UPSC Mains PYQs on Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering (GS Paper 3)
Every UPSC Mains question on Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering 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 16 questions on Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering (syllabus item 21 of GS Paper 3) between 2013 and 2025, worth 190 marks in all, about 1.8 questions a year. The most-asked microthemes are Cyber security (8), Digital Media and Security Threats (3), Money-laundering and Prevention (2), Drug trafficking (1). The busiest year was 2013 (3 questions, 30 marks).
UPSC syllabus, GS Paper 3, item 21: Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention.
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.
Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering: questions year-wise with marks
2024 2 questions · 25 marks
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Describe the context and salient features of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
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Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies to address the problem.
2022 1 question · 15 marks
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What are the different elements of cyber security? Keeping in view the challenges in cyber security, examine the extent to which India has successfully developed a comprehensive National Cyber Security Strategy.
2021 2 questions · 20 marks
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Keeping in view India's internal security, analyse the impact of cross-border cyber attacks. Also discuss defensive measures against these sophisticated attacks.
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Discuss how emerging technologies and globalisation contribute to money laundering. Elaborate measures to tackle the problem of money laundering both at national and international levels.
2020 1 question · 10 marks
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Discuss different types of cyber crimes and measures required to be taken to fight the menace.
2019 1 question · 10 marks
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What is the CyberDome Project? Explain how it can be useful in controlling internet crimes in India.
2018 2 questions · 30 marks
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Data security has assumed significant importance in the digitized world due to rising cyber crimes. The Justice B. N. Srikrishna Committee Report addresses issues related to data security. What, in your view, are the strengths and weakness of the Report relating to protection of personal data in cyber space?
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India's proximity to two of the world's biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same?
2017 2 questions · 25 marks
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Discuss the potential threats of Cyber attack and the security framework to prevent it.
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Mob violence is emerging as a serious law and order problem in India. By giving suitable examples, analyze the causes and consequences of such violence.
2015 2 questions · 25 marks
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Considering the threats cyberspace poses for the country, India needs a "Digital Armed Force" to prevent crimes. Critically evaluate the National Cyber Security Policy, 2013 outlining the challenges perceived in its effective implementation.
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Religious indoctrination via digital media has resulted in Indian youth joining the ISIS. What is ISIS and its mission? How can ISIS be dangerous for the internal security of our country?
2013 3 questions · 30 marks
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Cyber warfare is considered by some defense analysts to be a larger threat than even Al Qaeda or terrorism. What do you understand by Cyber warfare? Outline the cyber threats which India is vulnerable to and bring out the state of the country's preparedness to deal with the same.
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Money laundering poses a serious threat to country's economic sovereignty. What is its significance for India and what steps are required to be taken to control this menace?
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What are social networking site and what security implications do these sites present?
No question matches these choices. Try another year or microtheme, or reset.
Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering at a Glance
| Syllabus item | GS Paper 3, item 21 (Internal Security) |
|---|---|
| Questions asked | 16 (2013-2025), about 1.8 a year |
| Total marks | 190 marks |
| Last five years | 5 questions, 60 marks (2021-2025) |
| Usual weight | 10 marks (9 questions) |
| Directive words | Discuss (3), Explain (2), Analyse (2), Suggest (1) |
| Busiest year | 2013 (3 questions, 30 marks) |
Year-Wise Summary
| Year | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2022 | 1 | 15 marks |
| 2021 | 2 | 20 marks |
| 2020 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2019 | 1 | 10 marks |
| 2018 | 2 | 30 marks |
| 2017 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2015 | 2 | 25 marks |
| 2013 | 3 | 30 marks |
| Total | 16 | 190 marks |
Microthemes in Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering
These are the ideas inside this topic, most asked first. Select one to see all its questions year-wise with marks.
- Cyber security 8 · 92.5 marks
- Digital Media and Security Threats 3 · 37.5 marks
- Money-laundering and Prevention 2 · 20 marks
- Drug trafficking 1 · 15 marks
- Mob Violence 1 · 15 marks
- Act based 1 · 10 marks
Other Topics in GS Paper 3
- 01. Indian Economy: Growth and Development 22 · 272.5 marks
- 02. Inclusive Growth 12 · 145 marks
- 03. Government Budgeting 8 · 97.5 marks
- 04. Major Crops and Cropping Patterns 12 · 157.5 marks
- 05. Irrigation 6 · 72.5 marks
- 06. Agricultural Storage, Transport and Marketing 5 · 57.5 marks
- 07. E-Technology for Farmers 4 · 50 marks
- 08. Farm Subsidies, MSP and PDS 12 · 150 marks
- 09. Animal Rearing 1 · 12.5 marks
- 10. Food Processing Industries 7 · 82.5 marks
- 11. Land Reforms 7 · 77.5 marks
- 12. Liberalisation and Industrial Policy 14 · 160 marks
- 13. Infrastructure and Investment Models 15 · 177.5 marks
- 14. Science and Technology in Everyday Life 14 · 147.5 marks
- 15. Indian Achievements and Indigenisation in S&T 5 · 57.5 marks
- 16. IT, Space, Robotics, Nano and Biotechnology, IPR 23 · 282.5 marks
- 17. Conservation, Pollution and EIA 32 · 395 marks
- 18. Disaster Management 16 · 205 marks
- 19. Development and Extremism 8 · 97.5 marks
- 20. External State and Non-State Actors 5 · 62.5 marks
- 22. Border Areas and Organised Crime 20 · 242.5 marks
- 23. Security Forces and Agencies 4 · 57.5 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 Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering?
16 questions on Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering appeared in UPSC Mains GS Paper 3 between 2013 and 2025, worth 190 marks in all. That is about 1.8 questions a year. Every one of them is listed on this page, year-wise with its marks.
Which Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering microthemes does UPSC ask most often?
The most-asked microthemes in Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering are Cyber security (8), Digital Media and Security Threats (3), Money-laundering and Prevention (2), Drug trafficking (1). 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 Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering asked the most in UPSC Mains?
The busiest year for Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering was 2013 (3 questions, 30 marks). The lightest was 2022 (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 Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering questions carry?
Of the 16 questions on Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering, 5 of 15 marks, 2 of 12.5 marks, 9 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 Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering?
The directive words in the 16 questions on Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering are Discuss (3), Explain (2), Analyse (2), Suggest (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 Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering important for UPSC Mains?
In the last five years (2021-2025) UPSC asked 5 questions on Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering, worth 60 marks. In the first five years (2013-2017) it asked 7, worth 80 marks.
Which GS paper does Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering belong to?
Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering belongs to UPSC Mains GS Paper 3, titled Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management. The questions on this page are all from that paper.
How should I use these Cyber Security, Media and Money-Laundering 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