UPSC CSE 2026 Essay Paper Discussion

YEAR ASKED IN

2014

Practice UPSC 2014 previous year questions on Anantam IAS: 100 Prelims MCQs and 87 Mains Q&A with answer keys, explanations and topic-wise links.

Prelims MCQs 100

  1. In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in…

    In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

    1. AThe preamble to the Constitution
    2. BDirective Principles of State Policy DPSP
    3. CFundamental Duties
    4. DNinth Schedule
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Directive Principles of State Policy Article 51. Promotion of international peace and security.

    The State shall endeavour to -

    - promote international peace and security; - maintain just and honourable relations between nations; - foster respect for international law and treaty obligations in the dealings of organised peoples with one another; - encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

  2. Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding…

    Which one of the following Schedules of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection?

    1. ASecond Schedule
    2. BFifth Schedule
    3. CEighth Schedule
    4. DTenth Schedule
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: D

    The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India contains provisions regarding anti-defection.

    The Tenth Schedule, also known as the Anti-Defection Law, was added to the Constitution through the 52nd Amendment Act in 1985. It lays down the process by which legislators may be disqualified on the grounds of defection from the political party they were elected under.

  3. Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

    Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?

    1. AThe Committee on Public Accounts
    2. BThe Committee on Estimates
    3. CThe Committee on Public Undertakings
    4. DThe Committee on Petitions
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    The Committee on Estimates is the largest among the options provided and is the largest of the three Financial Committees of the Parliament. It consists of 30 members, all of whom are elected annually by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members. Notably, the Rajya Sabha has no representation in this committee.

    Comparison of Committee Sizes:

    * Committee on Estimates: 30 members (All from Lok Sabha). * Committee on Public Accounts: 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). * Committee on Public Undertakings: 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). * Committee on Petitions: The Lok Sabha committee consists of 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee consists of 10 members.

    While Department-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) created in 1993 have 31 members, the Committee on Estimates remains the largest committee of the Lok Sabha and the largest among the specific choices listed in the question.

  4. Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat? 1. Preparation of…

    Which of the following is/are the function/functions of the Cabinet Secretariat? 1. Preparation of agenda for Cabinet Meetings 2. Secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees 3. Allocation of financial resources to the Ministries Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 2 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Statement 1 is correct: The Cabinet Secretariat is responsible for the preparation of the agenda for Cabinet meetings and circulation of papers related to Cabinet discussions.

    Statement 2 is correct: It provides secretarial assistance to Cabinet Committees and ensures implementation of Cabinet decisions through coordination among ministries.

    Statement 3 is incorrect: The Cabinet Secretariat does not allocate financial resources — that function is performed by the Ministry of Finance through the Budget Division and related departments.

  5. Consider the following languages: 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu Which of the above…

    Consider the following languages: 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu Which of the above has/have been declared as 'Classical Language / Languages' by the Government?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B3 only
    3. C2 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Statement 1 is Incorrect: Gujarati has not been declared a Classical Language by the Government of India. Statement 2 is Correct: Kannada was officially accorded the status of a Classical Language in 2008, recognizing its high antiquity and rich ancient literature. Statement 3 is Correct: Telugu was officially declared a Classical Language in 2008, meeting the criteria of having an independent literary tradition and recorded history spanning over 1500-2000 years.

  6. Consider the following pairs : |Vitamin|Deficiency disease| |– |–| |1. Vitamin C | Scurvy|…

    Consider the following pairs : |Vitamin|Deficiency disease| |-- |--| |1. Vitamin C | Scurvy| |2. Vitamin D|Rickets| |3. Vitamin E | Night blindness| Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B3 only
    3. C1, 2 and 3
    4. DNone
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: A

    Statement 1 is correct: Vitamin C deficiency causes Scurvy is right.

    Statement 2 is correct: Vitamin D deficiency causes Rickets is right.

    Statement 3 is incorrect: Vitamin E deficiency causes Night blindness is wrong. Vitamin A deficiency causes Night blindness.

  7. The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre…

    The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its

    1. Aadvisory jurisdiction
    2. Bappellate jurisdiction.
    3. Coriginal jurisdiction
    4. Dwrit jurisdiction
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: C

    Article 131 of the Constitution of India provides for the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to settle the disputes between the different units of the Indian Federation such as between the Centre and one or more states and, between the states.

  8. The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India…

    The power to increase the number of judges in the Supreme Court of India is vested in

    1. Athe President of India
    2. Bthe Parliament
    3. Cthe Chief Justice of India
    4. Dthe Law Commission
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    According to article 124(1), There shall be a Supreme Court of India consisting of a Chief Justice of India and, until Parliament by law prescribes a larger number, of not more than thirty-three other Judges. Thus, the Constitution vests the authority to increase the number of Judges in the Parliament.

