UPSC Mains PYQs on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry (GS Paper 2)
Every UPSC Mains question on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry between 2013 and 2025 is listed below, newest year first, with the marks it carried. Filter by microtheme to see one idea across all the years.
By Team MaargX UPSC · UPSC Mains 2013-2025
Short answer: UPSC has asked 14 questions on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry (syllabus item 11 of GS Paper 2) between 2013 and 2025, worth 177.5 marks in all, about 1.3 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Civil Society (6), SHGs (6), Donor Agencies (2). The busiest year was 2015 (3 questions, 37.5 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 2, item 11: Development processes and the development industry - the role of NGOs, SHGs, various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other stakeholders.
Find Questions by GS Paper, Syllabus Topic and Microtheme
Step 1 paper → Step 2 syllabus topic → Step 3 subject → Step 4 microtheme. Each step opens after the one before it.
NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry: questions year-wise with marks
2025 1 question · 10 marks
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Civil Society Organizations are often perceived as being anti-State actors rather than non-State actors. Do you agree? Justify.
2024 1 question · 10 marks
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Public charitable trusts have the potential to make India's development more inclusive as they relate to certain vital public issues. Comment.
2023 1 question · 15 marks
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Discuss the contribution of civil society groups for women's effective and meaningful participation and representation in state legislatures in India.
2022 1 question · 15 marks
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Do you agree with the view that increasing dependence on donor agencies for development reduces the importance of community participation in the development process? Justify your answer.
2021 2 questions · 25 marks
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Can Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations present an alternative model of public service delivery to benefit the common citizen? Discuss the challenges of this alternative model.
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Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples.
2020 1 question · 15 marks
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"Micro-Finance as an anti-poverty vaccine, is aimed at asset creation and income security of the rural poor in India". Evaluate the role of Self Help Groups in achieving the twin objectives along with empowering women in rural India.
2017 1 question · 15 marks
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'The emergence of Self Help Groups(SHGs) in contemporary times points to the slow but steady withdrawal of the state from developmental activities'. Examine the role of the SHGs in developmental activities and the measures taken by the Government of India to promote the SHGs.
2016 1 question · 12.5 marks
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In the Indian governance system, the role of non-state actors has been only marginal. Critically examine this statement.
2015 3 questions · 37.5 marks
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Examine critically the recent changes in the rules governing foreign funding of NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 1976.
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How can the role of NGOs be strengthened in India for development works relating to protection of the environment? Discuss throwing light on the major constraints.
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The Self-Help Group (SHG) Bank Linkage Programme (SBLP), which is India's own innovation, has proved to be one of the most effective poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes. Elucidate.
2014 1 question · 12.5 marks
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The penetration of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas in promoting participation in development programmes is facing socio-cultural hurdles. Examine.
2013 1 question · 10 marks
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The legitimacy and accountability of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their patrons, the micro-finance outfits, need systematic assessment and scrutiny for the sustained success of the concept. Discuss.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 2, item 11 (Governance) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 14 (2013-2025), about 1.3 a year |
| Total marks | 177.5 marks |
| Last five years | 6 questions, 75 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 15 marks (5 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (4), Examine (3), Justify (2), Comment (1) |
| Busiest year | 2015 (3 questions, 37.5 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2023 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2021 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2017 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2016 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2015 | 3 | 37.5 marks |
| 2014 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 marks |
| Total | 14 | 177.5 marks |
Microthemes in NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Civil Society 6 · 77.5 marks
- SHGs 6 · 75 marks
- Donor Agencies 2 · 25 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 2
- 01. Indian Constitution: Evolution and Features 18 · 235 marks
- 02. Union and States: Federal Structure 16 · 195 marks
- 03. Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal 10 · 117.5 marks
- 04. Devolution to Local Levels 8 · 97.5 marks
- 05. Comparison with Other Constitutions 9 · 115 marks
- 06. Parliament and State Legislatures 13 · 162.5 marks
- 07. Executive, Judiciary and Pressure Groups 17 · 197.5 marks
- 08. Representation of the People's Act 11 · 137.5 marks
- 09. Constitutional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies 23 · 282.5 marks
- 10. Government Policies and Interventions 9 · 112.5 marks
- 12. Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections 9 · 110 marks
- 13. Health, Education and Human Resources 18 · 215 marks
- 14. Poverty and Hunger 10 · 127.5 marks
- 15. Transparency, Accountability and E-Governance 18 · 215 marks
- 16. Role of Civil Services 5 · 60 marks
- 17. India and Its Neighbourhood 7 · 75 marks
- 18. Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings 19 · 230 marks
- 19. Policies of Other Countries and Indian Diaspora 16 · 195 marks
- 20. International Institutions and Agencies 15 · 187.5 marks
How to Use Mains PYQs Topic Wise
- Start with the microthemes. Open a topic and read its microtheme list. The ones with the most questions are the ideas UPSC returns to.
- Read the demand words. Note how questions begin: discuss, examine, critically analyse, comment. Each asks for a different answer structure.
- Write by marks. A 10-mark question needs a tight answer of about 150 words, and a 15-mark question about 250 words.
- Cover all years of a microtheme. Write the oldest and the latest question on the same microtheme, and see how the angle changed.
- Revise and rewrite. Revise the topic from the notes, and write the same question again after a week.
For the method in full, read the Mains answer writing strategy. The official papers are on our UPSC PYQs page.
Questions are shown as printed in the UPSC Civil Services (Main) General Studies papers of 2013-2025. The grouping into topics and microthemes is by Team MaargX UPSC. Check any wording against the official paper on upsc.gov.in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UPSC Mains questions have been asked on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry?
14 questions on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 between 2013 and 2025, worth 177.5 marks in all. That is about 1.3 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry are Civil Society (6), SHGs (6), Donor Agencies (2). The number in brackets is how many questions each has had since 2013. Use the microtheme filter to see all of them together, year by year, with marks.
In which year was NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry was 2015 (3 questions, 37.5 marks). The lightest was 2025 (1 questions, 10 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry questions carry?
Of the 14 questions on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry, 5 of 15 marks, 5 of 12.5 marks, 4 of 10 marks. Plan your word limit by marks: 10-marker answers run to about 150 words and 15-marker answers to about 250 words.
What kind of questions does UPSC ask on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry?
The directive words in the 14 questions on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry are Discuss (4), Examine (3), Justify (2), Comment (1). Match your answer to the word: discuss and examine want both sides with a conclusion, while comment and critically analyse want a reasoned stand.
Is NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 6 questions on NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry, worth 75 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 7, worth 87.5 marks.
Which GS paper does NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry belong to?
NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 2, titled Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry PYQs?
Read the microtheme list first, then pick one and write two or three answers in the time limit. Compare each with what the question demands (discuss, examine, critically analyse). Revise the topic from the Maarg Manthan notes and write the same question again after a week.
Official Sources
These are the primary sources behind this page. Rules, dates and papers can change, so confirm them on the official pages.
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers
- UPSC: Previous Year Question Papers (Archives)
- UPSC: Revised Syllabus and Scheme
- UPSC: Civil Services Examination Rules