UPSC Mains ECONOMICS-PAPER-II 2025

28 Questions • 400 Marks • With Detailed Model Answers

1
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) Distinguish between the Zamindari system and the Ryotwari system of land revenue under the British rule in India.

Indian HistoryEconomy
2
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(b) What were the major impacts of 'commercialisation of agriculture' on Indian farmers during the pre-Independence India? Discuss.

Indian HistoryEconomy
3
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(c) What were the economic consequences of the 'Drain of Wealth' theory as practised during the British rule in India? Analyse.

Indian HistoryEconomy
4
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(d) Why did the British lead to the destruction of India's traditional cotton industry? Discuss.

Indian HistoryEconomy
5
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(e) Describe the phases of colonisation in British India.

Indian HistoryPolitical Science
6
20 Marksmedium

2. (a) Is land reform necessary to improve agricultural productivity in India? Discuss.

EconomyAgriculture
7
15 Markshard

2. (b) Critically analyse the constraints of public and private capital formation in Indian agriculture.

EconomyAgriculture
8
15 Marksmedium

2. (c) What were the thrust areas of economic planning during the pre-liberalisation era? Discuss.

EconomyIndian History
9
20 Marksmedium

3. (a) Examine the objectives and components of the Green Revolution in India.

EconomyAgriculture
10
15 Markshard

3. (b) Why does inter-State disparity in income persist in India despite plethora of development initiatives undertaken by the Government of India? Analyse.

EconomyGovernance
11
15 Marksmedium

3. (c) Point out the main challenges faced by the small-scale and cottage industries in Indian economy.

EconomyIndustry
12
20 Marksmedium

4. (a) What are the methods used in measuring poverty and inequality in India? Analyse.

EconomySocial Issues
13
15 Marksmedium

4. (b) How have rural and urban economic development contributed to poverty reduction in India? Discuss.

EconomySocial Issues
14
15 Marksmedium

4. (c) What are the guidelines of the Decentralized Planning process in India? Describe.

GovernanceEconomy
15
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(a) Discuss the components of food processing schemes introduced by the Government of India.

EconomyAgriculture
16
10 Marks150 Wordshard

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(b) Do you agree with the view that India's Foreign Trade Policy, 2023–2028 will boost country's trade surplus and generate employment? Give reasons.

EconomyInternational Trade
17
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(c) What are the structural shortcomings of the 'Public Distribution System (PDS)' in India? Explain.

EconomySocial Issues
18
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(d) Justify the importance of 'Disinvestment Policy' of India.

EconomyFinance
19
10 Marks150 Wordsmedium

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each:

(e) What are the implications of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms for Indian federalism? Discuss.

EconomyGovernance
20
20 Markshard

6. (a) What are the causes of industrial backwardness in India? Critically evaluate the role of the New Industrial Policy, announced in July 1991, towards correcting such backwardness.

EconomyIndustry
21
15 Marksmedium

6. (b) Examine the implications for India due to agreements on agriculture that are signed under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1995.

EconomyInternational Trade
22
15 Marksmedium

6. (c) Why is a National Employment Policy necessary for India? What are the initiatives taken by the Government to facilitate employment generation? Explain.

EconomySocial Issues
23
20 Markseasy

7. (a) What is the sectoral composition of India's national income? Mention the most important source of national income in India.

Economy
24
15 Markshard

7. (b) What are the advantages and disadvantages of full convertibility of Indian rupee? Do you believe that capital account convertibility is feasible under the present circumstances in India? Discuss.

EconomyFinance
25
15 Marksmedium

7. (c) What is the strategy of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for exchange rate management? Discuss the recent changes in India's Exchange Rate Policy.

EconomyFinance
26
20 Marksmedium

8. (a) How do the current Finance Commission's recommendations align with the Government's Fiscal Consolidation goals? Elucidate.

EconomyGovernance
27
15 Marksmedium

8. (b) Why was the public sector given a leading role in industrial development during the pre-liberalisation era? Explain.

EconomyIndian History
28
15 Marksmedium

8. (c) Discuss the initiatives launched by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to promote financial inclusion.

EconomyFinance