Part of the General Studies-I question bank for OPSC (OAS) Mains.
A comprehensive, topic-wise practice set of 28 questions on Diversity & Social Issues for OPSC (OAS) Mains General Studies-I. 10 of them have been set in an actual paper — the years and exams are printed against each (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2015). The rest are practice questions on the same syllabus points.
Previous year questions
| No. | Question | Asked in |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | How do you understand disability? Substantiate the need for inclusive policy framework in India in this regard. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2026 10 marks |
| 2 | Does tribal development in India centre around two axes, those of displacement and of rehabilitation? Give your opinion. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2025 15 marks |
| 3 | Distinguish between gender equality, gender equity and women's empowerment. Why is it important to take gender concerns into account in programme design and implementation? | UPSC Mains GS-I 2024 10 marks |
| 4 | Intercaste marriages between castes which have socio-economic parity have increased, to some extent, but this is less true of interreligious marriages. Discuss. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2024 10 marks |
| 5 | Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India's cultural diversities and socio-economic marginalities. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2024 15 marks |
| 6 | How many types of tribals are there in Odisha? What are the issues and problems of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups? | OPSC OAS Mains 2023 15 marks |
| 7 | Discuss some important causes of rural poverty. Discuss some of the poverty alleviation programmes which have been launched by the Government of India for the rural poor. | OPSC OAS Mains 2023 15 marks |
| 8 | Analyse the salience of 'sect' in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2023 15 marks |
| 9 | Do you agree that regionalism in India appears to be a consequence of rising cultural assertiveness? Argue. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2022 10 marks |
| 10 | "Empowering women is the key to control population growth." Discuss. | UPSC Mains GS-I 2021 10 marks |
| 11 | What are the continued challenges for women in India against time and space? | UPSC Mains GS-I 2021 15 marks |
| 12 | Explain the regional incidence of poverty in Odisha. | OPSC OAS Mains 2020 10 marks |
| 13 | What is Social Exclusion? Explain the types and contributors of social exclusion. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.11(a) · 10 marks |
| 14 | What is Drug Addiction? Discuss about the consequences of drug abuse. | OPSC OAS Mains 2018 GS Paper-I Q.11(b) · 5 marks |
| 15 | Inspite of the existence of so many laws to the contrary inequality in India still exists in a brutal form. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 GS Paper-I Q.11(b) · 5 marks |
| 16 | Rights of the LGBT as per the existing law. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 GS Paper-I Q.11(c) · 5 marks |
| 17 | Drug abuse - its causes and effects. | OPSC OAS Mains 2017 GS Paper-I Q.11(d) · 5 marks |
| 18 | The strength of a democracy is known from the way it treats its minorities - analyse in the context of Indian experience. | OPSC OAS Mains 2015 GS Paper-I Q.11(c) · 10 marks |
Practice questions
| No. | Question | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Highlighting complex factors leading to gender gap in poverty and development in India. Discuss innovative strategies to ensure equitable rights and opportunities for women? | — |
| 20 | Caste movements across various regions in India during the colonial era undeniably wielded a momentous influence in fundamentally restructuring the intricate fabric of social dynamics. Do you agree? Justify your opinion. | — |
| 21 | Discuss the role of Bhakti saints in promoting social equality and inclusivity in Indian society. | — |
| 22 | Analyse the role of Odia literature in shaping regional cultural identity. | — |
| 23 | What to you are the main causes responsible for poverty in Odisha? | — |
| 24 | Discuss the approach adopted for tribal development in Odisha. | — |
| 25 | Examine the status of Public Health in Tribal Areas in India. Comment on the health seeking behaviour of tribal people in India. | — |
| 26 | Assess the personality profile of deprived classes students in Indian Society. | — |
| 27 | Discuss the welfare programs associated with the upliftment of the tribal people in India. | — |
| 28 | What are the reasons behind the movement for separate state in Western Odisha? | — |