UPSC Mains PYQs on Poverty and Hunger (GS Paper 2)
Every UPSC Mains question on Poverty and Hunger 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 10 questions on Poverty and Hunger (syllabus item 14 of GS Paper 2) between 2013 and 2025, worth 127.5 marks in all, about 1.1 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Poverty (6), Hunger (3). The busiest year was 2017 (2 questions, 25 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 2, item 14: Issues relating to poverty and hunger
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.
Poverty and Hunger: questions year-wise with marks
2025 1 question · 15 marks
-
Inequality in the ownership pattern of resources is one of the major causes of poverty. Discuss in the context of 'paradox of poverty'.
2024 1 question · 10 marks
-
Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle?
2022 1 question · 15 marks
-
Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss.
2020 1 question · 15 marks
-
"The incidence and intensity of poverty are more important in determining poverty based on income alone". In this context analyse the latest United Nations Multidimensional Poverty Index Report.
2019 1 question · 10 marks
-
There is a growing divergence in the relationship between poverty and hunger in India. The shrinking of social expenditure by the government is forcing the poor to spend more on Non- Food essential items squeezing their food – budget.- Elucidate.
2018 1 question · 15 marks
-
How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India?
2017 2 questions · 25 marks
-
'Poverty Alleviation Programmes in India remain mere show pieces until and unless they are backed by political will'. Discuss with reference to the performance of the major poverty alleviation programmes in India.
-
Hunger and Poverty are the biggest challenges for good governance in India still today. Evaluate how far successive governments have progressed in dealing with these humongous problems. Suggest measures for improvement.
2015 1 question · 12.5 marks
-
Though there have been several different estimates of poverty in India, all indicate reduction in poverty levels over time. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to urban and rural poverty indicators.
2013 1 question · 10 marks
-
The concept of Mid Day Meal (MDM) scheme is almost a century old in India with early beginnings in Madras Presidency in pre-independent India. The scheme has again been given impetus in most states in the last two decades. Critically examine its twin objectives, latest mandates and success.
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Poverty and Hunger at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 2, item 14 (Social Justice) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 10 (2013-2025), about 1.1 a year |
| Total marks | 127.5 marks |
| Last five years | 3 questions, 40 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 15 marks (5 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (3), Examine (2), Analyse (1), Elucidate (1) |
| Busiest year | 2017 (2 questions, 25 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2018 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2017 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2015 | 1 | 12.5 marks |
| 2013 | 1 | 10 marks |
| Total | 10 | 127.5 marks |
Microthemes in Poverty and Hunger
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Poverty 6 · 82.5 marks
- Hunger 3 · 35 marks
- Miscellaneous 1 · 10 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
- 11. NGOs, SHGs and the Development Industry 14 · 177.5 marks
- 12. Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections 9 · 110 marks
- 13. Health, Education and Human Resources 18 · 215 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 Poverty and Hunger?
10 questions on Poverty and Hunger appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 between 2013 and 2025, worth 127.5 marks in all. That is about 1.1 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Poverty and Hunger microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Poverty and Hunger are Poverty (6), Hunger (3). 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 Poverty and Hunger asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Poverty and Hunger was 2017 (2 questions, 25 marks). The lightest was 2025 (1 questions, 15 marks). Treat these swings as noise: UPSC does not repeat a fixed pattern, so cover the whole topic.
How many marks do Poverty and Hunger questions carry?
Of the 10 questions on Poverty and Hunger, 5 of 15 marks, 1 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 Poverty and Hunger?
The directive words in the 10 questions on Poverty and Hunger are Discuss (3), Examine (2), Analyse (1), Elucidate (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 Poverty and Hunger important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 3 questions on Poverty and Hunger, worth 40 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 4, worth 47.5 marks.
Which GS paper does Poverty and Hunger belong to?
Poverty and Hunger 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 Poverty and Hunger 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