Studies Paper 3 (GS3) of UPSC 2022 Civil Services Mains Examination (written).

UPSC conducted the General Studies Paper 3, as part of the Civil Services Mains exam 2022 on 18-09-2022 There were 20 questions. 10 questions were 10 marks each, while the remaining 10 questions were 15 marks each.

GS Paper 3 UPSC 2022: Instructions

• 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) 2022

Qn1.Why is Public Private Partnership (PPP) required in Infrastructural projects? Examine the role of PPP model in the redevelopment of Railway Stations in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn2. Is inclusive growth possible under market economy? State the significance of financial inclusion in achieving economic growth in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn3. What are the major challenges of Public Distribution System (PDS) in India? How can it be made effective and transparent? (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn4. Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn5. The increase in life expectancy in the country has led to newer health challenges in the community. What are those challenges and what steps need to be taken to meet them? (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn6. Each year a large amount of plant material, cellulose is deposited on the surface of Planet Earth. What are the natural process this cellulose undergoes before yielding carbon dioxide, water and other end products? (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn7. Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasising its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn8. Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn9. Discuss the types of organised crime. Describe the linkages between terrorists and organised crime that exist at the national and transnational levels. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn10. What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve the maritime security. (Answer in 150 words) 10 mark

Qn11. “Economic growth in the recent past has been led by increase in labour productivity”.Explain this statement. Suggest the growth pattern that will lead to creation of more jobs without compromising labour productivity. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn12. Do you think India will meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn13. What are the main bottlenecks in upstream and downstream process of marketing of agricultural products in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15mark

Qn14. What is Integrated Farming System? How is it helpful to small and marginal farmers in India? (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn15. Launched on 25th December, 2021, James Webb Space Telescope has been much news since then. What are its unique features which make it superior to its predecessor Space Telescopes? What are the key goals of this mission? What potential benefits does it hold for the human race? (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn16. What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn17. Discuss global warming and mention its effects on global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn18. Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn19. What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy. (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Qn20. Naxalism is a social, economic and developmental issue manifesting violent internal security threat. In this context, discuss the emerging issues and suggest a multilayered strategy to tackle the menace of Naxalism (Answer in 250 words) 15 mark

Question Topics in General Studies Paper 3 (2022 Mains)

1. PPP in railway station

2. Inclusive growth & Market Economy

3. Challenges of PDS

4. Food Processing Industry

5. Challenges leading from increased Life Expectancy

6. Cellulose- decomposition

7. Photochemical Fog- Gothenburg protocol

8. Cloud burst

9. Types of organised crimes

10. Maritime Security challenges

11. Labour productivity

12. Renewable energy

13. Marketing of agricultural products

14. Integrated farming systems

15. James Webb Space Telescope

16. Vaccine development

17. Global warming and Global Climate

18. Coastal erosion

19. Cyber Security

20 Naxalism

GS Paper 3 UPSC 2022 (Mains): Question Paper Analysis

A perfect mix of conceptual and analytical questions – that was General Studies Paper 3 all about in Mains 2022.

The question paper started with somewhat factual questions regarding the Challenges of PDS, the Food Processing Industry etc.

However, the remaining share of questions mainly focused on the analysis aspect.

This paper had a tilt toward recent events of national and international importance (in the last 10 years) – however, there was no focus on trivial or factual current affairs except a lone question on James Webb Space Telescope.

However, UPSC also gave a shock to candidates by asking about the Photochemical Fog and specifically about the Gothenburg protocol.

This reinforces our theory that the scope of current affairs should not be limited to the last 1 year – but it should span the contemporary events of at least the last 10 years.

The questions on Cloud burst, Vaccine development,  etc were also connected with contemporary affairs.

Overall, the paper can be rated as moderate difficulty.

Important Take-Aways from the GS Paper 3 UPSC 2022 (Mains) – Question Paper

This paper stressed the importance of understanding certain crucial areas like the Indian Economy.

From the perspective of the UPSC syllabus, all major national and global initiatives which arouse interest in a well-educated youth should be given stress.

There are no major surprises this year for those candidates who had carefully analysed the previous year’s UPSC question papers.

This year’s paper followed more or less the previous year’s trends.

The paper also points to the importance of wide reading and expert training to score high – including the right kind of practice and time managment.

Mains 2021 vs Mains 2022: Comparison of General Studies Paper 3 Question Topics

A perfect mix of conceptual and analytical questions – that was General Studies Paper 3 all about in Mains 2022. Overall, the paper can be rated as moderate difficulty. What do you think of this year’s General Studies Paper 3 questions? What are your comments about this paper?