  9. With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements:…

    With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following statements: 1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009. 2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Statement 1 is incorrect: The first BRIC Summit (before South Africa joined) was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009 — not in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The grouping originally included Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC).

    Statement 2 is correct: South Africa joined the group in 2011, turning BRIC into BRICS. It was indeed the last country to join the grouping, representing the African continent.

    ![BRICS](https://d39jluplm5thpx.cloudfront.net//BRICS_af5ea68ef5.jpg)

  10. Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which – 1. Places effective…

    Consider the following statements: A Constitutional Government is one which - 1. Places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority 2. Places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
    Answer and explanation

    Correct answer: B

    Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution protects individual rights and liberties from the government's overreach.

    Statement 2 is correct: A core principle of a constitutional government is limited government. This means the government's power is not absolute and is restricted by a constitution.

    Thus, statement one is incorrect and statement two is correct.

Mains Q&A 87

  1. In our country, the migration of rural people to towns and cities is increasing drastically. This is causing serious problems both in the rural as well as in the urban areas. In fact, things are becoming really unmanageable. Can you analyze this problem in detail and indicate not only the socio-economic but also the emotional and attitudinal factors responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly bring out why— (a) educated rural youth are trying to shift to urban areas; (b) landless poor people are migrating to urban slums; (c) even some farmers are selling off their land and trying to settle in urban areas taking up petty jobs. What feasible steps can you suggest which will be effective in controlling this serious problem of our country?

  2. Suppose you are the CEO of a company that manufactures specialized electronic equipment used by a government department. You have submitted your bid for the supply of this equipment to the department. Both the quality and cost of your offer are better than those of the competitors. Yet the concerned officer is demanding a hefty bribe for approving the tender. Getting the order is important both for you and for your company. Not getting the order would mean closing a production line. It may also affect your own career. However, as a value-conscious person, you do not want to give bribe. Valid arguments can be advanced both for giving the bribe and getting the order, and for refusing to pay the bribe and risking the loss of the order. What those arguments could be? Could there be any better way to get out of this dilemma? If so, outline the main elements of this third way, pointing out its merits.

  3. Rameshwar successfully cleared the prestigious civil services examination and was excited about the opportunity that he would get through the civil services to serve the country. However, soon after joining the services, he realized that things are not as rosy as he had imagined. He found a number of malpractices prevailing in the department assigned to him. For example, funds under various schemes and grants were being misappropriated. The official facilities were frequently being used for personal needs by the officers and staff. After some time, he noticed that the process of recruiting the staff was also not up to the mark. Prospective candidates were required to write an examination in which a lot of cheating was going on. Some candidates were provided external help in the examination. Rameshwar brought these incidents to the notice of his seniors. However, he was advised to keep his eyes, ears and mouth shut and ignore all these things which were taking place with the connivance of the higher-ups. Rameshwar felt highly disillusioned and uncomfortable. He comes to you seeking your advice. Indicate various options that you think are available in this situation. How would you help him to evaluate these options and choose the most appropriate path to be adopted?

  4. You are a no-nonsense, honest officer. You have been transferred to a remote district to head a department that is notorious for its inefficiency and callousness. You find that the main cause of the poor state of affairs is the indiscipline of a section of employees. They do not work themselves and also disrupt the working of others. You first warned the troublemakers to mend their ways or else face disciplinary action. When the warning had little effect, you issued a show cause notice to the ringleaders. As a retaliatory measure, these troublemakers instigated a woman employee amongst them to file a complaint of sexual harassment against you with the Women’s Commission. The Commission promptly seeks your explanation. The matter is also publicized in the media to embarrass you further. Some of the options to handle this situation could be as follows: (i) Give your explanation to the Commission and go soft on the disciplinary action. (ii) Ignore the Commission and proceed firmly with the disciplinary action. (iii) Brief your higher-ups, seek directions from them and act accordingly. Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for it.

  5. Now-a-days, there is an increasing thrust on economic development all around the globe. At the same time, there is also an increasing concern about environmental degradation caused by development. Many a time, we face a direct conflict between developmental activity and environmental quality. It is neither feasible to stop or curtail the developmental process, nor it is advisable to keep degrading the environment, as it threatens our very survival. Discuss some feasible strategies which could be adopted to eliminate this conflict and which could lead to sustainable development.

  6. (a) The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the consequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What can you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy? (b) It is often said that poverty leads to corruption. However, there is no dearth of instances where affluent and powerful people indulge in corruption in a big way. What are the basic causes of corruption among people? Support your answer with examples.

  7. (a) Which eminent personality has inspired you the most in the context of ethical conduct in life? Give the gist of his/her teachings. Giving specific examples, describe how you have been able to apply these teachings for your own ethical development. (b) There is a heavy ethical responsibility on the public servants because they occupy positions of power, handle huge amounts of public funds, and their decisions have wide-ranging impact on society and environment. What steps have you taken to improve your ethical competence to handle such responsibility?