APSC CCE Mains 2023 General Studies-II (Paper-3) Previous Year Question Paper

EXAM DETAILS

QUESTION PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions.

• There are TWENTY questions printed in ENGLISH and ASSAMESE.
• All questions are compulsory.
• The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.
• Answers to Question Nos. 1 to 10 should be in 150 words each, whereas answers to Question Nos. 11 to 20 should be in 250 words each.
• Keep the word limit indicated in the questions in mind.
• Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet must be clearly struck off.

QUESTIONS (1–20)

The questions below have been reproduced from the official APSC CCE Mains 2023 General Studies-II (Paper-3) Question Paper for educational and reference purposes. Candidates can also view the official Question Paper PDF at the end of this page.

Questions 1–10

Answer each question in 150 words. Each question carries 10 marks.

1. Discuss how ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme aligns with the broader mission of poverty alleviation and socio-economic empowerment of women.

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

2. “The social value of COVID-19 vaccine exceeds its market value.” Critically analyze the statement.

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

3. “India’s participation in global agreements on human rights reflects its commitment to promoting a just and equitable world order.” Discuss this statement with reference to India’s involvement in international agreements and bodies. Evaluate India’s approach to human rights issues at the global level.

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

4. “The Indian diaspora acts as a catalyst for economic growth and cultural exchange, but its potential remains largely untapped.” Explore the emerging trends and innovative approaches in leveraging the Indian diaspora for enhancing India’s economic competitiveness and global influence.

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

5. Discuss the significant differences between colonial civil service and the civil service of independent India. Analyze the role of civil service as agents of change in contemporary India.

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

6. What is Bhutan’s plan for regional economic hub at Gelephu? In what manner is Assam going to be benefitted by this hub?

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

7. Can State funding of elections bring in transparency in the poll process? How do the other democracies handle this issue?

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

8. Do you think fencing of India-Myanmar border is an effective step to check terrorist activities and drugs trafficking? Justify your answer in the light of the Centre’s decision to fence the porous India-Myanmar border.

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

9. “Constitutional bodies in India need to fulfil the role of watchdog of democracy while keeping themselves out of executive interference.” Discuss this statement while critically evaluating the functioning of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

   (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

10. “Bureaucracy is not an obstacle to democracy, but an inevitable complement to it.” Evaluate this statement in the light of criticisms suggesting that bureaucracy fails to facilitate change.

    (Answer in 150 words) [10 Marks]

Questions 11–20

Answer each question in 250 words. Each question carries 15 marks.

11. “The recently passed ‘Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023’ seeks to balance the case of forest conservation with the requirement of strategic infrastructure development.” Discuss the possible impact of such interventions in the States of North-East India.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

12. “The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to fundamentally transform the ways in which governance is done in India.” Discuss the challenges to be faced in this regard.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

13. Examine the impact of developed countries’ immigration policies on India’s skilled workforce and diaspora communities. Analyze how visa regulations and skilled immigration programmes in countries like the United States and Canada affect India’s brain drain and diaspora engagement.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

14. “In an era of shifting geo-political alliances, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic, the influence of developed and developing countries’ policies on India’s strategic interest demands nuanced examination.” Analyze the multi-faceted impact of evolving foreign policies and the political dynamics of major powers on India’s national security and regional stability. Provide recent examples and propose innovative diplomatic strategies to safeguard India’s interest amidst global uncertainties.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

15. “Good governance is considered a key to achieving sustainable development and human well-being.” Evaluate this assertion with reference to the initiatives undertaken by the Government of India in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

16. What is Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)? Elucidate the opportunities of India under Quad arrangement.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

17. “To paraphrase Mark Twain, if you don’t watch news, you will be uninformed, if you do, you will be misinformed.” In the context of this statement, assess the role of Indian media as the fourth pillar of democracy.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

18. Describe the salient features of the Flag Code of India, 2002.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

19. “Right to dissent is the lifeline of democracy.” Explain.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

20. What is ‘Mission Karmayogi’? Analyze its effectiveness in bringing civil service reforms through a capacity-building approach.

    (Answer in 250 words) [15 Marks]

Official Question Paper (PDF)

If you prefer reading the original question paper or want to verify the formatting, Assamese version, instructions, questions, marks and word limits, you can view the official APSC CCE Mains 2023 General Studies-II (Paper-3) PDF below.

The official APSC Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Mains 2023 – General Studies-II (Paper-3) Question Paper is embedded below for reference. Candidates can use this PDF to verify the original question paper format, English and Assamese questions, instructions, marks and word limits as released by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC).